Gathering

Xu Yuanshuang snatched the secret letter from her side, read it intently, and then passed it on to Liu Hongmian, Baihu, and Qihuan Danxiang.

After reading it, everyone's expressions changed.

This is the first time the Palace Master of Tianji Palace has issued an order since entering the martial world to gather dragon energy.

Suddenly, Lingyin- like laugh rang out. The laughter was initially joyful, but then turned somewhat desolate. Everyone turned to look at Liu Hongmian, who was laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face.

Ji Xuan silently watched her. After a while, until the alluring woman calmed down, he spoke gently:

"Hongmian is a disciple of Wanhualou, and she knows the Martial Alliance best."

"He was a former disciple."

Liu Hongmian corrected her, her bright, peach-blossom-like face holding a faint smile, regaining her usual captivating charm.

She hesitated for a moment and said:

"Jianzhou is hailed as a sacred place of Martial Dao martial arts world because of the existence of the Martial Arts Alliance."

"From the very beginning of its founding, it has been a behemoth in Jianzhou. For six hundred years, the Martial Alliance has maintained the order of the Jianghu in Jianzhou, providing fertile ground for the prosperity and growth of gangs in Jianzhou."

"To this day, the most prominent gangs in Jianzhou's martial arts world are all subordinate to the Martial Alliance."

Liu Hongmian glanced at everyone present and continued:

"Among the vassal forces of the Martial Alliance, nine sects are the most powerful: the Divine Fist Gang, the Myriad Flower Pavilion, the Ink Pavilion, the Thousand Machines Sect, the Divine Travel Sect, the Iron Robe Hall, Yu Mountain, the White Crane Temple, and the Sword State Chamber of Commerce."

"The founders of these forces either came from the Martial Alliance or established their sects with the support of the Martial Alliance. For hundreds of years, they have been closely connected with the Martial Alliance."

"As for the smaller gangs and factions, I won't go into detail."

Xu Yuanhuai said in a deep voice, "Do all these gangs have fourth-rank experts?"

Liu Hongmian nodded. "At least one."

Everyone fell silent.

Putting aside the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, if it were just the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, the Martial Alliance wouldn't even need to lift a finger; their subordinate gangs alone could wipe them out.

Moreover, there are definitely other experts in the affiliated gangs. As long as they haven't reached the Transcendent Realm, a war of attrition is an effective way to kill a fourth-rank expert.

The one-armed White Tiger then said, "Tell me about the situation at the Martial Alliance headquarters."

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention focused on Liu Hongmian, including the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon.

"The Martial Alliance is located at Quanrong Mountain. At the foot of the mountain is a military town that claims to have 20,000 heavy cavalry, but in reality, it has a maximum of 8,000 cavalry, and no more than 4,000 heavy cavalry. The 20,000 troops are the original elite troops of the former alliance leader, although they have been replaced countless times since then."

As Liu Hongmian recalled, she said:

"Aside from the military, it's difficult to count the number of experts within the Martial Alliance. Even I can't accurately assess them. I believe the ones who truly deserve our attention are Cao Qingyang and the former Alliance Leader."

"Cao Qingyang ranks among the top five in the martial arts world's top 100, and is half a step into the extraordinary realm. In a one-on-one fight, any one of us would be doomed if we encountered him."

"As for the old leader, although many people in the martial arts world believe that his existence is a gimmick created by the martial arts alliance, at our level, we naturally know that he really exists."

"However, the old leader has never shown himself in hundreds of years. I didn't know why before, but now that I've seen the Palace Master's superstitions, I understand the reason."

After introducing the situation of the martial arts world in Jianzhou, she fell silent.

"We need more men," Ji Xuan calmly assessed, glancing at the secret agents of Yuzhou, and said:

"Send a message to the Eastern Sisters and two Vajra Guardians at the East Sea Dragon Palace. They are here discussing matters and must come as soon as possible."

Today was a day off, Xu Erlang rode a fast horse out of the city, arriving at the Cloud Deer Academy on the outskirts of the capital in less than an hour.

He quickly climbed the mountain, passed through the academy, and went straight to the bamboo forest behind the mountain.

"Dean, Cijiu."

Xu Xinnian bowed outside the bamboo house.

A flash of light appeared beneath his feet, and he was transported into the bamboo house.

Inside the elegant and tidy bamboo house, Zhao Shou sat alone at the table, sipping fragrant tea.

There was already a steaming cup of tea at the seat opposite us.

Xu Xinnian knew this was prepared for him, and he also knew it was Zhao Shou's attitude.

