A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

"Did Yi Tianxing deliver it?"

Zhou Changqing sat on the large chair and asked with a smug look on his face.

He leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the armrest, his fingers tapping lightly on the mahogany, producing a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

"Reporting to you, sir, it has been delivered."

After handing over his task, Chief Wang returned to the Northern Garrison Command and respectfully replied.

He was bowing, his hands hanging at his sides, his head slightly lowered, his gaze fixed on the ground three inches in front of his toes.

"Yes, everyone has worked hard this time, and they will all be rewarded handsomely. After I leave, Wang Tou will still have to take on more responsibilities," Zhou Changqing said with a smile.

He laughed casually, as if he were talking about something trivial.

But there was a clear sense of charity in that smile—a condescending attitude, a combination of kindness and severity.

Wang Cha, standing to the side, bent his head and back even lower.

His waist was bent at almost a ninety-degree angle, as if his whole body was broken in half.

His voice was lowered even further, almost piously:

"It's all thanks to your excellent leadership, sir. I will obey all your orders!"

Zhou Changqing nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

He raised his hand, straightened his sleeves, and then reached out to brush off non-existent dust from his lapel.

The movements were slow and unhurried, as if he was enjoying the sense of control he had in the moment.

"This time, capturing Yi Tianxing isn't enough!" he suddenly said, his voice lazy, as if he were talking about something insignificant.

"He is the branch leader and has a lot of information on the demons of the Reincarnation Sect. The Reincarnation Sect will definitely not give up on him so easily. They will most likely send people to rescue him. We need to keep a close watch on the city gate. We also need to increase patrols at night."

Zhou Changqing spoke lazily.

As he said this, he leaned back in his chair, finding a more comfortable position.

One hand rested on the armrest, the other raised, casually looking at his fingernails.

"Yes, sir!" Wang replied.

His voice was respectful and crisp, without the slightest hesitation.

"Well, if you find any trace of the heretics of the Reincarnation Sect, don't take any action yet. Inform me of everything. You can go now."

A slight smile appeared on Zhou Changqing's lips.

The curve was shallow, yet it held profound meaning.

It resembled a smile, but wasn't entirely a smile; it resembled pride, but wasn't just pride.

More than anything, it's a sense of confidence and self-satisfaction, a feeling of having calculated everything perfectly.

Thanks to this achievement, coupled with the efforts of his family.

Soon, he too will be promoted.

As he thought this, the smile on his lips deepened.

However, he's not in a hurry right now.

Wouldn't it be even better if we could capture more demons?

If we wipe them all out and uproot them completely, we'll achieve even greater merit, get promoted faster, and climb higher.

Moreover, he also has to deal with Su Bai.

Thinking of this, the curve of his lips faltered slightly, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Su Bai actually dared to kill Mao Ya. Didn't he know that Mao Ya was a member of the Zhou family?

Although Mao Ya was just a servant, one should still consider the master before beating a dog.

In Fenjiang County, who doesn't know that Mao Ya is Zhou Changqing's man?

Who doesn't know that the Zhou family is behind Mao Ya?

Even Ning Yuechan didn't dare to move recklessly.

You dare to mess with Su Bai?

He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them, like the sharp edge of a knife in a winter night.

He must take revenge on Su Bai.

No, it's not just revenge; it's about making Su Bai die, and die a horrible death.

He wanted everyone to know what the consequences would be for offending Zhou Changqing.

He wanted everyone to see how Su Bai gradually despaired, gradually collapsed, and finally died in the mud like a dead dog.

The arrest of Yi Tianxing, in particular, was a good opportunity.

His fingers began tapping on the armrest again, once, then again.

If the people from the Reincarnation Sect were to come to the rescue, he could simply ignore them, watch them storm into the prison, and watch them fight Su Bai.

It would be best if Su Bai died in the battle against the demons of the Reincarnation Cult.

That would solve everything, cleanly and neatly, without him having to lift a finger, saving him the trouble of cleaning up the mess.

Moreover, he could take advantage of the fact that the Wheel of Reincarnation Sect demons had fought a fierce battle with Su Bai after breaking into prison, and then launch a surprise attack from behind.

Once they are both severely weakened, he will lead his men in to storm in and capture all the demons in one fell swoop.

If Su Bai were to be accidentally killed by his men on the battlefield, there's nothing that can be done about it.

Perfect, flawless, killing two birds with one stone.

It's absolutely perfect.

As he thought about it, the corners of his mouth curled up again, this time deeper and more pronounced, with a bloodthirsty pleasure.

After Yi Tianxing was imprisoned, many people came to investigate and interrogate him.

