Huanglong Prefecture, Lingzhou Army Camp.

"General Ji."

"Daoist Fa Zhen."

General Zhao Wu, Ji Chang, rarely stood to greet guests. His mouth split into a wide grin as he looked at the four Daoists before him.

These four were none other than Fa Zhen Taoist and his party from Longevity Palace, who had descended from the Divine Mansion Sect’s mountain.

With the strength of these four, it was extremely difficult for the Divine Mansion Sect to send people to monitor them.

Although the Divine Mansion Sect had dispatched several masters to spy on their movements, they had easily shaken them off. Afterward, they appeared silently in the Lingzhou Army Camp.

"Is everything ready?"

Fa Zhen Taoist asked, his face expressionless.

Ji Chang chuckled. "The Lord General has already arrived in Huanglong Prefecture."

That was right—the Lingzhou Army was finally planning to move against the Divine Mansion Sect!

Of course, the official story would be that experts from the Demon Sect had infiltrated Ling Province, and the Divine Mansion Sect had been tragically wiped out.

When the time came and the Divine Mansion Sect was destroyed, even if the Grand General of the North found out, he wouldn’t actually go north to demand an explanation from the Demon Sect. Besides, the Demon Sect in the north probably wouldn’t mind.

Fa Zhen Taoist nodded slightly.

"Is the matter of the Divine Mansion true?"

Ji Chang: "Naturally, it is."

Fa Zhen Taoist performed a Daoist salute, then turned and led the other three from Longevity Palace out of Ji Chang’s main tent.

For thousands of years, Longevity Palace had never involved itself in the disputes between Ling Province and the Divine Mansion Sect. This time, their uncharacteristic involvement was, of course, because the Lord General had promised them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

And that offer was the legendary Divine Mansion.

Since Fa Zhen Taoist and his three companions had come to Huanglong Prefecture, it proved that the Longevity Palace Master had been persuaded by the Lord General.

’Does the Divine Mansion really exist?’

Doubt rose in Fa Zhen Taoist’s heart, but he didn’t dwell on it. ’These are not matters for me to ponder. The Longevity Palace Master will be the one to think about the Divine Mansion.’

He had only broken through to the Sensing realm a few years ago. The more his strength advanced, the more he felt the gap between himself and the top-tier Sensing Powerhouses.

...

「Meanwhile」

On an official road in Huanglong Prefecture.

On a pitch-black night, moonlight shone on the forks of tree branches. Suddenly, the urgent sound of hooves echoed from the woods, startling countless birds into flight.

"Sect Leader, I’m afraid Longevity Palace has already reached the sect."

Ouyang Hua, Peak Master of Luotian Peak, galloped along the official road, his face etched with worry.

In the past, like Shi Bai Mountain, he had been one of the fiercest critics of Dong Wanjun. However, he hadn’t targeted Old Dong out of some deep-seated grudge, but because he was Murong Tian’s staunchest supporter.

Anyone in the Divine Mansion Sect who posed a potential threat to Murong Tian became his target.

Riding at the very front, Murong Tian’s face was grim, and he did not reply.

He had just received news that Longevity Palace was coming to the Divine Mansion Sect, and that very night, experts from the Lingzhou Army had stormed the city, disrupting their plans. If someone called that a coincidence, not even a three-year-old would believe it.

’I wonder what the situation is like...’

Murong Tian thought to himself. It was obvious Longevity Palace did not come with good intentions.

The strongest experts currently holding down the fort at the Divine Mansion Sect were just Liu Donghai, Ge Zhen, and a few others. Most of the other Peak Masters and experts had either gone north or were traveling with Murong Tian.

Murong Tian couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic for the days when Old Dong was still around.

Back then, Old Dong had Huanglong Prefecture completely suppressed, so he never had to worry about it.

’I just don’t know how Junior Brother Dong is doing now.’

Some time ago, Murong Tian had received a secret letter from Bai Yuan, saying that Dong Wanjun was alive and well in the Northern Plains.

