Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 137 Standoff and High-Stakes Gamble

Faced with Meng Xihong's refusal, Xiao Beichen's face darkened, and an invisible "human dragon aura" pressure spread out from his body, instantly lowering the atmosphere of the entire martial arts arena to an icy level.

The martial artists present felt short of breath and dared not even exhale.

"Meng Xihong, do you know that refusing me is refusing the Great Li Dynasty?" Xiao Beichen's voice was icy.

Under the oppressive aura of the dragon, Meng Xihong felt his soul being squeezed, but he still straightened his spine, and his blood and qi circulated on their own. A blurry phantom of a blood-red furnace appeared behind him, resisting the all-pervasive imperial pressure.

"Your Highness, I am not refusing, but rather seeking a fairer cooperation."

Despite the pressure, Meng Xihong said, word by word, "The Tianyan Sect can be a sharp blade for the dynasty, but the 'handle' of this blade must be in my own hands!"

A murderous intent began to rise in Xiao Beichen's eyes, and the guards around him also secretly tightened their grips on their sword hilts.

"Your Highness." Meng Xihong ignored the imminent threat of death; his voice was not loud, but it was as resounding as a bell.

"In this world, the immortal sects regard mortals as worthless weeds. The northern border is ravaged by demonic beasts, and the border is constantly ravaged by war. Although those immortal sects that do not want to get involved in karma can restrain people, their hearts are not with the dynasty and the human race. How much can they be relied on?"

He pointed to the disciples sweating profusely on the training ground, and then looked at the mortals who had come to seek the Dao in the distant Yunmeng Marsh.

"Although my Tianyan Sect has selfish motives, this action is indeed to open up a path to heaven for mortals."

This path relies neither on spiritual roots nor on immortal sects; it depends solely on oneself to defy fate!

"Perhaps Your Highness will ask, why must it be my Tianyan Sect?"

Because those reclusive body-refining families guard their traditions but dare not reveal them to the world.

I dare!

Because my path needs to be verified by millions of people, and needs the faith of all beings to ignite it!

"And when this flame truly ignites, does Your Highness know what that means?" Meng Xihong's tone grew increasingly somber.

"This means that every inch of land and every citizen of the Great Li Dynasty could potentially become a solid bulwark against foreign enemies!"
This means that the imperial court will possess an unprecedented army of body-refining warriors, reliant on the Great Li Dynasty!

"They are not disciples of the immortal sects; they are citizens of the Great Li Dynasty, soldiers of the Great Li Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Beichen withdrew his imposing aura and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The words "Body Refining Army" struck a chord with his deepest desires.

Although the Great Li Dynasty had a vast territory, it was always at a disadvantage in the face of the threat from the northern demon tribes.

If such an army could truly be built…

He suppressed his excitement and asked in a cold voice, "What are your conditions?"

“I have two conditions!” Meng Xihong held up two fingers, his tone calm but resolute.

"Firstly, Your Majesty, please issue another 'Heavenly Decree' to proclaim to the world that the 'Furnace Scripture' is the orthodox path of humanity, and all people of the Great Li clan may cultivate it! Anyone who obstructs or suppresses this method shall be punished as 'severing the foundation of humanity,' and the dynasty shall jointly strike against them!"

Xiao Beichen's pupils contracted slightly.

This condition is tantamount to the dynasty endorsing the "Furnace Classic" and elevating it to the level of national policy. "Secondly, the dynasty must open the armories and medicine stores of all counties and prefectures to provide the Tianyan Sect with all the resources needed for body refinement at cost price."

And through official channels, they helped our sect promote the *Honglu Jing* to every corner of the Great Li Dynasty.

This is no longer cooperation; it's about binding the entire Dali Dynasty to the Tianyan Sect's war chariot!
Meng Xihong was essentially saying, "I will use your national strength to realize my ideals, and you will gain an invincible army."

This crazy suggestion made Xiao Beichen's mouth go dry.

He had seen countless ambitious people, but he had never seen anyone like Meng Xihong who dared to directly ask the dynasty to pave the way for him.

"Are you making a deal with me, or are you extorting me?" Xiao Beichen's voice carried a dangerous undertone.

Meng Xihong shook his head: "Your Highness, this is not a transaction, but a win-win situation. The dynasty gains an invincible army, I gain a channel to promote the 'Furnace Classic,' and the people of the world gain the opportunity to improve their health. All three parties benefit, so how can it be considered extortion?"

Xiao Beichen stared intently at Meng Xihong: "How can I trust you? If you keep secrets and take the cultivation techniques of the later stages for yourself, wouldn't the Tianyan Sect become a huge and uncontrollable threat?"
"Now, all I need to do is kill you and seize your inheritance. Wouldn't that solve everything once and for all?" Xiao Beichen's gaze was like a knife, piercing Meng Xihong's eyes with the domineering air of a superior.

“Of course Your Highness can do that,” Meng Xihong said calmly. “However, what Your Highness will take away is only a tattered scroll, an empty shell without any spiritual nourishment.”

This "Brightening Furnace Classic" is not an unchanging, lifeless thing; it is alive.

He needs to evolve and improve through each practice and insight of the practitioner, constantly innovating and developing new ideas. This is why I hope he will promote it.

Moreover, currently only I can complete this cultivation method based on the inheritance. Without me, without my Tianyan Sect, this path of body refinement would stagnate or even collapse on its own.

What the prince took away was an unfinished path, its mysteries unfathomable and its perfection impossible to fathom.

Meng Xihong gave a bitter smile: "And Your Highness will soon understand that I am more eager than the dynasty, or anyone else in the world, to promote the 'Furnace Classic'."

Because the core of this cultivation technique, the 'root' of this body-refining path, has long been integrated with my son's life and with my Meng family.

Xiao Beichen frowned. Meng Xihong's words had a hidden meaning, but he couldn't immediately grasp its deeper significance.

“This matter is of great importance, and words alone are not enough.” Meng Xihong took a deep breath and made a surprising decision.

"If Your Highness wishes to know the truth, please follow me. I will show you with your own eyes just how heavy a curse lies behind me, Meng Xihong, my Tianyan Sect, and even the reborn human path of body refinement!"

Xiao Beichen's heart skipped a beat. A curse? Hearing this word from Meng Xihong filled him with an unprecedented unease.

"Where do you intend to take me?"

"The inner sect of the Heavenly Evolution Sect holds the greatest secret of my Meng family, and the true source of the 'Furnace Scripture.'" Meng Xihong turned to look into the distance, a flicker of pain in his eyes.
"After Your Highness has read it, you will naturally understand why I must spread the 'Furnace Classic' throughout the world, and why I would rather be an enemy of the dynasty than fail to safeguard the independence of the Heavenly Evolution Sect."

Xiao Beichen remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, I will go with you. But remember, if you dare to play any tricks..."

"Your Highness may take my life at any time," Meng Xihong said, bowing respectfully.

"However, before setting off, I need to arrange sect affairs. This trip is related to the survival of the Tianyan Sect, so I must make full preparations."

　Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone! May your families be reunited!
　　There will be 3 recommended chapters at 19 PM today. Dear readers, please remember!
　　

(End of this chapter)