Chapter 1187: Amidst a Multitude of Soldiers

The night was deep, the breeze gentle, the moon bathed in a soft glow.That gentleman in the green robe, with a mild demeanor, smiled and introduced himself as Chen.It seemed the contours of the entire Grand Tutor's Residence softened along with him.The young woman with her hair tied in a bun said he was her Master.Rong Yu said nothing, walking straight through the main gate, seemingly leaving them standing there.The elder, convinced he had long cultivated a pair of fiery-golden eyes, grew even more certain: this refined gentleman named Chen was the gatekeeper of the Grand Tutor's Residence.This man must surely be a seasoned expert, well-known in the martial world, to be qualified to guard the gate here. It made sense.Afterward, the gatekeeper named Chen led them through the main gate, around a beautiful glazed screen wall, through another gate, around a spirit screen, and finally entered the first courtyard of the Grand Tutor's Residence. There was a Wutong tree, and the moonlight filtered through its branches and leaves, scattering like broken silver across the ground. They did not continue to the second courtyard but turned into a door on the left, entering a tranquil garden with its own distinct world, featuring small bridges over flowing water, adorned with elegant pavilions and terraces. In the pond, where lotus leaves stood tall, occasionally a swimming fish would flick its tail, disturbing the water.

All along the way, the conversation was casual and rambling. For instance, he asked the youngsters why they thought reading was useless and encouraged them to elaborate. He, on the other hand, felt reading was useful, especially for those not born into scholarly or wealthy families, seeing it as a path forward. He mentioned that almost half of the officials at the Grand Tutor's Residence came from impoverished families in the local prefectures and counties; only half were child prodigies. As for the other half, when they first started reading, they only hoped to pass the Xiu Cai or Ju Ren exams to bring glory to their ancestors.

They chatted for a good while. The seasoned and steady head of the fishing team, Hong Tao, had been observing their expressions. The elder left the opportunity to speak to the youngsters.The Grand Tutor's Residence indeed concealed crouching dragons and hidden tigers. Even a mere gatekeeper could be so articulate and quick-witted. As a county magistrate, he would be more than capable.

The elder finally couldn't resist asking, "Esteemed Sir Chen, when will the Grand Tutor grant us an audience?"The three youngsters also came to their senses. Yes, where was the Grand Tutor?Chen Ping An looked at the short youngster and smiled, asking, "Ma Buhai, I heard you want to learn martial arts and plan to open a martial arts school or a镖局 (security escort agency) in the future. Can you find a Master? If you don't have a suitable candidate for now, I can introduce you to a martial artist. You can become his disciple and learn skills, and then talk about your future after you become proficient."Hong Tao understood immediately. Yes, indeed. A Prime Minister's gatekeeper is like a third-rank official. If this person is willing to recommend him, it shouldn't be a problem for this boy Buhai to become a disciple of anyone.

Ma Buhai tentatively said, "I want to become a disciple of Grandmaster Zheng Qian, is that possible?"Chen Ping An couldn't help but smile, then put on a straight face and said, "She is one of the Four Great Martial Grandmasters. Are you sure I can help you achieve that?"Ma Buhai felt sheepish and had to lower his expectations. "Then please put in a word for me with the Four Seas Martial Arts School. Ding Hao and I will become disciples of Master Wei there. It is rumored in the martial world that he once sparred with Grandmaster Zheng in the auxiliary capital, Luojing, and they have some friendly ties. Perhaps in the future, I can also benefit from that and meet Grandmaster Zheng in advance."Hong Tao, as if divinely inspired, carefully asked, "As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. Why seek far and wide? Why doesn't Buhai become a disciple of Esteemed Sir Chen? Esteemed Sir Chen, what do you think? Even if not a direct disciple, accepting Buhai as an unregistered disciple would be fine. Just consider it a destined meeting in the martial world and give him a helping hand?"

Chen Ping An waved his hand, smiling heartily. "It's not convenient. I already have a final disciple. Moreover, Ma Buhai's aptitude for martial arts is a bit lacking. It's not good enough for me to make an exception."Hong Tao was speechless. How blunt he was. As expected of someone working in the Grand Tutor's Residence, just one word: arrogant.

