Stirring Things Up, Part 1

Regarding Zhang Rongfang's strategy.

Thousand Stone Sect was quite mysterious and reserved before.

Later, Zhang Rongfang invited several highly skilled cultivators to come and help, ostensibly to oversee things, but in reality to provide them with a large amount of resources.

Immediately, more and more of these experts from the Thousand Stone Sect, who had been reluctantly agreeing, actually came out.

Gradually, more than half of the masters were tied to the ship of the Aloeswood Palace, and it became difficult for them to get off.

The combination of the Rebel Sect, the Thousand Stone Sect, and the Aloeswood Palace has now become Zhang Rongfang's base in Citong.

The Aloeswood Palace, representing the Guardian, actively recruited the garrison commanders from the Prefect's side, while the Rebel Sect and the Thousand Stone Sect were responsible for dealing with some troublemakers who dared to stand out and oppose them.

With this combination of overt and covert tactics, no one in the entire Citong could suppress Zhang Rongfang.

"Speaking of which, the True Buddha Temple in the Western Sect seems to have found clues about the Eastern Sect's Human Seed."

"Two Human Seed this race are currently wanted and hunted. It's said that the whereabouts of Third Human Seed will be known soon," Xue Chengsi said with a slight smile.

"I had heard before that Kong Xiang of Sea Gazing Temple was also on a mission to come to Citong to spy on the Rebel Sect and investigate the Human Seed. I never expected that he would lose his life so soon after arriving. It's truly..."

His eyes were deep and pointed.

"It's a pity about Grand Initiation Master Kong Xiang." Zhang Rongfang nodded regretfully. "The Grand Initiation Master was too arrogant. If he had joined forces with me from the beginning, even if we couldn't find the Human Seed, he wouldn't have ended up disappearing."

"In the end, it's because the Citong is too dangerous. The princess lost her life here before, and now even Grand Initiation Master Kong Xiang has suffered the same fate. This place is truly quite perilous," Xue Chengsi said with a smile.

He looked at Zhang Rongfang.

"The Great Dao Sect, on the other hand, is making steady progress and developing quite well here."

Zhang Rongfang squinted.

I originally just came to attend the meeting casually, but I didn't expect Xue Chengsi to have something hidden in his words.

"Lord Xue, you may not know this. Our Great Dao Sect leader cultivates Civilian Skill, and many of our Daoists are frail and easily catch a cold if they are not careful. Therefore, many in the palace are skilled in medicine."

A clinic has also opened in Citong; perhaps this is the key to their ability to maintain a foothold Citong.

Xue Chengsi smiled but didn't speak immediately.

Just then, several young men and women strode up the stairs from below the attic.

These men were all dressed in fine clothes and exuded a fierce aura; they were clearly martial artists.

One of the men, a well-built man with a perfectly proportioned physique, walked up and stood behind Xue Chengsi.

He snorted coldly.

"Father, before we came here, you described this Citong as a den of dragons and tigers, but now it seems it's nothing special."

I went downstairs and sparred with some people, but most of the martial artists here are just weaklings, utterly useless. It's so disappointing.

"Nonsense!" Xue Chengsi frowned and turned to look at the young man.

"Citong is the largest Great Port in the Great Ling Realm, a place teeming with hidden masters. How could a junior like you possibly understand it all after just a quick stroll around?"

"No matter what, Princess Yongxiang disappeared here! I came here to find out why she disappeared!" The young man remained calm and unconcerned about his father's reprimand.

His gaze swept across the room, taking in the Prefect, the Magistrate, and Zhang Rongfang, the Guardian.

"This must be Zhang Ying, Zhang Shoujiao, right? I heard that the princess was traveling with you and then disappeared. I wonder if Zhang Shoujiao could tell us what exactly happened back then?"

The young man stared coldly at Zhang Rongfang.

"This is my son, Xue Ji. He has been spoiled since childhood and is somewhat lacking in manners. Please forgive him." Xue Chengsi quickly tried to smooth things over.

