Jiangbei, Kingdom of Qing.
An old man with white hair and beard was strolling leisurely in a fragrant courtyard full of birdsong, playing with an armored scaled bird in an iron cage.
Immediately afterward, a beam of radiant light descended first.
“Old Freak Hua, even the True Person of the Demon Sect has personally given orders to mobilize, and nearly half of Jiangbei has been stirred up.”
“Yet you seem to be in high spirits, still in the mood to take your bird for a walk here.”
From within the radiant light, a middle-aged man stepped out leisurely.
This so-called Old Freak Hua, actually had some reputation in Jiangbei.
He was the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect, with cultivation at the mid Foundation Establishment Realm, known as the True Person of the Five Elements.
At this moment, the True Person of the Five Elements, carrying the birdcage, laughed and said:
“When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth. Summer Weiming, have you finished relocating your family?”“The entire Zhao Xia Clan has already moved into the Kingdom of Qing.”
“The Five Elements Sect should be the same, right?”
“No matter what, we can only walk this single path to the end.”
After speaking, the middle-aged man seemed to show a hint of melancholy.
“Hmph, so what if we walk this single path to the end?”
At this moment, another voice rang out.
This time, the one who stepped out was a young man.
“Under the rule of the Demon Sect, we already have no path of survival.”
“Joining the Dao Court, at least we have a chance to fight for our future!”
“Old Freak Chen.”
Summer Weiming sighed when he saw the person.
The other was named Chen Anze, also the ancestor of an Immortal Clan like him.
Moreover, the reputation of the Yuan Chen Clan was far greater than that of the Zhao Xia Clan.
After a moment, a fragrant breeze suddenly arrived.
Next, wisps of mist floated within the courtyard, then condensed into human form, and quickly dispersed again.
From within walked out a lady in palace attire.
“Fairy Yun He of the Cloud-Climbing Sect has come as well.”
“What about the Upper Profound Sword Sect?”
Before the words of the True Person of the Five Elements had even finished, a sharp sword cry suddenly echoed from the sky.
Then a beam of sword light swiftly descended, transforming into a human figure who stepped out.
At a glance, it was a young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, his expression cold and stern.
A golden sword on his back continuously radiated sharp sword energy.
The True Person of the Five Elements clicked his tongue in admiration.
“It’s said that the Upper Profound Sword Sect has received support from Jiangnan and possesses three superior magical swords.”
“It truly lives up to its reputation.”
“Golden Sword Master of the Upper Profound Sword Sect greets Senior Hua.”
The young man cupped his hands toward the True Person of the Five Elements.
“Our Sect Master is currently still in seclusion, striving to break through to the late Foundation Establishment Realm, so he couldn’t come to meet you, Senior.”
“No matter, no matter.”
The True Person of the Five Elements waved his hand, his eyes brightening.
“If your fellow Daoist from the Upper Profound Sword Sect can break through to the late stage and attain the rank of Great True Person, it will greatly aid our war effort.”
Next, everyone settled themselves within the courtyard.
Five Foundation Establishment cultivators stood there, clearly led by the True Person of the Five Elements.
After all, he alone had reached the mid Foundation Establishment Realm, while the others—Summer Weiming, Chen Anze, Fairy Yun He, and the Golden Sword Master—were all at the early stage.
Just then, all five suddenly felt an indescribable sense of oppression in their hearts.
With each breath, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which had previously flowed freely at their command, suddenly slipped from their control.
The spiritual energy abandoned them like worn-out shoes, rushing toward another direction.
They saw a handsome young man walking toward them.
“Top Scholar.”
The True Person of the Five Elements was the first to cup his hands in greeting.
The other four hurriedly followed suit.
The handsome young man appeared quite friendly and returned the salute to each of them one by one with sincerity.
“Junior Zhong Xin greets all the seniors.”
“No need to be so polite.”
The True Person of the Five Elements shook his head.
“Top Scholar Zhong is the current top scorer in the imperial examinations and is deeply trusted by His Majesty.”
