Xu Mujun.

He is considered an exceptional existence throughout Great Yu.

It's not just his martial arts cultivation above the innate realm, but more importantly, his contributions to Great Yu.

Over forty years ago, he suppressed Nanyue County, expanding the territory.

Ten years ago, he drove out Wu Country, occupied Wu Country's Black Mountain Pass, and even seized two states from Wu Country, also expanding the territory.

If not for a peerless Empress from Wu Country leading her army to recapture the Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States, the territory of Great Yu would have increased by about one-fifth!

Even so, Black Mountain Pass is still in Great Yu's hands, maintaining initiative against Wu Country.

In recent years, he has also led troops to suppress domestic rebellions, with significant achievements and merits.

In some southern state counties and the army, there are even rumors that say, 'Only know Grand General Xu, and not the Emperor.'

The rumors are rampant, and many ministers in the court are waiting for Xu Mujun to fall, even secretly plotting.

After all, having accomplishments overshadowing the ruler is something every Emperor fears.

In response to this situation, Xu Mujun "voluntarily" handed over his faults and weaknesses to the Imperial Court and Zheng Yi.

The simplest way is to continuously demand rewards from the Imperial Court based on military achievements.

Lands, mansions, gold and silver, beauties, and even official positions.

Now the main and branch lines of the Xu family, up and down, more than five hundred people, almost everyone holds an official position!

Even the dog guarding their house was given the title of 'Imperial Dog' and received royal provisions!

Under self-defamation, Zheng Yi discovered it and quickly stabilized his mindset, making Xu Mujun ever more loyal to suppress southern rebellions.

Now, at the Spirit Testing Ceremony in the Capital Region, a member of the Xu Clan was found to have a Spirit Root.

With this... the Xu Clan seems to be even more solidified.

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Your martial arts cultivation is good, what realm have you reached?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, my martial arts cultivation has just stepped into the First-grade Realm."

"A First-grade Realm Martial Artist..."

Zheng Yi also took a look, a fifteen-year-old First-grade Realm Martial Artist, this is even more monstrous than Xu Qingluan back then.

Apart from the influence of innate qi, the biggest reason is his excellent root bone aptitude.

Xu Fengxiong suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Oh, what is it?"

"I have wholeheartedly pursued martial arts, can I withdraw from the Spirit Testing Ceremony today?"

Zheng Yi frowned: "Why?"

"To have a Spirit Root is ordained by heaven, why abandon what is near to seek afar?"

Xu Fengxiong's gaze was fervent: "I have wholeheartedly pursued martial arts, and since childhood, vowed to become a martial expert like Uncle to protect Great Yu."

"But if choosing to become a cultivator, I might be in seclusion for years, unable to step on the battlefield."

"Moreover, I wish to join the army, go to the battlefield, and kill enemies..."

Zheng Yi felt a bit helpless, what is with these people?

First, Wang Anshi didn't want to cultivate immortality, now Xu Fengxiong doesn't want to cultivate immortality either.

Back then, he went through a lot of trouble to cultivate immortality.

How come for these two, they treat immortal cultivation like discarded shoes?

Besides, wanting to become a martial master like Xu Mujun, how is that possible?

The world knows that Xu Mujun's martial arts cultivation is above the innate realm.

But how many know that above the innate realm, besides the Spirit Communication Realm, there's also the Martial God Realm!

Xu Mujun's true cultivation is above innate, above spirit communication!

Since ancient times, not a single person in the Profound Cyan Realm has achieved it.

How many later generations will achieve this realm?

"Fengxiong! What nonsense are you talking about!"

At this time, another voice sounded, it turned out to be Consort Duann Xu Qingluan sitting to the right of Zheng Yi.

Her beautiful eyes held some disappointment and some concern as she said, "No matter what position you hold, you can serve the country, it's not just the battlefield."

"Becoming a cultivator can better protect Great Yu and fight for the country."

"Aunt... yes, Consort Duann."

Xu Fengxiong looked respectful, but still had his own thoughts.

"Father~!"

At this time, Zheng Yuhuan rushed forward like a wild bull, Zheng Yi hurriedly stood up from the Dragon Throne, knelt down, and held Yuhuan in his arms.

"Hehe~"

"Yuhuan, you're already eight years old, why are you still so reckless?"

"Yuhuan likes Father~"

Behind her, several little princesses followed, looking enviously at Zheng Yuhuan who could sit in Zheng Yi's lap.

Zheng Yuhuan's mother is the Empress and can frolic boldly in front of Zheng Yi.

As for them, since young, their mothers taught them that such parent-child activities could only be done intimately in their own palace with their father.

Zheng Yi also signaled for several daughters to come over, curiously asking, "Weren't you playing over there, what happened?"

Zheng Yuhuan said first, "Isn't it that little stone, so clumsy, even doesn't know how to play eagle catches chicks as Father taught, it really annoys me~!"

"Little stone?"

"It's the little boy Father just let us play with~"

"Oh, Shi Xiaofeng, right."

Zheng Yi looked over, Shi Xiaofeng was still timidly standing in the corner, glancing over here, making Zheng Yi somewhat amused.

These little children are really...

"Hey Father..."

Zheng Yuhuan suddenly fixed her gaze on Xu Fengxiong and shook his arm vigorously, "Who is this big brother, can we have him play with us?"

Zheng Yi's heart was suddenly moved, "Xu Fengxiong."

"Here I am."

"Since you don't want to cultivate immortality, I'll give you an opportunity."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

"My Third Princess Zheng Yuhuan is just eight years old this year."

Zheng Yi held Zheng Yuhuan, while stroking her little head, said, "Since you don't want to cultivate immortality, then have a match with the Third Princess."

"If you win, then I'll agree to your request, and even appoint you as a Deputy General, allowing you to lead a troop to Xuzhou to participate in suppressing the rebellion."

