Prelude

Li Miaozhen?!

How did she end up here?

A brief silence fell over the room. Everyone's expression changed slightly, some embarrassed, some surprised, some ashamed, and so on. The most embarrassed were Master Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen, one a calm and reliable senior, and the other a learned and talented top scholar.

The higher the persona you establish, the more awkward this situation becomes.

Asura couldn't help but want to put his hands together to ease the awkwardness. Although he said it was to prepare for a rainy day, it would ultimately damage his reputation and style for a second-rank master to gossip about other people's private affairs.

Comparatively speaking, Xu Qi'an, Miao Youfang, and Li Lingsu were the least embarrassed. The advantages of having a low profile—as a scoundrel, a wandering rogue, and a scumbag—are evident.

"Heh, why didn't you ask anymore?"

Li Miaozhen glanced around and was quite satisfied with everyone's expressions.

Everyone gave a dry laugh.

Master Lanlian was unwilling to let this opportunity slip by, and sneered:

"This humble Daoist priest doesn't mind. Please ask whatever you wish to know."

Having spent so much time together, how could she not know what kind of people the members of the Heaven and Earth Society were?

Upon hearing them urging Protector Yuan to read minds at the Eight Trigrams Platform, Li Miaozhen knew that someone would definitely investigate secretly afterward. So she pretended to leave the Bureau of Astronomy, secretly turned back, and happened to run into Protector Yuan after he finished using the latrine. On a whim, she hid in the soul-nourishing sachet and waited for him to come to her.

I just didn't expect there to be so many rabbits.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Li Lingsu, Miao Youfang, and the others frequently looked at Xu Qi'an, hoping he could step forward and defuse the embarrassing situation.

Only he could make Li Miaozhen happy.

Miao Zhen has become clever, and she's getting harder and harder to deal with. Hmm, if everyone is dead, it's as if no one is dead. Thank goodness. Xu Qi'an cleared his throat and said:

"A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence. Miaozhen, seeing your growth makes this silver gong very gratifying."

Li Miaozhen gave a soft snort.

Xu Qi'an immediately brought up a topic to divert everyone's attention:

"Now that almost everyone has arrived, let's not wait until tomorrow and discuss attacking Aranya and rescuing Shenshu's head."

Master Jinlian said with righteous indignation:

Share your thoughts.

Everyone cooperated by adopting serious expressions, as if they were dealing with something important.

Since they'd forced a conversation down to the point, Li Miaozhen couldn't continue her mocking remarks. She muttered to herself:

Xu Ningyan!

"I plan to leave Huaiqing, Yang Gong, Kou Yangzhou, and the Imperial Preceptor in the capital to deal with the attacks from the extraordinary experts of the Witch God Cult. As for the battlefield in Alando, I will handle the Gara Tree. The arrangements for the Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva and the Guangxian Bodhisattva are the key issues we need to discuss."

Xu Qi'an glanced at Asuluo and said:

"Among second-rank experts, Asura and the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox are both close-combat specialists, so dealing with the Dharma forms of the two Bodhisattvas might be quite difficult for them."

While warriors may act with impunity, their biggest flaw is their inability to retain followers.

When facing other experts of the same level, if they can't beat you, they can run away. They might even turn around and spit on you, saying:

Bah! You vulgar brute!

You can't do anything about it.

Asuro tapped the table, seemingly displeased.

"Although my methods are similar to those of a martial artist, I have the qualifications to kill thieves and accept offerings, making it much more feasible for me compared to a martial artist."

He had an arrogant air about him, as if to say, "Don't lump me in with those crude brutes."

"Furthermore, the nine-tailed fox also possesses many other abilities, but her spiritual energy has not fully recovered, or is not as strong as her physical body, so she has not used them."

"Martial arts is truly a despised profession. Once I advance to Martial God, I will make all the extraordinary powerhouses from every system in the Nine Provinces kneel down and sing 'Conquer!'" Xu Qi'an retorted.

"So?"

Asura said:

"Bodhisattva Guangxian, with me and the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox joining forces, and with Zhao Shou assisting us, we are more than capable of dealing with him."

Zhao Shou donned a Confucian cap and a carving knife, equivalent to a second-rank official. In past battles, they had figured out that three second-rank experts working together could roughly handle a first-rank Buddhist School.

Of course, it must be a complementary and complementary relationship between different professions.

If they are in similar fields, then three second-rank officials facing a first-rank official would only be able to get completely crushed.

A positive example is Luo Yuheng's tribulation battle, involving Asuluo, Zhao Shou, and the Golden Lotus Daoist.

A counter-example is the extraordinary battle outside Xunzhou City, involving Asuluo, Kou Yangzhou, and Xu Qi'an.

