Today, let us use the blood of our titles to uphold the majesty of the Heavenly Pillar!

If you accept these conditions, your path in martial arts will surely be smooth sailing from now on.

However, Ji Xiu's heart fluttered only briefly before he turned his gaze to Xu Longxiang beside him.

Since Qi Nanke's appearance, and after dismissing the crowd, Master Xu Longxiang, whose sect was now deserted and the dust had settled, had remained silent.

Only when she saw Ji Xiu's gaze fall upon her did she step forward, saying nothing more than:
"Today, we are deeply grateful for Daozi's righteous help. Our humble temple is extremely grateful."

"Although my grand-disciple has some talent, I do not wish to aspire to the position of Daoist Master of Zhenwu Mountain, which has disappointed the Daoist Master."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiu immediately understood his master's meaning.

He clearly still harbors resentment towards Zhenwu Mountain.

Although he didn't know what happened back then, and he felt a good impression of Qi Nanke's righteous help today, since his master had spoken, he immediately responded without hesitation:

“Grandmaster, I have come today because of the matter of Xiao Mingli, the daughter of the Beicang Clan. I wish to find a master craftsman to refine a celestial medicine for her. Therefore, I would like you and the Marquis of Beicang to visit the Crimson Origin Palace with me.”

After Ji Xiu recounted the entire story of what had happened in the prince's mansion to his grandmaster Xu Longxiang, using it as a way to change the subject, he...

Xu Longxiang looked around, then at Marquis Beicang Xiao Pingnan and the feudal lord Chen Xuanque, who had not yet left, and his expression immediately turned serious:
"Is it about that little girl?"

"Then this certainly can't be delayed."

Xu Longxiang was naturally familiar with Xiao Mingli.

After all, the precious herb 'Sumeru Immortal Fruit' was a gift from him and Ji Xiu to the Marquis of Beicang's residence.

Xu Longxiang had heard rumors some time ago that the Xie family of Yu Huan had orchestrated this.

Now that there is a turning point, the orthodox sect of the heretical sects, the 'Crimson Origin Palace,' is eager to befriend its disciple and grand-disciple. Its palace master is a master of alchemy, so this is naturally an opportunity.

If we don't seize this opportunity, we might waste a great deal of time traveling all over the Northeast seeking medical treatment and medicine.

After speaking, Xu Longxiang looked at Qi Nanke, his tone apologetic:

"True Martial Daoist, as you've seen, we truly have important business to attend to today and need to leave. What do you think?"

Hearing Xu Longxiang's polite yet somewhat distant tone, Qi Nanke nodded gently, showing no arrogance or haughtiness, only a smile:
"Grandmaster, what are you saying? You are my elder, and I heard what happened earlier. Since she is Junior Brother Ji's fiancée, we cannot delay or be careless."

“If Zhenwu Mountain weren’t located in this remote region, I would definitely invite a master alchemist from the Zhenwu lineage to refine a celestial medicine for that young lady I’ve never met.”

He stepped aside slightly to make way.

Xu Longxiang immediately wanted to take Ji Xiu and Marquis Xiao Pingnan of Beicang and head straight to the Chiyuan Palace.

Although Marquis Xiao Pingnan of Beicang had not yet fully recovered from what had just happened, the matter that was closely related to him was naturally more important than the past events and origins of Zhenwu Mountain.

Seeing that Xu Longxiang had given instructions to several of his Dragon Elephant disciples and was about to leave with Xiao Pingnan and Ji Xiu,
Watching his retreating figure, Qi Nanke suddenly spoke:
"Grandmaster Uncle, why didn't you invite Zhenwu Mountain to uphold justice when my Uncle Ye Wenjiang passed away sixty years ago?"

"Although the events of that year were quite extensive and complex, as long as our ancestor intervenes and protects the emperor's trusted confidant, a low-ranking disciple within the Sun and Moon Pavilion will not be a problem."

"And as long as he speaks, none of those state lords or state governments have the guts to disobey him."

