Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

On the reviewing stand, Prince Di was momentarily dumbfounded.

He was also a military cultivator, and he had also mastered the fire technique from the Four Arts of Military Strategy.

How come I've never seen any of Zhuang Weiyang's techniques before? And yet they're so powerful?

Wu Zixu stared intently at the power unleashed by the "Heavenly Collapse," his gaze deep and unfathomable. As if lost in thought, he murmured:

"This technique is clearly one of Brother Sun's Four Arts of Military Strategy... but when I see Brother Sun use it, he mostly uses wind and fire to solidify the form and mountains and rocks to defend. I have never seen this kind of explosion before."

"This power is no less than that of a standard Tier 1 Thunderfire Tank cannon."

King Fuchai of Wu was overjoyed.

"Haha, what's the big deal? We'll just ask him when he gets back!"

"He acts with unconventional ideas yet cares deeply for his soldiers; he possesses the skills of Sun Tzu and innovates upon them!"

"Such a talented young man should be given important responsibilities!"

Upon hearing this, the prince was surprised and retorted:

"Father, Weiyang is my closest friend. She will soon be accompanying me to Zuili to lend me a hand! Father, please don't try to take her away from me!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Unlike Prince Di on the reviewing stand, Zhao Xiuwen was now on edge, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Only 30% of my inner fire remains; even activating the phoenix feathers... it's not enough to withstand this attack!"

As the smoke and dust cleared, Zhuang Weiyang casually pried open the elephant demon's corpse and took out its demon core.

The Demon Demon Core was noticeably larger and had a deeper crimson color than the previous one.

"It seems that this elephant demon has already reached the mid-stage of the first rank. Compared to human cultivators, its cultivation has already entered the 'Candlelight Realm'."

"Luckily, I had practiced the 'Heavenly Collapse' technique in my dream beforehand, otherwise I would have had to avoid it if I saw it."

After taking the demon core, Zhuang Weiyang pondered for a moment and then cut off the elephant's trunk.

"This 'arched snout' is the most delicious; let's save it to accompany the Second Young Master's drinks."

Having finished everything, Zhuang Weiyang strolled leisurely toward Zhao Xiuwen. Facing Zhao Xiuwen's wariness, Zhuang Weiyang smiled slightly, completely unconcerned.

"Brother Zhao, please give me some soldiers to carry this elephant trunk back."

"Can!"

"Brother Zhao, can I have the demon core next to you too?"

"Can--!"

"Brother Zhao, your steed looks like a half-demon. Would you mind giving it to me?"

"Can--!!"

"Brother Zhao..."

"Zhuang Weiyang, don't push your luck!"

Zhao Xiuwen was wary of Zhuang Weiyang's magic, and since the chariot had not yet been restored, he only wanted to get rid of Zhuang Weiyang as soon as possible.

But how could Zhuang Weiyang be so shameless!

Zhuang Weiyang looked regretful, glancing left and right before her gaze settled on the phoenix feathers atop Zhao Xiuwen's head.

Zhao Xiuwen noticed Zhuang Weiyang's gaze and, before she could speak, sneered:

"I'll give you this. Do you dare take it?"

Zhuang Weiyang sighed and gave up.

This phoenix feather looks like a second-tier rare treasure; I really can't protect it!

It's hateful, it's hateful that people always encounter tempting treasures when they are weak.

My phoenix feather, please bear with it for a little longer!

"That's settled then, thanks Brother Zhao, see you on the platform!"

After saying this, Zhuang Weiyang mounted her horse, ordered the soldiers to carry the elephant's trunk, and left with him.

Along the way, the bloody aura emanating from the elephant's trunk intimidated the wild beasts in the mountains, and no ferocious beast dared to block their path.

Otherwise, Zhuang Weiyang really wouldn't know what to do.

Once they were out of the depths of Tiger Hill, Zhuang Weiyang could no longer hold on and fell off her horse.

The soldiers nearby reacted quickly and rushed forward to cushion Zhuang Weiyang's fall.

"General Zhuang, what's going on?"

"It's nothing, I'm just tired."

Zhuang Weiyang's face turned pale and her voice became hoarse.

After a series of battles, plus the palm strike, Zhuang Weiyang's inner fire had long been exhausted.

They persisted in extorting Zhao Xiuwen because they were afraid he would realize what was happening.