In addition, the "three against one" strategy targets Buddhist School bodhisattvas; other systems of first-rank bodhisattvas lack practical combat data for reference and are therefore not included.

Asuro continued:

"Among the Buddhist School Bodhisattvas, the strongest in combat is Gara Tree, but the most difficult to deal with is generally considered to be Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva."

Li Miaozhen frowned:

"The Crystal Bodhisattva?"

Asuro nodded and said:

"She controls the Lapis Lazuli Dharma Form, also known as the 'Colorless Lapis Lazuli Dharma Form,' and the 'Wanderer Dharma Form.' The former is a domain; when one is trapped within the domain, Divine Ability, thoughts, and movements become incredibly slow, and only the Lapis Lazuli itself can move freely."

Those extraordinary individuals who were not martial artists present felt a chill run down their spines.

This move is a trump card for them.

"The range of the colorless glazed domain is about sixty feet in radius, which is not very large, but she controls the Traveler's Dharma form. In terms of speed, the Glazed Bodhisattva is the number one in the Nine Provinces in this world. With extreme speed, and then unfolding the domain, no one can escape."

"That's why I said Liuli is the most difficult to deal with."

After Asuluo finished speaking, Li Lingsu pondered and said:

"Can prohibiting the expansion of domains using Confucian School Law Technique truly achieve restraint?"

Since Zhao Shou was not present, Xu Qi'an answered on his behalf:

"This is one method, but if it directly harms or restricts those stronger than oneself, the backlash will be enormous. It shouldn't be used casually unless absolutely necessary; it can be used as a trump card."

Li Miaozhen then looked at the orange cat Daoist priest:

"The Daoist priest sacrificed himself for his cause; can we use the power of our merits to kill her?"

"Great idea!" Everyone was overjoyed.

The orange cat raised its paw and slammed it hard on the table.

Don't joke around!

"If I were to die at Liuli's hands, she would surely be plagued by misfortune and unlikely to survive the chaotic battle of the supernatural. Even if I were prepared to die for my cause, Liuli might not be willing to kill me."

"You can think of Master Jinlian as a troublemaker. Unless your opponent is determined to die together with you, no one dares to touch him," Xu Qi'an, the true scoundrel of the Earth Sect, complained.

"No!" Yang Qianhuan, a Warlock, shook his head:

"Misfortune can be countered by good fortune. If Buddhist School uses its own good fortune, then you, Daoist priest, will have died in vain."

The orange cat's face showed a look of alertness.

Xu Qi'an comforted him:

"The Buddhist School sect values destiny highly and wouldn't use it against you. Besides, only Warlock can control and use destiny; Buddhist School bodhisattvas don't possess such abilities."

Even he only awakened the national destiny within him and gained control of the power of all living beings after being repeatedly struck on the head with the Chaotic Fate Hammer.

And all of this was still done with the help of the Warlock.

A Buddha of the highest rank might be able to control destiny, but Bodhisattvas absolutely do not possess this ability.

The orange cat breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Chu Yuanzhen glanced at Li Lingsu, who was frowning in thought, and smiled:

"I remember that the Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva is a rare and stunning beauty. Why don't we send our Holy Son? He's an expert at dealing with women."

Li Lingsu said Qi Ingestion:

"Why not Xu Ningyan? He's clearly the most heartless, philandering, and lustful man."

No, no, no, I'm targeting the high-end market, aimed at young, beautiful, and high-quality women, while you're just a shared bicycle that girls take turns riding. Xu Qi'an finished his internal monologue and slapped Protector Yuan to the ground.

Protector Yuan covered his face and stood up, saying aggrievedly:

Why did you hit me?

Xu Qi'an said apologetically:

"Sorry, it was just a conditioned reflex."

Protector Yuan silently shrank to Sun Xuanji's side. In this cold Central Plains, only Senior Brother Sun could give him a sliver of security.

Sun Xuanji glanced at him, and Protector Yuan understood immediately, reading his mind as he said:

"I remember when Xu Ningyan killed Jeanne d'Arc, the Imperial Inspector injured Liuli. How did he manage that?"

Xu Qi'an pondered for a moment, then replied:

"As expected, it was broken through by brute force. At that time, Liuli was in the Central Plains, and the supervisor was able to mobilize the power of all living beings."

The Warlock's methods are neither numerous nor few. The Fate Master's supernatural Divine Ability is to glimpse the future, while the Supervisor's methods of defeating enemies are actually not many.

The orange cat wagged its tail and said:

"In other words, as long as one possesses the combat power of the former supervisor, one can break through Liuli's colorless domain."

Everyone looked at Xu Qi'an.

