Imperial Weapon

With the "golden words" of True Person Xuanping setting the tone.

In addition, Yun Zhongzi himself displayed superb Talisman Art, outstanding combat power, and a "public-spirited" demeanor.

Qi Yun integrated into the righteous Northern Expedition circle at a speed beyond imagination.

Instead, he gradually became one of the people who were willing to listen to the opinions of the True Person factions when they discussed matters.

He became Divine Ability capable and approachable senior in the eyes of the lower-ranking disciples.

True Person Xuanping always maintained a just-right distance and attitude - he acknowledged Yun Zhongzi's talent and righteous identity, occasionally exchanged views with him on issues related to talismans, and offered his support.

However, he did not become overly familiar, maintaining the composure and objectivity expected of an elder of Nine Kings Mountain.

This ambivalent attitude only further solidified the reliability of "Yun Zhongzi's " identity.

Trust is like a tower built from fine sand.

It has quietly accumulated through countless practical actions and countless times working side by side.

On this day, the group retreated to a sheltered mountain hollow they had found to rest.

True Person Huchan dismissed his disciples, picked up a huge bronze gourd, and plopped down on a rock next to Qi Yun.

He first took a big gulp himself, exhaling a breath of wine with the fragrance of spiritual herbs, and then casually handed the gourd to Qi Yun.

"Brother Yun Zhongzi, want a bite?" True Person Huchan's voice was loud and clear, carrying the relaxed and cheerful feeling after the battle.

Qi Yun smiled and accepted it without refusing. He took a small sip, and a gentle yet lasting warmth flowed from his throat into his stomach, which indeed had the effect of washing away fatigue and calming his mind.

"Fine wine, fellow Hu Chan, you have excellent taste."

"Hahaha, it's just some cheap stuff made from spirit grains grown in my own mountains, but it's good for a quick and satisfying drink!" True Person Huchan wiped the wine stains from his beard and looked towards the distant, dimly lit camps of the Southern Yin Zhen Shi army, their lights faintly visible against the gloomy sky.

Suddenly he lowered his voice, with a bit of mystery and emotion.

"Speaking of which, brother, you are knowledgeable and highly skilled. Have you ever heard of the term ' Imperial Weapon '?"

"Imperial Weapon?" Qi Yun frowned almost imperceptibly, put down his wine gourd, and showed just the right amount of doubt. He searched his memory but could not find any clear information directly related to these two words.

He shook his head, speaking frankly, "Forgive my ignorance, but although I have traveled extensively, it has mostly been to places with mountains and rivers."

I have never heard of such an ancient and obscure name before.

1

"Hey, it's not your fault." True Person Huchan an "I knew it" expression on his face, took another swig of wine, and a trace of reminiscence and solemnity appeared on his rough face.

"This matter involves too many far-reaching issues, and not many people know about it. Even those who do know mostly keep it a secret."

Only sects like ours, with their long history and ancestors who once dealt with such behemoths, still retain some clues in old documents.

He paused slightly, lowering his voice to almost a whisper, "In the last epoch—or even earlier—a remarkable human dynasty once stood in this world, named the Great Tang."

"The Great Tang?" Qi Yun's heart stirred slightly. He had a vague impression of this name, as if it had been mentioned in some extremely ancient fragments of Jade Slip.

However, the details are vague, only stating that it was incomparably powerful and later collapsed inexplicably.

"Yes, the Great Tang!" A complex light flashed in True Person Huchan's eyes, along with an indescribable thrill.

That was truly the pinnacle of a humane dynasty!

Its territory spans countless vast domains, and the golden dragon of destiny manifests in the heavens, suppressing the eight wastelands and six directions, causing immortals and demons to flee in terror.

Legend has it that at its peak, a single decree from the emperor was enough to make even True Lord bow down!

"At the height of the Great Tang Dynasty's power and prosperity, that brilliant and ambitious emperor, with the full strength of the nation and gathering countless rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures, combined with unimaginable imperial fortune and the will of the people, spent countless years forging—the twenty-four ultimate treasures."

"It is called: The Nation-Suppressing Imperial Weapon!"

"It is said that every Imperial Weapon contains a portion of the Principle and authority of the Great Tang Dynasty, and its power is unfathomable. It has the ability to move stars and change constellations, and to reshape the earth, water, fire and wind!"

It was the fundamental instrument by which the Great Tang suppressed the nation's fate and ruled over all lands!

Qi Yun listened quietly, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

A supreme magical Law Treasure forged with the combined power of a peak imperial dynasty?

Twenty-four mouths?

Such skill and such objects are unheard of!

"After the collapse of the Great Tang, the twenty-four Imperial Weapon were scattered and disappeared without a trace, becoming a legend sought after by countless dynasties and powerful figures throughout history."

True Person Huchan sighed.

"Those who aspire to unify humanity and restore the glory of the dynasty in later generations all regard the search for the Imperial Weapon as their top priority."

