Advance the future and become a martial saint on earth!

Chapter 183 The Great Mystic King imparted to me the Daoist scriptures, assisting me in opening the Purple Palace and ascending to the 'High Mastery of Daoist Arts'!

After reading the letter word by word and sentence by sentence.

Ji Xiu pondered the contents carefully, then picked up the so-called 'black market mask' on the other side and examined it closely.

This is a black mask forged from a special material, with a cold and aloof appearance, yet as thin as a cicada's wing. Two horns grow from the top of the forehead, resembling a 'dragon's head'.

The black market beneath Jiangyin is said to encompass all 'underground transactions'.

Items whose origins are unclear and cannot be sold openly can be auctioned off through these "money pits."

Those who can enter the 'black market' usually wear a mask made according to the sequence of the 'twelve zodiac animals'. Even Qi Cultivation Masters cannot see through each other's identities, making the safety level extremely high.

However, this mask is often very valuable and extremely rare. Even if it occasionally appears on the market, it is usually held by powerful or influential people.

Ordinary people have never even seen it.

As a result, Jiang Li casually kept one for herself.

Put on this mask that matches the shape of the dragon's head in the Chinese zodiac.

In an instant, Ji Xiu seemed to see a miniature version of the 'illusory map of Jiangyin' appear in his eyes.

Daoguan Street, the government office, the martial arts academy, the Grand Hall, and the Beicang Marquis's residence.
The iconic buildings of Jiangyin Prefecture can all be clearly seen on this virtual map.

"I never expected this mask to have such an effect."

Touching the cold, sharp edges, Ji Xiu thought to himself.

It's like carrying a 'holographic map' with you anytime, anywhere; it's readily available and easily accessible.

In one corner of the eastern dock, the four illusory characters "Black Market Entrance" floated above, causing Ji Xiu to secretly click his tongue in amazement.

"They just openly and brazenly displayed the entrance to the black market, as if they weren't afraid of any malicious individuals taking the opportunity to sneak in and cause trouble?"

"They are indeed very wealthy and powerful."

But it's understandable.

Based on Ji Xiu's current understanding of the mysterious force known as the 'Black Market'.

The entrance beneath Jiangyin is more like a branch, but it's just a small part of this behemoth within this prefecture.

It's like a giant net. It's said that at its peak a hundred years ago, it almost covered the entire Great Xuan realm and even infiltrated other external realms through the 'Gate of Boundaries'!
Although they have kept a low profile in recent decades and are said to have shrunk their influence and gone into hiding, they should not be underestimated.

In the past few decades alone, the 'Jiangyin Black Market' has seen several notable events. First, sixty years ago, a Martial Saint was angered by the assassination of the True Sect's Daoist disciple, yet the market's position remained unshaken. Later, the Three Yang Sect's three Dragon and Tiger Peak members stormed the market, only to suffer a complete defeat.

With so many cautionary tales to follow, yet still unscathed, it is naturally because they have a strong backbone and are not afraid of any evil spirits.

Even the government offices and military camps only pursued those "ghostwriters" who accepted the bounty, but never set their sights on this "giant," which speaks volumes.

Wearing the 'black market mask', Ji Xiu followed the map and arrived at the 'black market entrance'.

It was an extremely remote and abandoned place, completely deserted.

But as he approached with the mask on, a giant vortex gate, as tall as a person, appeared out of nowhere in that desolate corner and slowly opened right in front of Ji Xiu!

This immediately surprised him secretly:
"This should be the entrance to the black market."

"Truly miraculous!"

As Ji Xiu pondered this in his heart, he immediately took a step across.

In an instant, it felt as if I had entered another world.

As the view before them rapidly turned into utter darkness.

As far as Ji Xiu could see, there was only an extremely large and magnificent official residence.

The official residence stood behind a "huge archway" with the three large characters "a den of iniquity" above it.

And at this time.
He was standing in front of that archway.

At the same time, a faint laugh echoed in my ears:
"This entrance was designed by the big shot who created the black market, referencing the structure of 'gateways' and 'grottoes'. Only those with special tokens can enter."

"I am Shi Yi, the black market lord of Jiangyin. I have been waiting for you for a long time on his orders."

"Please come with me."

Upon hearing the voice, Ji Xiu suddenly turned his head, only to find that a figure completely shrouded in black robes had appeared beside him, obscuring his face.

Jiangyin Black Market Boss!
This title is quite impressive.

The destruction of the three great leaders of the Sanyang Gate sixty years ago, and the fact that he personally suppressed the assassination attempt on the True Sect's disciple, are all major events that shocked the entire Jiangyin Prefecture.
It is said that they were all made by this person!
It can be said that this is a genuine top-level figure from one of the three academies, or even higher!

But now, they're just waiting for me here?

Even though she had already guessed that Jiang Li's identity was extraordinary.

