The Sword's Point!

The Imperial Palace Hall.

Yaoye stood by the window in brocade robes, gazing toward the endless mountains in the north.

Only when she heard footsteps did Yaoye come back to her senses and turn toward the door.

Jia He slowly walked in. Looking at the tall, graceful figure by the window, he softly asked, "Sister Yaoye, did you want to see me?"

Over the past few years, Yaoye had gradually taken control of the imperial family's authority, cultivating an air of majesty. Her lovely face was cold and striking, and her entire bearing carried the charm of a mature beauty.

"Yes. I've been busy handling state affairs these past few years and have spent far too little time with you and Yue'er, so I called you here today to have a heart-to-heart," Yaoye said with a smile.

Jia He naturally knew that Yaoye had not called him here merely for a heart-to-heart. Otherwise, why had she not brought Yaoyue along?

Jia He smiled. "If there's something you want to say, Sister Yaoye, just say it. There's no need for us to beat around the bush."

Yaoye was slightly taken aback, then nodded and sighed softly. "All right. I was overthinking things."

"It's just that I felt you were still too young. Matters within the imperial family should have been handled by me and Great-Grandfather, but over the years, both he and I have watched you grow."

"Great-Grandfather was also the one who told me that perhaps there were some things I should discuss with you. We can no longer treat you as an ordinary person," Yaoye said softly.

Jia He smiled. "It's nothing. I grew up in the imperial family, so it's only right that I contribute. Since this concerns the imperial family, does the empire have some difficulty?"

Yaoye nodded. "That's right. As you suggested before, the Imperial Guard and the troops around the Imperial Capital underwent a complete restructuring and selection process. From among the newly recruited guards, we selected five thousand reliable individuals with decent talent and had them cultivate."

"After several years of training, their strength has improved significantly. A small number of them have already reached the Dou Shi realm!"

Jia He said, "Isn't that a good thing? If the empire is given a few more years, sweeping through the other three great empires of the Northwest Continent should not be a problem, right?"

"Yes, but there is one problem. The empire's finances are nearly in deficit. We can no longer sustain such enormous military expenditures," Yaoye said worriedly.

Jia He walked over and sat in a nearby chair. "If the treasury is in deficit, levy taxes from the major cities outside the Imperial Capital. Since the Imperial Guard has already been trained, if any city dares refuse to pay taxes, use the guards to make an example of them!"

"If I remember correctly, the only cities currently contributing to the imperial treasury are several around the Imperial Capital, right? The major cities in the east and northeast, as well as those in the south, should be able to provide quite a lot in tax revenue!"

As Jia He spoke, his fingers lightly tapped the table. Then he continued, "If I remember correctly, Salt City in the east of the empire is extremely prosperous, yet the empire's influence there is not the strongest?"

"A family called the Mo Clan has occupied Salt City for decades and now monopolizes nearly sixty percent of its industries. They are the undisputed local tyrants of Salt City, aren't they?"

Jia He remembered that the Mo Clan had been exceedingly wealthy in the original story. Not only did they possess vast wealth, they were even able to offer tribute to the Misty Cloud Sect!

Hearing Jia He's words, Yaoye's expression changed slightly. "The Mo Clan probably cannot be touched yet!"

Jia He frowned. "Why not?"

"The Mo Clan has the Misty Cloud Sect behind it. I heard that the Mo Clan's patriarch is even an outer sect deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect, and they have inseparable ties to the sect," Yaoye said helplessly.

Jia He said calmly, "Salt City belongs to the empire. So what if they have the Misty Cloud Sect backing them? The Misty Cloud Sect is merely a cultivation sect attached to the empire!"

"With Great-Grandfather guarding the imperial family, and with the previous Misty Cloud Sect leader Yun Shan said to be only at the Peak Dou Emperor realm, Great-Grandfather alone can hold him off. Besides, the current Misty Cloud Sect has only Yun Yun, a three-star Dou Emperor."

"Furthermore, the Mo Clan relies solely on the status of an outer sect deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect to run rampant in the east, acting like the local tyrant of Salt City. If we do not make an example of them, where will the imperial family's prestige remain?"

Jia He's words carried intense killing intent, leaving Yaoye momentarily dazed.

Suddenly, an aged laugh rang out from outside the hall. "Haha, well said, He'er! Yaoye, you are still far too hesitant!"

Jia Xing Tian's figure suddenly appeared inside the hall.

Yaoye bowed to Jia Xing Tian. "Great-Grandfather!"

Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly, then slowly walked over to the two of them. "He'er is right. Over the years, the Mo Clan of Salt City has not only made a fortune there, but has also openly offered tribute to the Misty Cloud Sect, claiming it was to honor their sect. They have shown no regard for our imperial family at all!"

"This time, let's listen to He'er," Jia Xing Tian said as he looked at Yaoye.

Yaoye said, "Since even Great-Grandfather agrees, then naturally I agree as well. But what about the Misty Cloud Sect?"

"Alas, for the imperial family's development these past years, I have always been too cautious and restrained. He'er's words today have awakened me," Jia Xing Tian sighed softly.

