After Core Formation (2): Enfeoffed as Marquis

---- Hehuan Sect Supervisory Office

The bronze lampstand on the inside of the stone wall is decorated with Hehuan flower carvings, but the wick is soaked in dark purple medicinal oil, from which wisps of pink mist rise.

The mist drifted along the slippery blue brick floor, and the soul-suppressing bell in the corner moved automatically without wind, its dark gold surface gleaming with mottled bloodshot veins resembling human eyes.

The cell floor tiles were engraved with a pattern of two snakes intertwined, and in the four corner recesses were congealed dark brown scabs, the result of someone's struggles. The air was damp and filled with a sweet, rotten smell.

The taste is indescribable to most people.

The protective talismans outside the Vajra Gate of the prison cell flowed continuously, and the cinnabar runes, tanned from the Essence Blood of Third Tier Demon Officer, had already seeped into the Vajra Gate, making it difficult for even Golden Core cultivator to escape.

Patrolling disciples occasionally passed by outside the gate, including both men and women. Although they inevitably carried some traces of femininity, their spiritual foundation was quite remarkable, and they could be considered elites even among major sects.

The cleanest spot in the entire stone chamber was a jade table in front of the rack, where an open box carved from a single piece of chalcedony revealed silver love needles studded with barbs.

Ming Zhe couldn't remember how long he had been in this place. His eyelids were stuck together by congealed blood scabs, and every breath seemed to make his chest feel like it was being roasted by fire.

The stench of putrid water seeped up from the cracks in the ground, seeping up his already rotten toes and spreading throughout his body, an unbearable stench. The chilling air emanating from the blue bricks beneath him, like a giant rat, was slowly gnawing away at the little willpower Ming Zhe had left, seeping through his already tattered robes.

"Whoosh!" The chill under the blue bricks suddenly stopped, followed by a burst of scorching heat.

Before Ming Zhe could react, large blisters appeared on the previously intact half of his face, making him look extremely gruesome.

He tried to curl up his numb left leg, but the chain forged from wind spirit iron tightened suddenly like a venomous snake coiled around his ankle, and the silver ring wrapped around Ming Zhe's body suddenly emitted Chiguang.

The joyful lines on his thighs suddenly bulged, leaving pink marks on his inner thighs, causing an unnatural blush to rise on his face.

A sliver of blood-red light filtered through the only window diagonally above the cell, gliding across the entangled human figures carved in relief on the wall.

Peeling paint flakes off the moss, and a naked woman leans over, gazing into the cell. A few red tears remain in her eyes, adding to her already beautiful face.

A foul wind swept in, Dragon Imprisonment the iron bells hanging above the cell to clang loudly, and drops of foul discharge fell from the cell ceiling, as if a red rain were falling on Ming Zhe's head.

As the foul wind swept through the hall, it seemed to carry with it the lingering sound of stringed instruments.

"Crunch"

The deliberately made sound of the door opening alerted Ming Zhe to open his eyes. A pair of fair and alluring bare feet stepped in, and as they lifted and lowered, the ten plump and smooth toes clenched and unclenched, like a docile and lovable raccoon.

Strangely enough, although the cell was filthy, her jade feet were spotless, not even a speck of dirt on her ten delicate pink toenails.

When they reached Ming Zhe, they were still as white and tender as jade.

Ming Zhe was already exhausted. He heard the noise, but could only manage to lift his eyelids with all his might. Just as the scabs that had just begun to heal fell off, a tearing pain shot through his eye sockets again, causing him to squint and look at the owner of those jade-like feet.

"Witch."

The naked female cultivator opposite her was not annoyed by the insults. She simply untied Ming Zhe's trousers with practiced ease and, without any disgust, stretched out her slender fingers to pull off his filthy trousers.

He thought to himself, "This young man is a tough nut to crack. None of his fellow disciples could withstand the previous methods, yet he's willing to do as I say and enjoy all the pleasures of the world next door, living like a god. Well, it's only someone like him who's somewhat interesting."

