Liu Zuifeng smiled slightly and said, "I have spent my whole life devoted to landscapes and nature. I was already just one step away from breaking through to Grandmaster, yet the Liu Family suffered this disaster, severing my Dao Heart. If I hadn’t restrained myself in time, my cultivation might have even regressed and fallen back to the Fifth Realm.

Now, I am no longer hopeful of reaching Grandmaster. However, my foundation remains, and using the Barrier-Breaking Pill, I won’t be much inferior to ordinary Grandmasters. To use this broken body to win a future for the Liu Family is worth it. I only hope that, after I die, Sect Leader Song will honor your promise and treat the Liu Family kindly."

Song Lingjun said, "Zuifeng, actually there are other choices."

Liu Zuifeng shook his head and said, "This youth’s talent is formidable. I suppose Sect Leader Song, you have already investigated. If we don’t kill him now, it will be very difficult once he truly rises to power.

If I use the power of a Grandmaster to successfully kill Gu Zhan, then it will be well—one big threat removed for Danyang Sect, and when Beidou Bang comes to settle accounts, I will submit to death willingly without implicating Danyang Sect. If, even with Grandmaster strength, I fail to kill Gu Zhan and am killed instead, I believe that will be enough to draw Danyang Sect’s attention, and no one will oppose your plans against Beidou Bang any longer.

The main reason so many in your sect do not support your move against Beidou Bang is that they are used to peace and think they can simply outlast Mo Jingzhou. But once they see a new Mo Jingzhou about to emerge before their eyes, they will feel the pressure and won’t oppose your plan anymore."

Song Lingjun frowned and said, "Even if you break through to Grandmaster, are you still not confident of killing Gu Zhan?"

Liu Zuifeng shook his head and said, "I don’t know. Based on what I know, it’s hard to say. If Gu Zhan did not take part in the Xuanhu Sect incident, just going by his current public record, I could kill him.

However, at Xuanhu Sect, no one was present at the crucial moments, only that it’s certain Gu Zhan was involved. But what role he actually played, I do not know. If he truly killed everyone there alone, then even if I break through to Grandmaster, I have no absolute confidence in killing him."

Liu Zuifeng said in a deep voice, "Right now, the outside world already estimates Gu Zhan’s strength at the peak of the second tier of Heaven’s Chosen. If that’s still not accurate, doesn’t it mean he could reach the level of the first tier?"

"It’s hard to say." Liu Zuifeng sighed and said, "So, Sect Leader Song, I am acting as your test stone in exchange for your protection of the Liu Family. No matter how you look at it, your sect suffers no loss."

Song Lingjun took out a palm-sized box and handed it to Liu Zuifeng, saying, "This is the Barrier-Breaking Pill. It can help you break through to Grandmaster."

"Thank you." Liu Zuifeng received the box and cupped his hands to Song Lingjun in thanks, saying, "Sect Leader Song, I entrust the Liu Family to you. After this, regardless of whether I succeed or not, you may carry out your plan.

If I succeed, the conflict between your sect and Beidou Bang will become irreconcilable. If the Dragon King seeks revenge, your whole sect will unite as one. If the Dragon King does not retaliate, then it means there is truly something wrong with him, and those in your sect who seek a peaceful resolution will begin to have other thoughts.

If I fail, it proves Gu Zhan is definitely the next Dragon King. Those who favor peace in your sect will no longer be able to sit idly by, and your strategy against Beidou Bang will proceed naturally."

Song Lingjun nodded and said, "Very well. Zuifeng, rest assured—while my Danyang Sect exists, the Liu Family will never come to harm."

"Thank you."

Liu Zuifeng cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Watching Liu Zuifeng depart,

Song Lingjun sighed softly and said, "Pass down the order—depart at once for Great Desert City."

In the room, a figure appeared and left quickly.

...

Just as the war between orthodox and demonic in Yunxi Land was in chaos,

Yundong Land was also unsettled.

The stand-off between the Yunzhou army and the White Lotus Sect ended after the spring began. In the past few months, the White Lotus Sect has launched several assaults in a row,

and the defense line drawn by the Yunzhou army with Celestial Decree Pass as the center has become riddled with wounds. Reinforcements from the Court are long overdue, and military supplies have been repeatedly delayed. There is now a trend that Celestial Decree Pass may soon be breached.

And at this very time,

one of the Yunzhou Military’s two great Military Marquises, Marquis Liu, was gravely wounded by a Supreme Grandmaster of the White Lotus Sect skilled in assassination. For a while, the Yunzhou Military’s morale plummeted.

Fortunately, the other, Marquis Chengyang, who had always been at odds with Marquis Liu, did not falter this time. He shifted from defense to offense, defeated the White Lotus Sect three times in a row, granting breathing room to the Yunzhou Military and quickly restoring the frontline.

However, this also caused much concern within Yunzhou.

Especially among the faction headed by Director Qin You of the Astronomical Bureau.

Qin You belongs to the Government Office faction and has always maintained high vigilance toward Marquis Chengyang alongside the Military Marquis Liu faction. Back when Dragon Pass fell, it marked the turn of the tide for the Yunzhou battlefield. After that battle, the Yunzhou army’s foremost Grand General died, the White Lotus Sect stormed into the Northern Territory, and the battle situation was completely reversed.

And with Dragon Pass lost,

Qin You and Marquis Liu’s faction have always suspected Marquis Chengyang of playing a disgraceful part in the matter. Thus, they have remained cautious of him.

The war has raged for so long,

but as one of Yunzhou’s two Military Marquises, Marquis Chengyang has never been able to enter the frontline. However, with Marquis Liu gravely wounded this time, Marquis Chengyang was finally forced to take command, which became a source of great anxiety for Qin You’s faction.

Linjiang City.

After over a year of war, Linjiang City now seemed desolate. Of all the houses in the city, nine in ten were empty. Countless civilians have moved away, many Martial World Gangs have disbanded—some fleeing far away, some joining the army, some, under the lead of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were put in charge of logistics and support.