Not much of a problem

Master Jinlian had always arranged for her disciples to observe and gather information about the Earth Sect's main altar from the outside.

This doesn't require the disciples to take risks. By simply paying attention to the living conditions of the people in the surrounding areas, they can roughly figure out the activities of the demonic cultivators in the Earth Sect's headquarters.

First of all, the Earth Sect's demonic path also needs to eat, so they will definitely buy food and supplies from the people in the surrounding areas.

Secondly, when a Daoist priest of the Earth Sect falls into demonic possession, he needs to vent his desires for a certain period of time, including physical desires, the desire to kill, and so on.

In terms of killing, the Earth Sect's demonic path wouldn't slaughter the people in the surrounding areas; after all, a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow.

However, in terms of physical matters, the evil Daoist priests of the Earth Sect frequently descended the mountain to plunder and humiliate women.

They didn't go to brothels or other places of ill repute because the submissive women of the night couldn't satisfy their malice; they preferred to humiliate respectable women.

"I lay in wait near the main altar for several days, but didn't encounter any demonic cultivators out 'hunting,' which I found rather strange."

Qiu Chanyi frowned and said:

"After inquiring with the local people, we learned that the Earth Sect's evil sect has not caused trouble for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Master Jinlian's brows furrowed deeply.

"What was the last time these sorcerers went out?" he asked thoughtfully.

Qiu Chanyi looked up with her bright eyes, as if recalling something, and said:

It's been almost a month.

Master Jinlian pondered for a moment and said:

Those with weaker cultivation levels will likely vent their malice about once every ten days. A fourth-rank cultivator can endure half a month of malevolent influence, but absolutely cannot endure a month.

What happened two weeks ago?

After a moment's thought, Master Jinlian understood the truth—the Supervisor had been sealed away just half a month ago.

He said with a calm expression:

"I already know where they've gone, no need to worry."

Master Bailian nodded slightly, glanced at the orange cat, and said:

"Then I won't disturb Senior Brother Jinlian's cultivation."

Having said that, he left with Qiu Chanyi, the "Flower of the Earth Sect".

As the two beauties left the thatched hut, Master Bailian turned to look at his disciple's beautiful profile and smiled:

"Chanyi, the power of merit within you is becoming increasingly abundant."

Qiu Chanyi's delicate face blossomed into a sweet smile:

"Uncle-Master Bai Lian, I can now astral projection!"

Sixth Rank in Daoism, Yin Spirit Realm!

It must be said that chaotic times are a great opportunity for Earth Sect practitioners to cultivate, because there are too many opportunities to accumulate merit, but it is also the most dangerous time, because everyone does evil in chaotic times.

If you save one person today, that person will commit arson, murder, and looting tomorrow, creating chaos and destruction.

Part of this karma will be transferred to the Daoist priests of the Earth Sect, at which point a certain amount of merit will be required to eliminate it.

Of course, there are also causes and effects that cannot be eliminated, such as a Daoist priest who fell in love with an orange cat, bewitched the king, and caused chaos in the court.

"By the way, why is there a cat in Aunt Jinlian's room? Did he possess the cat's body just now?"

Qiu Chanyi didn't dare to ask just now.

Master Bailian sighed:

"Ever since returning from the capital, Senior Brother Jinlian has developed a strange habit of possessing orange cats, and he only likes orange cats. Just pretend you don't know; everyone has quirks, even some of the important figures or even heroes in your eyes."

She thought for a moment and gave an example:

"Let's not talk about anything too far back, let's pick some that you're familiar with. The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, Li Miaozhen, has a penchant for chivalry and justice. The Holy Son, Li Lingsu, on the other hand, falls in love with every woman he sees and enjoys playing with women's bodies and feelings. He angered a woman and was imprisoned for half a year."

"And then there's Xu Qi'an, whom you all praise so highly. Before he rose to prominence, he frequented brothels every day and went to the music and entertainment venues every night, without even paying."

