A scene like the one in Jiuxiao City was unfolding simultaneously in many cities near the borders of Chengtian Domain.
Several days later, every martial artist of considerable strength within a hundred thousand li of Chengtian Domain's borders had received the Imperial Court's "Martial Summons."
The various Lineages and factions reacted differently to the Imperial Court's summons.
Shi Tianlu sat in a chair, expressionless as he gently stroked the jade pendant in his hand.
The pendant was square, its jade exceptionally translucent. Intricate patterns had been carved along its edges, and the character "Martial" was engraved in its center.
This pendant was the Imperial Court's Martial Summons. Anyone qualified to receive one had to possess a martial cultivation of at least the Earthly Fiend Realm.
Shi Feng stood to one side, studying the pendant with a puzzled expression. "Household Head, why have I never heard of this Imperial Court?"
"Don't feel bad. Even I haven't heard that name in a long time. After all, the Imperial Court is too far away from us."
"Isn't the Imperial Court a faction within Chengtian Domain?"
Shi Tianlu shook his head slightly. "No. It would be more accurate to say that Chengtian Domain belongs to the Imperial Court—or that the entire Shenzhou Vast Land belongs to it."
A trace of shock flashed through Shi Feng's eyes. Chengtian Domain spanned millions of li, already boundless in his eyes. The Shengwu Immortal Sect, the greatest faction in Chengtian Domain, could truly control only the tens of thousands of li surrounding its sect.
Yet the Shenzhou Vast Land had nine great domains, and all that territory spanning tens of millions of li supposedly belonged to this Imperial Court. Just how immense was its power?
"Shi Feng, I've told you before: this world is vast, while Tenglong City is far, far too small." Shi Tianlu tightened his grip on the pendant, rose, and walked to the window.
"Household Head, now that you've received the Martial Summons, do you have to go to the border?" Shi Feng recovered from his shock and asked.
"Once the Martial Summons is issued, it concerns the very foundation of the human race. Those who disobey will be killed without mercy. The moment I accepted the summons, my aura was recorded in the Imperial Court's registry." Shi Tianlu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky, a trace of worry in his eyes.
Shi Tianlu had no misgivings about going to the border. As a member of the human race, it was only right to do his part in a time of crisis. What worried him was whether something had happened to the Imperial Court.
An unknown Demon Emperor from the Demon Race had invaded the border, yet the Imperial Court hadn't immediately sent out its strongest experts to suppress it. Instead, it had issued a Martial Summons through the scattered Demon-Suppressing Armies, seeking help from martial artists like them.
The implications behind this made Shi Tianlu reluctant to even consider them.
"I'll set out for Jiuxiao City shortly and meet up with the other martial artists there. I'll also take most of the mansion's martial artists at the Xiantian Realm or above. You'll stay here and keep an eye on Shi Lan for me. Things are unsettled outside lately, so don't let her wander off."
"Understood."
After training, Shi Lan felt a little tired and sat in the courtyard to catch her breath. Then she saw more than a dozen streaks of light shoot into the sky and head west.
"What does it feel like to travel on a flying artifact...?"
Shi Lan gathered herself and went back into her room.
With the system's quest hanging over her, Shi Lan didn't dare slack off for even a moment.
The Vajra Divine Fist put too much strain on her body. She could manage it only four times a day; any more would injure her. So she devoted most of her effort to the Jade Forging Art.
As one medicinal herb after another disappeared, Shi Lan's cultivation grew stronger by the day.
Nearly ten more days passed in the blink of an eye, and Shi Lan finally felt the barrier to the third level of the Body Tempering Realm.
It took another three days of patient effort before she broke through the barrier and entered the third level of the Body Tempering Realm. The Vajra Divine Fist also reached the minor mastery stage. By then, fewer than ten days remained before the system's deadline.
Shi Lan grew anxious, but training still had to proceed one step at a time. She could only cut back on her sleep and spend most of her time practicing the Jade Forging Art.
After swallowing the last medicinal herb and finishing its absorption, Shi Lan finally felt the barrier to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm.
With less than two days left before the one-month deadline, there was no way she could take her time as she had before.
After dinner, Shi Lan furrowed her brow and thought for a long while. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She hurried to the wardrobe and dug out a brocade box.
Opening it, Shi Lan took out a dark green pill.
This Body Tempering Pill had been a reward for her beginner quest. The minimum cultivation required to take it was the third level of the Body Tempering Realm, which Shi Lan had just reached.
Shi Lan didn't hesitate. She picked up the pill and swallowed it.
The moment it entered her mouth, its outer coating dissolved. A complex flavor spread across her tongue—bitter, astringent, sour, sweet, and even spicy, all at once.
The flavors blended together, becoming a strange fragrance that burst across Shi Lan's taste buds.
Before she could savor it, a surge of heat rose within her, several times more potent than the medicinal herbs she had swallowed.
Shi Lan sat cross-legged and began circulating the Jade Forging Art. The resulting current of energy was thicker than any she had ever produced, making her body ache with a slight swelling sensation.
The current slammed into the barrier to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm. The barrier trembled faintly, then settled back into stillness.
Shi Lan had only just reached the peak of the third level of the Body Tempering Realm. Since the barrier had never been tested, it was naturally very sturdy.
After circulating once through Shi Lan's body, the white current slammed into the barrier again. This time, it only swayed slightly.
Shi Lan focused completely on circulating the Jade Forging Art, relentlessly striking at the bottleneck.
The current cycled again and again, crashing into the barrier without pause. Each impact made every inch of Shi Lan's muscles and bones tremble, strengthening her body a little more.
Ten times...
Twenty times...
Who knew how long had passed? The barrier to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm shook more and more violently. At last, after enduring one impact after another, it finally collapsed.
The moment she broke through, Shi Lan felt an overwhelming surge of power pour into her body.
[Main quest completed. Quest rewards issued.]
[Congratulations, host. You have received two beginner draw opportunities and x1 Cleansing Pill.]
Hearing the system's notification, Shi Lan didn't even have time to open her eyes and check her rewards. The medicinal power of the Body Tempering Pill had not yet been fully absorbed; it was still strengthening her body.
After she reached the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm, the Jade Forging Art's circulation speed also rose by a grade, advancing to the second level.
With the second-level Jade Forging Art circulating, the remaining medicinal power of the Body Tempering Pill was quickly refined, and the energy within her settled.
After calming the energy in her body, Shi Lan slowly opened her eyes.
It was already bright outside. Judging by the time, it was nearly noon.
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