After Four Seas Sage departed, Jiang Changsheng sank into thought.
He wondered what matter Great Vehicle Dragon Tower was entangled in.
What kind of place was the Manifest Saint Grotto-heaven that Four Seas Sage had mentioned? How many unknown experts did it conceal?
Jiang Changsheng guessed that the Universe Realm was likely the realm after the Golden Body Realm. When the Dao Follows Nature Skill broke through one level, his martial arts realm had surpassed it by two major realms already. That was astonishing enough; the gap could not possibly be any greater.
The martial arts realms should be divided into Third Rate, Second Rate, First Rate, True Essence, Spiritual Awareness, Heaven Reaching, God Heart, Divine Man, Golden Body, and Universe!
Great Vehicle Dragon Tower probably had Divine Men, though not many. In Four Seas Sage's understanding, the strongest should have been at the Golden Body Realm, while Jiang Changsheng was at the even stronger Universe Realm.
Did that mean he was invincible?
No. He was only invincible within this regional map. He could not grow too conceited.
Jiang Changsheng silently thought this, and his entire body relaxed considerably. Strength did not mean recklessness, and caution did not mean excessive fear. It was enough to live comfortably within his own surroundings.
Huang Chuan edged closer and asked excitedly, "Master, what kind of realm is the Divine Man Realm? Is Divine Man above Heaven Reaching?"
He had memorized every word Four Seas Sage had said just now.
A broader world and higher realms—every single one of them set his heart racing with yearning.
Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Above Heaven Reaching is the God Heart Realm. Only beyond that is the Divine Man Realm. Xu Tianji is at the God Heart Realm."
"Then you're a Divine Man!"
Huang Chuan said with a face full of worship. Jiang Changsheng neither confirmed nor denied it.
News that Four Seas Sage had been frightened away did not spread through the martial world. After all, Four Seas Sage had always been an unknown nobody in the martial world, and only a handful of people had even heard of him.
Day after day passed.
By autumn, the forests blanketing the mountains had turned yellow.
On this day, Meng Qiushuang came to visit Jiang Changsheng.
"Daoist, it is time to prepare to choose the next chief disciple."
Meng Qiushuang said sorrowfully. The Eldest Sister, once in the prime of her youth, had now entered old age as well. Though she took excellent care of herself, she could still not hide the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and on her hands.
When people grew old, they also grew tired. Their energy could no longer keep up.
Jiang Changsheng pondered. "How is Wan Li?"
Meng Qiushuang nodded. "He is certainly suitable, but Daoist, you must also consider the chief disciple after the next. You should select a young disciple from Dragon Arising Temple to cultivate by your side."
Jiang Changsheng was a Martial Arts Myth, yet none of his three disciples were true disciples of Dragon Arising Temple. Ping'an had followed Prince Wei down the mountain, while Huang Chuan was not particularly close to the other disciples and was always immersed in martial arts. With such a temperament, it would be difficult for him to become the chief disciple overseeing Dragon Arising Temple.
After hearing this, Jiang Changsheng said, "That is reasonable. In the next few days, I will choose another disciple."
Meng Qiushuang smiled, then began reminiscing with Jiang Changsheng about their childhood. Jiang Changsheng enjoyed listening as well. Once people grew old, they loved recalling the past.
In the third year of Zhenyu, Prince Wei led one hundred thousand iron cavalry to the Northern Border. With an army of one hundred thousand, he routed the Jin Dynasty's three hundred thousand troops, and his name shook the world. Under his command was a fierce general whose might shook the Jin Dynasty even more. His name was Ping'an. By his own strength, he slew eight thousand enemies, like a demonic god descended upon the mortal world. Such achievements spread throughout the Thirteen Provinces and likewise left the Jing Dynasty in disbelief.
The overwhelming majority of the people believed it was a rumor. Such accomplishments were simply too exaggerated.
In April, Prince Wei launched a surprise attack on Can Province, sweeping through Gu Han's one hundred fifty thousand soldiers. He pursued and slaughtered them for several days, killing every last Gu Han soldier. Can Province returned to Great Jing's hands once more!
The successive reports of victory began to stir the people of Great Jing. Could it be true?
For a time, legends about Prince Wei began to spread. He had been born with three eyes, he was the reincarnation of the Golden Winged Great Peng Bird, he was the disciple of a Martial Arts Myth, and so on. His image in the hearts of Great Jing's people grew ever taller.