But at this moment, Ji Xiu's thoughts deepened, and he dared not be presumptuous. After responding, he followed the 'black market owner' in front of him, stepped through the archway, and entered the den of iniquity.

"When you came, she told you that you were one of the few people she could talk to and travel with.

"Therefore, if there's anyone I want to kill in the future, there are things I can't do."

“They can all be hung in this ‘money pit,’ and I will offer a reward to the ‘Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends’ swordsmen to deal with them.”

Black market owner Shi Yi led Ji Xiu, introducing the various facilities of the den of iniquity, and then led him to the deepest part of the place, stopping in front of a door:

"I won't go in after that."

"That sir is waiting for you inside, young friend."

Shi Yi spoke in a kind tone.

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiu did not hesitate and immediately pushed open the door.

There was a 'creak' sound.
As the door opened.

There was a 'face' he had never seen before, with eyebrows like distant mountains. Hearing the noise, the face lowered its eyes and looked at him.

But then I saw—

The woman was shrouded in a hazy, ethereal aura, her demeanor cool and otherworldly, unforgettable at first glance, as if she were born of nature, newly sculpted, possessing extraordinary beauty and grace.

Ji Xiuming had never seen this face before.

But for some reason, there was a strange sense of familiarity, so I unconsciously glanced at it a few more times, and at the same time, I had a vague guess in my mind, but I didn't say it out loud.
A lukewarm remark was then delivered from the side, its tone devoid of any emotion:
"Is this the boy Your Majesty spoke of, who might have a slight chance in the future to rival the 'First Ten Ancestors'?"

"Your Majesty is exaggerating."

"Even the Qi Refining stage is not yet fully mastered, and the Three Limits and Precious Body have not yet been broken through the thresholds for the future. There are far more than just one or two such thresholds."

"He can't even step into the 'Young Dragon Stele,' how can he expect us to condescend to wait for him here?"

"Now that you have just abandoned your collapsing mortal body and sculpted a new one with the rare material 'Azure Lotus Root,' it is time for you to go into seclusion to recuperate."

"It's not worth wasting time here."

Ji Xiu turned his head and, before he could even see the figure, what first caught his eye were two piercingly bright rays of light, as if they were real, like the blazing sun, impossible to look directly at.

He couldn't see the face of the person who spoke at all.

But these words undoubtedly further confirmed the woman's identity; it was indeed Jiang Li!

Before he could even open his mouth...
The woman's soft voice had already rang out:

"Oh?"

"If he proves worthless, then should I continue to remain silent, eking out a miserable existence in that corner of the jade pendant?"

"I don't count on him. If I were to count on you, I'm afraid all three lamps of my 'essence, energy, and spirit' would be extinguished by then, leaving only a pile of ashes."

Jiang Li suddenly let out a cold sneer, directly suppressing the person whose eyes shone with fierce light and whose cultivation level was unknown.

Faced with the woman's harsh words...

The person remained silent, offering not a single rebuttal.

Meanwhile, their conversation caused even greater ripples in Ji Xiu's heart.

There is also a bold guess about Jiang Li's identity.

Your Majesty, I
These titles, one after another, are not something an ordinary person can casually use to refer to himself.
Ji Xiu couldn't help but think of the words "Mysterious Sovereign" in the "Six Chapters of Mysterious Sovereign's Secret Records," and at the same time, his throat went dry, and his tone carried a hint of probing:

"Miss Jiang, who are you?"

"A descendant of the Great Xuan being granted the title of king?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li turned to look at Ji Xiu, a hint of a smile in her eyes:
"How about you take a guess?"

However, the person whom Ji Xiu could neither see nor perceive at all snorted coldly upon hearing this:
"To be granted the title of king?"

"Kid, you're a bit too naive."

"The fact that she wants to see you here today shows that she trusts you enough to not be afraid to let you know."

"You should know that you haven't even reached the level of 'Master of Qi Refining' yet, but you've accomplished something that many 'Title Martial Arts' are not qualified for."

Even those with titles in martial arts are not qualified?
Ji Xiu's heart clenched painfully.

At that moment, he looked at the woman who had changed her appearance; even when she was smiling, she still possessed an inexplicable air of nobility.
An unusual silence fell.

"Standing before you is Jiang Li, the ninth Great Xuan Emperor from a hundred years ago."

"He is also the last human king to date to be recognized by the Great Xuan Ancestral Lineage, qualified to inherit the orthodoxy of the Nine Dynasties, possess the authority of 'patrolling on behalf of Heaven,' suppress the gates of all realms, and protect the territory!"

The man's words were earth-shattering.

Ji Xiu also thought of this.

But let's be honest.

Having experienced the wisdom of two lifetimes, he could accept any kind of outrageous development.

Can.
Ji Xiu's expression stiffened slightly; he was finally losing his composure.

