Soul Severing Perfection, Promotion Appointment (Monthly Pass Requested)

Soul Severing Perfection, Promotion Appointment (Monthly Pass Requested~)

"My lord, Guan Dongxiang's bones are truly hard. We subordinates have tortured and interrogated him for more than twenty days straight, taking shifts day and night without a moment's pause, yet he stubbornly refused to say a single word."

A Middle-aged Man dressed in a dark indigo Fish Scale Uniform with thick soles and black-patterned trim stood respectfully before Chen Ping'an as he made his report.

Chen Ping'an sat upright in a large chair with his eyes closed, listening quietly.

Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang had roamed the seven northern prefectures of Canglong for years. Chen Ping'an bore him no grudge, yet he had crossed thousands of miles specifically to challenge him in Wei River. Chen Ping'an would never believe that no one had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.

In the battle on the long street, Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang had been severely injured by a single slash from him. After his defeat, he had remained imprisoned in the Wei River Dungeon.

Chen Ping'an did not need to say anything; those below naturally knew what to do.

Torture and interrogation were the Town Pacification Office's specialty, and the Wei River Dungeon was even more abundant in such talent. Yet although all eighteen forms of martial arts had been brought out, Guan Dongxiang still kept his mouth shut.

Though Guan Dongxiang was an expert on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings with vigorous life force, he had already been critically wounded by that slash and was on the brink of death. If the torture continued, he might truly die. Those below did not dare make the decision themselves and immediately came to Chen Ping'an to report the situation.

All the requisite formalities in between need not be mentioned.

"Put the torture on hold for now. He's been pressed for so many days—whatever could be pried out would have been pried out long ago." Chen Ping'an slowly opened his eyes, his expression calm as he said lightly, "Keep him alive for now."

"Yes, my lord," the Middle-aged Man answered respectfully.

As the Wei River Prison Warden, he oversaw the Wei River Dungeon. Outside, he too was a figure who cut an imposing figure in every direction. Yet before Chen Ping'an, he did not dare show the slightest disrespect.

This man's reputation had long spread far and wide. Treat him with respect, and he generally would not make things difficult for you. But if you failed to know your place, were proud and arrogant, and obeyed in public while defying in private—then, sorry. No matter your abilities or background, all would be suppressed!

"Alright, go handle it." Chen Ping'an waved a hand.

"Yes." The Wei River Prison Warden bowed respectfully, then slowly backed away. Only after closing the office door did he turn around.

"Guan Dongxiang..." Chen Ping'an glanced at the report on the desk, the one the Wei River Prison Warden had handed over.

Naturally, the Wei River Prison Warden had not come to report empty-handed. The relevant documents had been prepared to perfection. The higher the level of the report, the more materials had to be prepared in advance. Yet most of the time, the time those above spent reading the materials was inversely proportional to the time you had spent preparing them. The longer you prepared, the less time they spent looking. On the contrary, at unimportant reporting occasions with no great figures present, the casually prepared materials you brought would instead be picked apart with endless questions, letting them flaunt that meager bit of authority they possessed.

The higher one stood, if they did not see what they wanted in the materials you had prepared, then within their field of expertise, a label might already have been silently affixed to you.

"A hard bone? Hard bones are good!" Chen Ping'an lightly tapped the tabletop, producing crisp knocks.

Though Guan Dongxiang's mouth was hard, whether he spoke or not would not affect the overall situation. Though Guan Dongxiang had been defeated by one slash of his saber, he was still a Dragon and Tiger expert who had run rampant across the Northern Lands, with no ordinary status or standing. There were only so many people capable of directing him from behind the scenes who also happened to hold a grudge against Chen Ping'an.

Whether Guan Dongxiang spoke was not important!

Chen Ping'an was not some one-track-minded fool who had to have evidence to get things done. I suspect you are guilty—sorry, then you are guilty!

The ones who had directed Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang to issue the challenge, viciously laid out the board, and set up this overt scheme could be none other than the Canglong Xue Family or Tong Guan of the Universe Control Division.