Prince Wei's rise also put immense pressure on the Crown Prince and the other imperial sons. The emperor had no choice but to send more troops to support the Crown Prince. He also feared that Prince Wei might grow too powerful and thereby threaten the Crown Prince's position.
Within the Imperial Study of the imperial palace.
Jiang Yu was reviewing memorials when a White-Clothed Guard entered, knelt before the desk, and began delivering intelligence. Jiang Yu frowned after listening.
"Ping'an, Xu Tianji... Dragon Arising Temple truly spared no effort... His army was recruited by the Yang Lineage?"
Jiang Yu frowned, his fingers tapping against the tabletop as he contemplated something.
He had never expected Prince Wei to rise so swiftly. Previously, he had thought Jiang Changsheng had accepted Prince Wei only because imperial authority had forced his hand. He had not expected them to forge such deep feelings.
The White-Clothed Guard said, "Not only the Yang Lineage, but also the Chen Lineage."
Jiang Yu's brow furrowed even deeper. Before he ascended the throne, both lineages had already moved their families south, leaving only high-ranking officials in the capital. If he moved against the officials of those two lineages now, they would very likely rise up from the south, threatening his imperial authority.
He looked at Gui Liu, the leader of the Thirteen Heavenly Lodestar Assassins standing beside him, and asked, "In your view, what should be done?"
Gui Liu's eyes flickered. "The Yang Lineage, the Chen Lineage, and Dragon Arising Temple all support Prince Wei. Their intentions are plain to see. Yet the Yang and Chen Lineages have already withdrawn from the capital. Only Dragon Arising Temple remains. Your Majesty, this is worth guarding against."
Jiang Yu was no fool. He asked in a deep voice, "You mean Dragon Arising Temple is a blade that may stab at me at any moment?"
Gui Liu said, "If Your Majesty does not move against the two lineages or directly suppress Prince Wei, Dragon Arising Temple certainly will not act. But... Dragon Arising Temple was, after all, established under imperial authority and understands the struggles of imperial power well. Since they have made their choice, they must also know that they cannot afford to fail."
Jiang Yu fell into deep thought.
He looked toward the White-Clothed Guard ahead of him and said, "Leave for now. Continue watching Prince Wei."
"Yes!"
The White-Clothed Guard quickly departed.
Jiang Yu rose to his feet and paced around the Imperial Study.
Gui Liu spoke again. "Your Majesty, it would be unwise to deal with the Martial Arts Myth directly. At present, this subordinate has a method: summon Prince Qin back to the capital. If Prince Qin returns, Zong Tianwu will certainly return as well. Once Your Majesty absorbs Zong Tianwu's power, we can assist Your Majesty in taking down the Martial Arts Myth. By then, Your Majesty's power will reach unprecedented heights. Your Majesty may even personally lead an expedition and establish peerless achievements that the late emperor never accomplished."
Hearing this, Jiang Yu stopped in his tracks. His eyes lit up as he said, "That is indeed a good method. We can eliminate Prince Qin along with him."
Jiang Yu's existence had always been a thorn in Jiang Yu's heart. If the realm had not been in peril, Jiang Yu would have had countless methods to eliminate Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu frowned. "Can we truly take down Zong Tianwu?"
Zong Tianwu, the former Martial Arts Supreme, had faced Gu Han's three Grandmasters alone and never been defeated. As emperor, Jiang Yu knew this man's achievements best.
Gui Liu said, "Dragon Tower is about to send a Venerable here. This Venerable is an unparalleled expert above the Heaven Reaching Realm. With Your Majesty and us added in, Zong Tianwu will be unable to escape even if he sprouts wings!"
Jiang Yu's gaze turned cold. He snorted. "Then I shall summon them back, using a memorial ceremony for the Empress Dowager as the reason."
Within the courtyard, Jiang Changsheng circulated his cultivation while watching the sparring match between two people before him. One was Huang Chuan, while the other was Jiang Changsheng's newly accepted disciple, an orphan Wan Li had brought back while traveling the martial world. His name was Ling Xiao. He was only eleven years old, yet he had already displayed considerable martial arts talent.
Huang Chuan did not use True Qi, relying solely on his fists and kicks to spar with Ling Xiao. Though he was seven years older than Ling Xiao, his barehanded techniques had not completely overwhelmed him.
After all, Ling Xiao possessed outstanding aptitude among the more than two hundred disciples of Dragon Arising Temple, and Jiang Changsheng had personally selected him. Of course, Huang Chuan was also holding back.
