What peerless art is this?

After being lectured by Jiang Changsheng, Jiang Ziyu could only abandon the idea of joining the army. From then on, he trained even more diligently.

That very month, the Emperor issued an edict arranging a betrothal between the granddaughter of Yang Che, Minister of Justice, and Prince Wei. The news spread throughout the city, stirring endless discussion among the common people. In recent years, the Emperor's presence had been weak, while the Crown Prince had practically monopolized court affairs. Yet the Emperor had personally arranged a marriage for Prince Wei, leaving much room for speculation.

"The Crown Prince grows more excessive by the day. How utterly disrespectful! His Majesty is still alive, yet he dares claim he will lead the expedition himself. Why does he not simply call himself 'I, the Emperor'?"

Chen Li said indignantly, "The Crown Prince of old was far better. Though he did not practice martial arts, he possessed the makings of an emperor."

Wang Chen, who was sweeping the ground, felt a pang of bitterness upon hearing this, yet he bore no resentment. He had grown accustomed to cultivating the Dao within the temple—leisurely, but never dull, and free from all that scheming and strife.

Since Jiang Ziyu was studying in the imperial palace, Chen Li became even more uninhibited in criticizing Jiang Yu.

Jiang Changsheng sat meditating beneath the Earth Spirit Tree. Without opening his eyes, he said casually, "Since you are so dissatisfied, serve Ziyu in the future. You should be able to understand the meaning behind the marriage His Majesty arranged for Ziyu, shouldn't you?"

Chen Li frowned. "His Majesty wants to gather factions for Prince Wei? When the Crown Prince returns, I fear he will be displeased."

Aside from the two of them, only Wang Chen remained in the courtyard. Xu Tianji and Ping'an were sparring with the other disciples at the martial grounds. Chen Li had already grown familiar with Wang Chen. Though he did not know Wang Chen's origins, Wang Chen was far too ugly and rarely left the temple, so there was no need to worry about him running around and spreading tales.

Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes and said, "I will support Prince Wei."

After breaking through to the sixth level of the Dao Follows Nature Skill, he no longer bothered to hide it.

The Empress and the Yang family had already been successfully won over. Next would be the Chen family.

Though Jiang Changsheng's strength was exceptional, if he wanted Jiang Ziyu to ascend the throne smoothly, he still had to cultivate Jiang Ziyu's own power. Jiang Changsheng had no desire to protect him for an entire lifetime.

Besides, no matter how strong he was, heaven and earth were vast. How could imperial power be consolidated through one man's strength alone?

Chen Li's heart began to race. He had noticed Jiang Changsheng's change in attitude before, but he had not expected Jiang Changsheng to be this thorough this time.

Wang Chen had no particular thoughts on the matter. He too believed that Jiang Ziyu possessed the talent of an emperor.

Chen Li hesitated. "Great Jing is already teetering on the brink. Would it not be improper for us to seize power at such a time?"

Jiang Changsheng said, "Then do you believe Great Jing truly has any hope under the Crown Prince's leadership?"

Chen Li's expression shifted between light and shadow. He truly was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, but this matter was far too significant.

"Ziyu is still growing. If the Chen family joins now, when he ascends the throne in the future, how could the Chen family's treatment be worse than it is today? Chen Li, time is running out. Back then, the Chen family made its choice too late." Jiang Changsheng stared into his eyes, his meaning profound.

In nearly thirty years of knowing each other, it was the first time Chen Li had seen such ambition in Jiang Changsheng's eyes.

He could not help questioning Jiang Changsheng's motives and asked, "Changsheng, is it only because Prince Wei is your disciple?"

Jiang Changsheng said, "I pursue the immortal Dao and know Heaven's mandate. Heaven's mandate does not lie with Yu; it lies with Ziyu."

What utter nonsense!

Chen Li wanted to challenge him, but when he thought of Jiang Changsheng surviving two Thunder Tribulations, and how he was now over forty yet looked like an eighteen-year-old youth, all signs seemed to suggest that Jiang Changsheng might truly not be an ordinary man.

"There truly is Heaven's mandate?" Chen Li swallowed and asked.

Jiang Changsheng said, "Heaven's mandate is not merely fate; it also depends on human effort. The Crown Prince lacks ambition, while Ziyu possesses ambition comparable to His Majesty's. I have deduced that Great Jing's future territory will far surpass its current state. The true golden age of Great Jing will raise its curtain after Ziyu ascends the throne. That is why I was willing to accept him as my disciple."

Chen Li fell silent.

Recalling all of Jiang Ziyu's extraordinary traits, Wang Chen grew even more reverent toward Jiang Changsheng.

Prince Wei truly was remarkable!

After the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Chen Li took a deep breath. His gaze became resolute as he said, "Changsheng, the Chen family will be tied to Prince Wei from now on. If we fail, you must preserve a bloodline for the Chen family."

Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Brother Chen, in the future, you will find these words of yours laughable. Prosperity is coming for the Chen family."

The Chen family's patriarch was the Minister of Revenue, and many of his descendants held official posts. With their support, Jiang Ziyu would have far more cards up his sleeve.

Once Chen Li made up his mind, he felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted. He became spirited and began discussing with Jiang Changsheng how to pave the way for Prince Wei.

Two of the Six Ministries supported Prince Wei. The basic foundation on the civil side was sufficient, but they still lacked the military side—that was, the army.

Any faction without an army was nothing but a paper tiger!

In the forty-first year of Kaiyuan, Crown Prince Jiang Yu personally led an army of three hundred thousand to reinforce Can Province. He swept through the enemy like bamboo splitting before the wind, and Jiang Yu pressed his victory, driving straight ahead for months. In the end, he encountered nearly five hundred thousand troops of Gu Han surrounding and suppressing him. A brutal battle unseen in fifty years erupted, later known as the Battle of Blood Origin.

The two dynasties successively committed nearly a million soldiers. After days of bitter fighting, more than five hundred thousand were dead or wounded. It could be said that both sides suffered grievously.

Jiang Yu led fifty thousand elite cavalry in reinforcements and escorted Jiang Yu's retreat. Only then did the battle come to an end.

This battle left the surrounding dynasties restless and eager to move. Great Jing and Gu Han had been at war for more than a decade, and after this battle, both likely had their vitality severely damaged.

Within Great Jing, all Thirteen Provinces were stirring. Remnants of the former dynasty began moving once more, and all manner of rumors spread across the realm.

Great Jing had become even more perilous!

That year, Jiang Ziyu was twelve years old, and so was Ping'an.

Within Dragon Arising Temple.

Yang Che, Minister of Justice, Chen Ruqi, Minister of Revenue, and Chen Li discussed important matters in the courtyard. Jiang Ziyu and Ping'an were also present, while Xu Tianji had taken Huang Chuan away to avoid suspicion.

"My Yang family has already recruited private soldiers in Qian Province, Yu Province, and Fang Province. The Northern Border is in chaos now, and the court pays scant attention to the south. Apart from us, other noble clans are secretly stockpiling troops as well. I fear troubled times are approaching." Yang Che sighed.

Chen Ruqi sighed repeatedly. "Troubled times are already inevitable. I have learned that the remnants of the Chu Dynasty have begun moving again and are gathering martial arts forces on a large scale. It is said that even Grandmasters from the martial world will make their move."

Jiang Ziyu snorted. "When I grow up, I will surely suppress all beneath heaven and drive out the barbarians!"

At twelve, he was already full of high spirits. History was not without boy emperors, so his ambitions were immense. He wished he could descend the mountain at once.

Ping'an, standing not far away, was even more outrageous. Though only twelve, his physique already rivaled that of an adult. After the Mystic Inner Overlord Body reached great completion, his body had grown at an astonishing pace in just one year. He looked like a humanoid beast of prey.

Ping'an was now a genuine Peerless Expert. He was only twelve years old, yet he would surely step into the Heaven-Reaching Realm in the future—and become a Heaven-Reaching expert suited for slaughter on the battlefield!

Chen Li looked toward Jiang Changsheng and frowned. "Changsheng, when shall we rise?"

Jiang Changsheng was looking at his incense offering value, which had already surpassed one thousand. He was hesitating over whether to calculate the strength of the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower, but it only cost one thousand incense offering value. He had spent more than two thousand incense offering value to weather the tribulation and could only survive half of it, which showed that the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower was far less dangerous to him than the Thunder Tribulation.

Forget it. Better to be cautious!

Begin calculation!

Can I easily defeat the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower?

The word "easily" was of utmost importance.

Jiang Changsheng said, "It is not yet time. The troops you command are too few. You need at least one hundred thousand elite cavalry."

1000 incense offering value required. Continue?

Continue!

"One hundred thousand elite cavalry will not be easy to raise. One needs one hundred thousand warhorses, and carts must be prepared to transport provisions and fodder. Horses alone will require at least three hundred thousand, while the cavalry will need long-term training as well." Yang Che frowned.

A single word appeared before Jiang Changsheng's eyes:

Yes

That word carried immense weight, and Jiang Changsheng beamed with joy. He continued, "There are still four years. I hope that all of you can make the preparations before Ziyu turns sixteen. That will be the moment when the hidden dragon emerges from the abyss, when heaven and earth change. Before then, I will also train Ping'an into a Heaven-Reaching Realm expert."

Yang Che, Chen Ruqi, and Chen Li could not help looking at Ping'an, their eyelids twitching.

What kind of monster was this boy?