“So young, yet already holds the position of a third-rank official.”
As he spoke, the True Person of the Five Elements glanced at Zhong Xin.
He had cultivated a divine eye technique that allowed him to see things invisible to ordinary people.
At this moment, when he looked at Zhong Xin, he could see the dense official aura around him.
It had condensed into cloud cranes and fierce tigers, circling and guarding his body.
Above his head floated a distinct official title:
【Prefect of the Shun Dao Heavenly Office】
This title ranked third in the Kingdom of Qing, overseeing all affairs of the capital.
It showed his high status and authority.
With the blessing of his official position, he had achieved the early Foundation Establishment Realm.
And this was only in the small land of the Kingdom of Qing.
After all, the Kingdom of Qing had modeled its system after the Dao Court.
However, due to its limited territory and small population, it could not truly reach the scale of the Dao Court.
If this were the Dao Court in Jiangdong, a third-rank official would truly be a “Heavenly Official,” typically starting at the late Foundation Establishment Realm as a Great True Person.
How could they only have early-stage cultivation?
In fact, throughout the entire Kingdom of Qing, only the current King Qing had managed to condense an official position comparable to a late Foundation Establishment Great True Person.
Nevertheless, such easily attained cultivation was still something many envied.
In the next moment, this third-rank Top Scholar of the Kingdom of Qing, Zhong Xin, asked curiously:
“Seniors, may I ask what major matter requires our discussion this time?”
“It concerns the incoming enemy from Jiangbei.”
“Senior, your side just needs to hold the defense.”
“Top Scholar Zhong, you are mistaken!”
The True Person of the Five Elements shook his head.
Hold the defense?
How could one gain merit by merely defending!
He had led the entire Five Elements Sect to join the Kingdom of Qing and submit to the Dao Court in hopes of securing a future for himself.
He had to achieve some merits.
And killing a True Person of the Primordial Saint Sect would undoubtedly be a great merit.
Otherwise, if they won the war and someone else captured Chong Guang’s reincarnation and claimed the greatest credit, while they were seen as mere passive defenders?
They might be branded as freeloaders!
Therefore, the True Person of the Five Elements was eager to fight.
He wished he could rush out immediately and slay a few True Persons of the Demon Sect to let the Dao Court see his hard work and contributions.
And he was not the only one thinking this way.
The other four Foundation Establishment True Persons, who had also joined the Dao Court and come to assist the Kingdom of Qing against the Primordial Saint Sect, shared the same intention.
Seeing this, Zhong Xin could only nod helplessly.
“I understand.”
“I can agree to this.”
“But since you will be going deep into enemy territory, I ask that you all be extremely cautious.”
“If things go wrong, retreat quickly.”
“Do not let yourselves fall into the Demon Sect’s territory in Jiangbei.”
“Rest assured, Top Scholar!”
Having received Zhong Xin’s permission, the True Person of the Five Elements immediately showed an excited expression.
He turned to the others and declared:
“Everyone, our chance to make a name for ourselves has come!”
After leaving the trading fair, Lü Yang flew toward Gai Bamboo Mountain.
However, he was in no hurry and instead flew slowly with his light, looking relaxed and at ease.
“By now, they should be catching up, right?”
“If they truly harbor ill intentions and come after me to kill me, then it wouldn’t count as me ambushing them halfway, but as legitimate self-defense.”
“No matter how you put it, I would be in the right.”
That’s right, Lü Yang was fishing.
“These Jiangbei rogue cultivators are still too young.”
“These tricks might fool someone like Wu Cang, who is also a rogue cultivator and a True Person of the Primordial Saint Sect.”
“But trying to fool me is still too naive.”
“Let alone me, even True Person Yinshan wouldn’t be fooled.”
Before long, he saw a beam of light appear in the distance, flying straight toward him.
Lü Yang revealed a smile and simply clasped his hands behind his back, standing still in place.
“The fish has taken the bait!”