The Mage

After the great battle, the scene was a mess.

"Patrol the battlefield, finish off the wounded!"

Following Wu Ming's orders, no prisoners were to be taken in this battle. The Village Militia and Laborers patrolled, and anyone still breathing, whether from the Zhou Family or the original bandits, was to be killed.

Zhao Song pried open the ropes and pried open the iron boxes of the caravan. He opened a small gap, and his eyes twitched.

"Guard these goods well. No one is allowed to touch them without Young Master's orders!"

This was specifically instructed to Wu Tiehu.

Seeing this, Wu Tiehu only grumbled a few words before honestly starting to harness the carts and drive the livestock.

"Young Master..."

Zhao Song stepped forward, saw Wu Ming holding a head in his hand, took a deep breath again, and whispered a few words into Wu Ming's ear.

"You did very well..."

Wu Ming looked at the well-driven carriages and shouted, "Transport all the goods to the mountain stronghold, clean up the battlefield, and be careful not to leave any traces... Also, send someone with Jie Tianfeng's head to the county to report the victory!"

Feng Han and Zhao Song both gasped.

This was a provocation!

Wu Ming insisted that they were coming out to suppress bandits, with the head as proof. He claimed that the Zhou Family caravan was robbed by Jie Tianfeng, and the other party had no recourse.

Of course, the Zhou Family could demand the return of their original goods, but Wu Ming would naturally not admit it. He could openly claim it as spoils of war! If any were lost in transit, he would offer a few taels of silver as compensation, but refuse to admit to anything else. He wasn't afraid of a lawsuit reaching the prefecture.

What was more crucial was that the Zhou Family was doing business through a shell company, which would only add to the trouble.

"Young Master, I'm afraid the Zhou Family will resort to desperate measures. We should return to the Fortified Village as soon as possible!"

Feng Han said, "As long as we get back, we won't be afraid even if the county soldiers attack!"

"If I go back, how will they dare to come?"

Wu Ming laughed heartily, "We'll wait in the mountain stronghold and watch them come to their deaths!"

Meanwhile, in Yunping County, within the Daoist Academy.

The Daoist Academy was located in the eastern suburbs of Yunping County, nestled among mountains and embracing water, with a natural aura of purity. Although it was the depth of winter, the courtyard was as warm as spring, with flowers blooming in profusion, a riot of colors. There were also ancient pines and cypresses, lush green grass, white cranes soaring, and spirit apes offering fruit. It was truly a blessed land of immortals.

In a small courtyard, the furnishings were extremely simple, with only a pond and a pine tree, nothing else. It exuded a desolate yet secluded atmosphere. If one had Spiritual Eyes, they would see dense runes in the air forming a great formation, drawing in the essence of heaven and earth. In the emerald pond, sword energy lay dormant like a dragon in the abyss, extremely dangerous.

Creak!

Pine needles fell to the ground, and no one came to sweep them.

At some unknown time, the two doors suddenly opened, revealing Wu Qing's face, a mixture of anger and joy.

"It took so long to be in seclusion. Fortunately, I succeeded in breaking through. I wonder if my little brother has caused any trouble..."

A fine layer of luminescence appeared on Wu Qing's face, then vanished. She looked around the courtyard, nodded with satisfaction, and walked out the door.

"Eldest Miss!"

A maidservant beside her fell to the ground, crying out in pain. It was obvious she had waited for a long time, even falling asleep leaning against the door.

She couldn't bother with the pain now and immediately said, "Steward Wu came to find you once, Eldest Miss. He said Young Master Ming had an urgent matter and asked you to return as soon as possible!"

"My little brother..."

A smile touched Wu Qing's lips. She patted the maidservant's head. "Xue'er, wait a moment. Let me see what trouble he's gotten me into again..."

The maidservant covered her head, secretly rolling her eyes.

Everyone knew that their young lady cherished her brother the most. Even if he got a scratch, she would seek revenge. Now that she was out of seclusion, she wondered which family would have bad luck.

Wu Qing did not move. After a moment of thought, she took out a piece of paper, folded it into the shape of a small paper crane, and blew on it gently.

"Chirp chirp!"

The paper crane instantly floated up, as if it had a life of its own. It flapped its wings and flew into the distance.

Not long after, another pink paper crane flew back and whispered in Wu Qing's ear, causing her expression to slowly change.

"Good! Very good! I can't believe I've been in seclusion for so long that some scoundrels dare to lay hands on my brother?"

The pink paper crane turned to ash. Wu Qing's delicate eyebrows drooped, carrying a hint of gloom and killing intent.

Suddenly, she turned and walked towards a certain direction.

"Senior Sister Wu Qing!"

"Congratulations on coming out of seclusion, Senior Sister Wu Qing!"

Along the way, the Daoist boys and disciples all respectfully bowed when they saw Wu Qing approaching, making way for her. There were also timid whispers: "Remember... this is a true disciple, Senior Sister. Her Daoist magic is profound. Everyone in the Daoist Academy, except for a few elders, must show her respect!"

"I see Senior Sister Wu's phoenix eyes are filled with Sha. Someone is probably going to have bad luck this time!"

Amidst the awe, envy, and even shock of her fellow disciples, Wu Qing arrived before a simple dwelling.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Wu. My master is not seeing guests at the moment!"

A young Daoist acolyte came out, only to be pushed back by an invisible force: "It's none of your business, don't make a mistake!"

Wu Qing's voice was clear and cold. With a flick of her finger, a sword light, red and translucent, split the scripture hall's main door in half in an instant.

"Daoist Miaoqing, why are you breaking down my door for no reason?"

A middle-aged Daoist wearing black robes and with his hair in a topknot walked out. Upon seeing Wu Qing, his eyes twitched, and he shouted again.