"Ugh!"

Ming Zhe clenched his teeth and remained silent.

At the same time, vague and persuasive words reached his ears again.

"Good brother, at that time, you were deliberately trying to cause trouble for the Three Immortals Cave on behalf of your sect, which led to your disciples attacking people. Even your sect was instructed by a powerful figure behind you to deliberately send people to provoke conflict, wasn't that right?!"

Ming Zhe felt as if his mind was about to fail, and he almost responded to the naked female cultivator's words.

At the crucial moment, however, a Daoist scripture he had been reciting for countless years suddenly welled up from his throat, pulling him back from the edge of the cliff:

"The ten directions are boundless, and all worlds are like crystal, without any obstruction. People from the ten directions ride on five-colored jade wheels and jeweled chariots."

The erotic scenes in Ming Zhe's mind gradually faded, and then the image of Jiang Qing, who was on duty transmitting skills, leading his fellow disciples in chanting scriptures emerged.

Under the eaves of the main hall, the words "Old Learning" written by Sect Leader Kang Da himself still hung, no less skillful than Master Qi's calligraphy. Jiang Qing, whom the younger generation all respected, sat at the head of the table with a stern face, holding a ruler in his hand. All the fellow disciples sat upright and silent.

That day, it was Senior Brother Han who led the reading. Senior Brother Pei was also present. He abandoned his usual carefree demeanor and began to recite along with the former in a serious and methodical manner.

"Nine-colored birds fly around the jade wheel; dark reflections adorn the crimson carriage, which travels on clouds in its azure chariot. Celestial songs and chants resound; divine winds carry smoke, and celestial blossoms spread fragrance. All saints rejoice together, entering the Jade Capital's palace; a thousand immortals, holding their tablets, gather together in the Golden Palace's courtyard."

At first, Ming Zhe was able to suppress his surprise and continued reciting the scriptures. However, gradually, the sound in his ears became louder and louder, almost shattering his mind and causing him to lose his composure.

"Good brother, is it comfortable?!"

"Good brother, is it comfortable?!"

"Shushu."

"Smack!" The thick ruler lashed down heavily. "Zhe'er, what are you doing, you brat? Wake up and recite your scriptures!"

His master's stern expression jolted Ming Zhe awake, instantly clearing the lewd look from his face. Then, drawing strength from who-knows-where, he thrust his palm forward with spiritual light, nearly cracking the head of the naked female cultivator who was in the act.

The latter immediately collapsed and lost consciousness. Outside the cell, a mocking voice drifted out. "Hmph, you scarred-face guy, you have a good life but don't enjoy it, you just want to suffer."

The man who stepped in was a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and considerable spiritual energy. Ming Zhe had some impression of him, after all, before he was repeatedly "served" by this naked female cultivator, the one who used the most severe torture was this man with the hoarse voice.

Ming Zhe's previous palm strike had only exhausted his already weakened body; he was no longer capable of contending with this pale-faced middle-aged man.

The latter habitually took out a bone whip covered in sharp spikes, but the next moment, fearing that it would harm Ming Zhe's head and make Spring Wind Envoy lose face, he put away the Spirit Artifact and said resentfully:

"If you had been wiser earlier, even if you were still alive today, you could at least have enjoyed a few days of blissful existence before you died. Now, you truly only have one path left: a miserable death."

Ming Zhe showed no fear in his eyes, but rather a sense of relief welled up in his heart. "Finally, it's over; at least I haven't harmed my sect."

The pale-faced middle-aged man couldn't fathom Ming Zhe's thoughts, nor did he consider the latter's silence. With a flick of his finger, a pearl leaped out from his sash and transformed into a radiant ring, which encircled Ming Zhe's neck.

Just as he was about to continue, someone hurried over and shouted, "Stop!"

