Seven Steps Away, Arrows Are Fast, Within Seven Steps, Arrows Are Faster

Several attendants from White Cloud Manor delivered gifts to the Xiao Residence, along with a gift list, and bid farewell to Xiang Yuan.

To outsiders, it looked like the Xiao family's degenerate son was splurging, with too much money to spend.

The Xiao family's degenerate son followed behind Xiang Yuan with a displeased expression, having licked his way all the way here, his mouth dry. He brewed tea and offered water while watching Xiang Yuan unbox the gifts.

Xiang Yuan accepted the tea and took a sip, showing no shame for a guard treating the family head this way. Fate was hard to come by, and Xiao He wanted to find someone fated, so his mindset had to be correct.

Furthermore, rules had to be established to prevent him from being deceived again in the future.

Xiao He was accustomed to being shameless. In his words, he was too deep in character and couldn't break free, no longer able to distinguish which one was him.

Xiang Yuan then realized that Xiao He was not only a good-for-nothing in Fengxian County but also in Shendu. Very few knew his true face.

Young and intelligent, he willingly chose mediocrity, his schemes chilling.

Xiang Yuan unboxed according to the gift list and obtained a long saber, which he held with great affection, his eyes full of tenderness.

The saber was three fingers wide and three feet three inches long, conforming to ancient standards, making it easy to handle and wield. The hilt was carved with tiger patterns, and the scabbard was carved with a scene of tigers roaring in the mountains. The blade was sharp, capable of cutting hair and slicing through iron like mud.

This saber was tempered with the blood of a tiger demon. Not only was the blade incomparably sharp, but it also possessed a fierce dominance. When unsheathed, it had the ability to command the wind. The wind followed the saber, and the saber borrowed the wind's momentum. The wielder, united with the saber, could gain the strength of wings.

Named 'Tiger Roar' for the ferocity of its prestige, like a fierce tiger's roar.

The blacksmith of the Fierce Tiger Saber was unknown. It was collected by White Cloud Manor. The price was not marked on the list, only stating that the wielder of the Tiger Roar Saber must possess a righteous spirit to avoid being influenced by the saber's dominance.

"A good saber!"

Xiang Yuan stroked the blade, examined it for a long time, and then sheathed it.

The next second, he drew the saber again and stroked it, showing the same fondness.

"Little Yuan, stop touching it. It's just a broken saber."

Xiao He pouted and interrupted. Xiang Yuan wasn't stroking the saber; he was clearly stroking Yue Huanjiang in front of him.

Xiang Yuan ignored him and continued unboxing, obtaining a saber technique corresponding to the Tiger Roar Saber. The saber technique was grand and powerful, each move like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, unstoppable.

At first glance, it was quite similar to the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber, but in reality, it was more refined and efficient, with a more ingenious saber technique. If the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber were simplified, removing any superfluous moves, it would be very similar to this saber technique.

The technique Yue Huanjiang gifted Xiang Yuan was not that simple. When used with the Tiger Roar Saber, it not only allowed him to easily control the wind's momentum but also came with the fierce tiger's dominance. At its peak, it could ignite the tiger demon's blood and summon a phantom tiger to harm the Primordial Spirit.

"It's said the blacksmith is unknown and the price isn't marked, yet there's a perfectly fitting saber technique. Brother put a lot of thought into this, and is still so humble and benevolent." Xiang Yuan directly called him a gentleman.

"Your brother also put a lot of thought into it!"

Xiao He, unwilling to be outdone, stood behind Xiang Yuan and massaged his shoulders.

Xiang Yuan still ignored him and opened the third gift. Inside were five cultivation technique manuals for the Acupoint Opening stage.

Gengjin Shanggong True Record, Hualing Qingxin Gong, Hanyan Lingdian, Weichen Gong, and Zhuoyang Huati Ben. These five techniques corresponded to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, respectively. They came with corresponding movements and stances, and any one of them could serve as a foundational cultivation technique for a martial artist.

"Oh my god, that demon is up to no good. You can't just cultivate them!"

Xiao He exclaimed in shock, "Little Yuan, you don't know. For a martial artist's foundational technique, there are future implications. If you only choose one, your path will be narrow and difficult, and you'll be under his control. Listen to your brother; he's trying to harm you."

What Xiao He said was not unreasonable. Even Xiang Yuan, who lacked common sense, knew that choosing a foundational technique was of utmost importance. The five elements were unique and affected future advancements in cultivation techniques. Once restricted, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He couldn't possibly cultivate the fire element during the Acupoint Opening stage and then switch to the water element during the Foundation Establishment Realm. That made no sense.

Cultivating all five elements simultaneously was also impossible. That wasn't something for the Acupoint Opening stage to worry about. Perhaps someone with great perseverance could do it, but it would take a long time and be mentally exhausting. Trying to do too much would lead to failure, and it was already considered an inferior path.

Generally speaking, even geniuses would only cultivate two foundational techniques, one primary and one auxiliary, to comprehend their profound mysteries. Cultivating all five...

His head must have been kicked by a door!

Xiang Yuan felt puzzled. Yue Huanjiang would definitely not harm him. Why would he send him Acupoint Opening stage techniques corresponding to the five elements, all of which could be foundational techniques? What was the deeper meaning?

Could it be, as Xiao He claimed, a trap? Once he stepped into it, he would have to find Yue Huanjiang for Foundation Establishment stage techniques later, and then he'd be ensnared?

No way, Yue Huanjiang shouldn't be that kind of petty person.