Taking everything that had happened before into account, common sense suggested that the Canglong Xue Family was the more likely possibility.

Yet Chen Ping'an faintly felt that the one who had set up this trap, intending to force him into a desperate corner, was likely the Golden Gong Universe Control Envoy Candidate of the Universe Control Division—the cultivator of the Celestial Boy Art, Tong Guan!

Tong Guan was sinister and cunning. Borrowing the Xue Family's influence to set up this scheme did seem like his style.

Besides, Tong Jin had been dead for so long, yet Tong Guan had shown no reaction whatsoever! At first, Chen Ping'an had thought Feng Chengxiu would be Tong Guan's means of revenge. He had not expected Tong Guan to be waiting for him here instead.

Sure enough, not a single person capable of becoming a grandmaster was simple-minded!

Personally taking action and placing oneself in the spotlight was merely the worst of bad options. After all, they were not Demonic Heretics; they were all making their way within the system. Unless driven to the bitter end, no one would flip the table.

If it truly came to that, it would mean preparing for jade and stone to burn together. Whether he succeeded or failed, he would suffer the system's backlash.

"This old scheming bastard!" Chen Ping'an's gaze flickered. "If I get the chance, I'll clean him up together with the rest!"

Though he was not certain whether Tong Guan had truly made the move, Chen Ping'an did not believe Tong Guan could be so magnanimous. So long as there was even a trace of possibility, he would erase him without a sound.

All of this came from the confidence his strength gave him.

Among Jade Balance Early Stage grandmasters, Tong Guan's combat strength was indeed Not Bad, but before Chen Ping'an, he was nothing much. It was merely a matter of five moves or ten moves.

Buzz~

At that thought, the Spiritual Light between Chen Ping'an's brows began to tremble faintly. His break from cultivation had just ended, and he had more or less finished regulating his breath. It was Just right to continue cultivating the Soul Severing Saber Technique.

"In one push, I'll cultivate the Soul Severing Saber Technique to perfection today!" Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed, and the true essence within his body began to circulate along the Soul Severing Saber Technique's unique path. Along with the true essence came the spirituality of the Spirit Platform, drawn down from between his brows.

True essence as soldiers, spirituality as generals—coordinating all effects, wielding them as easily as one's own limbs!

+1!

A familiar, indescribable thread of Cultivation Experience flashed past, and a trace of joy rose in Chen Ping'an's heart.

+1!

+1!

"1,600 points of Cultivation Experience. Enough!"

Delight appeared on Chen Ping'an's face. His gaze trembled faintly as several lines of text emerged before his eyes.

Realm: Jade Balance Middle Stage—Spirit Fruit Seedling

Martial Arts: Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art Entry (38/480), Soaring Dragon Movement Technique Mastery (0/1600), Soul Severing Saber Mastery (1600/1600), Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art Perfection, Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill Perfection, Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger Perfection, Great Vajra Palm Perfection.

"Break through!"

After regulating his breath for a moment, clear light gleamed in Chen Ping'an's eyes as he spoke softly.

Whoosh~

On the panel, the Cultivation Experience after the Soul Severing Saber Technique began to churn madly, turning into specks of starlight that emerged and sank into Chen Ping'an's brow.

Chen Ping'an was already familiar with this process to the utmost degree. As the starlight merged with his spirituality, vast amounts of insight surfaced in his heart. It was not forcibly instilled from outside, but more like he was drawing upon the insights within his heart, allowing the relevant memories and realizations to emerge naturally.

The Soul Severing Saber Technique took the meaning of severing souls—slash the spirit, sever the soul!

"The Soul Severing Saber Technique, perfected!"

The spirituality in his Spirit Platform and the true essence within his body began circulating in unison, trembling against each other. The Spirit Fruit Seedling growing upon his Spirit Platform seemed to have become a little more rounded, its green immaturity gradually fading to reveal a trace of fullness.

The breakthrough of the Soul Severing Saber Technique did not bring much advancement to Chen Ping'an's Martial Path Realm. With his current Jade Balance Middle Stage cultivation, perfecting a middling-to-low-grade divine art was no longer enough to grant him any significant improvement.