Xu Longxiang, who had already walked some distance, suddenly stopped, and his once straight spine visibly hunched over.

"Grandmaster."

Seeing this, Ji Xiu, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but speak, but Xu Longxiang waved his hand, his voice low and slightly hoarse:

"It's alright."

After a moment of silence, he turned to look at Qi Nanke:

"Kid, you've done your homework before you came. You've found out everything."

"Since that's the case, as a Daoist disciple, you must know why I severed ties with Zhenwu Mountain and left in a huff back then."

"I see you are not very old. Do you know that the True Martial Dao Child is not easily appointed, and once appointed, there is a high chance that they will die a violent death?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Nanke's smile vanished, and he immediately became serious:
"My grandmaster's elder brother, the former Daoist Master Xu Baxian, was an unparalleled genius. I grew up on Zhenwu Mountain and have heard of his name since I was a child, so it was naturally very familiar to me."

"I know my grandmaster uncle is deeply resentful about that person's death, but..."

He paused here:
"I cannot disclose the details, but perhaps that grandmaster took that step willingly, without any outside interference."

"Moreover, our ancestors opposed the advancement of Daoist disciples in each generation, taking this step."

“This has absolutely nothing to do with our ancestors.”

A gust of wind swirled beneath Xu Longxiang's wide sleeves, his fist clenched, and his aura suddenly surged forth, terrifyingly powerful. Upon hearing this, his emotions surged, and he struggled to calm down for a long time.
"Willingly. What a wonderful 'willingly'!"

"Young man, let me ask you a question: at such a young age, you have already broken through the Seven Limits and comprehended the peerless martial arts, showing the potential of Zhou Chongyang and Wang Quan Wumu!"

"Since you know the inside story, would you be willing to die a violent death within three to five years?"

Xu Longxiang's tone was barbed, and he no longer cared about Qi Nanke's reputation as the "True Martial Daoist." Thinking of the deaths of his disciple and elder brother, his face was already gloomy.

Qi Nanke stopped speaking, only bowed once, his tone calm:

"So that our grandmaster uncle may know that some things are not necessarily better if more people know them."

But if that day ever comes...

"As a disciple of the Way, it is my duty to do so."

Ji Xiu, who was in an observer's position, finally understood what was going on.

On Zhenwu Mountain, there is a secret concerning the 'Daozi', a highly confidential matter known only to that ancestor, that living fossil.

Because of this secret, the Dao Child is not easily established, and every time a Dao Child is established, nine times out of ten, they will suffer a calamity.

But judging from the expression of this True Martial Daoist, Senior Brother Qi Nanke, he clearly knew the inside story, but it was inconvenient for him to say it.

Based on this inference, Xu Baxian, the elder brother of the grandmaster, should have known the reason when he became a Daoist disciple.

However, when he went to do that thing, he did not defy fate and followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, unfortunately perishing.

The grandmaster was naturally indignant and wanted to reason with that ancestor, but due to some secret, he was unable to get any answers.
So, in a fit of anger, he left and came to this land of white mountains and black waters. As a result, when the incident involving his disciple Ip Man Kong occurred, the lack of prior communication ultimately led to a tragedy.

Having learned from past mistakes, Xu Longxiang only considered sending his disciple to Zhenwu Mountain for protection when he himself was in danger and thinking about his disciple's fate, so as not to repeat the same mistake.

But that feeling of resentment remained trapped in my heart, difficult to let go of.

In an instant, Ji Xiu filled in the details of the whole story in his mind, making it almost complete, and thus his feelings were complicated.

If this is the truth, then from his perspective, neither Zhenwu Mountain nor his grandmaster Xu Longxiang could be considered right or wrong.

Based on his master's casual conversations with him, it's clear that he genuinely admired and respected his elder brother, the former True Martial Daoist 'Xu Baxian'.

Even the Nine Dragons and Nine Elephants Prison Suppression Technique that he is currently practicing seems to have been improved upon by that person and then passed on to his grandmaster.