She learned about the personalities and hobbies of the members of the Heaven and Earth Society from her senior brother Jinlian during a casual conversation.

If you really want to know about that time, it was when she searched everywhere for her senior brother Jinlian without success, and finally saw an orange cat happily mingling among the cats in the flower garden, teaching her little brother a lesson with its wild punches.

That happened back in Jianzhou.

After hearing this, Master Bailian felt that Master Jinlian's habit of possessing cats wasn't such a big problem.

Qiu Chanyi sighed:

"Xu Yinluo was so dashing and charming in his youth; he was truly admirable!"

A string of question marks flashed through Master Bailian's mind.

At this moment, Qiu Chanyi had already run off with light steps. The girl's figure was graceful, with a small waist, slender legs, and a small bottom, just like a tender budding willow branch.

In the mountain village.

Late at night, the Holy Son silently put away the fragments of the Earth Book under his pillow, then moved his long, slender legs that had been pressing against his stomach to his left side. This was Lan Lan, who liked to wear black dresses.

He then placed the head, which had been resting on his right shoulder, onto the soft pillow. Next, he lifted the covers, turned over Lan Lan and Ding Hanxiu, and successfully got out of bed.

Among the skirts, bodices, and trousers spread out on the floor, the Holy Son accurately found his own clothes and quickly dressed.

"Indeed, after practicing martial arts as well, my physique is much stronger than before."

He patted his kidneys, which no longer ached at all, and sighed.

After being drained dry by the Dongfang sisters, Wanrong and Wanqing, Li Lingsu, having learned his lesson, began to cultivate Martial Dao. As a fourth-rank master, he had a commanding perspective and his cultivation speed was extremely fast.

He first abstained from women for half a month, spending his days honing his physical strength. Then, he supplemented his Qi cultivation with elixirs, and within a month, he reached the eighth-grade Qi Refining Realm.

The next realm is the Spirit Refining Realm. For the Daoist sects that specialize in cultivating the Primordial Spirit, the Spirit Refining Realm is not difficult at all, but the Holy Son is currently stuck in the Qi Refining Realm.

Even with his level of cultivation, it would take him half a year to progress from the early stage of Qi Refining to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

Next comes the sixth rank, Copper Skin and Iron Bones. From this level onwards, the difficulty increases dramatically. As for the fifth rank, Transformation of Strength, it depends on talent.

Of course, the Holy Son cultivated Martial Dao while maintaining his fourth-grade Daoist cultivation level, not to make rapid progress in Martial Dao, but because martial artists could achieve great things.

Therefore, he did not intend to attempt to reach the fourth rank of martial arts master; that would be too difficult.

After leaving the house, he went to the small courtyard where Yang Qianhuan and Chu Caiwei lived, a few hundred meters away.

The two students, one living in the east room and the other in the west room, were a pair of fellow students.

As soon as Li Lingsu entered the courtyard, the door to the east room opened automatically, and Yang Qianhuan's voice came from inside:

"Brother Li, what brings you here so late at night?"

There was a hint of wariness in his tone.

Brothers are brothers, but you can't even think about making a move on my junior sister.

Li Lingsu, unaware of Yang Qianhuan's inner thoughts, crossed the courtyard and entered the east room.

The candlelight was immediately lit, dispelling the darkness.

Yang Qianhuan sat cross-legged on the bed, with her back to the door.

"Brother Yang is still cultivating."

Seeing that he was fully dressed, Li Lingsu realized he didn't seem to be asleep.

"Let's try to break through to the third rank," Yang Qianhuan said calmly.

"How is it?" Li Lingsu's eyes lit up.

"Transcending the ordinary is the path for mortals to ascend to heaven. Once crossed, one is no longer among the mortals. Throughout history, in every era, fourth-rank individuals are as numerous as hairs on a cow, but those who transcend the ordinary are few and far between. Even a genius like myself cannot advance to the third rank in a short period of time."

Yang Qianhuan sighed.

The tone was as if to say: Even I can only be invincible among humans.