You tell him that you found him randomly in the snow in a poor, remote place called 'Anning County' during winter.

It was rumored in ancient texts that she was the female king who unified the universe and fought against all the heavens a hundred years ago during the Great Xuan Dynasty!?
This is really a bit too fantastical.

But when it actually happened to Ji Xiu, he had to accept the reality.

Then again.

Even standing beside this Queen of Women, one cannot even catch a glimpse of her face.
Which old fogey, holding such a high position, is it again?!

No wonder looking down on people with their nostrils is so annoying.

Ji Xiu cursed inwardly, but he was already numb to it all.

The female knight I picked up turned out to be the last female king of the Great Xuan Dynasty!
If even this can happen, then what else can't he accept today?
However, on the other hand...
If his memory serves him correctly, this female king was betrayed by her own subordinates, ultimately leading to her downfall. If that's the case...
Now that she's back, won't she turn this world upside down?

Seemingly sensing Ji Xiu's thoughts, Jiang Li smiled warmly:

"I wasn't planning to tell you, but you're a genius, after all."

"Sister, your family is now destitute, and all you see are treacherous officials. You are the only one I truly know. Sigh, I should try to win you over if I can."

Ji Xiu didn't feel anything after hearing this.

But the being on the side had already turned pale, feeling that it was being subtly attacked, yet it had no reason or angle to refute it.

After all, he was now a lord who had been granted land and titles.

Although it was a case of obeying orders but not direct commands, I still got involved to some extent.

No matter what, based on one's own identity, status, and strength!
Surely he wouldn't be inferior to a kid who hasn't even reached the 'Qi Refining Master' level yet?
The Emperor values ​​him so highly?
Having lived for so many years, he was unusually puzzled and was pondering the reason.

The next moment, he understood a few things.

"If I can obtain a title and have the opportunity to help you in the future, I will naturally be willing to stand on your side."

"Whether you are the Great Xuan Emperor or Jiang Li."

As Jiang Li finished speaking with a hint of teasing, Ji Xiu thought for a moment and then immediately spoke.

Finally, he added another sentence:
"I was serious."

Along the way, Jiang Li helped him a lot when he was in Anning. The matter of the 'Summoning Spirit Manifestation General' possessing his body would have been quite troublesome without her.

Ji Xiu has never been in debt.

Upon hearing this, the being's eyes immediately turned strange.

Saying that is truly a bit presumptuous.

But for some reason, even with his experience, he couldn't detect the slightest hint of pretense in the boy's expression.

This is interesting.

That is
Does this kid genuinely believe he'll achieve that day, or is he simply trying to curry favor with the emperor?
Jiang Li's smile remained unchanged, as if she had long been certain that Ji Xiu would say this:

"Oh?"

"Ji Xiu, I was just joking with you earlier."

"But you have to say it this way."

"Then I'll have to be serious with you."

Do you know who my enemies are?

Her smile faded slightly, taking on a hint of pressure.
"A hundred years."

"Within the Xuan Ting, the descendants of the kings, known as the 'Nine Dragons Contending for the Throne,' are all backed by heretics and harbor treacherous intentions. Their ultimate goal is nothing more than to become emperor."

"As a result, so far, there has not been a single one who can contend for the Great Cauldron, cause the divine artifact to be replaced, or gain the recognition of the ancestral lineage. The true throne has remained vacant until now, and several changes of false emperors have been to no avail. Ha."

What have they done all these years?

"Let the eighteen regional warlords establish their own provinces and territories, obeying orders but not summons."

"This elevated the Ten Heavenly Pillars and the Nine Great Chambers to unprecedented heights, making them vie for your favor."

"It also made peace with the immortals and the Pure Land, allowing the Fang Tianyu lineage to infiltrate the Great Xuan territory through the 'Boundary Gate' and spread its teachings."

"Everything I've done is solely to usurp my authority as 'the emperor' and ascend the throne."

"During this long period of time, my physical body, divine soul, and Dao fruit were all separated and suppressed, and my former power has been completely disintegrated."

"The 'ancestral home of swordsmanship' behind your school was the one that supported me back then."

"Now you've seen what happened."

"If even a pillar of heaven is like this, what about you alone?"

"They will die and their souls will perish."

she whispered.

Kings, feudal lords, pillars of heaven, powerful families, heretics!
Each word that falls feels as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Even the powerful figure standing next to Jiang Li fell silent upon hearing this.

"Debt is no burden. We can just borrow money and live on it. What's there to be afraid of?"

Ji Xiu smiled.

"Your words are too harsh, I don't know how to respond, but knowing my personality..."

After rubbing his hands together, Ji Xiu hesitated for a moment, then half-jokingly said:

"If there were another snowy night, and Her Majesty the Empress, whose restoration had failed, collapsed in the snow, even if it meant taking a risk, I would still lend a hand, wouldn't I?"