As he was lost in thought—

Suddenly, the Demon Horse beneath him let out a piercing shriek!

Its four hooves had been severed by something as fine as a silk thread!

With all four hooves gone, the Demon Horse pitched forward.

Murong Tian twisted his body and landed lightly on the ground, completely unaffected. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The eight Demon Horses following him didn’t have time to react. They too were hit, falling to the ground and letting out mournful cries of pain.

Murong Tian paid no mind to the Demon Horses at his feet. His gaze was fixed dead ahead.

A giant, fat man, a full nine feet tall, appeared on the official road. His exaggerated frame, combined with a cold sneer on his fleshy face, was an intimidating sight.

Murong Tian spoke slowly, "Lu Xiao."

The eight men behind him paled at the name.

Because the name of the Lingzhou General was Lu Xiao.

The Lingzhou General, Lu Xiao, looked at Murong Tian mockingly. "Sect Leader Murong, long time no see."

He and Murong Tian had been locked in open and secret conflict for half their lives. Tonight, it seemed, would finally bring a conclusion.

In terms of strength, he was admittedly a cut above Murong Tian, but there was never a guarantee of victory in a one-on-one fight between Martial Artists. After all, even if he could kill Murong Tian, it would come at a considerable price.

The position of General was not one where you could live a peaceful life. In Xuan Yang, hundreds of people, if not more, had their eyes on his seat.

The moment he showed any weakness, political rivals would immediately rush in to tear him apart.

This was also why he had never made a killing move against the Divine Mansion Sect.

Murong Tian’s brows furrowed tightly.

He had fought with Lu Xiao for decades and knew his temperament well. Though Lu Xiao acted arrogantly and domineeringly, his mind was actually extremely meticulous.

For him to suddenly choose to make a move today, he must have some kind of backing.

Just then, a slender figure slowly emerged from the darkness of the night, appearing beside Lu Xiao.

It was a thin, frail old Daoist, only five feet tall, a stark contrast to Lu Xiao’s massive frame.

But Murong Tian didn’t dare to show the slightest disrespect.

Because that old Daoist was the undisputed number one expert in Ling Province, the Longevity Palace Master, Master Longevity!

Longevity Palace called itself a Daoist Sect, and every Palace Master would renounce their original name and take the title of Master Longevity.

Since the founding of Longevity Palace, there had been thirteen Master Longevities, each one an existence that could blot out the sky with a single hand in Ling Province.

However, unlike the Divine Mansion Sect, most of Longevity Palace’s Master Longevities were monstrously talented Martial Artists scouted from all over. Although the bloodline of that one Grand General was still powerful within Longevity Palace, it had never again produced a Palace Master.

"Master Longevity, what is the meaning of this?"

Murong Tian spat out the words through gritted teeth, his expression grave.

Master Longevity’s old face was a web of deep wrinkles, making his expression unreadable. Only a hoarse, aged voice was heard.

"Sect Leader Murong, this old one has come for the Divine Mansion."

’The Divine Mansion?’

Murong Tian’s brow furrowed even tighter.

He had considered many reasons why Lu Xiao might be able to persuade Master Longevity, but he had never expected it to be the Divine Mansion.

"Master Longevity, do even you believe in such an ethereal and illusory matter?"

A hint of mockery appeared on Murong Tian’s face.

Master Longevity’s expression remained unreadable. He sighed softly. "I didn’t believe it either, but Lord Lu showed me a wisp of purple qi on Shenfu Mountain."

At the mention of purple qi, the expressions of Murong Tian and the few from the Divine Mansion Sect all changed.

Purple qi heralds the appearance of a divine object. This had been an ironclad rule in the Xuanyang Martial World for a thousand years.

Lu Xiao suddenly spoke up. "I have already found the way to open the Divine Mansion—it is the blood of the most outstanding person from your Murong Family!"

The very instant the word "blood" left Lu Xiao’s lips, Murong Tian roared, "Go!"

When he heard Lu Xiao say that opening the Divine Mansion required his blood, he knew there was no room for negotiation.