The benefits produced by the Golden Finger Panel were still the same amount. Back in the past, they could have brought about an extremely obvious transformation. But now, they seemed somewhat insignificant.

However, perfecting the Soul Severing Saber Technique also allowed Chen Ping'an to successfully grasp its ultimate secret skill—the Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash!

A heaven-shaking slash that burned his own essence, qi, spirit, and will, ascending to the utmost limit! This was the Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash!

Before slaying others, first slash oneself!

If Chen Ping'an had not yet stepped into the Jade Balance Grandmaster Realm, using this slash would have brought considerable backlash. If he unleashed two slashes in succession within a short period of time, it could even affect the foundation of his divine will.

But now, the Flower of Spirituality had condensed, the Spirit Fruit Seedling had formed, and the foundation of his luminous divine will was stable. Even unleashing three slashes in succession would place too great a burden on him.

With his current incomparably profound foundation of divine will, he should be able to unleash a flawless Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash!

Though his realm was not apparent, under the Blood Weeping Slash, his combat strength rivaled that of a true Grandmaster renowned for slaughter!

A Pseudo-Grandmaster like Fan Zhengheng could be slain with a single Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash. A formidable Pseudo-Grandmaster like Feng Chengxiu could withstand at most two slashes!

As for three slashes?

Below the Grandmaster Realm, no one could block them!

Even Lan Yingying of the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm from the past would suffer grievous wounds and retreat in defeat if she took three of his Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slashes head-on.

Buzz—

The Spiritual Light at his brow trembled, and Chen Ping'an slowly opened his eyes.

"The Soul Severing Saber Technique is perfected! At last, I can openly display strength comparable to that of a true Grandmaster!"

If not for the fact that revealing Jade Balance Grandmaster cultivation at his current age would be far too monstrous, he would not need to hide it so carefully. Even when he wanted to reveal a little strength, he had to painstakingly calculate the timing and give the outside world a reasonable explanation and excuse.

Counting the days, he was now nearly twenty-three. Among ordinary people, he could be called a young man. But considering his current realm, an age under twenty-three was truly far too young. To those old monsters, calling him a youth would not be excessive in the slightest.

Not yet twenty-three! If that age were placed alongside Jade Balance Grandmaster, it would undoubtedly be too terrifying.

Over the past eight hundred years in Azure Dragon Province Territory, the most gifted person had stepped into the Grandmaster Realm at the age of twenty-five.

If Chen Ping'an entered the Grandmaster Realm before the age of twenty-three, talent of this kind would be enough to shake the Imperial Capital.

Searching through the history of Azure Dragon Province Territory, only that person from fifteen hundred years ago could compare to such talent. And that person's achievements...

Chen Ping'an truly was not unwilling to court such attention. He simply wanted to accumulate enough strength before doing so, so that when facing the many ill-intentioned eyes watching him, he would possess considerable ability to protect himself.

The foremost prodigy of Azure Dragon Province Territory in eight hundred years—how exactly had he died back then? To this day, it was still clearly recorded in the secret archives of the Town Pacification Office's Universe Control Division.

However, if one day the tides of the times forced him to take that spotlight, then he would seize it to his heart's content—gloriously, flamboyantly, and without restraint.

A gentleman keeps his weapon hidden upon his person, waiting for the right time to act. When the time arrives, the soaring dragon takes flight into the heavens!

Just as Chen Ping'an was regulating his breath, a knock sounded outside the door.

"What is it?"

"My lord! A city guard runner has brought word from outside Wei River City that an appointment from the provincial Town Pacification Office has arrived!"

"Lord Chen, we meet again."

Inside the Main Hall of the Wei River Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an met this envoy from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office. The man had a broad forehead and a stern, imposing face. Seeing Chen Ping'an arrive, he smiled and greeted him.

"Lord Yu." Chen Ping'an smiled and cupped his hands.

This envoy from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office was also an old acquaintance of Chen Ping'an's—Yu Zhanhong of the provincial Town Pacification Office's Dispatch Office. Back when Chen Ping'an had been promoted to Deputy Brigade Commander of the Wei River Town Pacification Office, it was Yu Zhanhong who had delivered the appointment.