Given his status, he was not qualified to be on equal footing with Zhao Shou Shouping.

Regardless of cultivation level or status as a teacher, Xu Cijiu should stand before Zhao Shou.

"Thank you, Dean."

Xu Xinnian bowed and took his seat with composure.

I need your help with two things.

Zhao Shou put down his teacup, his gaze gentle. "Submit a memorial to the academy; and arrange for me to have tea with Wang Zhenwen this afternoon."

Xu Xinnian's eyes flickered, and after a slight hesitation, he said, "Okay."

Jiangzhou border.

The mare swung her tail and lowered her head to chew on the concentrated feed in the wooden bucket.

The two stallions on either side were eyeing its feed, craning their necks to try and get a share. Every time this happened, the mare would swing her neck and headbutt the other horse.

Before the campfire by the stream, Mu Nanzhi was stir-frying wild vegetables in an iron pot, while Xu Qi'an was chopping game hunted from the mountains.

Li Lingsu was squatting by the stream washing the ingredients.

Miao Youfang wasn't working; he was practicing boxing nearby, drenched in sweat.

"After achieving the Copper Skin and Iron Bones, one progresses to the Fifth Grade Transformation Realm. The most distinctive feature of this realm is the shift from simply breathing in and out Qi to refining and cultivating Qi and Blood."

As Xu Qi'an sliced the meat, he taught the technique:

"But it's different from the pure cultivation of qi and Qi and Blood during the Essence Refining Realm. You need to carefully sense the rhythm of your body and perfectly control your power."

Miao Youfang, without stopping, responded loudly, "I can handle it now."

Li Lingsu scoffed, "You're still far from good enough."

"What do you know, you Daoist priest!" Miao Youfang cursed.

Li Lingsu ignored his profanity and said:

"Humans are born with the ability to control their hands and feet and to master their bodies, but this is the most superficial use of the body."

"Ordinary people can exert less than one-tenth or one-twelfth of their physical strength, but they can unleash unparalleled power in times of crisis, which is the best proof of this."

"The essence of the fifth-grade Transformation Realm lies in mastering these uncontrollable forces. Am I right, Senior Xu?"

Xu Qi'an nodded, agreeing with Li Lingsu's words, and added:

"This level cannot be achieved quickly, nor can it be built up with resources; it relies on personal talent and sudden enlightenment. The higher the level, the more fortuitous opportunity and comprehension are required. This applies to all major systems."

"However, the experience of your predecessors can save you a lot of trouble. I suggest that in addition to practicing martial arts, you should also meditate every day to temper your Primordial Spirit."

Miao Youfang asked, "Why do we still need to temper our Primordial Spirit? Isn't it about tempering our physical body?"

Xu Qi'an laughed and said, "Because the body is controlled by the brain, the better the brain is developed, the stronger the ability to control the body."

Miao Youfang seemed to understand but not quite, while Li Lingsu appeared to be deep in thought.

Prince's Mansion.

After having lunch at the Prince's residence, Xu Erlang was led by Wang Simu to the outer hall of her boudoir.

Even if the two are engaged, but the woman is not yet married, her fiancé cannot enter her bedroom.

The outer hall is luxuriously furnished, with expensive lichen laid out, various antique treasures displayed on the shelves, and calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls.

Wang Simu is exceptionally talented, beautiful and intelligent, and being with her is always a pleasant experience.

She would occasionally throw a little tantrum at her lover, but fortunately, Erlang wasn't the same inflexible man he used to be, and he would still try to coax her.

"After the Spring Festival, Lingyue should be nineteen years old."

Wang Simu asked with a smile.

Xu Erlang was preoccupied with his own thoughts and nodded absentmindedly.

"You're of marriageable age now, are you engaged?"

Wang Simu asked again.

In the Great Feng, the age for women to marry was usually 14 years old or older for commoners, and 16 years old or older for high-ranking officials and nobles.

You can't be older than 22, otherwise you're considered an "older single woman".

Xu Erlang glanced at his 21-year-old fiancée and said, "No rush, let's wait a few more years."

Wang Simu smiled and nodded, adding:

"After we get married, she'll have even more husbands to choose from."

Wang Simu's thinking was very clear: when she married into the Xu Residence in the future, she would definitely marry off Xu Lingyue.

The mere presence of the matriarch of the Xu Household put immense pressure on her. If her younger sister, who liked to feign pitifulness and weakness, were to interfere as well, her future position would be in jeopardy.

Of course, Wang Simu wasn't a combative person; she married him solely for the purpose of power struggles within the household.