After the supervisor was sealed away, Yang Qianhuan became even more diligent in his cultivation. Li Lingsu, already accustomed to his way of speaking, said:

"I'm visiting so late at night to ask for your help, Brother Yang. This matter requires your assistance."

Yang Qianhuan enjoyed interacting with Li Lingsu because he was talented and had a pleasant voice.

"Speak freely!"

"To make ends meet, I need to hunt a formidable foe with some companions, and I hope Brother Yang can lend a hand," Li Lingsu added.

"You don't need to acknowledge the risks directly; just use the formation to assist when necessary."

Li Lingsu felt that although Luo Yuheng was only a second-rank official, his Golden Lotus was not weak either, and he had extraordinary allies such as Xu Pingfeng.

They are not enemies that can be easily slaughtered, therefore, a versatile Law Technique that can be used for both escape and pursuit is needed—teleportation!

It is a guarantee of the safety of the members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

"No problem!"

Yang Qianhuan nodded in agreement, and then said:

"Can I ask who our opponent is?"

"He was one of the extraordinary beings who surrounded and killed the supervisor that day," Li Lingsu replied.

"When do we make our move!" Yang Qianhuan's demeanor suddenly changed.

"No rush, the operation is still in the planning stages," Li Lingsu reassured her before moving on to her second purpose for coming today.

After a moment's hesitation, he said with a sorrowful expression:

"I have some bad news for you, Brother Yang, about Xu Qi'an. Well, you can choose to listen or not."

Yang Qianhuan's ears twitched, but her tone remained calm, even somewhat disdainful:

"Has that kid Xu Qi'an done another little thing to show off in front of others?"

Li Lingsu pondered for a moment:

"Huaiqing has ascended the throne and become emperor."

Yang Qianhuan was taken aback:

"What kind of woman becomes emperor? It's quite interesting, though. In the six hundred years since the Great Feng Dynasty, there has never been a woman who has become emperor. Princess Huaiqing has certainly made history."

This made Yang Qianhuan somewhat envious.

"But what does this have to do with Xu Qi'an?" Yang Qianhuan thought to himself. "If that traitor Xu dares to ascend the throne, I will lead my troops to overthrow him."

That way, I'll be remembered in history, and he'll be remembered in history too—a win-win situation!

Li Lingsu said silently:

"Xu thief helped her rise to power."

After he finished speaking, he saw Yang Qianhuan slump to the side and lean weakly against the wall, just like a pitiful person who had fainted after hearing bad news.

"Brother Yang, are you alright?!"

Li Lingsu was taken aback, but seeing his reaction, she was immediately satisfied.

After a long while, Yang Qianhuan murmured:

"Tell me, if I hadn't been kicked out by the supervising teacher, if I were still in the capital..."

He imagined himself in the capital, dominating the officials and supporting the empress's ascension to the throne.

Yang Qianhuan banged her head against the wall, filled with remorse. "That old scoundrel, even after being sealed away, he still ruined my life!!"

Seeing this, Li Lingsu knew it was time for her to leave, and cupped her hands in greeting:

"Brother Yang, I'm going back to rest now. You should rest early too; getting angry is bad for your health."

He turned and left, and as he closed the door, he heard Yang Qianhuan mutter to herself:

"I can help Lin'an ascend to the throne. Hmm, she's having an affair with that scoundrel Xu; I don't believe he'll suppress her."

[Nine: There is something I need to inform you all. I just received a report from a disciple that the Earth Sect's headquarters is deserted, and the demonic cultivators have moved.]

Upon seeing the message from the Heaven and Earth Society member Jinlian Daoist, his heart sank.

[One: It makes sense. Xu Ningyan's rapid promotion forced Hei Lian to join forces with Xu Pingfeng, which is enough to show Hei Lian's fear of him.]

So it's not surprising that they've shifted their base; are they going to be foolish enough to stay home and wait for their enemies to come knocking?

[Nine: I believe they should be in Qingzhou or Yunzhou.]