"Lord Chen, after we parted last time, I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Yu Zhanhong's eyes shone as he looked directly at Chen Ping'an. After sizing him up, he perceived Chen Ping'an's current bearing, and his heart was once again filled with immense astonishment.

How long had it been? Yet he had already made such a great breakthrough! An unparalleled prodigy truly could not be understood by ordinary people!

"Indeed, Lord Yu." Chen Ping'an waved him toward a seat and sat down as well. "There were too many matters to attend to that day, and Chen was unable to fulfill his duties as host. Now that we meet again today, Lord Yu must give Chen this opportunity!"

"Hahaha, certainly, certainly." Yu Zhanhong laughed heartily and agreed without hesitation. He could hear a trace of familiarity in Chen Ping'an's tone. A prodigy like Chen Ping'an was naturally someone he was willing to befriend.

The two exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Before they had spoken for long, Fan Zhengheng, the Brigade Commander of the Wei River Town Pacification Office, and the Deputy Brigade Commander arrived one after another.

After the few of them met, they naturally exchanged another round of greetings.

"Lord Yu, you have come from afar, yet Fan failed to welcome you properly. Forgive me, forgive me!" Fan Zhengheng cupped his hands in greeting, his manner relaxed, as though he were meeting an old friend.

With several people present, the Main Hall of the Town Pacification Office no longer seemed deserted. The atmosphere was lively, and smiling words were exchanged often.

Seeing the atmosphere gradually become more congenial, their conversation finally turned to the main matter.

"Lord Yu, may I ask what business brings you to Wei River?" Fan Zhengheng asked with a smile. In truth, he already knew perfectly well. Earlier, word from the city gate had likewise reached his ears through trusted subordinates. As he spoke, he cast Chen Ping'an a discreet glance, and a faint guess arose in his heart.

"Haha, Lord Fan, what else could I have come here for? Naturally, I have come for an appointment from the provincial Town Pacification Office," Yu Zhanhong said with a smile.

"Oh? And who is being appointed?" Fan Zhengheng asked smoothly. "Could it be that the provincial Town Pacification Office has seen that Fan has held Wei River for many years and is preparing to promote me?" Fan Zhengheng made a joking remark.

"Lord Fan's hard work is plain for all to see. His promotion is merely a matter of time." Yu Zhanhong praised Fan Zhengheng, not letting the words fall to the ground.

"If it is not Fan, then who else could it be?" Fan Zhengheng feigned disappointment, livening the atmosphere. As he spoke, he even cast Chen Ping'an a friendly glance. Liu Yuanhua cooperated from the side as well.

Outsiders all assumed that any great figure would be a person of meticulous severity, bearing a solemn and imposing expression. Yet when they interacted with those of equal standing, they would occasionally joke around as well.

"Who else could it be? Naturally, it is our very own Lord Chen Ping'an, whose name has spread throughout the province!"

Yu Zhanhong spoke with a smile, recounting the matter of the appointment in a measured, unhurried manner.

Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua sat quietly to one side, gentle smiles on their faces as they listened. But when Yu Zhanhong reached the details, the smiles on both their faces had already been replaced by profound astonishment. Their eyes were full of shock, and towering waves surged through their hearts.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had been promoted to North Azure Stronghold Deputy Garrison General, taking command of North Azure and overseeing one side!

In the brief span of two days, news of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's promotion swept through the entire Wei River County City.

Five days later, the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office issued a proclamation, notifying the province and the local pacification offices.

"Rewards and punishments are the great guiding cord of the realm, where trust and righteousness reside. Chen Ping'an, Deputy Brigade Commander of the Wei River Town Pacification Office, possesses both wisdom and courage, with strategy surpassing others. Upon deliberation by the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, he is hereby specially promoted to North Azure Stronghold Deputy Garrison General! He shall exercise full authority over all affairs of North Azure Stronghold. This appointment takes effect immediately; let all be informed!"