"It's nothing, Young Master Xue is truly a man of character. As for the matter concerning the princess, I had no choice but to accept it. After arriving in Citong, the princess's whereabouts were often a mystery, and I don't know what exactly happened." Zhang Rongfang was not angry, but simply answered gently.

"I don't know, but I think you know it better than anyone! You might be the murderer who killed the princess!!" Xue Ji suddenly stared sharply at Zhang Rongfang.

"That's enough," Xue Chengsi raised his voice.

"Not enough! I heard about you before I came here. Zhang Ying, Zhang Shoujiao, was originally a lackey of the Golden Wing Tower, then switched sides and went to the Great Dao Sect, and inexplicably became some kind of Daozi."

"Before you came, everything was fine in Citong. But after you arrived, a series of major troubles struck. In the end, you were the only lucky one who benefited the most. Do you think no one noticed?!" Xue Ji shouted.

"Get down! Get down!" Xue Chengsi's face turned cold as he pointed at his son and shouted.

"You can't control me!" Xue Ji actually retorted to his father, pointing at Zhang Rongfang with an arrogant expression.

"Don't think no one can deal with you! I'm telling you, you have three days to give me an explanation. Otherwise..."

"Young Master Xue seems to be drunk and talking nonsense." Zhang Rongfang was not angry, but just smiled calmly.

"Yes, yes, Young Master Xue just went to challenge the martial arts school, he might be a little tired from the fight," Prefect Zhao Yanting said with a laugh, trying to smooth things over.

"Nonsense? You better remember this. Three days. If there's no movement in three days, I'll go out and investigate myself."

If I find out you're involved, I'll fucking kill you!

Xue Ji was arrogant and made no attempt to conceal his malice.

Xue Chengsi, who was standing to the side, tried to dissuade him and pull him back, but to no avail, and he looked helpless.

After saying this, Xue Ji turned and left.

Only the crowd remained, each with their own distinct expression.

Prefect Zhao Yanting continued to smooth things over, but Zhang Rongfang was taken aback.

What's coming is finally here.

On the surface, Xue Ji was a devoted admirer of Princess Yongxiang, but now that Yong Xiang is gone, he has probably become a tool to test him.

Behind this knife, countless people are watching and observing.

We're just waiting for him to make a real move so we can find his weakness.

Just now, when Xue Ji was threatening him, he vaguely sensed that at least three powerful, tangible gazes were secretly shooting out from the crowd throughout the banquet hall.

Those were skilled military officers who returned with the Xue Family.

This group of ruthless killers were all at least High Grade Expert, and their bodyguards were also skilled in Encirclement Killing Technique. They were far superior to the so-called experts in the martial arts Jianghu.

In addition, the Xue Family's Snow Rainbow Pavilion protects the Spirit Vein.

With just a single order from Xue Chengsi, at least dozens of High Grade experts could be mobilized from the army stationed outside the city.

With the coordination of warfare, even a grandmaster could be slowly worn down to death in an open space.

Given this situation, Xue Ji's arrogant provocations are clearly not so simple.

Soon, the banquet came to a close amidst Xue Chengsi's repeated apologies.

Each person boarded their own carriage to return.

Zhang Rongfang also got into the carriage of the Aloeswood Palace.

Inside the carriage, Chen Han frowned slightly and knelt down to one side.

"Daozi, Xue Chengsi's son Xue Ji, is probably just a tool to test us. You must be extremely careful."

"Oh? A mere spoiled brat, and I have to be careful?" Zhang Rongfang retorted. He wanted to see what Chen Han knew.

"This Xue Ji is not just a spoiled brat." Chen Han shook his head. "He has been a martial arts prodigy since childhood. How could he possibly be qualified to pursue Princess Yongxiang back then? You must know that Princess Yongxiang was Three Voids Expert."

"Actually, this matter appears to be Xue Ji's affair, but it would not have happened without Xue Chengsi's authorization."

Xue Chengsi offered a few feigned words of advice, then let his son verbally abuse me. Who would believe there wasn't something wrong with that?"Zhang Rongfang nodded.