Whether what Lu Xiao said was true or not, Master Longevity would definitely make a move.

Because the legends of the Divine Mansion that circulated in Ling Province spoke of an Immortal bestowing the secrets of longevity.

Master Longevity was already one hundred and eighty years old; he simply couldn’t resist the temptation of longevity. Therefore, he would definitely strike.

’What a venomous mind Lu Xiao has!’

Murong Tian’s figure flashed like a phantom into the woods beside the official road.

’I must survive!’

Murong Tian roared in his heart.

If he died, the Divine Mansion Sect’s century-old foundation would be finished.

...

「Outside Shenfu Mountain.」

A series of rustling sounds echoed through the mountain forest.

One by one, heads poked out from the bushes. Among them was Ji Chang’s face, his smile sinister. Standing beside him was the old man, Shi Bai Mountain, the Peak Master of Feishi Peak.

"General Ji, you promised me you wouldn’t harm the people of Feishi Peak."

A trace of anger appeared on Shi Bai Mountain’s face.

Ji Chang glanced at Shi Bai Mountain. "Swords and blades have no eyes. How am I supposed to know who belongs to your Feishi Peak?"

"You..."

Shi Bai Mountain was choked with anger, but he was already on this pirate ship. If he provoked Ji Chang now, all his previous contributions would be for naught.

’If they die, they die.’

Shi Bai Mountain hardened his heart. In any case, there were no core members of the Shi Family left on Feishi Peak.

’To achieve success, necessary sacrifices are unavoidable.’

’Doesn’t every great figure leave a trail of bones in their wake?’

Just then, four figures appeared before him. It was Fa Zhen Taoist and his group of four, the very ones who had come to challenge the Divine Mansion Sect that day.

There was a decree in Xuan Yang: the General and the Prefect were not allowed to be outside the city at the same time, or it would be treated as treason.

The General and the Prefect were both true regional magnates with immense authority. If the two of them were to join forces, the danger would be extreme.

Therefore, to prevent the General and the Prefect from joining forces to rebel, the Xuan Yang Court had decreed that one of them must always remain in the city. For a thousand years, no one had dared to defy this rule.

That was why Lu Xiao had sought out Longevity Palace.

Ji Chang said, "Since everyone’s here, let’s begin!"

His face was filled with excitement.

As a General of the Lingzhou Army, he had fought countless secret battles against the Divine Mansion Sect. The two sides had accumulated too much hatred.

He had long dreamed of razing the Divine Mansion Sect to the ground. Today, that dream was finally coming true.

Fa Zhen nodded.

Seeing that Fa Zhen had no objections, Ji Chang gestured to his Vice General.

Immediately, armored soldiers emerged from the thickets, moving with extreme discipline in teams of fifty as they advanced on the Thirteen Peaks of the Divine Mansion Sect.

Fa Zhen and his group were, without a doubt, heading for the main peak.

The dark-skinned Daoist, Kaiyang, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up: "I’ll go to Wan Jun Peak."

Hearing Kaiyang’s words, Fa Zhen pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Among the Divine Mansion Sect’s Thirteen Peaks, Qianzhu Peak, Taibai Peak, and Wan Jun Peak currently had the most variables, especially Wan Jun Peak.

That True Disciple named Bai Yuan was indeed formidable.

Although Shi Bai Mountain was already leading two other Entry-level Powerhouses from the Lingzhou Army to besiege and kill Bai Yuan—a plan that was ninety percent certain to succeed—adding Kaiyang Taoist would make it completely foolproof.

Seeing Fa Zhen Taoist agree, Kaiyang Taoist vanished into the night, his face devoid of expression.

Though he appeared detached from worldly affairs, he was, in truth, a martial fanatic.

His battle with Bai Yuan that day had left him wanting more.

If he couldn’t have another fight in this lifetime, he would feel an unbearable, clawing itch in his heart.

’Don’t you die too quickly.’

Kaiyang Taoist prayed in his heart.

He didn’t want his heart of a powerhouse to be left with even the slightest flaw.