Huang Chuan knocked Ling Xiao back. Seeing that he was already panting heavily, he smiled. "That's enough, Junior Brother. You almost defeated me. You're really impressive."
Ling Xiao's face was flushed red. It was unclear whether it was from exhaustion or embarrassment. He shook his head and said, "How could that be? Senior Brother, do not comfort me. I know my own capabilities. If Senior Brother were serious, you could defeat me in a single move."
Huang Chuan smiled. He suddenly recalled how his master had previously said that he had nearly been able to touch him. Could it be...
He could not help looking toward Jiang Changsheng. Seeing Jiang Changsheng watching them, he hastily withdrew his gaze in fright.
Jiang Changsheng said, "Ling Xiao, aside from external martial arts, internal cultivation is the foundation. Since you no longer need to listen to the Dao, you must hurry and train. Once you come of age, you will have to shoulder the responsibility of teaching the other disciples."
Ling Xiao hurriedly nodded, looking extremely nervous.
He had already been under Jiang Changsheng's tutelage for some time, yet he still felt tense. Fortunately, Huang Chuan had an outgoing nature and took care of him.
At this moment, Eunuch Li ran in.
Although Eunuch Li had joined Dragon Arising Temple, he often moved about the capital, helping Dragon Arising Temple handle trades in grain, medicinal herbs, and other goods. He was also cultivating his own network of contacts.
Seeing Eunuch Li arrive, Huang Chuan perceptively led Ling Xiao out of the courtyard. Wang Chen and White Dragon were absent as well, helping gather ripened medicinal herbs on the back mountain.
Eunuch Li came before Jiang Changsheng and whispered, "The emperor has summoned Prince Qin back to the capital, using a memorial ceremony for the Empress Dowager as the reason. But where is the Empress Dowager's tomb in the imperial mausoleum?"
Jiang Changsheng narrowed his eyes. "You mean the emperor intends to move against Prince Qin?"
Eunuch Li nodded. "Recently, several princes have died of illness in succession. I suspect it was the emperor's doing. Prince Qin is openly the brother who poses the greatest threat to him, and he has Zong Tianwu's support. He must be eliminated."
Jiang Changsheng said nothing further.
Eunuch Li bowed, then turned and left.
Jiang Changsheng's gaze shifted to a gravestone behind the courtyard, and he let out a faint sigh.
Amid the wilderness, two figures rode swiftly along the official road. They were Jiang Yu and Zong Tianwu. Both had changed into ordinary clothes and wore no armor.
Zong Tianwu, his hair entirely gray-white, frowned. "Prince, entering the capital this time may be like stepping into a dragon's pool and tiger's den."
Jiang Yu looked ahead and said, "I naturally know that. But when Father Emperor passed away, I did not return. When Mother passed away from illness, I still did not return. I cannot miss this again."
Zong Tianwu sighed.
"After this is over, return to your sect. Although I am greatly displeased with the current emperor, he truly produced a fine son. Prince Wei is stronger than I am," Jiang Yu said with emotion.
Zong Tianwu frowned. "Prince Wei is indeed a remarkable young man with great courage, but Prince, are you truly not going to contend? If you give up, there is only a dead end."
In the struggle for imperial authority, was it something one could simply abandon just because one wished to?
Jiang Yu said, "If I can leave alive, then I shall cast off my armor and return to the fields. I will become a wandering hero of the martial world and travel across the land. That would still be a life of great delight."
No sooner had he spoken than Jiang Yu reined in his horse. Zong Tianwu did the same.
A figure appeared on the road ahead. The person wore long purple-red robes, with long hair bound beneath a jade crown shaped like a snake's head. His expression was cold and stern. With every step he took, black mist rose beneath his feet, as though he had walked forth from the Nine Netherworlds.
Zong Tianwu frowned. "He is very strong, no weaker than a Grandmaster."
He was secretly puzzled. When had such an unparalleled expert emerged in Great Jing's martial world? He had never seen this person before.
"Martial Arts Supreme Zong Tianwu, meeting you today proves that your reputation is well deserved. I am Yanshe. You may call me Venerable Yanshe."
The other man smiled mockingly, his smile brimming with killing intent and ridicule.
Zong Tianwu looked down upon him and said, "Venerable Yanshe? An unknown nobody. You wish to fight me alone?"
Venerable Yanshe smiled. "Since you look down on me, then I shall satisfy you."
As his words fell, figures leaped out from the surrounding forests in every direction. They swiftly closed in, encircling Zong Tianwu and Jiang Yu.
The Thirteen Heavenly Lodestar Assassins!
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