Ma Buhai was not annoyed at all; instead, he appreciated this person's straightforwardness. In the martial world, one shouldn't speak in roundabout officialese.He clasped his fists and said, "Then Ding Hao, Hu Jin, and I, the three of us, will seek Master Wei at the martial arts school."His three brothers would always share hardships and fortunes together in this life. As for Head Hong, the three of them would take care of him in his old age.

Chen Ping An nodded, then turned and smiled at his eldest disciple who opened the path. "What do you say? A chance encounter in the martial world, meeting by chance, lend a helping hand?"Pei Qian said helplessly, "I'll take them to find Wei Li tomorrow."Chen Ping An suppressed a smile and said, "If you really don't want to, let Guo Zhujiu do it."Pei Qian shook her head and said, "Master, I should go in person. I also want to have a good chat with Wei Li."That fellow was not shy. In the gaps between the battles in the auxiliary capital back then, he challenged her to a spar, and he fell after a few punches, gaining quite a reputation in the martial world. That was one thing, but let's not even talk about the medical expenses he conned out of her. You, Wei Li, opened a martial arts school in the capital and enshrined that money pouch, burning incense every morning before practicing footwork?!

The tall youngster, Hu Jin, was still thinking about and worrying about the whereabouts of the girl whose identity was fake, which meant her name was also fake.Ma Buhai was a bit puzzled. This young woman named Pei Qian dared to call Master Wei by his name?Ding Hao suddenly said, "Esteemed Sir Chen, I want to study at Chunshan Academy, is that possible?"Chen Ping An smiled and asked, "To become a 'real official'?"Ding Hao honestly replied, "Very much so."Chen Ping An asked, "And after becoming an official?"Ding Hao said, "To become a high official."Chen Ping An smiled and said, "Becoming an official must have a purpose, like making money, gaining power, or bringing glory to your ancestors, adding a bold stroke to your family tree, having your name recorded in the local county gazette."Ding Hao said, "None of that. I just want to know how the smartest people in the Da Li Dynasty speak and act."Hearing such an answer, Chen Ping An was clearly a bit surprised, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Then work hard. If you have a dream, you should always try."

Chen Ping An asked, "What about Hu Jin? Any thoughts? Will you follow Ma Buhai to the martial arts school to become a disciple, or go with Ding Hao to the academy to study?"Hu Jin bravely asked, "Esteemed Sir Chen, can I ask a question?"Ding Hao was extremely nervous. He hesitated for a moment but didn't stop his friend's reckless question, nor did he care if they would end up empty-handed tonight.Hong Tao, however, was in a hurry. He grabbed the tall youngster's arm, secretly increasing the force in his fingers. The elder then smiled at the man in the green robe and long gown, "Esteemed Sir Chen, Hu Jin will go to the martial arts school tomorrow, he will go to the martial arts school."

Hu Jin's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately swallowed the words that were already on the tip of his tongue. The youngster's eyes were dim, and he forced a smile, "Esteemed Sir Chen, I will follow Ding Hao to the martial arts school tomorrow to become a disciple and learn skills."Saying this, the tall youngster clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for this!"He hoped that when he entered the martial world in the future, he could meet her again. It was possible, wasn't it?

Chen Ping An said, "Alright, it's settled then."Leading them back to the first courtyard, Rong Yu walked over from the covered walkway and softly said, "Esteemed Sir Chen doesn't need to see them off, I will do it."Chen Ping An nodded, "Alright."Pei Qian and Rong Yu escorted them out of the Grand Tutor's Residence and then returned.Pei Qian smiled and said, "Master, it seems Ding Hao has already guessed that you are the Grand Tutor."Chen Ping An nodded and said, "He is a very smart youngster, and his character is good."Rong Yu quietly kept it in her heart.Pei Qian explained, "Master, I didn't read their minds."Seeing her Master smile without speaking, Pei Qian anxiously said, "Really!"Rong Yu was a little surprised. The Grand Tutor was so strict with Pei Qian here? In Pei Qian's heart, was the Master's authority so weighty?

Chen Ping An finally opened his mouth and smiled, "When I was little, I managed little black coal a lot for fear that you would make mistakes. When you were young and made mistakes, besides admitting them, the actual mistakes had to be corrected by the Master, right?"Pei Qian blushed.Chen Ping An continued, "Over these many years, little black coal has been learning diligently and has learned well, and the principles have gone from your ears to your heart. So now it's time for Pei Qian to take care of the world's idle matters and mistakes."

