Dragon Qi World

Mangfeng Mountain.

This was Ning Xuan's first time entering the mountain, yet he was so familiar with its terrain that he felt a sense of ease, as if revisiting a familiar place.

On the other side, Ugly Slave had indeed received Ning Taiyi's summons, but he deliberately did not respond. This was because he and his father had an agreement: if a summons came, it meant someone was urging them, so he should act according to the situation and make his own decisions.

Ning Taiyi was the head of the Ning family.

But Ugly Slave was, in fact, the true eldest young master of the Ning family.

He naturally had the authority to make decisions at critical moments and determine the future of the Ning family.

At this moment, he suddenly slowed his steps; he had already made his decision.

Originally, he and his father had planned to use his younger brother as a tool to "continue the Ning family bloodline," letting him live under others' roofs and scrape by, just enough to live a decent life.

But now, Ning Xuan's power had made him change his mind.

Ugly Slave said, "Qingfeng, some things should have been explained to you by Mr. Taiyi after you passed your assessment, but given the urgency, I will tell you now."

Ning Xuan said, "Please enlighten me, Celestial Master Ugly Slave."

Ugly Slave said, "Our world does possess supernatural power, and the source of this power is Dragon Qi."

Ning Xuan's expression turned serious, and he listened intently.

The thing he had been longing to understand was finally coming.

Ugly Slave said, "Dragon Qi is not found in famous mountains or great waters, but in people's hearts, the hearts of the common folk.

The more people there are, the more united their hearts, and the more Dragon Qi there is.

Mr. Taiyi's true identity is the Prefect of Wangyue Prefecture. Who in these nine counties and twenty-eight townships doesn't know that county magistrates and prefects come and go like flowing water, but Old Master Ning is ironclad? Who doesn't know that Old Master Ning is a great philanthropist, and that almost everyone who is good to them is arranged by Old Master Ning?

Even when the Prefect opened the granaries to distribute grain during a famine, it was Old Master Ning who argued with him before the Prefect would agree. To plead for the people to this extent, the government respects him, because Mr. Taiyi is the true Prefect. Very few people know this; besides one Prefect and nine county magistrates, no one else knows. It's all an act.

Therefore, in this Wangyue Prefecture, the one who has won the hearts of the people is Mr. Taiyi."

Ning Xuan suddenly asked in surprise, "So, Father is actually very powerful?"

Ugly Slave shook his head and sighed softly, "Perhaps it's the rules of heaven and earth; those who can gather Dragon Qi are forbidden from cultivating. Not only can they not cultivate, but their qi and blood will also decline faster, and they may even die earlier than ordinary people."

Ning Xuan was stunned, "Then what's the point of gathering Dragon Qi?"

Ugly Slave said, "Although they cannot cultivate, they can distribute the Dragon Qi they gather. And those who receive his Dragon Qi will be completely loyal to him. If he wants us to die, we will die. His words hold a special kind of magic for us; we have no choice but to obey.

So, if it were you, would you choose to live in ignorance, trembling in an unknown and terrifying world, perhaps becoming food for some Yao demon one day? Or would you seize the opportunity to become someone who can gather Dragon Qi, and thus live a life of glory and have a prosperous family?"

Ning Xuan said, "Of course, it's the latter. But what about the Son of Heaven? I mean the real Son of Heaven, why doesn't he control all the Dragon Qi, rule the land alone, and govern the nation? Why does he still let others share it?"

Ugly Slave shook his head, "I am also very curious about this. I've made many guesses myself, such as the Son of Heaven being unable to bear the Dragon Qi of an entire nation, or the Son of Heaven being unable to precisely control the hearts of the people in a region. But these are all my own wild speculations and cannot be taken as fact. However, there is no doubt that the power controlled by the Son of Heaven definitely far surpasses that of a Prefect."

After speaking, he smiled faintly again, "Actually, you can tell from the name. Prefects are all appointed by the Son of Heaven, so how could they surpass the Son of Heaven?

However, wherever a Prefect goes, a family prospers.

But, the Son of Heaven cannot tolerate a family's prosperity lasting for two generations.

Now, Mr. Taiyi's qi and blood are nearly depleted. Early this year, he went out for a long time, visiting many places. He went to the Imperial Capital to complete his duties and also went to Hanzhou to arrange a marriage alliance for you.

Next month, his successor will arrive.

His official position has reached its end, and his life is also nearing its end.

However, Mr. Taiyi has many concerns.

He worries about the demise of the Ning family."

Ning Xuan said, "So, Father trained you."

Ugly Slave gave a wry smile, "Is it that simple? When a new emperor ascends the throne, he brings his own officials. I am Mr. Taiyi's man. If I were to switch masters, I wouldn't cultivate the new master's Dragon Qi. Even if I did, as long as the proportion didn't exceed what I had before, I would still be loyal to Mr. Taiyi. How could he tolerate me?