Deductive reasoning expert Xu Qi'an provides an even further conclusion:

[Three: I believe it's in Qingzhou. The Earth Sect's demonic cultivators are quite powerful, a formidable force. Xu Pingfeng wouldn't leave them idle in his base, Yunzhou. Moreover, for these demonic cultivators, a region filled with slaughter and chaos is their paradise.]

The message transmission speed is quite fast. Chu Yuanzhen silently erased his own deduction, the same deduction as Xu Qi'an.

Oh right, it's definitely not in Yunzhou. Li Miaozhen also erased the message "I am very familiar with Yunzhou" and changed it to:

[Second: This is troublesome. Qingzhou is so large; finding them will be extremely difficult. Moreover, our strategy of relieving the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao will no longer work.]

[One: No, this doesn't hinder our plan, it just requires Xu Ningyan take a risk.]

This woman... Li Miaozhen gritted her teeth, holding the fragments of the Earth Book, waiting to see what would happen next.

Master Jinlian asked: [Nine: How so?]

[1: I can find out the location of the Earth Sect Demon Cult in a short time, it won't take too long. Once we find out the Earth Sect Demon Cult's whereabouts, we will continue to implement the plan. As for the extraordinary experts in Yunzhou, Xu Ningyan needs to take the initiative to restrain them.]

[This will be extremely dangerous, because there are two First-Rank experts, Gara Tree and White Emperor, and Xu Pingfeng has most likely already refined the Qingzhou fortune. Even if he hasn't fully refined it, he will still receive a boost from the fortune. With these three working together, they are virtually invincible below the Super Rank. Therefore, you need help.]

[Second: What makes you so confident that you can find the hiding place of the Earth Sect's evil cultivators in a short time?]

Master Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen also wanted to ask this question.

[One: The spies left behind by Duke Wei are under my control.]

With just this one sentence, Master Jinlian's last concerns were dispelled.

[Four: I have another good plan. Going deep into enemy territory is too dangerous. We could use the Yunzhou delegation to provoke the Yunzhou army and make them attack Yongzhou, thus luring the enemy out of their hiding place.]

Chu Yuanzhen began to give a long explanation of his ideas, allowing Xu Qi'an and Huai Qing to fill in any gaps.

The sun hung in the sky, neither too hot nor too cold.

The main hall of the Qingzhou Provincial Administration Commission.

Qi Guangbo, dressed in military uniform, stepped into the hall, took off his helmet and placed it on the table, calmly surveying the seats on both sides.

Ji Xuan, Ge Wenxuan, Zhuo Haoran, and nearly twenty other high-ranking military officials gathered together.

"Accelerate the takeover and recruitment of troops in various parts of Qingzhou in preparation for an attack on Yongzhou."

Qi Guangbo's first words surprised everyone.

On Ji Xuan's side, Yang Chuannan, sitting in the second position, was the first to react:

"The peace talks have failed?"

Qi Guangbo did not answer, but looked at Ge Wenxuan, who exhaled and said in a deep voice:

"I have lost contact with Young Master Ji Yuan, and I do not know whether he is alive or dead."

Qi Guangbo concluded with the following words after his death:

"Last night I personally sent the Vermilion Bird Army to infiltrate Yongzhou, and received news from the capital that the peace negotiations have failed."

Between Qingzhou and the capital city lies Yongzhou.

It's not too far, but it's not close either. News doesn't travel that fast, and Law Artifact like the sound-transmitting conch shell are extremely rare. It's impossible for the secret agents of the Heavenly Mystery Palace to possess one.

Therefore, the Vermilion Bird Army infiltrated Yongzhou and made contact with the secret agents of the Heavenly Mystery Palace planted in Yongzhou. They only waited for two hours when the news from the capital arrived in Yongzhou, having traveled day and night.

Zhuo Haoran slammed his fist on the table and roared:

"Damn it, the Great Feng is really asking for trouble. Do they really think that those few insignificant extraordinary beings can contend with the Imperial Preceptor and the Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree?"

"Able to contend with the White Emperor Divine Beast?"