"As the life force of the Raging Tide Dragon Beast gradually fades and the Nether Sea Flood Dragon has been injured, the imperial family has only these old bones of mine holding it up. Internally, I must balance the various clans against the Misty Cloud Sect. Externally, I must guard against invasion from the other three great empires."

"I only thought that preserving the empire's current peace was already difficult enough, but I never considered that this temporary hardship might bring endless disaster upon the empire!"

"The path of cultivation is the same. I long ago lost my former pursuit of higher realms, thinking this was enough, never once considering breaking through to become a Dou Zong. How shameful," Jia Xing Tian said, his face full of deep remorse.

Yaoye looked at Jia Xing Tian worriedly. "Great-Grandfather, don't say that."

Jia Xing Tian waved his hand. "It's fine. This is Great-Grandfather's mistake. I must admit it!"

Then Jia Xing Tian looked at Jia He again. "He'er has extraordinary talent and has now become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. We no longer need to fear Pill King Gu He too much!"

Hearing Jia Xing Tian's words, Yaoye immediately looked at Jia He in surprise. "You've become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist?"

Jia He nodded slightly. "That's right!"

"That's wonderful!" Yaoye said happily.

One of the reasons the imperial family greatly feared the Misty Cloud Sect was Pill King Gu He and his inseparable ties with the sect!

But now that Jia He had become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, the two sides were more or less evenly matched in that regard.

"Good. In that case, I'll immediately issue an order and summon the Mu Clan to discuss matters. We must be ready to dispatch troops to Salt City at any time," Yaoye said.

Jia Xing Tian nodded. "Go."

Yaoye turned and walked out. Jia Xing Tian said to Jia He, "I heard that you ran into that boy from the Mu Clan a few days ago?"

Jia He had not expected Jia Xing Tian to know about it. He nodded. "Yes. That brat was extremely arrogant, so I had someone teach him a lesson!"

Jia Xing Tian chuckled. "So that was it. It's good to give him a lesson. Earlier, Mu Chen even brought that boy to the imperial family to apologize, but I sent them away!"

Then Jia Xing Tian added, "You have stayed within the imperial family all these years and rarely shown yourself in public. I intend to formally introduce you to everyone tomorrow. What do you think?"

Jia He smiled. "Of course, I have no objections. But how should my identity be introduced?"

Jia Xing Tian said, "Easy. We'll say I adopted you and that you are now an imperial prince of the empire. With such an identity, no one will dare question it casually, much less interfere in the imperial family's private affairs!"

Jia He said, "All right, then let's proceed according to Great-Grandfather's arrangements."

"Good, good, good. I originally intended to take you as my disciple, but then I thought about it. Even that old man Fama would not dare accept you as a disciple, so I won't make a fool of myself," Jia Xing Tian said with a chuckle.

Jia He gave a light laugh but said nothing more.

After bidding Jia Xing Tian farewell, Jia He returned to his own sleeping quarters.

Night fell, and the stars glittered overhead.

Misty Cloud Mountains, at the cliff behind the sect.

A small figure stood there with a sword in hand, quietly practicing the sect's sword techniques.

A streak of light flashed across the sky, and a graceful figure in green slowly descended onto the cliff.

"Yanran." Yun Yun looked at Nalan Yanran, who was diligently practicing her sword techniques, and softly called out.

Hearing her teacher's voice, Nalan Yanran stopped her focused practice and ran toward Yun Yun.

Arriving before Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran respectfully bowed. "Teacher!"

Yun Yun nodded slightly. She had always been very satisfied with this disciple before her. Nalan Yanran was talented, obedient, sensible, and extremely diligent in her cultivation.

"It's so late. Why haven't you rested yet? You still have morning lessons tomorrow," Yun Yun said gently.

Nalan Yanran obediently said, "I still want to practice the Dou Technique Teacher taught me for a little longer!"

Yun Yun sighed softly. "Your talent is already excellent within the sect. Sometimes, you need to give yourself room to relax appropriately!"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran nodded. "I understand, Teacher!"

Seeing Nalan Yanran's expression, Yun Yun, as her teacher, naturally knew that she had not truly taken the words to heart!

Yun Yun stepped forward, took Nalan Yanran's hand, and led her to sit beside a large boulder.

"I can tell that you have something weighing on your heart. If there is anything, tell me," Yun Yun said to Nalan Yanran.

Upon hearing her teacher's words, Nalan Yanran's eyes gradually reddened.

"What is it, Yanran?" Yun Yun asked, her delicate brows knitting slightly.

Only then did Nalan Yanran slowly speak. "Teacher, I really do have something on my mind. I've kept it bottled up for a long time. Since Teacher asked, I'll tell you!"

"Actually, I have a fiancé."

Hearing Nalan Yanran's words, Yun Yun froze for a moment, then frowned. "A fiancé?"

Nalan Yanran nodded. "Yes. My grandfather told me about it before. He said it was a childhood betrothal, but I don't even know what that person looks like. I only know that he is in a place called Wu Tan City in the empire."

"I don't want to marry someone who is completely unfamiliar to me, because I have no idea what kind of person he is. So I've decided that once I become strong enough, I must personally go to Wu Tan City and call off this engagement!"

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