They wanted to extract more secret information about the Reincarnation Sect from him. Groups of people came one after another—from the Northern Garrison, the county government, and even from the prefectural capital.

They took turns using every method imaginable—soft tactics, hard tactics, threats, and inducements.

However, Yi Tianxing was very stubborn, and for several days in a row, no useful information could be extracted from him.

He was locked to the wall, his collarbone pierced with iron bars, his body covered in wounds, yet he remained silent the entire time.

Sometimes, when the interrogators pressed him too hard, he would raise his head, revealing his dark, distorted face, and grin.

That smile was sinister and terrifying, like a mockery or a provocation. It sent chills down the spine of the interrogator.

On several occasions, the interrogators resorted to torture, employing various forms of cruel punishment.

Yi Tianxing was in so much pain that his whole body convulsed, and sweat mixed with blood streamed down his face, forming a puddle on the ground.

But he just wouldn't speak, clenching his teeth and remaining silent.

In the end, they could only leave dejectedly, leaving behind the remark, "That freak is really tough."

However, these things have nothing to do with Su Bai.

As the prison warden, all he needed to do was his job.

He patrolled the cells every day, counted the prisoners, checked the locks, and registered people coming and going. He did what he was supposed to do.

Yi Tianxing was imprisoned in the deepest part of the second basement level, and there were people guarding him, so it was not his place to worry about him.

The interrogators came and went, but he merely watched coldly and never intervened.

Moreover, his main focus recently has been on finding a way to break through to the True Qi Realm; that's the most important thing.

As for whether anyone would come to rescue Yi Tianxing, even if Su Bai was stupid, he could guess that someone definitely would.

What is the Rotation Church?

That was a force that dared to attack high-ranking officials of the Zhenfu Division outside the county town; they were desperate criminals who dared to go against the imperial court.

Their branch leader has been arrested; how could they possibly sit idly by?

Moreover, there might even be a True Qi Realm expert among them.

He recalled the scene when Yi Tianxing attacked Ning Yuechan that night, the oppressive aura that made it hard to breathe.

That was the kind of pressure only a True Qi Realm expert could possess, a power that the Divine Power Realm couldn't even dream of.

Even if Yi Tianxing's collarbone has been pierced and most of his martial arts have been crippled, where are the people who came to save him?

Who knows how many will come? And what level of skill will they be at?

Therefore, he needs to reach the True Qi Realm.

Only those at the True Qi Realm can contend against those at the True Qi Realm.

Otherwise, if a real fight breaks out, he'll be like meat on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

Finally, having no other choice, Su Bai decided to go and find Ning Yuechan.

He didn't want to choose to spend his own money to buy superior martial arts techniques or break through using the Blazing Sun Force.

He couldn't afford the expensive martial arts manuals; the Blazing Sun Technique was too weak, and he didn't want to ruin his future.

The Golden Bell Shield is missing its back section, and the Diancang Sect's Frost Force cannot be used to break through to the True Qi Realm...

After much thought, I realized I could only turn to Ning Yuechan.

He was now pushed to his limit by Yi Tianxing's sudden arrival.

Otherwise, he planned to try to find another way to obtain the cultivation technique.

He stood in his small courtyard, watching the twilight deepen on the horizon, and took a deep breath.

He turned and went inside, changed into clean clothes, and then went out to walk towards Ning Yuechan's address.

As dusk deepened, fewer and fewer pedestrians appeared on the streets.

The faint sound of storytelling drifted from a distant teahouse, intermittent and indistinct.

Smoke rose from the rooftops of every house, drifting in the twilight, carrying the aroma of dinner.

Su Bai walked down the street, his footsteps echoing on the bluestone pavement, one step at a time, steady and firm.

Su Bai stood outside Ning Yuechan's courtyard, looking up at the half-closed wooden door.

As dusk settled and darkness descended, the last rays of the setting sun struggled on the horizon, painting the sky a dark red.

He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in."

Ning Yuechan's voice came from the courtyard, faint and devoid of any discernible emotion.

Su Bai pushed open the door and went in.

In the courtyard, Ning Yuechan was sitting at a stone table, holding a book in her hands.

There was a cup of tea on the table, but the tea had gone cold and no steam was rising.

She wore a blue dress, her hair was casually tied up, and a few strands of hair fell beside her ears, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and glanced at Su Bai.

That glance was faint, so faint it was as if he hadn't seen anything at all. But Su Bai felt that there was a lot hidden in that glance—scrutiny, scrutiny, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Sit down." Ning Yuechan put down her book and gestured to the stone bench opposite her.

Su Bai walked over and sat down opposite her.