Pei Qian finally regained the spirit to venture into the martial world at this moment.Chen Ping An smiled and said, "The little donkey and the gold leaves are all ready. This martial world is waiting for Pei Qian to descend the mountain."As expected, not long after leaving the Grand Tutor's Residence, Ding Hao told the elder and his two friends about his guess.Pei Qian's Master, named Chen Ping An, was the Grand Tutor of Da Li. Rong Yu's final remark, "She will see you off," was the key. As for her calling him "Esteemed Sir Chen," it was just a pretense.And Pei Qian was the renowned martial arts Grandmaster "Zheng Qian" of the entire continent.

Chen Ping An said, "Before venturing into the martial world, remember to seek more advice and spar more with Senior Shen Yi."Pei Qian nodded.Rong Yu smiled and asked, "If Ding Hao had hidden his thoughts, how would the Grand Tutor have viewed this youngster?"Chen Ping An said, "He would have stopped at 'clever.' What I do is to prevent the Da Li Dynasty from being ruined by clever people, to avoid purely clever and cunning tricks being used to manipulate, bully, and kill the sincere and kind. These few youngsters have very good natures. Rong Yu, pay more attention at the Grand Tutor's Residence."Rong Yu knew very well that tomorrow the Grand Tutor would separately receive two groups of the most powerful clever people in the Da Li Dynasty. They... were fortunate.

Song Yun Jian still stood beneath the peach tree, counting the number of peach blossoms, enjoying it tirelessly.Lin Shou Yi and Cao Qing Lang played chess by the bright moonlight in the second courtyard.The cook Yu Qing hesitated for a moment, then walked to the door and asked if they wanted a late-night snack.In the adjacent courtyard, in the ancient shaman's room, a faint yellow light always glowed. He was reading by lamplight and would likely stay up all night.Zhu Su finished cultivating her Qi and came out of her room. She leaned against the corridor pillar, looking at the map of the Wilds in the courtyard well.

Rong Yu asked, "Grand Tutor, how should I reply to His Majesty?"It turned out that the Grand Tutor's Residence had specially created a Hundred Treasures Pavilion, a three-story building enhanced with illusions.Previously, Chen Ping An had asked Rong Yu to list items for His Majesty, intending to use it to store these treasures.However, the Three Court Dharma Masters had pulled such a stunt, and Chen Ping An was somewhat reluctant to "abuse his power for personal gain."But His Majesty's words were also interesting. He had already ordered people to handle this matter, so there was no reason to let them work in vain.

Rong Yu said, "His Majesty's meaning is simple: for cultivators, the more heavenly materials and earthly treasures the better, and the thicker the foundation the better. As long as it can help the Grand Tutor increase his Dao power, the several secret vaults in Da Li used to store various magic artifacts and spiritual treasures are not the treasury of the Ministry of Revenue. It doesn't matter if they are emptied."Chen Ping An thought for a moment and said, "Then just move them all over.""Pei Qian, call Cao Qing Lang. You two will go with Rong Yu to the secret vaults to choose treasures now.""Also bring Yu Shi Wu and Xu Jiao Qie with them. And Yu Qing. Allow each of them to choose one treasure not on the list."

It became a lively scene, going to get rich. Yu Qing initially wanted to refuse, but with Rong Yu's sharp mind and way with words, she easily persuaded the cook, who had given up on returning to the Cherry Green Robe lineage, with just a few words.Only Lin Shou Yi was not suitable for taking treasures.Chen Ping An sat down on behalf of his student Cao Qing Lang and played chess with Lin Shou Yi.Initially, the game was balanced, but then Chen Ping An moved quickly, and Lin Shou Yi played slower and slower. The situation on the board became increasingly favorable to Chen Ping An. When Lin Shou Yi once again picked up a black piece from the bamboo chess jar, he fell into thought.

Chen Ping An said cheerfully, "Lin Yupu, do you finally know who is the poor chess player?"There is only the custom of not speaking when observing a game, but there is no rule that the players cannot talk. When it's your turn to play, the best strategy is to attack the mind.Lin Shou Yi hesitantly placed a piece on the board, wondering, "Your chess skills have improved so much? How did you do it?"Chen Ping An picked up a white piece and said seriously, "It seems as if there are ghosts hidden under my wrist, as if divinely inspired. In reality, my talent was good to begin with, and I have accumulated long-term skill over time. Before, I deliberately hid my abilities so that you poor chess players wouldn't lose interest in playing."