"Therefore, Daozi, you must be very careful. Xue Chengsi himself is nothing special, but his wife, Mother of Xue Ji, is a true Imperial Princess. So, this person is very likely someone specifically used to force you to take action and test your strength," Chen Han earnestly reminded him.

"Princess?"

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes.

He knew that this day would come sooner or later.

After a series of events that happened to him, some forces will inevitably come to test his strength.

I never expected it to be done this way.

To have a hot-tempered spoiled brat point his finger at you and curse you to your face.

Most people really can't calm down.

"How long will Xue Chengsi and his son stay here?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly asked. "About ten days," Chen Han replied. "After ten days, they will have to escort resources and slaves to other places."

"Then we don't need to worry about them. They'll leave naturally in ten days," Zhang Rongfang.

"Understood," Chen Han replied.

Zhang Rongfang immediately fell silent, only blinking once.

Immediately, his Attribute Panel reappeared.

Zhang Rongfang – Life 186-186.

At this moment, his health points had reached over 180, with 14 points remaining before he could reach 200.

According to his speculation, potential talents are likely to be unlocked at a rate of 100 points.

For him, who has already reached the limit, the only way to develop further is through this.

There are only two.

One method is to maximize one's own Attribute Points and health in order to achieve the level of life evolution.

The other path is to follow the masters' paths, taking the Hard Skill route, moving forward all the way, and even reaching the Extreme Realm.

"Chen Han, have you ever seen a true Grandmaster or Extreme Realm?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly asked.

"I have seen Grandmasters; they exist within the Great Dao Sect. However, their numbers are very small, as we are Daoist Sect that values harmony and primarily cultivates Civilian Skill," Chen Han replied.

"So, just how strong are Grandmasters? Do you know?" Zhang Rongfang frowned slightly.

"A Grandmaster is more of a perfect state with no weaknesses. I have witnessed Grandmasters fighting, and that is exactly what it is."

The two fought back and forth for a long time without a clear winner. Finally, they agreed to fight again the next day,"Chen Han replied.

"Anyway," he paused, "It seems to be a state of enlightenment, a state of understanding. It's a powerful state that comes from opening the body to its limit, enabling one to cope with any situation."

"Perception of the realm." Zhang Rongfang seemed to understand and nodded slightly.

He wondered if he should ask Sect Master Thousand Stone Sect to spar with him in person.

However, that Sect Master was very arrogant and elusive, never showing up unless absolutely necessary.

"Let's not talk about that. How's the situation at the Heavenly Treasure Palace lately?" He changed the subject and began asking about other things.

Chen Han answered them one by one.

The carriage, accompanied by the soft clatter of hooves, traveled at a leisurely pace under the escort of the guards, heading back to the Aloeswood Palace.

At the same time, Zhang Rongfang was also thinking about his future development direction.

In terms of martial arts, only the most advanced level of Hard Skill can now have an effect on his body.

These top-tier Hard Skill are basically held by those major powers.

Without hands-on instruction, it's virtually impossible to learn.

It can only be temporarily shelved.

His formidable Hard Skill is the foundation upon which he can recklessly use the combination of Limit State and Breaking Limit Skill.

Otherwise, he simply wouldn't be able to use several Limit State simultaneously; using one at a time would already be the limit.

Just like any other ordinary Super Grade martial artist.

Like the Kong Xiang, which can use two Limit State simultaneously and also use Breaking Limit Skill.

That can only be achieved by relying on the powerful physique of the Spirit Vein.

And so, he couldn't hold on for long before exhaustion caused him to falter.

Even if a martial artist knows multiple Limit State, if they use them simultaneously, they would probably die before they can kill the opponent.

Coming to his senses, Zhang Rongfang turned back to the Xue Family Father and Son.

These two dared to be so arrogant and provocative towards the forces behind them, even knowing what had happened in Citong before. They must be no ordinary power. 'Regardless, we should be patient for now. The Spirit Army is escorting resources and slaves with many skilled warriors; we can't act rashly.'

Zhang Rongfang made the arrangements.