"The Prefectural City is a mix of fish and dragons, with every faction's roots and branches tangled together-but the foremost among them is Wutai Academy, which our teacher recommended-
"The academy has powerful backing and deep foundations. Calling it the foremost power in the Prefectural City would be no exaggeration. It is divided into the Five Great Courts-
"Geng Metal Court excels in fist and spear techniques, Greenwood Court specializes in medicine, alchemy, and poison-making, Kui Water Court focuses on movement and sword techniques, Li Fire Court leans toward saber techniques and Artifact Refining, and Kun Earth Court's arts are powerful and domineering, best suited to body tempering-"
"Besides them, there are another three or four leading powers no weaker than the academy-Golden Spring Temple, the Tyrant Blade Sect, the Giant Whale Gang, and the Yin Tiger Sect-"
When she mentioned the Yin Tiger Sect, Wu Qingman paused, her pretty face growing slightly grave. "Senior Brother Wei, you must be careful of this Yin Tiger Sect. Above all, you cannot let them learn that you are a True Disciple of the Clear Crane Lineage-"
"Clear Crane, Yin Tiger?!"
Wei Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Yin Tiger Sect was the sect Old Fang's great enemy had left behind in the Prefectural City.
"Below the five leading powers are two martial Aristocratic Clans, the Huang Family and the Zhou Family! They control numerous businesses, including mines, banks, spirit fish, transportation, and restaurants. Even the Si'an Commerce Alliance was established by them, bringing together the city's many wealthy merchants-
"Their businesses extend throughout the Prefectural City and the counties beneath it. Even the Liu and Lin Families of Black Mountain are merely peripheral members of the Commerce Alliance-"
Wu Qingman told Wei Sheng everything she knew about the Prefectural City's factions, holding