Unfortunately, there is no trace in the vast world.

Many exceptionally talented individuals, throughout their entire lives, have failed to find even a single, conclusive clue.

He changed the subject, his eyes flashing, and looked at Qi Yun: "But this time, it's different."

According to our sect's secret channels, the Southern Yin Dynasty has somehow obtained concrete clues about the whereabouts of the Imperial Weapon!

Moreover, the direction was very clear: True Person Huchan raised his hand and pointed to the northwestern land shrouded in demonic aura beneath his feet.

Right here!

This is in the northwestern region that we consider Savage Wilderness place.

It's very possible that a certain— Nation-Suppressing Imperial Weapon —is slumbering within!

He tilted his head back, drank the remaining wine in the gourd in one gulp, and then put it down heavily.

"So, do you understand now? All this talk about subduing demons and protecting the righteous path, and the chaos caused by the Four Imperials Heaven, is just a facade!"

Southern Yin has joined forces with our Hao Ran Holy Land and many other righteous sects to launch a full-scale northern expedition.

Their true purpose is not to sweep away the demon's lair or purify the Northwest at all!

True Person Huchan spoke, a complex expression appeared on his face.

There is the composure of a righteous cultivator participating in the "great cause" of war, and also the awe of the shocking conspiracy behind it.

"They're going to dig three feet into the ground to find Imperial Weapon that might be buried here!"

He patted Qi Yun on the shoulder, his tone tinged with helplessness and a barely perceptible excitement, "Also a participant in this earth-shattering treasure hunt."

The mountain breeze swept through the pass, carrying the faint sound of drums and gongs from a distant military camp.

Qi Yun remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the warm, smooth surface of the gourd.

Imperial Weapon —A Legacy of the Great Tang —The True Motive for the Southern Yin's Northern Expedition—

I see.

All the anomalies and contradictions seemed to be connected by a subtle underlying thread at this moment.

Why was Southern Yin so well-prepared and why was its offensive so resolute?

Why do they seem to know so much about the terrain of the Northwest and the distribution of the Demonic Sect?

Why are the four Great True Person behaving so ambiguously, as if they have a backup plan?

If behind all this lies a supreme weapon like the "Nation-Suppressing Imperial Weapon," capable of shaking the balance of power in a region and even influencing the future of the entire cultivation world—

That makes sense.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, True Person Huchan assumed that he was shocked by this earth-shattering secret, so he laughed and resumed his heroic demeanor, "Brother, don't take it too seriously!"

Such a treasure involves too many karmic entanglements; it is beyond our reach.

Let's just do our jobs well!

Come on, let's drink!

Qi Yun looked up, his face now bearing his usual gentle smile, and raised his gourd to clink against his. "Brother Dao is right, even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up."

This revelation has truly broadened my horizons. I toast to you, brother.

The liquor, upon entering the throat, is spicy yet leaves a sweet aftertaste.

Qi Yun's gaze pierced through the flickering campfire before him, reaching into the deeper, darker unknown.

Imperial Weapon ----Northwest----

This game of chess seemed to be even grander and more thrilling than he had anticipated.

The night mist hangs like a veil over the cold, clear pool.

The pool is located deep in a secluded valley, far from the hustle and bustle of the camp, where even the chirping of insects is sparse.

Qi Yun stood with his hands behind his back on a smooth bluestone, his dark blue Daoist robe motionless in the slightly damp night air, as if blending into the shadows.

Not far away, the water rippled slightly, and a figure emerged from the shadows in the center of the pool like a ghost, walking on the water and silently landing three steps away from Qi Yun, standing with a bow.

It was none other than True Person Xuanping – Zecheng, who had completely concealed his aura.

"My lord." Zecheng's voice entered Qi Yun's mind directly, deep and respectful.

"Following your directions, I have already utilized some of my old connections and conducted extensive investigations."

Qi Yun didn't turn around, but simply nodded slightly, indicating to continue.

"The matter of the Imperial Weapon mentioned by True Person Huchan is true." Zecheng's report was concise and clear.

"The Southern Yin Dynasty's pursuit of this item was not a spur-of-the-moment thing."

To be precise, they began to consciously infiltrate the northwest region about four hundred years ago.

In the early stages, there were some traces to follow, but later the methods became increasingly secretive and sophisticated, gradually achieving the effect of water dripping through stone.

Unless one deliberately traces back, it is almost impossible to detect this layout that spans hundreds of years.

"My subordinates deduce that the Southern Yin royal family must have known some crucial clue that the Imperial Weapon might be hidden in the northwest much earlier."

This four-hundred-year infiltration has been a protracted process of verification and...

Until recently, they seem to have finally confirmed the truth of the rumors, and may even have narrowed it down to a general area.

"As for how so many righteous sects were able to gather together for this Northern Expedition," Zecheng said, his tone tinged with seriousness.