The pale-faced middle-aged man initially didn't want to agree, but then he thought again that this cell was crucial; he himself had only been able to enter after receiving a token from Chu Han, a high-ranking and powerful Spring Wind Envoy. He certainly couldn't afford to offend this visitor.

One must never act without leaving room for maneuver. The cautious, middle-aged man, who sought neither merit nor reward, merely sought to work. He halted his actions and temporarily spared Ming Zhe's life.

He turned back to look, and saw a handsome cultivator dressed in a black gauze canopy entering on a gentle breeze. When the fair-skinned middle-aged man recognized the cultivator, a look of great surprise immediately appeared on his face. "Disciple Peach-Burning Envoy!"

The pale-faced middle-aged man was, as always, a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator from the Hehuan Sect. However, Chu Han was a cold and aloof person and had no disciples to command, so he was transferred from the pale-faced middle-aged man's master's ranks.

However, whether in front of his Alchemist or Chu Han, the high-ranking Spring Wind Envoy, the pale-faced middle-aged man was not as respectful as he was now.

Even though the person before him was nothing more than a self-destructive, Peach-Burning False Core, the pale-faced middle-aged man showed no disrespect whatsoever.

"Hand this person over to me, and you may leave. If Senior Brother Chu blames you, just mention me."

The valiant cultivator spoke gently, but his demeanor was authoritative; after he finished speaking, he ignored the pale-faced middle-aged man.

With a single finger strike, a sharp ray of light pierced through the latter's prized Spirit Artifact. He then picked up Ming Zhe, who was already severely injured and barely alive, and turned away.

The pale-faced middle-aged man kept his head down until long after the sharp-looking cultivator had left, but he didn't dare to raise it. Instead, he felt uneasy.

"That young lad from that county actually managed to establish a connection with such an important figure? No, I really can't go back to Chu Han; he might even have to sell me out to do him a favor."

After hesitating for a while, the pale-faced middle-aged man made a tough decision and decided to disregard Chu Han's instructions and go to Guandong to find his Alchemist to save his life.

----Inside Chu Han Hall

Fei Nanying glared with fierce eyes, almost as if he wanted to devour someone. Even on the territory of the Hehuan Sect, he displayed a somewhat unruly demeanor. As the host, Chu Han was naturally not intimidated by the former's actions. He maintained his usual calm smile and spoke sarcastically, still unhurriedly:

"Fellow Daoist Fei, have you come to my Hehuan Sect's territory to show off your power?!"

Fei Nanying did not respond. At this point, he knew that he could no longer care Chongming Sect the lives of the True Cultivator Sect. Even with his face ashen, he knew that he had to return to Cloud Horn Prefecture with Chu Yanran to make proper preparations.

Judging from Chu Han's reaction this time, Fei Nanying couldn't tell whether the former was the one who orchestrated this matter. However, after returning to the Duke's mansion, with his years of experience and more time, he would surely be able to gather some information to make a plan.

Fei Nanying calmed down at this moment. If this matter was not orchestrated by True Person Crimson Snow, then he would go to the clan headquarters to report to the two elders so that he could take action.

The Hehuan Sect was indeed formidable, but it wasn't to the point that even a mere Spring Wind Envoy could humiliate the Fei Household.

Chu Yanran hesitated for a moment. She knew that after Fei Nanying returned, the two sides would inevitably have to fight several times, and there would probably be some bloodshed. It would be normal for even a high-level cultivator to perish.

In his own heart, he wouldn't want it to be like this.

Seeing Fei Nanying leave in a huff, Chu Han didn't try to stop him. Instead, he sneered, "Fellow Daoist Fei, please wait a little longer. The accompanying gifts will follow shortly."

These words indeed made the former tremble with anger, as if he could hardly suppress the Sha Qi surging from within him.

Seeing this, Chu Yanran knew that there was no room for maneuver, so she got up and left with Fei Nanying.