When Chen Ping An made his move, Lin Shou Yi resigned, quietly looking at the board. Chen Ping An's chess strength was indeed far superior to his own and Cao Qing Lang's.Lin Shou Yi asked curiously, "Can you beat Cui Dong Shan now?"Chen Ping An immediately broke character. "Not yet, I still have to play with a handicap."Lin Shou Yi keenly noticed that Chen Ping An seemed to have changed recently. The turning point was that connection between heaven and earth.

Chen Ping An concentrated his voice into a line of secret words. "The previous Chen Ping An was still Chen Ping An, I was myself, I am I. But the primary and secondary roles of divinity and humanity were reversed, so the previous Chen Ping An, with divinity in charge, all emotions were properly arranged, and accomplishments were extreme. All my thoughts, words, and actions were pursuing and imitating the realm of Senior Cui. What divinity had cut, disassembled, and forgotten, the human self that was imprisoned, had to obediently accept, like... a caged bird."Chen Ping An gently covered the chess jar with his hand. "After the connection between heaven and earth ended, the primary and secondary roles were reversed again, and humanity took charge. Those suppressed emotions did not disappear. It was like a flood breaking through a dam and a tide surging backward at the same time in the human heart and world."

How perilous was such a state of mind? Lin Shou Yi felt a chill down his spine and asked, "You didn't have a Dao heart collapse from this?"Chen Ping An smiled and said, "I just happened to go to You Yi Peak to drink at Liu Xian Yang and She Yue's wedding feast. It was also the fifth day of the fifth month, which meant I had untied one of the biggest knots in my heart in this lifetime, so I was especially happy. People, as long as they open their hearts, they won't dwell on dead ends.""After that, I sparred with the ancient shaman, and it was also very satisfying.""Especially when I sparred with Cao Ci at sea later, it was even more exhilarating. Being between the sea and the sky far from land, my state of mind also broadened.""Of course, the casual chat tonight is also a necessary 'distraction.' Cultivating oneself is like managing water, it's better to channel than to block. That's why the Old Observer said I finally understood a bit of the art of 'nurturing the spirit.'"

Hearing this, Lin Shou Yi no longer doubted whether Chen Ping An was seemingly calm but actually insane.He smiled and said, "Those few youngsters seem quite like Liu, Chen, and Gu from our hometown back then."Chen Ping An softly said, "If they can look forward to tomorrow with hope, then we can also look back at yesterday with a calm heart."

Lin Shou Yi nodded, deeply agreeing. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Shall we play another game?"Chen Ping An had already started packing the chess pieces, tsk-tsk. "Learning from my spar with Cao Ci, is it more fun to keep losing?"Lin Shou Yi suddenly asked, "One knot in your heart has been untied, are there others, two or three?"Chen Ping An said, "Of course."Lin Shou Yi asked, "For example? And when will you take action?"Chen Ping An teased, "Lin Yupu, stop being distracted. Focus on the imperial examination, study hard for your Jin Shi degree, get your name on the golden list, and you can hear fewer critical remarks from Uncle Lin."

Lin Shou Yi's face darkened. He held the two chess jars and returned to his room.Chen Ping An strolled alone to the second courtyard next door, looking at the mountain and river map depicting the confrontation between the Haoran and Wilds armies.For instance, returning to the battlefield to severely defeat the Wilds.And for instance, the subsequent sword challenge against Bai Yu Jing.

Zhu Su stood by the railing, also looking at the map here. As a private sword, she had been staying in the heart of the Wilds for a long time, so she also contributed to filling in some of the mountains and rivers. She was about to speak when she noticed that the Hidden Official had already conjured the Three Mountains Talisman, which was neither one he had imitated, nor even a talisman painted by Bai Jing, but the original Three Mountains Talisman, its destination unknown.However, Zhu Su quickly knew the Hidden Official's whereabouts.The three courtyards along the central axis: the first courtyard had the Haoran military map, the second courtyard had the Wilds map, and the third courtyard had the Baoping Continent mountain and river map.The first mountain where the Hidden Official appeared was the relatively nearby Piyun Mountain in Baoping Continent.Simply because on the "map" laid out in the courtyard well of the last courtyard, Piyun Mountain was not particularly conspicuous, but at this moment, there was an unusual "qi machine ripple." To directly cause an anomaly on a continent's map, one can imagine the magnitude of the movement at Piyun Mountain.