A sixteen-year-old in the Heaven-Reaching Realm sounded impossible, but with Ping'an's physique, along with Spirit Gathering Pills and the spiritual energy of the Earth Spirit Tree, it was not impossible!

The four spoke for a while longer before Chen Li and the other two departed.

Jiang Changsheng then began guiding Jiang Ziyu in cultivating the Universe Heaven Scripture. The stronger Jiang Ziyu's martial arts became, the safer he would be in the future.

Spring passed and autumn came.

Two years went by.

In the forty-third year of Kaiyuan, the Jin Dynasty east of Great Jing allied with Gu Han and invaded Can Province and Hong Province at the Northern Border together. Crown Prince Jiang Yu had no choice but to withdraw and return to the capital.

Everyone in the world could see that Great Jing was an arrow at the end of its flight. Order throughout the land grew increasingly chaotic, bandits ran rampant, and the people could barely survive.

In August of that year, the scorching heat was at its peak.

Dragon Arising Temple welcomed another peerless master who had come to challenge it.

"Tian Shan Ji Que has come to challenge! If I die, I shall enter Hero's Graveyard!"

A domineering shout rang through Dragon Arising Temple like the booming of a great bell, alarming everyone.

Xu Tianji was moved. Turning to Jiang Changsheng, he said, "Tian Shan Ji Que is one of the Five Grandmasters. He retired from the martial world fifty years ago and is now nearly a hundred years old. With almost a century of cultivation, Taoist Priest, you must be careful."

The Five Grandmasters!

Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes. At last, the strongest Grandmaster of Great Jing's martial world had appeared. He sensed the man's presence. He had likely already entered the God Heart Realm, and his True Qi was even stronger than Xu Tianji's.

He rose to his feet and said, "It seems Hero's Graveyard has truly made its name known. Prepare to break ground!"

Everyone eagerly followed. The Five Grandmasters were legendary figures and could be considered Martial Arts Myths.

Martial Arts Myth against Martial Arts Myth!

This was a battle rarely seen in decades!

Jiang Changsheng led everyone to the temple gate, where some pilgrims had also come to watch the excitement.

Ji Que wore a white robe and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His body was robust, but his face was weathered, and his hair entirely white. He looked sixty or seventy, though he was in fact nearly one hundred. The bearing of a Grandmaster radiated from him, visible to the naked eye, as though even if the sky fell, he could hold it up.

Upon seeing Jiang Changsheng, Ji Que narrowed his eyes and studied him carefully. "Changsheng Taoist Priest appears to be skilled in the art of preserving one's appearance."

Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Who would not wish to be younger? Thank you, Senior, for coming today to bolster Hero's Graveyard's prestige."

Ji Que snorted. "This old man's final days are near. Rather than wither away in the deep mountains, I would rather battle the current Martial Arts Myth. You are very strong; this old man cannot see through you. With someone like you in Great Jing's martial world, old fossils like us can leave with peace of mind."

He raised his right palm and struck the ground. True Qi erupted, and twelve azure sword phantoms unexpectedly condensed behind him in a fan-shaped formation. Their sharp, fearsome aura chilled the heart.

Without further words, he struck a palm toward Jiang Changsheng. The twelve azure sword phantoms shot forth, tearing through the air. Their sword-light flashed so brightly that even the common people within the capital could see it.

Jiang Changsheng waved the Kirin Whisk. Its long strands stretched out and directly swept the twelve sword phantoms apart.

If Ji Que was tyrannical, then Jiang Changsheng was as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze. Which was stronger and which weaker had already been made clear.

He held back back then, Xu Tianji thought to himself.

He had stayed at Dragon Arising Temple for nine years and had never ceased practicing. He was already stronger than before, yet compared to Ji Que, he still fell far short. But Ji Que, powerful as he was, could not display the slightest might before Jiang Changsheng.

Ji Que was shaken. He had never expected his ultimate art to be so vulnerable. His gaze turned cold as he placed his right hand behind his back again and charged at Jiang Changsheng in a single step.

Boom!

True Qi erupted, and Ji Que transformed into an azure sword, about to pierce through Jiang Changsheng in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Changsheng raised his hand and extended the index finger of his left hand. Spiritual power shot forth.

Clang—

The azure sword shattered. Ji Que landed and staggered several steps backward. Blood poured uncontrollably from his mouth as he stared wide-eyed, his body swaying on the verge of collapse. Fixing his gaze on Jiang Changsheng, he asked, "What... peerless... art... is this...?"

Jiang Changsheng said, "The Chen family's Qi Finger."

Thud!

Ji Que fell, dying with his eyes still open. A pool of blood spread beneath him.

Before his death, his final thought was: What kind of sacred existence was the Chen family?

How could they possess such an unparalleled peerless art!