Upon suddenly hearing the news of the death of his own elder brother, whom he had single-handedly mentored and supported to the position of True Martial Disciple, and being unable to get any explanation, Ji Xiu could understand Xu Longxiang's anger.

I also understand why he has always been so concerned about cultivating the next generation to surpass Zhenwu Mountain, and thus asked that question.

Although it was just a faint delusion, it was the only thought he had left for the rest of his life.

See it this way.
My grandmaster's life was quite tiring. As for Zhenwu Mountain, that 'secret of the Daoist disciple' seems to be extremely well-hidden and fraught with endless dangers.

Although they had never met the 'ancestor' they were talking about, they could tell from Qi Nanke's demeanor and expression.
Ji Xiu, being an outsider with a clearer perspective, remained unmoved by any emotions, yet instinctively sensed that for Qi Nanke himself, doing this was the right thing to do.

Perhaps Xu Baxian felt the same way back then.

Silently pondering their conversation, Ji Xiu thought to himself.

But while he thought this way, Xu Longxiang was already burning with rage:

"This brat is not worth discussing anything with!"

"Knowing it's a pit of fire, you still insist on stepping into it. I can't control you anymore. You can figure it out yourself!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away angrily.

Ji Xiu hurriedly followed, turning around to look at Qi Nanke, hesitant to speak, but unsure what to say, so he could only bow with his hands clasped in apology for his rudeness.

After all, they had just helped their own Dragon Elephant lineage, so it was unreasonable and inappropriate to do this.

Qi Nanke waved his hand dismissively, looking at Xu Longxiang striding away with Ji Xiu with a flicker in his eyes, but said nothing more.

Simultaneously.

"Taozi."

"I've found out everything you asked me to investigate."

As the group of people dispersed.

Suddenly, a powerful protector appeared beside Qi Nanke, whose cultivation level was probably far superior to Xu Longxiang's.

As the chief and clan leader of the 'Nine Surnames and Ten Pillars', each family is equipped with a powerful protector. As the Daoist of Zhenwu Mountain, Qi Nanke is naturally no exception.

The reason why they have never shown themselves is...
It was purely because the situation was so small that it wasn't necessary at all.

The protector of Zhenwu Mountain was named Zhao Baijing, a figure of the same generation as Xu Longxiang. He looked at Xu Longxiang's angry departing figure and sighed inwardly.

As a long-time leader of Zhenwu Mountain, Zhao Baijing only gained a vague understanding of the Daoist secret after becoming the chief protector.

According to his speculation, it was related to a grand vow made by the first ancestor Qi Xuanzhen when he founded the 'Fanmo Xuanchu' sect, which can be traced back nearly a thousand years.

It concerned a closely guarded secret of the sect, and he knew little about it, but in Zhao Baijing's opinion, Xu Longxiang was clearly obsessing over the details.

However, as people of the same generation, Xu Baxian was an arrogant person when he was a Taoist priest. Everyone saw how much he took care of his younger brother. It would be a lie to say that no one was jealous.

Putting yourself in Xu Baxian's shoes, others might have been indifferent to his death.

But Xu Longxiang alone remained unmoved if he couldn't get a clear answer from him.
That would mean being unworthy of being called a son.

Therefore, the current situation is somewhat understandable.

"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Grandmaster Zhao."

Qi Nanke was very polite; he first exchanged pleasantries, then asked seriously:
"No matter how you explain the Dragon Elephant lineage, it is ultimately a branch of my Zhenwu Mountain."

"The debt of Grandmaster Xu."

"Now that I've arrived, I'm bound to take charge."

He spread out the list that Zhao Baijing handed him and looked at it line by line:

[Qin Chang'an, head of the Qin Clan's Three Prefectures, bestowed the title of Martial Saint!]

[Dugu clan, ancestral hall elder, titled Martial Saint Dugu Jing!]

[Qi Huaisheng, head of the Yuwen Clan's guest elders, bestowed the title of Martial Saint!]