If Zhao Xiuwen were to test me even slightly, I would definitely be exposed. I have no choice but to strike first!

"Thank goodness, Zhao Xiuwen is a coward, hahaha!"

"Three demon cores, and one at the mid-stage of the First Realm—this first place is definitely mine!"

These words, transmitted through the light screen, echoed clearly on the reviewing stand.

……

After giving his token to a messenger, Zhuang Weiyang retrieved his troops from the cliff and rushed back to the reviewing stand.

On the way, the two groups continued their conversation.

"Brothers, why are you in such a sorry state?"

"In a sorry state? What's a sorry state? We're lucky to be alive! A tiger the size of a building, a wild boar that talks like a human... If it weren't for General Zhuang, we would have all died at Tiger Hill long ago!"

"Huh? Is it that dangerous inside Tiger Hill?"

"Hmph! You'll see next year when we have someone else leading the troops!"

"..."

During the conversation, the soldiers from both sides exchanged information, and everyone became more and more grateful to Zhuang Weiyang!

Zhuang Weiyang, lying on the horse's back, felt weak all over, but her inner fire visibly grew stronger!

The fire within the heart, as if fueled, intensifies, illuminating the internal organs.

"What... what is this?"

Feeling the grateful gazes around her, Zhuang Weiyang gradually understood.

"Is this the method of cultivating the 'I Ching'? To gain the respect of others, or to save others?"

Zhuang Weiyang had a vague guess in her heart.

……

With the improvement in her cultivation, Zhuang Weiyang's weakness was also slightly alleviated.

On the reviewing stand, Bo Pi announced the rankings.

"Twenty-first... Tang Xu!"

"..."

"Seventh place, Zhao Xiuwen!"

"Pfft..." When Prince saw Zhao Xiuwen, he remembered Zhuang Weiyang's evaluation of him as a coward and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Zhao Xiuwen's expression remained unchanged, but what he was thinking was something no one else could know.

Dazai Hakupi remained unaffected by the prince's laughter and continued announcing the list.

Then, several other scions of prominent families were named, and amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, the top name was announced.

"First place: Zhuang Weiyang!"

Zhuang Weiyang stepped forward, bowed to Bo Pi, and then paid her respects to King Fuchai of Wu from afar.

King Fuchai of Wu nodded repeatedly and laughed, "This year's martial arts demonstration was excellent! The Zhao family's chariots and Zhuang Weiyang's military strategy have truly broadened my horizons!"

"Especially Zhuang Weiyang... In previous years, no military strategist in this region had ever used such methods, hahahaha."

Amidst the banter, Fuchai glanced at Goujian in the crowd and taunted, "Goujian, does your Yue state have a cultivator who can compare to these two?"

Goujian was filled with fear and trepidation, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, showing that he was quite frightened.

"Your Majesty, Yue is a small country. How can the people of a small country compare with the elite troops of Wu?"

"Our military strategists are far inferior to those of Your Majesty and your ministers!"

Fuchai merely teased Goujian, waved his hand to let Goujian get up, and then turned to look at Wu Zixu.

"Prime Minister, what do you think of Zhuang Weiyang? Is she capable of great things?"

Wu Zixu was in a good mood at the moment.

In the past, Sun Tzu and he were close friends. After the war against Chu ended, his path to the Three Realms was cut off, but Sun Tzu successfully broke through, bid farewell to the King of Wu, and went to travel the world.

Within the state of Wu, another person emerged who studied his friend's techniques and innovated upon them. Wu Zixu was delighted for his friend.

"Your Majesty, why not summon Zhuang Weiyang forward so that Your Majesty can properly examine her?"

Prince Di nodded excitedly.

"The Prime Minister is absolutely right, Father. Summon Zhuang Weiyang and let him speak to you himself!"

Both of them meant well, wanting Zhuang Weiyang to become familiar to Fuchai and lay the foundation for her future rise in rank.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Weiyang, sitting in the audience, was pondering when she could go home.

We still need to find someone to deal with the elephant's trunk.

"Ugh, victory celebrations are such a hassle. I wonder which bastard has been dragging their feet on it!"

Just as they were getting bored, Bo Pi's voice reached everyone's ears through magic.

"Summon Zhuang Weiyang to step forward and ask her questions—!"

Zhuang Weiyang: "..."