The second mountain was directly across continents to Sui Mountain in Middle Earth Divine Continent. Sui Mountain also had the reputation and esteemed title of Haoran's First Peak.Simply because in the first courtyard, there was a "subtle" drumming sound.Zhu Su moved over there, her gaze quickly scanning the map. Where was the third mountain? That would be the destination of the Hidden Official's impromptu long journey tonight.A moment later, Zhu Su turned her head in surprise, looking towards the original courtyard. The destination was in the Wilds!

In the Azure Nether Heaven, a bright and luminous moon hung. At the entrance of the Daoist temple, the "door god" holding an iron锏, Gu He, was watching the Master of Bixiao Cave hang a plaque.The skinny Wang Yuan Lu had already followed the elegant Prime Minister Yao Qing to the human world, and Gu He felt that the already deserted Daoist site was even more lonely.The Old Observer took a few steps back, his hands behind his back, looking up at the plaque, and asked, "How is it?"Xun Lan Ling, who had been the fire-stoking boy at the Daoist temple for many years, cleverly echoed, "Good calligraphy, very powerful, it can merge with heaven and earth."Gu He wondered, "Observer, whose esteemed work is this?"The Master of Bixiao Cave was so arrogant and proud, his seniority and Dao power were evident. Since he was willing to go out and invite someone to write the plaque, the person must be a powerful expert of similar status and with whom he had an affinity, a strong 14th realm cultivator?The Old Observer said, "It's that young sword cultivator you think is of the same path as this humble Daoist, Chen Ping An."Gu He was startled. He had always wanted to travel in the future, and when he saw that person surnamed Chen, he would actively detour and avoid his sharp edge. As a result, he had to stare at him every day in the end?Xun Lan Ling wished he could pick up the words he had just spoken and chew them back into his stomach.

The Old Observer said, "Xun Lan Ling, secretly travel to the human world, protect Wang Yuan Lu with your innate secret technique, and teach him not to encounter unexpected disasters."Xun Lan Ling was clearly somewhat unwilling.The Old Observer said, "If Wang Yuan Lu dies outside, you won't need to return to the Daoist temple to continue stoking the fire and refining pills. Just enjoy yourself, establish a sect in a certain prefecture, and become your founding patriarch. Remember not to add unnecessary flourish, such as hanging a portrait of this humble Daoist in the patriarch hall or secret chamber, or erecting a spirit tablet with this humble Daoist's Daoist name. Do not reveal any connection between you and the Observance Daoist Temple, otherwise this humble Daoist will make an extra trip and personally clean house."

Xun Lan Ling's Dao heart was suddenly in turmoil, his expression was sorrowful, and he knelt down, sobbing, "Did this disciple displease Master in some way to receive such severe punishment?"The Old Observer said indifferently, "One who does not know the ways of man cannot see the ways of immortals, one who does not understand the human heart cannot connect with heaven. You have stoked the fire in the temple for many years, yet you are still lacking in experience. Staying by this humble Daoist's side, you will only pretend to look at Daoist books and secret manuals every day and will not make any progress. Quickly descend the mountain and do not be noisy."Xun Lan Ling sadly got up, not daring to entangle his Master on this matter at all. He returned to his room, packed his belongings, and went to the human world to work.

The Old Observer instructed, "In addition to protecting Wang Yuan Lu, when you travel in the human world, you can only experience the mortal world as a cultivator of the fifth realm or below. At most, you can use one innate item of the quality of a magic treasure. If you dare to violate this, Gu He will find you, and then you will know that you have been expelled from the Daoist temple."As he spoke, the Old Observer waved his fly whisk and threw a package from within the temple to the fire-stoking boy's feet.Xun Lan Ling seized the opportunity to once again prostrate himself, kowtowing nine times, bidding farewell to his Master.

After the Daoist boy got up, he slung the package over his shoulder, reluctantly, taking three steps back for every step forward. Seeing that his Master had already directly stepped over the threshold and entered the Daoist temple, the Daoist boy felt sorrowful. He had to compose himself and silently said to the tall figure in the distance, "Master, take care of your health, this disciple is going on a long journey." The Daoist boy turned around, raised his arm to wipe his face, and left the bright moon by wind, going to the Sui Chu Palace.