No sooner had Chu Han finished speaking than Fei Nanying and Chu Yanran had not yet stepped across the threshold when they saw a handsome cultivator dressed in a black gauze canopy carrying someone, riding the wind as they approached.

The two guests were not surprised, but a complicated expression appeared on Chu Han's face. After hesitating for a moment, the official made his fake smile more sincere before bypassing the two and stepping out on a cloud of red clouds to greet them.

"Junior Brother Lian, what brings you to this secluded place today? Did the True Person give you any instructions?!"

Junior Brother Lian was in the presence of the senior cultivator, he showed no fear. He simply bowed and thanked him, then said calmly, "True Person Master ordered me to go into seclusion with him, and we have only just emerged. I have not yet heard any of the True Person's teachings to Senior Brother Chu."

"I see," Chu Han was extremely disappointed, her heart almost filled with jealousy towards her Junior Brother Lian, but her face remained expressionless.

Only when he looked down at the person the latter mentioned did Chu Han reveal a slight dissatisfaction in his tone. "What does Junior Brother Lian mean by this?"

Junior Brother Lian seemed oblivious to Chu Han's anger, and instead laughed heartily:

"Senior Brother Chu must know that I am from Mountain South, and it just so happens that this boy is related to me. That's why, upon hearing that this boy is arrogant and has offended Senior Brother Chu, I rushed to the prison to bring him away. I apologize for not informing you first."

Chu Han was immediately shocked and exclaimed, "Oh dear!! How could this happen!! What... what should we do?! Junior brother, please don't be angry!"

As he spoke, Chu Han held his Junior Brother Lian's hand tightly. The latter understood his concern and regret, and comforted him repeatedly.

Neither of them concealed their actions, and this scene of brotherly affection surprised Chu Yanran. She thought to herself, "Just what is the background of this Kang boy's Chongming Sect? How come he has one powerful backer after another without end?!"

Fei Nanying, standing to the side, gleaned some meaning from the situation. He didn't care about Ming Zhe's life or death in his Junior Brother Lian's hands, but a sharp glint appeared in his eyes when he looked at Chu Han.

"Ah, so there was no True Person gave the order after all."

------ Great Abyss Capital, Mystic Firmament Palace, Lone Dragon Hall

Azure palace lanterns cast shadows on the nine-foot-high dome, while the ebony throne at the end of the steps shimmered with a faint light, exuding nobility and elegance.

Compared to the main hall of the Mystic Firmament Palace where court assemblies were held, the Lone Dragon Hall was much smaller in scale and was where Emperor of Wei received important ministers and close advisors.

The Sect Leader Kang Da, who had never been to such a place before, was brought in by a man and a bird, quite a grand entrance. Fei Ye Shui and Fei Tianqin were clearly quite familiar with this place, and upon seeing Emperor of Wei sitting on the throne, they showed no sign of alarm. They simply led Kang Dabao to bow and respectfully greet him.

"Your humble servants Fei Ye Shui / Fei Tianqin / Kang Dabao pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor of Wei, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold and without a knee covering, looked at Kang Dabao below the imperial steps while tapping the lion-shaped incense burner with his knuckles, producing a crisp sound.

"You are much more promising than I expected."

As Emperor of Wei spoke, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowed. This was because, although there were occasionally amazing talents like those who achieved Middle-Grade Golden Core in the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, almost all of them came from prestigious sects.

Knowing how many years it would take to find a poor but reliable young man with a clean background, Emperor of Wei was truly gratified to see him today.

His praise was exactly what Fei Ye Shui had expected. After all, Emperor of Wei had never been stingy with his praise for geniuses from humble backgrounds, from Shen Lingfeng to Kuai En.

Compared to the two mentioned above, Emperor of Wei's preparations for Kang Dabao today seem somewhat rudimentary.