The orange cat shook its head:

"Xu Ningyan's combat power when mobilizing the strength of all living beings has surpassed that of the Supervisor, but in the Western Regions, he is still somewhat lacking."

Upon hearing this, the people at the table frowned in worry.

The Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva is extremely troublesome; she is a being that can truly threaten their lives.

Apart from Asuluo and Xu Qi'an, all the other extraordinary beings present were in mortal danger.

At this moment, Xu Qi'an slowly said:

"With the help of the National Protection Sword, I should be able to break through the Lapis Lazuli Bodhisattva's colorless domain."

Everyone was taken aback.

Asuro found it hard to believe:

"Your cultivation has improved so quickly?"

He didn't believe that Xu Ningyan could continue to advance so rapidly after reaching the first rank; that was impossible.

"A monster? Even with the nation's fortune bestowed upon them, it couldn't be this exaggerated!" Chu Yuanzhen and the others gasped in astonishment.

"Not at all!" Xu Qi'an explained, "My Seven Absolute Gu has already advanced to the extraordinary level, and the 'Blood Sacrifice' of the Power Gu can increase my combat power in a short period of time. Combined with the National Guardian Sword, my combat power should not be inferior to that of the former Supervisor."

Asura felt much better now that he'd almost forgotten that the kid knew Gu magic.

Could there be any hidden dangers with the Seven Deadly Gu? I'll find a chance to remind him. Li Miaozhen is even more worried that the Seven Deadly Gu, an item originating from the Gu God, might bring about a backlash.

The orange cat Daoist priest said with a hint of anticipation:

"Perhaps this time we can thoroughly investigate the relationship between the Buddha and Shenshu."

Hearing this, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society were filled with anticipation, as they were about to unveil the mystery of a super-grade expert.

After discussing for another fifteen minutes, Miao Youfang seized the opportunity to raise his questions:

"Is it possible that the extraordinary beings of the Witch God Cult are lying in ambush in the Western Regions? We thought we had guessed their plan, but it turns out they guessed our plan."

No one spoke.

"No!" Xu Qi'an broke the silence, trying to save face for his disciple, and said:

"Both the Witch God Sect and the Buddhist School covet the Central Plains and are competitors. Once they go to the Western Regions, who can guarantee that the Buddhist School will not attack the Witch God Sect? You must know that the Buddha has long since broken free of the seal and is capable of taking action, while the Witch God Sect is too far away to reach him."

"Salun Agu will seize the opportunity of the two fighting like the snipe and the clam to strike against Great Feng, but he will never risk killing us."

Miao Youfang looked around and saw that everyone's expressions were normal, so he knew that these guys had already thought of this.

"I'm still not smart enough," Miao Youfang said, feeling ashamed for a second.

"Senior Brother Sun, is there any way to extract the essence of a first-grade master?" Xu Qi'an suddenly asked.

Protector Yuan, who was reading and translating from the side, said:

"I only know the formation for refining blood pills, but that's not enough to refine first-grade blood and flesh essence. What are you planning to do?"

The people at the table raised an eyebrow, looking at Xu Ningyan, a bold guess forming in their minds.

Xu Qi'an nodded:

"I plan to take this opportunity to kill the Gara Tree, extract its essence, and advance to the mid-stage of the first rank."

"Of course, this isn't our primary objective, so we shouldn't force it. The Gara Tree's defenses are too formidable; we might defeat it, but we might not be able to kill it. Besides, as you said, the methods used to refine Blood Pills cannot extract the essence of a first-grade expert's flesh and blood."

This was the fastest way for him to advance to the mid-stage of the first rank, which the Nine-Tailed Fox had found out from Shen Shu. The Gara Tree followed a dual cultivation system of Zen master and martial monk, and was considered half a martial artist, which happened to be a good match for Xu Qi'an.

However, the limited essence that can be absorbed from crudely swallowing flesh and blood is insufficient to support his advancement to the mid-stage of the first rank.

Yang Qianhuan said irritably:

"Madness!

"This kind of brain-intensive task can be left to Song Qing. Give him a chance to refine the essence of first-grade blood and flesh, and he will be so happy that he won't sleep for seven days and seven nights to come up with a solution."

"If Song Qing is also at a loss, then there's no need to consider it further."

"Yes, and there's Song Qing, that genius. Alchemy in the field of biology is his specialty, "Xu Qi'an's eyes lit up.

Although the supervisor's disciples were all oddballs, they were indeed very useful. Everyone sighed inwardly.

Xu Qi'an concluded the story of this conversation:

"That's all for today. We'll meet at the Bureau of Astronomy in two days to attack Aranya."

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later.

I'm offering a book as a sacrifice. "The Sword Saint's Interstellar Odd Jobs Shop".