"But if..."

"Your Majesty!"

Xu Fengxiong hurriedly said: "I have only learned the art of warfare, how can I possibly raise my hand against Princess Langhuan, who is of noble birth?"

"Hehehe..."

Zheng Yi laughed lightly and said, "Xu Fengxiong, this is an opportunity I am giving you. Do not underestimate my Princess Langhuan."

Xu Fengxiong, thinking quickly, said: "Your Majesty, could it be that Princess Langhuan is a cultivator?"

"Indeed."

"Hmmph!"

At this time, Zheng Yuhuan, who was sitting on Zheng Yi's lap, also said: "Big brother, don't look down on people. Many in the palace are no match for me."

"How about we have a duel?"

Xu Fengxiong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, thinking to himself that since she was a princess, naturally people in the palace wouldn't dare really fight her.

But now...

He didn't want to duel with a little girl, but the imperial decree had been given.

"It's decided then."

Zheng Yi firmly said: "Xu Fengxiong, you shall duel with Princess Langhuan."

"If you win, you naturally will not need to cultivate immortality, and I will keep my promise, promoting you to Deputy General, with command over an army."

"But if you lose, you shall obediently stay in my 'Yuelong Palace' for training."

Xu Fengxiong glanced helplessly at his aunt, only to find her eyes filled with excitement and anticipation, clearly very interested in this as well.

"Fengxiong, be careful, okay? Aunt supports you, hahaha~"

"I... obey the decree!"

With the imperial decree issued, the surrounding crowd immediately cleared a path, revealing a large open space for the two to use as an arena.

Over ten Imperial Guards quickly formed a circle, ensuring Princess Langhuan would not be harmed.

The other young princesses and princes excitedly gathered around, shouting loudly.

"Go, royal sister!"

"Beat him into a pig's head!"

"Go, Sister Yuhuan~!"

Zheng Yi's sudden proposal sparked the interest of other concubines, who were all whispering among themselves.

"Isn't Your Majesty being a bit rash? Not to mention Xu Fengxiong's martial strength, he's already fifteen, while Princess Langhuan is only eight~"

"You don't understand, although she's only eight, Princess Langhuan is already a cultivator~"

"A cultivator? Can they really control clouds and mist...?"

"I–I don't know either..."

Sitting on the dragon throne, Zheng Yi whispered something to Zheng Yuhuan, making her giggle nonstop.

Soon, she jumped off Zheng Yi's lap, tilted her little head, and walked to the center of the arena.

Chen Liancang appeared silently: "Your Highness, are you ready?"

"Grandpa Chen, I'm ready, let's start quickly."

"Alright!"

Chen Liancang glanced at Xu Fengxiong, his eyes full of warning.

Xu Fengxiong was helpless as well, seeming that he could only pretend to lose later on.

"This is a sacred place of the imperial family. Weapons are heartless. Xu Fengxiong, do you need to arm yourself?"

Xu Fengxiong promptly said, "Of course not necessary."

"Very well, let the duel begin!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Xu Fengxiong did not move but waited for Zheng Yuhuan to make the first move.

Zheng Yuhuan chuckled, and her hands suddenly began making incantations, slowly and deliberately, bringing smiles to the faces of those around.

The Empress, somewhat worried, watched Zheng Yuhuan and whispered, "Your Majesty, will Huan'er be in danger? Perhaps she should come back."

"Empress, do not worry. I have faith in Yuhuan..."

Just as the words left his mouth, Zheng Yuhuan completed her incantations.

A faint wave of magical power surged from her body.

In an instant, three fist-sized flames formed before her eyes at a speed visible to the naked eye, transforming into three vividly lifelike firebirds!

"Whoa...!"

This move elicited discussions among the crowd.

"Fire! Firebirds!"

"Princess Langhuan is amazing! She can control flames!"

"Immortal! Truly an immortal...!"

Amidst the exclamations, Zheng Yuhuan's smile remained undiminished. She pointed forward with one hand, and the three firebirds immediately let out crisp chirps, darting towards Xu Fengxiong at lightning speed.

After doing this, she patted her waist, and with a tremor from her storage bag, a petal-shaped magical artifact flew out, emitting a cry, transforming into a light shield to protect Zheng Yuhuan within.

A mid-grade magical artifact, White Lotus Petal!

This was a mid-grade magical artifact that Zheng Yi found in the storage bag of the White Lotus Saint Mother and rewarded to Zheng Yuhuan.

At this moment, Xu Fengxiong appeared exceptionally calm. Facing the three advancing firebirds, he immediately felt a scorching wave of heat.

Startled, he knew he couldn't meet this head-on and could only rely on his speed to evade.

But these three little birds pursued relentlessly like maggots glued to his bones.

Feeling the heat wave behind him, he immediately ducked and rolled, evading in the process.

His inner strength flowed through his body, yet he dared not strike.

Faced with the three constantly pursuing firebirds, he found himself at a loss for a solution.

Just then, Zheng Yuhuan's voice rang out.

"Grandpa Chen, throw him a weapon!"

"Princess?"

"Hurry up, hurry! I've heard the Xu Family's most famous technique is the 'Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber.' Without a saber in hand, how could it be performed?"

"This... very well!"

Chen Liancang agreed helplessly and casually grabbed behind him. The Yanling Saber in the hands of an Imperial Guard shook violently and shot out suddenly, heading towards Xu Fengxiong.

"Good timing!"

Xu Fengxiong shouted, catching the saber with a swift grab.

As his inner strength circulated, the Yanling Saber in his hand immediately exuded an aura of cold ferocity.

Feeling the heat wave behind him, Xu Fengxiong turned and swung the saber backward with the momentum.

"Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber!"

"Break!"

"Boom...!"