"Strange, I'll go ask at White Cloud Manor tomorrow."

"Little Yuan, you can't go anymore. That demon is lusting after you. He's trying every way to tempt you, clearly wanting to keep you as his plaything!" Xiao He said mournfully, rambling about stories of wealthy young masters toying with their pages. It wasn't just perverse; it was disgusting.

There was no need to doubt it; high society was just that vulgar.

Xiang Yuan pretended not to hear and opened the remaining gifts. He received pills and hidden mechanisms, but not a single banknote, which was what he wanted.

The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, and Yue Huanjiang disdained such things.

Xiang Yuan, as his friend, could only follow suit. He picked up the Sleeve Arrows and tied them to his arm, adjusting the mechanisms. Three short arrows emanated a cold, dark glow. He also received a bottle of poison and a bottle of antidote.

Open attacks were easy to dodge, but hidden arrows were hard to guard against. Beyond seven paces, the arrows were fast; within seven paces, they were even faster.

All the congratulatory gifts prepared by Yue Huanjiang corresponded to the Acupoint Opening stage, which was very suitable for Xiang Yuan's current level. He weighed it in his mind: if he had had the Tiger Roar Saber and the Sleeve Arrows that night, fighting Sima Qingyan would undoubtedly have been much easier.

Sima Qingyan's sword was sharp, but his saber was no less so!

Xiang Yuan was still bothered by not having decisively defeated Sima Qingyan.

Xiang Yuan teased Xiao He for a long time. After all the gifts were opened and the tea was finished, he put on a stern face and said, "Where is Xu Jixian? What's his situation? Why is he, like you, hiding his true self and pretending to be crazy all day?"

This time, Xiao He did not conceal anything. He sat opposite Xiang Yuan, poured him tea, and began to explain.

"If you ask about Brother Xu, let me first talk about myself. I was born in Shendu, enjoying the honor of the Xiao family and fulfilling the responsibilities of the Xiao family. This is the destiny of royalty."

Xiao He raised his tea cup as if toasting, "Does Little Yuan know about the Twelve Divisions of the Capital Region?"

Never heard of it.

Xiang Yuan nodded and said, "I've heard a little."

"The late emperors have all said that the Twelve Divisions of the Capital Region are the gateway to Shendu!"

"The Twelve Divisions of the Capital Region are divided into six on the left and six on the right. The left six divisions are Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works, also known as the Six Ministries. They assist the imperial family in governing the world. Most of them are from Noble Families and disciples of sects, mostly vermin. They can be used but not trusted."

"My Western Chu faces internal and external troubles. Relying solely on the left six divisions cannot continue the dynasty. The right six divisions were established: the Imperial City Department, the Divine Machine Division, the Heavenly Supervision Division, the Tranquil Heart Division, the Preemptive Opportunity Division, and the Biyong Division. They obey only the imperial family's orders and are mostly used to control the martial arts world."

The Imperial City Department is the direct superior of the Six Doors. Because the Six Doors is a sieve, so infiltrated that even the emperor shakes his head, it has specialized functions such as intelligence and assassination. Internally, it has twelve generals, corresponding to the Twelve Earthly Branches, with twelve Grand Commanders.

The Divine Machine Division, artifact refining, mostly weapons, tokens, and hidden weapons, is the Xiao family's arsenal.

The Heavenly Supervision Division, astrology and divination, predicts good and bad fortune. Although it's often inaccurate, it's better not to calculate at all. However, all the top forces in the world have formidable individuals who can divine fortunes. The Xiao family cannot be without one.

The Tranquil Heart Division, alchemy and medicine, studies the pills of various families and their formulas. After years of accumulation, it has developed many unique pills for the Xiao family.

The Preemptive Opportunity Division, meticulously studies the martial arts of various families and sects, taking the essence and discarding the dross. It is the Xiao family's training hall.

The Biyong Division cultivates martial artists with a clean background, mostly from the imperial clan. It selects outstanding talents to inject fresh blood into the Xiao family, preventing incompetent fools from holding power.

Xiao He entered the Biyong Division as a child, later transferred to the Heavenly Supervision Division to learn, and finally debuted in the Imperial City Department. When he said he was from the Six Doors, he wasn't entirely lying.

"Your brother belongs to the Twelve Earthly Branches, the Snake sign, and has arrived in Fengxian County with a secret imperial decree to plan for the Southern Border..."

"Uh, just you?"

Xiang Yuan blinked. It wasn't that he looked down on Xiao He, but he truly did.

What kind of place is the Southern Border? His martial uncle had explained it very clearly to Xiang Yuan: it's a place where Demonic Beings are everywhere, monsters abound, with humans, ghosts, Demons, and Devils, gathering all the evil in the world. Xiao He might have some skill, but so what? Tossed into the deep waters of the Southern Border, he'd sink straight to the bottom.

He'd be like a loach in a urine pit, unable to make any significant waves.

To plan for the Southern Border, one needs at least eighty percent of his martial uncle's skill, otherwise, going there means death.

Seeing the disdain on Xiang Yuan's face, Xiao He smiled slightly, unperturbed: "Your brother indeed doesn't have the ability to overthrow the Southern Border, but I don't need to have such an ability either. The Southern Border is already chaotic. A single move affects the whole situation. I only need to seize the opportunity to sow discord."

"Make the Demonic Beings destroy each other?"

"No, Demonic Beings are Demonic Beings, and the Heavenly Sect is the Heavenly Sect. This is called a righteous vs. evil war!" Xiao He's eyes lit up, revealing his ambition, with a hint of madness.