Gu He sighed with emotion. The Master of Bixiao Cave was too heartless... but he heard the Master of Bixiao Cave shouting angrily from the entrance of the alchemy room, "Why are you standing there blankly?"Gu He was bewildered. Whether I serve as a guardian deity for the Daoist site or as a door god for the Daoist temple, if I don't stand in place, am I supposed to wander around like the day and night patrolling gods of the City God Temple?The Old Observer had no choice but to curse this blockhead who didn't get it, "Idiot, why aren't you rolling away to be Xun Lan Ling's secret protector?"

Gu He was overjoyed. He already felt that he owed Daoist Friend Xun too much. Protecting him in this life and body was also within the scope of what should be done.Gu He immediately formed a Daoist hand seal, concealed his figure, and was about to quietly follow Xun Lan Ling, when his heart was suddenly shocked. His Dao body and Dao heart felt as though they were sinking into mud, and he couldn't move. He then heard the Master of Bixiao Cave let out an unpleasant "Hmm." Gu He immediately realized, turned around, and respectfully bowed farewell to his Master. As expected, doing so allowed his Dao techniques to operate unhindered.

He then heard the Master of Bixiao Cave's instructions, "When you reach the mainland, do not pretend to be powerful or bully others. Otherwise, even if heaven doesn't take you, this humble Daoist will! But also remember a principle: if you encounter someone who doesn't know what's good for them on your path in the future, help them see the light. Don't be ambiguous, and don't shrink back when you act!"Gu He's face beamed with joy upon hearing this. He happily received this Daoist decree, concealed his tracks, and went to chase after the Daoist boy, his "old friend, now fellow disciple."Regardless of how long he had cultivated, the fire-stoking boy Xun Lan Ling was still a youngster at heart. He stopped halfway in a sea of clouds and cried loudly.Gu He hid at the edge of the sea of clouds, feeling a sense of sadness. Gu He finally restrained himself and did not reveal his presence.

Earlier, while the attention of the two worlds was on the battle between the Master of Bixiao Cave and the Three Court Dharma Masters.An old Daoist priest voluntarily appeared in the area of the Sui Chu Palace and sent a message to the Crane Tower towering over the riverbank, "This humble Daoist Zhang Jiao, Daoist name Huang Tian. I request an audience with Palace Master Wu, I have a matter to discuss."This Daoist priest was an old 14th realm cultivator. He was not influential in the Azure Nether Heaven and went to the Western Buddhist Kingdom.

Seeing his homeland, Azure Nether's fourteen states, already in turmoil, with only three states remaining neutral and temporarily not getting involved in the confrontation between Bai Yu Jing and Sui Chu Palace, the old Daoist felt depressed even though he knew this was his opportunity to rise.

Zhang Jiao looked at the strange phenomenon above his head, stroking his beard and squinting his eyes, and thought to himself, "I wonder who Run Yue Peak will favor?"In fact, cultivators of the Upper Fifth Realm in an entire world could see this scene.It was a clash between two pseudo-15th realm cultivators, a head-on confrontation with no fancy moves whatsoever.Zhang Jiao turned to look at Bai Yu Jing. It had finally revealed its "true form" – a Jade Capital Mountain whose foundation was piled up by the Dao Ancestor himself!Hence, for ten thousand years, the five cities and twelve towers of Bai Yu Jing seemed to be suspended in the air, at different positions and heights in different directions.As of today, besides the Green City of the Grand Master and the Nanhua City of the Third Master Lu Chen, as both Masters were temporarily absent from the Daoist site for their own reasons, resulting in the two cities not being able to "connect" with Jade Capital Mountain, the remaining three cities and twelve towers were all within the mountain at this moment.