This Miaoqing was the Daoist name Wu Qing took when she entered the Daoist Academy and received her ordination.

"Old Daoist Ji Yun, you colluded with the Zhou Family and dared to take my brother's spot. You deserve this calamity!"

Wu Qing sneered. In an instant, several red lights emerged, forming a vortex carrying astonishing spiritual energy.

"It's Senior Sister Miaoqing fighting Senior Brother Ji Yun!"

From afar, several Daoists watched from a distance. Seeing this scene, they retreated a few steps, some excitedly: "A match between True Men is truly rare!"

"Although Senior Sister Miaoqing and Senior Brother Ji Yun have both received their ordinations and possess profound Daoist magic, Senior Brother Ji Yun has been cultivating internally for a long time. Senior Sister Miaoqing, despite her talent, is probably..."

A Daoist with a fair complexion and peach blossom eyes hadn't finished speaking when his mouth fell open.

A red light flashed, and the highly anticipated Daoist Ji Yun fell to the ground, spitting blood, and said miserably: "You... you actually..."

"Female Daoist Miaoqing, you've gone too far!"

Seeing this, a Daoist who rushed over was furious: "With such a crime, even if the Abbot approves, I will apprehend you and take you before the Head of the Academy to explain!"

With a wave of his hand, five black energies coiled like venomous snakes, accompanied by eerie ghost laughter, with large shadows appearing in the middle.

"It's the Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement who made a move!"

Another disciple exclaimed excitedly: "Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement has profound cultivation and has already reached the Pháp Sư realm! He can manifest magic with a single move!"

In this world, not to mention the major realms, there are initially several tiers such as 'Not Ranking', Ordained Daoist, Refining Master, and Pháp Sư.

Those who generally learn two minor spells and then go out to roam the jianghu can only be called rogue practitioners, not belonging to the Daoist lineage.

As for true Daoists, they must first clarify their minds and see their true nature, join a Daoist Academy, read scriptures daily, and meditate to refine their Qi. This is for Daoist acolytes and kitchen helpers who are not yet ranked.

Moving up, once the scriptures are mastered and all kinds of rituals are proficient, they can be assessed. After passing the assessment, a lawyer will impart the Dharma, and after receiving the Daoist ordination, they will be an Ordained Daoist.

At this point, Daoists can truly be called Daoists. Those who represent gods in the outside world, preach, pray for blessings and avert disasters, guide lost souls, and preside over grand rituals are mostly of this type.

After being an Ordained Daoist, Daoists receive the Dharma and cultivate internally, arduously refining Magical Power and strengthening their internal organs and flesh. After a hundred days of Foundation Establishment, they become Refining Masters!

Before reaching the Refining Master stage, Daoists have shallow Magical Power, and their physical bodies are even more substandard, like mortals. However, after achieving great success in internal cultivation and reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection, they can possess Divine Power, and even eat three dou of food a day and tear apart tigers and leopards are not difficult.

After Refining Master comes Pháp Sư!

At the Pháp Sư stage, they no longer need external mediums like Magic Tools or talismans; they can directly manifest magic with a single move. More importantly, they can begin to try crafting various Magic Tools, talismans, and other items. Whether for personal use or sale, it is an endless gold mine!

Becoming a True Man is an unattainable dream for many Daoists, and becoming a Pháp Sư is a lifelong dream!

Seeing a Pháp Sư make a move now, how could they not be excited?

"Hmph! Do you think I don't know that you and Ji Yun are birds of a feather, in cahoots... I tolerated all the minor matters before, but you shouldn't have, you shouldn't have provoked my brother! Take this sword!"

The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement's move is known as 'Five Ghost Divine Grasp'. He has refined five fierce and malevolent ghosts in his hand. His attacks are irresistible, accompanied by fierce energy and chilling winds, with astonishing power.

But amidst the flying sand and rolling stones, with Wu Qing's sharp cry, a crimson sword light suddenly appeared.

"Heaven and Earth are boundless, obey my command, slash!"

Chih!

The crimson sword light emerged like a dragon, dispersing the whirlwind, and the five fierce ghosts were instantly annihilated.

"You..."

The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement retreated two steps, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained his robe red. His gaze at Wu Qing was filled with shock: "You... you actually... after this closed-door cultivation, you directly achieved great success in internal cultivation, reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, entered the Pháp Sư rank, and even refined a Crimson Virtue Magic Sword?!"

"How about it? Do you still want to fight?"

Wu Qing stood still. Before her, a fiery red, jade-like small sword, exuding a crystal-clear glow, floated and bobbed, emitting crimson energy.

Daoist Ji Yun, who was lying on the ground, saw this, and despair flickered in his eyes.

Since entering the sect, he had worked hard day and night, collecting dew at dawn, absorbing moonlight at night, and had not dared to slack off for decades. Trembling, he had only reached the internal cultivation stage, becoming a Refining Master.

But now, a woman who had only joined the Daoist Academy a few years ago had completely surpassed him.

"Don't show off. Bullying fellow disciples like this, the Head of the Academy won't..."

The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement struggled, wanting to say more, when he heard a thunderous sound accompanied by a voice from the depths of the Daoist Academy: "Daoist Miaoqing!"

"Greetings, Head of the Academy!"

Facing the master of Yunping Daoist Academy, both Wu Qing and the Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement, as well as the observing disciples, bowed their heads in greeting.

"Today, the female Daoist Miaoqing has bravely advanced and entered the Pháp Sư realm. My heart is greatly comforted. I hereby promote her to High Official! She will lead the disciples of this academy to participate in the Dragon Gate Gathering!"

"Your decree is obeyed!"

Wu Qing bowed. The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement could no longer endure it; his anger surged, and he directly fainted.