"The root cause lies with the previous emperor of Southern Yin, who was already on the verge of death."

He personally visited several Great Sage and held secret talks with the True Lord of sects such as Sword Pavilion, Hao Ran Holy Land, and my Nine Kings Mountain.

The specific promises or details of the transaction are unknown.

But the result was that the True Lord tacitly approved and even promoted this joint operation.

The Imperial Weapon is of such great importance that it could tempt any power.

After the report was completed, a brief silence fell over the pool.

Only the faint, cold sound of water flowing through the crevices of the rocks could be heard.

Qi Yun continued to gaze at the dark surface of the pool, his eyes seemingly swirling with starlight as he rapidly pieced together and deduced the information brought by Zecheng and various clues from the past.

The scheme began four hundred years ago—the previous emperor personally persuaded the True Lord —the righteous alliance, though seemingly powerful, was actually more like "high-level henchmen" and "witnesses" lured by the bait of the "Imperial Weapon."

So, what about the Four Northwestern Sects?

Faced with Southern Yin's all-out attack, which had been planned for hundreds of years, the four Great True Person and even the True Lord reacted too calmly.

It could even be described as indulgence.

After the initial counter-espionage plot exposed the traitor, in addition to accelerating the construction of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation], the core forces of the four sects remained dormant.

Let the World-Suppressing Army and the righteous sect cultivators fight and advance along the border and outskirts----

A clear, coldly calculating picture suddenly unfolded in Qi Yun's mind.

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Zecheng was bowing and waiting for orders, and a very faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"I see."

"Southern Yin thought he was a hunter, and set off northward with the force of thunder to search for treasure."

Little did they know, in the eyes of those four Great True Person in the Northwest...

Their massive Northern Expeditionary Army, from beginning to end, was merely—"

He paused, then clearly enunciated each word. "A hoe used to help the four sects turn over the hard soil of the Northwest and find the hiding place of the ' Imperial Weapon '."

That's why they didn't take the exposure of the traitor seriously.

They might even deliberately leak the false information about "building the formation in half a year" to accelerate Southern Yin's determination to attack.

Only then would they sit idly by and watch the border be breached and the strategic points destroyed.

The more fiercely Southern Yin attacks and the deeper they probe, the more likely they are to find the "Imperial Weapon" as soon as possible.

They remained inactive, conserving their strength, and waited for the Southern Yin to weaken the smaller forces of the Northwest Demonic Path through a fierce battle.

At the same time, they secretly observed and waited for the moment when the "Imperial Weapon" would truly appear in the world.

What a brilliant move to "drive away one tiger to devour another."

What a perfect example of "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind"!

From the very beginning, the four Great True Person, or rather the four True Lord, had only one goal: the [Nation-Suppressing Imperial Weapon] that was powerful enough to change the landscape of the Northwest and even the entire world!

The Southern Yin's northern expedition was exactly what they wanted, saving them the trouble of taking matters into their own hands and attracting attention.

What they wanted was to use Southern Yin to stir up trouble in the Northwest, force out clues about the Imperial Weapon, and even—

Let Southern Yin be the first to bear the potential protective restrictions or unknown risks.

"Truly—a brilliant strategy." Qi Yun murmured to himself, a hint of the relaxed composure of a chess player who had a clear understanding of the entire board in his eyes.

He looked at Zecheng and said softly, "Continue to monitor the movements of Nine Kings Mountain and the Allied Forces' high command, especially any developments regarding the search for the Imperial Weapon."

In addition, keep an eye on the Four Northwestern Sects, especially the four Great True Person under their command, to see if there are any unusual troop movements or secret operations.

"Yes, my lord," Zecheng replied without hesitation.

Qi Yun waved his hand, Zecheng's figure disappeared silently into the night, vanishing once more from the shadows of the pool.

Standing alone by the pool, Qi Yun looked up at the deep night sky to the northwest.

That place is the foundation of the four sects, and also the location where the legend of the "Imperial Weapon" points.

Originally, he only wanted to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of Southern Yin and gain some benefits along the way.

Unexpectedly, they became embroiled in a world-shaking game concerning the "Nation-Suppressing Imperial Weapon".

Southern Yin is the visible player, the Four Northwestern Sects are the hidden masters, and he—

He narrowed his eyes slightly, the [Great Luo Heaven] quietly Lunzhuan in his Sea of Consciousness, and the Divine Ability power of the [Supreme Mystery Register] lingering at his fingertips.

In this grand game of chess, with the Northwest as the chessboard and Imperial Weapon as the prize, everyone else was completely unaware.

Having already grasped the general truth, he had clearly seized the initiative.

"Imperial Weapon ----" Qi Yun murmured these two words, each as heavy as a mountain, and the smile on his lips deepened.

interesting.

The water in the pool seemed to be much deeper and muddier than he had expected.

However, the muddier the water, the easier it might be to catch fish.