Getting a Little Angry

The Immortal Master is becoming more unfathomable.

This was the honest thought of every Martial Artist who ascended to the top floor of the Western-style building to report their progress.

And the more powerful the Martial Artist, the more they could sense Lan Yi's danger. It was a danger akin to an unprotected person standing beside molten steel, as if invisible blades were poised at their vital neck. The Martial Artists' keen instincts warned them that the silver airflow and electric arcs around Lan Yi could easily end their lives!

This was the vague feeling of Qi Cultivation Practitioners and ordinary people.

What about Spirit Cultivation Practitioners?

In the eyes of the dust-covered Huo Yuanjia.

Lan Yi, the Immortal Master, who seemed to have nothing to do but fiddle with the several masses of silver airflow and ropes floating around him, was like a majestic, inviolable statue. He was playing with terrifying silver or white beasts with his unfathomable divine might. These beasts, capable of devouring people without leaving a bone, were as docile as kittens in Lan Yi's control.

And in Lan Yi's own eyes?

He was merely familiarizing himself with the Daoist Arts of Gengjin Sword Qi and Demon Subduing Rope, building up some muscle memory.

In the foreseeable future.

Gengjin Sword Qi and Demon Subduing Rope would become Lan Yi's most frequently used Daoist Arts.

This was because they could not only be instantly cast but also maintained for a long time, and they didn't even require Daoist Art materials like the modified Palm Thunder. They were simply too useful for clearing out riff-raff and deterrence.

The only thing that troubled Lan Yi was.

Currently, he had no good method to solidify Demon Subduing Rope into Gengjin Sword Qi.

After all, the essence of Demon Subduing Rope was a high-energy electric arc formed by standing waves, not a real rope. To preserve it long-term after casting, just like Gengjin Sword Qi, and to be able to summon it at any time, was difficult for Lan Yi, who was still fundamentally a carbon-based lifeform. If he wasn't careful, he could be burned to charcoal.

"Immortal Master, Yuanjia has not failed in his mission."

Huo Yuanjia, sporting a buzz cut, his expression unchanged, ignored the Demon Subduing Rope that flickered and shifted around Lan Yi. He cupped his fists and bowed respectfully.

"Is Puhai completely under control?"

"Yes, Immortal Master. The power plants and their personnel that you specifically requested to control are all intact."

Huo Yuanjia nodded.

This was another task Lan Yi had given him. Puhai was one of Star Han's earliest cities to be electrified, and the city's power generation was crucial to Lan Yi's plan. Now that the power plants were secured and the Martial Artists were maintaining their operation, it meant the Immortal Master could prepare to move on.

Lan Yi was deep in thought.

Demon Subduing Rope and Gengjin Sword Qi still couldn't be fused.

The high temperature of Demon Subduing Rope too easily melted and vaporized Gengjin Sword Qi. Although this could increase the lethality of both Daoist Arts, causing enemies' bodily tissues to metalize and become poisoned upon injury, it went against Lan Yi's original intention for them to exist long-term.

"What about the Governor-General of Liangjiang and those old cronies? Did you entertain them properly?" Lan Yi's expression was filled with amusement.

"Governor-General Zhang Ji is bedridden and already a dead man. He cooperated with Qi Mei and the others, so we did not mistreat him excessively." Huo Yuanjia carefully observed Lan Yi's expression. Seeing that he was not displeased, he continued, "The old army camp caused a disturbance, shouting about rebels rebelling and killing Han people. Brother Zhao Jian suppressed them."

Lan Yi couldn't help but laugh.

This backward era always had some fools and foolish acts that could bring a smile to his face. Immortal Master Lan Yi felt like awarding them!

"If they don't want to be Star Han people, I won't force them."

"What is the Immortal Master's intention?"

"In the lands I govern, all people from the five lakes and four seas who are willing to acknowledge their identity are citizens of Star Han. No one is nobler than another. Those who do not wish to be Star Han people will not be protected by the laws of the Martial Artists or the government. Killing them is not a crime."

Huo Yuanjia took a slight breath.

But he inwardly agreed. In any dynastic change, weren't the former royal family members always wiped out? Moreover, this Qing Dynasty was a minority ruling a majority. For decades, they had utterly disappointed and enraged the people in their dealings with foreign powers. Everyone now wished for its demise and longed to vent their grievances.

Lan Yi waved his hand, controlling the shifting of the standing waves. Demon Subduing Rope finally found a stable intermediate temperature that was less extreme.

Now, each strand of Gengjin Sword Qi was threaded with Demon Subduing Rope.

Gengjin Sword Qi was given bones and sinew, gaining a definite form. This meant Lan Yi's twelve flying swords suspended behind him could be directly replaced. Both Daoist Arts now had the ability to be maintained long-term and cast instantly at any time!

"From today onwards, every Star Han person in the land I rule must cut off their queues. And you party members, stop talking empty talk about corruption and filth and pleading for the people. Don't they want rule of law and civil rights? It starts here. Be a benevolent official, and if you can't do it, you'll be punished."

Lan Yi stood up. His body was perfect in the sunlight.

His facial features were clearly defined, blending both feminine and masculine qualities. His fair skin shimmered with a lustrous jade-like quality, and his eyes were as clear and bright as crystal. His physique was well-proportioned and tall, and the muscle lines beneath his shirt exuded strength without appearing bulky or overly robust.

Huo Yuanjia only then realized.

Compared to the first time they met.

Lan Yi's physique was even more perfect, and his martial arts cultivation was clearly far beyond theirs. They were getting stronger, and Lan Yi was also getting stronger, and Lan Yi's rate of improvement far surpassed theirs.

"As the Immortal Master commands." Huo Yuanjia cupped his fists.

"Alright, there's no need for these cumbersome formalities. I'm not someone who likes rigid rules." Lan Yi prepared to find some targets to test his new Daoist Arts.

"Oh, Immortal Master, there are a few more matters. They are all urgent telegrams from the outside world regarding Puhai." Huo Yuanjia said solemnly.

Up to this point.

Lan Yi's subordinates were still unclear about the Immortal Master's specific attitude towards the outside world or what he intended to achieve. Therefore, regarding external telegrams and attitudes, they had chosen not to respond, awaiting the Immortal Master's word.

Now, it was time for him to speak.

He had already completed the substantive control of Puhai and the surrounding areas, incidentally beat down and suppressed the foreigners, killed the old army, and made the Governor-General of Liangjiang obediently cooperate. He was a force that controlled a region.

This force needed a charter and objectives.

Otherwise, the people's hearts will be unsettled.

"Powers like the British Commonwealth and France are condemning our actions in Puhai, claiming we have harmed international free trade, the property and safety of overseas Chinese, and the precious spirit of the rule of law. They are demanding we withdraw immediately, or they will join forces to punish us, destroying us with their great cannons."

Even Huo Yuanjia, known for his good temper, couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Arrogant powers!

Even though they realized a force was rising in the Far East, their inherent arrogance made them believe it was merely a regional separatist power.

"Especially Dongyang, they have shown great disrespect to you, Immortal Master, with their foul language, vowing to use their entire nation's strength to sever your head and ours, and offer them at their shrines to quench their hatred. According to intelligence, their troops stationed in Liaodong and their ironclad ships at home have already set out, fully prepared."

Crack!!

A flash of explosive sparks streaked through the flying sword suspended behind Lan Yi. He was getting a little angry.

"What about the Qing Dynasty? What did they say?"