Originally, you were going to Hanzhou for a marriage alliance with the illegitimate daughter of General Qin's family, and I had already prepared myself to be a dog."

Ning Xuan looked confused.

Ugly Slave continued to explain, "Dragon Qi, once it appears, does not dissipate. If I were to perish, my Dragon Qi would naturally sink into this land, and then others would be able to absorb it. Why do you think he wouldn't discard me once I'm no longer useful?"

He tilted his head up and said, "Perhaps the new Prefect would need to consider if anyone is capable of receiving my Dragon Qi; he would need to consider if I would fight back to the death, after all, I am a Celestial Master, and he is just an ordinary person.

Only by finding a balance between being a dog and using the threat of force, combined with the accumulation of feelings over time, and truly becoming his direct subordinate, can I truly integrate into the new Prefect's system."

Ning Xuan looked at his elder brother with sympathy.

How could one word, "miserable," describe his elder brother's life?

Even if he were truly married off to Hanzhou Ranch, he would at least have a woman to lie with, and he would at least live in luxury, wouldn't he?

What about his elder brother?

He lost his name, lost his face, and had nothing but the truth and power.

Moreover, he could completely imagine that his elder brother also bore the mission of "secretly protecting the Ning family and revitalizing the Ning family."

Was this a life for a human?

His elder brother's life was destined to be one of constant trepidation, as if standing at the edge of an abyss, treading on thin ice.

Can my big brother reach the other shore?

"Then, Celestial Master Chou, what is the meaning of my father's assessment of me?" Ning Xuan asked.

Chou Nu said seriously, "Your strength is extraordinary, even reaching the level of those Demon-Plague Warriors."

Ning Xuan asked curiously, "Demon-Plague Warriors?"

Chou Nu explained, "Most people infected by demonic qi and blood will die, but a small portion of warriors with strong willpower can resist slightly, coexist with the demonic qi and blood, and gradually gain the power of demons and monsters through cultivation, blood-drinking, and other methods.

But these Demon-Plague Warriors usually have eccentric personalities and short lifespans.

However, you possess strength comparable to a Demon-Plague Warrior without being infected.

Know that those who cultivate Dragon Qi are Celestial Masters. If demons and monsters get close, even a thousand or ten thousand Celestial Masters would not be enough for them to kill. Moreover, Celestial Masters need to close their eyes and meditate to cast spells.

Therefore, Celestial Masters require powerful Daoist Boys.

We not only need Daoist Boys to help resist demons and monsters, but also to kill the trapped demons and monsters.

Demon-Plague Warriors are therefore extremely important.

As for those Alchemists, they are not qualified to have Demon-Plague Warriors and can only select slightly stronger martial artists from the jianghu."

Ning Xuan suddenly realized, "So, I'm not a Demon-Plague Warrior, but I possess their strength. This will give our Ning family some advantage?"

"Yes," Chou Nu replied, then continued, "A few days ago, Mr. Taiyi sought me out and informed me of your uniqueness. He then told me that the Son of Heaven had made a promise: anyone who possesses the strength of a Demon-Plague Warrior but is not infected can be enfeoffed as a General.

The reason for this is that Demon-Plague Warriors have short lifespans, but Generals do not. Not only are their lifespans not short, but they can also break through limits through cultivation, extend their lifespan, and forever guard the land.

Ning Xuan said, "So you brought me to Manfeng Mountain because you wanted to see what level my strength has reached. But you overheard my saber techniques last night, and combined with some other matters, you made a decision."

"That's right," Chou Nu said, "I made a decision."

"Since I have confirmed that you are qualified to become a General, then Manfeng Mountain does not need to be specially reserved for the next Prefect.

I must help Mr. Taiyi finish this cleanly.

If a place is cleared of demons and monsters, the Prefect of that place will receive an additional bestowal of Dragon Qi from heaven and earth.

The stronger the demons and monsters, the greater the bestowal.

Although this bestowal is not as continuous as the support of the people, it is a one-time, substantial reward.

With this Dragon Qi, I can advance further and better deal with unforeseen circumstances.

Our presence in Manfeng Mountain has already touched upon the interests of certain individuals, and they have already come looking for us.

And we... can also make our move now.

Qingfeng, you only need to be responsible for wielding your saber. I will deal with those demons and monsters."

Ning Xuan was stunned for a moment.

There was a lot of information in his big brother's words.

It seemed that the demons and monsters in Manfeng Mountain were not unsolvable, but were intentionally left unsolved for the next Prefect.

Then his big brother must be very strong.

And this dynasty is also very strong.

As for becoming a General...

Becoming a General is better than becoming a live-in son-in-law.

Moreover, the strength he had displayed was less than half of his true power.

And as time went on, the gap between his apparent and true strength would only widen.