[Cheng Xiaogong, Garrison Commander of Cangdu Prefecture!]

After a long pause, Qi Nanke closed the list, speaking in the gentlest tone, yet his words were incredibly cruel:
"Is this the person who surrounded and killed that senior of our grandmaster's lineage sixty years ago?"

"They're all influential figures within the state."

"Even the Northern Garrison Command, which is responsible for supervision within the mansions of feudal lords, got involved."

"But it makes sense when you think about it. Back then, it was in Baiyujing that the Black Ice Terrace ordered the purge of the Sun and Moon Pavilion. As the central core of the Northern Garrison, it was responsible for issuing orders. If the local garrison commander wanted to get promoted and make money, he naturally had no choice but to do so."

"It's getting late, so let's go door to door and search. I'll trouble you, Uncle-Master Zhao, to come with me."

"Upon entering this Cangdu, I heard that my junior brother had smashed down the plaques of various families, thus avenging the sect. However, the culprits are still at large. This is merely a minor punishment to serve as a warning. How can that be enough?"

"It gave them an extra sixty years of life."

"That's already an act of mercy."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Baijing scoffed dismissively:
"During the investigation, I overheard those petty scoundrels plotting to use methods to remove Xu Longxiang's grand-disciple from his Xuan Guan rank."

Did they ever expect this?

"Is this the retribution that is coming to my door?"

For the Longxiang Clan, this golden carriage and phoenix chariot from Zhenwu Mountain were merely for congratulations.

But for those homes that it is about to visit.
But it's no different from the King of Hell calling a sign to summon your life!

Go to one.
One of them must die!
On this day, as Ji Xiu heads to the 'Crimson Origin Hall', Cangdu will surely be stained crimson with the blood of the Martial Saint, to honor the majesty of the 'Pillar of Martial Arts'!

So that the world may see, even if it is just a side branch of the Heavenly Pillar, as long as it is related...
Therefore, one should not easily offend them!
It's not that we won't report it.

The time is not yet ripe!
Cangdu, Chiyuan Palace!

Inside the palace, the fragrance of incense rose gently. On the altar, Li Qianyuan, a disciple of Zhang Chunyang, the current master of Nanming Mountain, and the master of the Chiyuan Palace branch, was present.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at a portrait hanging in mid-air, his expression complex.

The portrait depicts a Taoist priest in a red robe, sitting upright on a Taoist platform, holding a staff in one hand and a talisman in the other. He is adorned with a necklace and his feet are surrounded by auspicious clouds, with endless purple energy rising and falling behind him.

After he gently placed the talisman...
His disciples, from all walks of life, whether they were truly virtuous cultivators or mere creatures with fur and horns, all bowed their heads in reverence and respectfully requested "Heaven to bestow its ordination" so that they might obtain a rank of the true Dharma!

The Zhengfa Heaven is the celestial realm of immortals, but it is deeply influenced by the ancient Daoist court and is very similar to the [Divine Path], with the saying of 'Nine Ranks of Daoist Officials'.

And standing at the very top.
They are granted authority by Heaven and are called "Celestial Masters" who receive ordination from Heaven!
The Celestial Master can draw talismans for bestowing titles upon the gods, and appoint Taoist officials of the four waters and three mountains, thus determining the earth, water, fire, and wind!
The previous generation of "Celestial Masters"
It originated from 'Nanming Mountain'.

The person depicted in this portrait is that great supernatural being.

"Wei Zhao did not manage to bring that person here on his journey; it is unknown whether there is any connection between them."

Li Qianyuan murmured softly.

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly saw the portrait tremble, and he froze, immediately wanting to step forward and use his magic to examine it carefully.
Outside the palace, Chief Wei Zhao rushed over, his face beaming with joy, and immediately got straight to the point, reporting:

"Master, Ji Xiu from the Dragon Elephant Clan, whom you value highly, has come to pay a visit!" (End of Chapter)