From the peak of Jade Capital Mountain, where the Master Yu Dou was, to the Dharma Body of Yao Qing, a spectacular "rainbow bridge" spanned across half a world appeared.Yu Dou was clad in feathered robes, holding a long sword. A beam of sword light pressed straight towards Yao Qing's Dharma Body above the Sui Chu Palace.In contrast, Yao Qing's Dharma Body held a long spear, its tip pointing directly at Bai Yu Jing, also stirring up a torrent of military Dao intent displaying a vibrant red color, directly clashing with Yu Dou's sword light.The collision of the sword light and the military aura formed that long rainbow.Every moment, both sides were eroding each other's Dao cultivation. Judging by the length of the two sections of the long rainbow, Yu Dou clearly had the absolute advantage.However, on the land of the more than ten states of Azure Nether, wherever there was smoke of war, a wisp of green smoke would voluntarily merge into the rising wisps of green smoke manifested by Yao Qing's military tactics. Occasionally, there were scattered dots of gold and silver, which presumably indicated the fall of local mountain and water deities and Daoist officials.

The sword light hung in the air, possessing an earth-shattering aura that suppressed the entire world.The spear tip pointed, also having the ambition to overturn heaven and earth and pierce a Bai Yu Jing.After all, Zhang Jiao had just arrived in the Azure Nether Heaven. After a brief deduction, he quickly hit a wall and no longer continued the calculation. After all, once he stirred up Yao Qing's Dao heart fluctuations or incurred Yao Qing's dislike and aversion, Zhang Jiao could easily suffer some inexplicable calamities, or even some immediate backlash from Dao techniques. After all, Yao Qing was a pseudo-15th realm cultivator and already had the雏形 (embryonic form) of Dao heart being heaven's heart.Furthermore, if his investigation caused Yao Qing to be distracted, wouldn't that be helping Yu Dou and the Daoist officials in Bai Yu Jing who had eyes in their foreheads?

Zhang Jiao was completely puzzled. Why did Yao Qing do this? The chief minister of the Qing Shen Dynasty for three reigns, having reached the 14th realm by his own ability, why would he take this path with no retreat?The old Daoist priest composed his thoughts. Although he had come as an ally, he still didn't dare to lower his guard and was like facing a formidable enemy.Simply because Wu Shuang Jiang personally came. The Daoist Zhang Jiao didn't dare to say that this Palace Master Wu would definitely agree to him.On the path of cultivation, the younger generation is formidable.After all, Wu Shuang Jiang had previously announced the shared execution to the world. One must know that his two allies were Zheng Ju Zhong, who seemed to want to establish a sect and become an ancestor in the Wilds, and Chen Ping An, who had created the connection between heaven and earth by himself.

In the heart of the Wilds.A tall mountain whose name had recently been changed to "Haoran." The former宗字头 (sect-headed) Daoist site buildings and several old ancestral temples had all become the meeting places for the generals of several Haoran countries.This army advanced too quickly on the battlefield, appearing somewhat greedy for功 (merit) and venturing deep as an isolated force.Although there was originally the intention to lure the enemy and then strike their reinforcements, on one hand, they advanced too quickly, and on the other hand, the great demons of the Wilds joined forces to use a great divine ability similar to opening the Returning Ruins passage. The shared lord of the Wilds, Fei Ran, mobilized several new King Seats. In the confrontation between the two armies, the balance of power shifted unexpectedly as the number of Wilds demons surged.

The tactics on the Wilds army side were extremely brutal. They aimed to finish the battle in one go, intending to swallow this army whole, and then those Wilds demons who were counter-encircled by Haoran and unable to withdraw from the battlefield would all die in battle. Therefore, the Wilds were willing to disregard battle losses and consequences, needing only a "great victory" that could boost morale.On the Haoran side, the main force was the 300,000 elite cavalry of the Cheng Guan Dynasty. The remaining 700,000 were steadily approaching from the rear. According to the agreed deadline, the main force from the rear would arrive at this location in three days. Even if the great cultivators accompanying the army used their divine abilities and accelerated various ferries, it would only shorten the time to two days to reach this place, otherwise it would truly become a series of "adding oil" to the fire.

On the mountaintop, a young man in civilian clothes, with a poker face, looked at the battlefield outside the mountain. The Wilds demons had already sounded the horn for a large-scale attack.Even at a distance of several hundred li, a vast expanse of dense demons, like swarming ants, like locusts. At both ends of the battlefield, countless spells had lit up, each smashing towards the other. At the same time, each side had large formations protecting their army formations. Compared to Haoran's neat and orderly arrangement, the demons' side was incredibly brutal. Just speaking of the thousands of catapults, the "boulders" they threw included various lewd shrines that had been uprooted and moved here, "snowballs" made of hundreds of white bone skeletons mixed together, and a mass of "water pools" refined and condensed from the waters of the Ye Luo River, which would explode upon landing, scattering like a thousand arrows.