Even setting aside their identities...

Ji Xiu gazed at Jiang Li's naturally beautiful face and clapped his hands in admiration:

"How could we not save a woman of such beauty?"

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment.

The mysterious figure beside her was even more stunned.

This kid.
What were you just saying?!

He dares to make fun of this emperor!?
You should know that this person used to be the most serious and unsmiling. Although he has undergone great changes and his personality has changed drastically, becoming quite carefree, he still...
But before this person could finish speculating...

Then she saw Jiang Li lower her eyes, stare at Ji Xiu for a long time, then suddenly her eyebrows curved and she smiled:
"Boy."

"Teasing me like this"

"You are the first in the whole world."

She slightly raised her chin, her long, narrow phoenix eyes flashing at him:
“If this were before, you would definitely be in deep trouble. I would catch you no matter where you are and let you know what ‘torture’ is!”

"But now."

"I've changed my mind."

Jiang Li laughed heartily:

“You are a descendant of the ‘ancestral court of swordsmanship.’ If you cannot shed this identity, then it is indeed not so important whether you stand with me or not.”

"Since that's the case, I will punish you, punish you."

"Just keep walking like this, until the very end, and don't look back."

"At that time, you will become a figure even greater than the first ancestor of your lineage."

"Then you can come and help me again."

"If you can't succeed, then don't come."

"I don't need anyone to die unjustly for me without knowing why."

Jiang Li stared at Ji Xiu, each word spoken with conviction.

After she finished speaking, she peeked her fingertips out from her sleeve:

"The Six Chapters of the Mysterious Lord's Secret Records was created by the Mysterious Lord after studying for six days and discovering the secret techniques of the heretical sects of 'immortals, Buddhas, gods, saints, demons and monsters'. He devoted his heart and soul to creating it."

"I previously transmitted to you the first half of the third chapter, 'Refining the Spirit,' which is enough for you to resist the gods from other realms when you reach the Qi Refining Grandmaster level."

"Now that I see that your skills have been perfected, I will pass on the first half of the first chapter, 'The Immortals,' to you."

"After all, I can't let you talk so much to make your sister happy, but end up getting nothing in return, right?"

"This first half of the 'Chapter on the Immortals' can be used to open up the Purple Palace and break through to the 'high level of Taoist skill'. In the Taoist skill ranking of the Immortal lineage, it ranks first among 'skills, books, scriptures, classics, chapters'."

"Go, use it to forge the finest 'Purple Mansion,' and infuse it with your divine soul. Use it as a guiding light, so that your future martial arts will flourish!"

In an instant, Jiang Li pointed out with a finger, seemingly containing endless mysteries, which entered Ji Xiu's brow.

[The ordained master receives the fundamental Daoist cultivation at the 'Dao Chapter Level,' the Six Chapters of the Mysterious Lord's Secret Records—The Chapter of Immortals (Part 1)!]

[After receiving the advance payment, you can embark on the path to opening your 'Purple Mansion' and advance to a high level in Taoist arts!]

A prefecture-level city, Cangdu!

This is a place where all the heroes of Cangbei gather.

A powerful bank that dominates a prefecture.

Before these generations of nobles
They were merely outlying retainers or branch members doing the dirty and tiring work.

And in it.

The most magnificent and grandest one.

This is the residence of Chen Xuanque, who was ranked among the 'warlords of a province'!

This day.

Marquis Xiao Pingnan of Beicang, having suppressed a 'gateway demonic calamity' in Cangbei, arrived to report on his duties, covered in dust and clad in armor, his divine armor still intact!

Upon entering Chen Xuanque's residence, the guards informed him that this person had important business to attend to today and was going to meet a very important figure, so he went to the city below.

Xiao Pingnan was puzzled by this:

"What kind of important figure could make 'Lord Chen,' one of the eighteen warlords, personally humble himself and visit him?"

"Could it be that Xuanjing is making another move?"

However, he didn't dwell on it, quickly putting it out of his mind. Instead, he thought of his daughter, Xiao Mingli, and a hint of shame flashed in his tiger-like eyes.

"It's been quite a while since I've seen Mingli. But recently, the Jade Talisman sent a message saying that someone has inherited the 'Searching Mountains and Catching Seas' Dao Talisman and can reliably provide her with spirit fish to make up for the deficit."

"Although it's still only treating the symptoms and not the root cause, it's still a method."

"Someday."

"I will find the right talent to rebuild your foundation, so that you can become a powerful figure in the 'pillar of heaven' forces, independent of anyone else!"

Xiao Pingnan murmured, then removed his helmet, loosened his grip, and looked towards Jiangyin Prefecture:

"The turmoil at the boundary gate has temporarily subsided; it's time to take some time to go back and check on things."

(End of this chapter)