She simply wanted to reduce the "threats" around her and avoid being controlled by others as much as possible.

Xu Erlang responded with "uh-huh" and "ah-ah" for a moment, then said:

"I have something else to discuss with Chief Minister Wang."

Wang Simu nodded and said softly:

"Dad seems to be sick. He's been coughing a lot lately, and he's been feeling dizzy and often spacing out."

Xu Erlang was taken aback and asked with concern, "Have you had Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy examine it?"

Wang Simu sighed:

"The people from the Bureau of Astronomy said that Father's illness was caused by overwork and excessive worry, and he needs to rest. He has also caught a cold."

"When Wei Yuan was alive, he was full of fighting spirit. Now that Wei Yuan is dead, he has no political enemies, and that fighting spirit has suddenly dissipated."

"There was still hope to realize our ambitions, but who knew the disaster would strike so fiercely?"

Xu Erlang nodded solemnly.

Having left his fiancée's residence, he easily found his way to the Prime Minister Wang's study and knocked on the door.

After receiving permission, I pushed open the door and entered.

The Grand Secretary, holding a steaming cup of tea, sat behind his desk, his front empty, as if he had been sitting there in a daze.

"Your Excellency, the Dean wishes to see you."

Xu Cijiu to the point.

The Grand Secretary stared at him for a moment, then said calmly:

"There's nothing to see here. I no longer have the energy to deal with him, nor the interest."

"With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, Cloud Deer Academy intends to use this opportunity to return to the imperial court. This will inevitably cause turmoil in the court and among the people, and provoke resistance from the civil officials. At this critical juncture, you should know what this means."

Xu Erlang said in a deep voice, "The rebels in Yunzhou are poised to attack. If Cloud Deer Academy can return to the imperial court, it will undoubtedly be a great help."

Chief Minister Wang shook his head:

"What the court needs now is not that group of virtuous scholars from the Cloud Deer Academy, but silver, inexhaustible silver. Go tell Zhao Shou that if he can increase the national treasury by five million taels of silver, I will gladly relinquish my position."

"Resentment towards the scholars of the Cloud Deer Academy is a consensus among all scholars and civil officials. If this door were opened, do you think those civil officials would 'force the emperor to resign'?"

"Then, who will go to provide disaster relief?"

Xu Erlang sighed, "I understand."

On the third day, he requested leave and did not go to the Hanlin Academy, but instead went to the Cloud Deer Academy to "report back".

"Although Chief Minister Wang did not meet with the Dean, he submitted his memorial, but His Majesty ignored it."

Xu Erlang said.

"That's enough!"

Zhao Shou sighed and looked towards the capital, "I have done everything I could for Yongxing."

At this moment, Xu Erlang still did not understand the meaning behind those words.

The moon was bright, the stars were few, and the cold wind was biting.

A flying boat weaves through the clouds and slowly "parks" above the majestic city.

Dongfang Wanrong stood proudly at the bow of the ship, her beautiful hair and skirt fluttering in the wind.

"Master, we have arrived in Yuzhou."

In the courtyard, Ji Xuan was entertaining the two Vajra, Du Nan and Du Fan.

"Have the two Vajras found the host of the Nine Dragons?"

Ji Xuan looked at the Buddhist School Vajra sitting at the head of the table and tentatively asked.

Du Nan shook his head slightly.

The Asura Vajra remained silent with its eyes closed.

Ji Xuan smiled but didn't say anything more. He knew his status wasn't enough to warrant the attention of the two Vajra Kings.

Jingxin asked, "Benefactor Ji Xuan, who is the ally you've asked us to wait for?"

Ji Xuan answered truthfully, "A member of the Witch God Cult."

Du Nan Jingang opened his eyes and glanced at him briefly, then closed them again without offering any opinion.

The monk Jingyuan frowned slightly. "How will the dragon energy be distributed at that time?"

The decision to cooperate with Qianlong City was made by the Buddhist School high command, and he had no objection even if the dragon energy belonged to Qianlong City.

However, the relationship between the Witchcraft Cult and Buddhist School has not yet reached that point.

Just as Ji Xuan was about to speak, he suddenly turned his head to look outside the courtyard.

Jingxin Jingyuan and others made similar movements simultaneously.

A moment later, there was a knock on the two dilapidated wooden doors of the courtyard.

Liu Hongmian swayed her hips as she went to open the door, where a group of people from the East Sea Dragon Palace, led by the Dongfang sisters, stood.

Ji Xuan rose to greet them, smiling broadly, "Please come in, both Palace Masters."