Besides the commanders of several countries and close personal attendants accompanying the army, there were also two armored military generals beside the young man observing the battle from the mountaintop. Besides being martial arts Grandmasters and great cultivators respectively, they were also battle-hardened commanding generals with distinguished military careers, skilled at fighting "tough battles."

The young man said, "After mutual depletion of formations with spells, you will need to lead your army to break through the formations at least twice."One of the commanding generals' eyes blazed with fervor, and he smiled, "Twice won't show the might of our Cheng Guan iron cavalry. It needs to be at least three times."At least after the third cavalry charge through the formation, whether they could return or not would be disregarded.

The young man nodded and said, "Go."The two commanding generals directly climbed over the railing and swiftly flew down to the large formation at the foot of the mountain. They didn't say any heroic words or farewells to the young man.This young man was the master of the first dynasty of Haoran, the Cheng Guan Dynasty, Emperor Huang Mang.

There was a Grand Tutor from another dynasty on the mountaintop. The elder advised, "Your Majesty, if you don't leave this 'dead ground' now, with the impending changes in timing and geography, it will be very difficult to leave."A young Confucian scholar dispatched here by the Middle Earth Confucian Temple said, "Huang Mang, leave quickly, otherwise the Wilds will truly achieve a great victory. Don't be impulsive and act like a hero, implicating those who bravely die in battle. On the battlefield, there is more than just your Cheng Guan iron cavalry."Huang Mang smiled and asked, "What about you?"In times of peace, the gentlemen of the Confucian Academies and the Seventy-Two Academies were universally admired and envied transcendental existences.In times of chaos, the proportion of gentlemen dying in battle was astonishingly high, almost equal to the number of Confucian scholars with the title of贤人 (worthy person). One must know that the number of gentlemen and worthy persons in the Haoran world was quite disparate.

The young gentleman said, "The strategy of luring the enemy deep was proposed by me. Of course, I must stay here."Huang Mang nodded, "Then I will withdraw now and rush to the rear army. I hope I can still see you."The young gentleman smiled and cupped his fists, "Thank you for this! And I sincerely apologize to you. Cheng Guan's court and public will surely scold me..."Huang Mang cupped his fists in return, "Don't worry, our Cheng Guan Dynasty never scolds true heroes. We will only erect shrines and offer sacrifices, providing incense offerings."

At this moment.A figure in a green robe and long gown, with a jade hairpin in his hair and cloth shoes on his feet, suddenly appeared. He stood on the railing, facing the wind, his sleeves billowing and flapping.He stood there like a great banner of this Haoran frontier army.Emperor Huang Mang and the young gentleman only saw him slowly roll up his sleeves and say indifferently, "No one needs to withdraw. I will make the first charge through the formation for you."Chen Ping An looked ahead, extended his arm, and took control of a long spear from a military general on the mountaintop. He smiled and said, "Let me borrow this long spear for a moment."

Besides the mutual bombardment of spells on the battlefield, the Haoran army at the foot of the mountain remained silent. On the contrary, the Wilds demon army experienced a visible pause, followed by great chaos, and finally, a sound like a mountain shouting and a sea roaring, as if everyone was spreading a message, naturally mixed with various curses... Hidden Official? Hidden Official!Sword Qi Great Wall was a difficult obstacle for the Wilds, and Baoping Continent was too. And the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall happened to be from Baoping Continent.A million enemy troops calling out your name – this should have only been a legendary story in historical novels.On the brutal battlefield where heads could roll at any moment, it actually happened.

Chen Ping An slanted the long spear, staring at the great demon of the Wilds presiding over this battle in the distance. Oh, he had been promoted to a new King Seat. What a coincidence, they were all old acquaintances.He flicked his wrist, stirring up spear blossoms. The sea of clouds at an extremely high altitude was thus shattered, and all the Wilds' volley of stones was deflected.He lightly tapped his toe, and his figure leaped high. The Hidden Official descended the mountain and went to the center of the battlefield.But it was not the central area where the two armies confronted each other, but he landed directly in the middle of the Wilds army.The young Hidden Official seemed to silently say, "Sorry, you have been surrounded by me."