"Your humble servant owes all his merits to Your Majesty's great blessings and the devoted cultivation of my Yue Household. Only through such good fortune have I been able to serve my country and protect the people. I may have made some small contributions, but they are not worth mentioning. Your Majesty's praise is too much for me to bear."

Emperor of Wei was similar in temperament to the nobleman from the imperial clan who had gone to the Mountain South; he loved it when his subjects showed their loyalty, even if it was just by exerting some effort and pretending to be loyal.

However, compared to all the performers in the court, Sect Leader Kang Da's expression, though sincere, was still somewhat lacking. Emperor of Wei glanced at him and then lost interest. He didn't say anything more to Kang Dabao, but simply gave Grand Eunuch Wei, who understood immediately.

A magical silk cloth emerged from Grand Eunuch Wei's sleeve. With a flick of his little finger, he broke the seal on the cloth, slowly unfurled it, and loudly chanted:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having received the Mandate of Heaven, rule over the world. I hereby appoint Kang Dabao, who upholds loyalty and martial prowess, and whose merits are renowned throughout the land. Your achievements in quelling rebellions and defending against foreign aggression are remarkable; your accomplishments in bringing peace and stability to the people are even more outstanding."

You have led the army and the people to pacify the borders and brought peace to the villages. Your loyalty shines like the sun, and your iron armor is as solid as frost. Now I hereby enfeoff you as the Marquis of Martial Peace, with the fief of Cloud Horn Prefecture.

He was granted the honor of being granted the title of Grand Master of the Three Departments and bestowed with the honor of having his official residence and steps adorned in vermilion robes. The rivers and mountains were forged into a protective barrier, forever establishing a strong bulwark for the region.

The imperial edict reads, "You shall uphold your loyalty and integrity, remaining as cautious from beginning to end; you shall diligently serve day and night, unwavering in your resolve. This proclamation shall be made known throughout the land and beyond. Respectfully obey!"

"To be granted a title of nobility?"

Before Sect Leader Kang Da could react, the man and the bird beside him were already surprised. After all, even though the Immortal Dynasty had declined somewhat, this title had not yet become widespread.

Consider Fei Nanying, who also attained the middle -Middle-Grade Golden Core stage. Despite having Kuang Liuting's request and the backing of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, he only received the title of Marquis. In terms of actual fiefdom, he was even less than Kang Dabao, who came from a humble background. This shows that Emperor of Wei truly valued these people from small families.

The two top-tier Golden Core present were both astonished, and at this moment, the protagonist, Sect Leader Kang Da, was completely at a loss.

It's no wonder he was so shocked that he lost his composure. Even though Kang Dabao already knew from the two elders of the Fei Household that Emperor of Wei had always liked to help poor children, and that he himself seemed to have seen the Emperor's projection on him when he was in Xuanwei City.

But Sect Leader Kang Da never imagined that he would actually receive this title of marquis.

"Once the Golden Core is formed, everything will be perfect. Phrases like 'upholding loyalty and displaying martial prowess, his merits are renowned throughout the banners' and 'suppressing chaos and defending against aggression, his achievements are outstanding'—he could hardly bear any of these exaggerated praises, yet they were lavishly applied to himself as if they were free."

Fortunately, he had never stopped cultivating his inner strength. A light cough from Fei Ye Shui immediately snapped him out of his reverie, and he straightened his clothes, composed himself, and bowed deeply, saying, "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your trust and kindness!"

"Do your job well. If you achieve great merit in the future, you will be rewarded by princes and dukes, and I will not be stingy with it."

At this point, Emperor of Wei made no further promises. All the necessities needed for Sect Leader Kang Da's establishment of his residence, whether or not they were provided, or how much or how little, would be properly arranged by his subordinates; he didn't need to worry about it at all.

He only glanced at the man and the bird once, then spoke to Kang Dabao Yue:

"The Fei Household has provided you with many treasures, and you have come laden with gifts. However, I am in a rare good mood today, so tell me what you still lack? If I have it, I will grant it to you."