The stone bench was cool, and the chill seeped through his clothes, making him shiver slightly.

He didn't move, just sat there with his back straight, his hands on his knees, and his eyes looking straight at Ning Yuechan.

Ning Yuechan looked at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

The smile was very faint, almost imperceptible, with only the corners of the mouth slightly upturned.

But it was this little bit that softened her whole demeanor, and the coolness in her eyes faded somewhat.

"You've come for the cultivation technique?"

She spoke, her voice soft but direct.

Su Bai was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

"Yes."

He didn't try to hide anything, nor did he beat around the bush.

He knew that beating around the bush was useless in front of Ning Yuechan, so he might as well be direct.

Ning Yuechan picked up her teacup and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold, but she didn't frown. She simply swallowed it slowly and put the teacup back on the table.

"I can give you the seventh level of the Golden Bell Shield as well," she said, "but not now."

Su Bai didn't speak, he just looked at her and waited for her to continue.

Ning Yuechan tapped her fingers lightly on the table, once, then again.

"What you need most right now isn't the seventh level of the Golden Bell Shield," she said. "It's the internal energy cultivation method. Breaking through to the True Qi Realm is the most urgent thing. Once you break through, I'll give you the rest of the Golden Bell Shield."

Su Bai nodded. Although he didn't quite understand, he understood one thing: he nodded in agreement.

"I see."

"You understand?" Ning Yuechan looked at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Then do you know how much a top-grade internal energy cultivation manual costs?"

Su Bai was silent for a moment before speaking, "Tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands."

"A top-tier cultivation technique costing tens of thousands is questionable," Ning Yuechan smiled. "Even hundreds of thousands wouldn't change that. Truly good cultivation techniques are priceless. You could hold a fortune in your hands and still not be able to buy one."

She paused, stood up, and walked to the sycamore tree in the courtyard.

"You've practiced the Cold Ice Force of the Diancang Sect," she said, her voice soft yet sharp as a knife piercing straight at you.

Su Bai's pupils contracted slightly.

He did not deny it.

Because he knew that denial was useless.

With Ning Yuechan's keen eye, having witnessed his actions, she could naturally discern the clues.

"You don't need to be nervous." Ning Yuechan turned around and looked at him. "As long as you don't use it to break through to the True Qi Realm, you're quite smart."

She walked back to the stone table and sat down again.

"If the Diancang Sect finds out, it will be very troublesome." She paused. "Although you killed An Wuyu, which can be considered cleaning their own house, secretly learning other sects' techniques is still a major taboo. If the Diancang Sect really wants to investigate, you can't stop them."

Su Bai pursed her lips.

Of course he knew.

This is also why he has been hesitant to make a decision.

Ning Yuechan looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. The emotion flickered so quickly that it was almost imperceptible, like ripples on the surface of water, rising slightly and then disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"I have a martial art here," she suddenly said.

Su Bai raised his head and looked at her.

Ning Yuechan's fingers lightly traced the name on the stone table, as if she were writing some character.

"Qingyuan Technique," she said. "It's a superior internal energy technique passed down through the direct line of my Ning family. In terms of purity, it's no less than the Cold Ice Force of the Diancang School; in terms of balance and tranquility, it's even better. When you reach a high level, your internal energy is inexhaustible and continuous, giving you the greatest advantage in combat."

Su Bai's heart skipped a beat.

Passed down by the direct line of the Ning family.

Superior internal skills.

He opened his mouth as if to ask something, but didn't say it.

Ning Yuechan looked at his expression, and the smile on her lips deepened.

"You want to know why I gave it to you?"

Su Bai nodded.

"Because I have faith in you," Ning Yuechan said directly, "and also because I can't give you anything else."

She paused, her gaze fixed on something in the distance.

"Last time I went back to the Ning family, I tried to get resources for you, but the family wouldn't give them to me," she said, her voice very calm.

Su Bai was slightly taken aback when he heard this.

He truly never expected such a thing to happen.

"I can't give them what they want, I can only give you what I can give."

"I can give you the Azure Origin Technique," Ning Yuechan said, "but on conditions."

Su Bai sat up straight.

"Please speak, sir."

Ning Yuechan looked at him, her gaze becoming serious.

"First, you can only practice this technique yourself and must not pass it on to others. Even if you take on disciples in the future, you must not teach it to them."

Su Bai nodded.

"Secondly, after you break through to the True Qi Realm, you must do one thing for me."

Su Bai was slightly taken aback.

"What is it?"

Ning Yuechan shook her head.

"I won't tell you now. But don't worry, I won't send you to your death, nor will I ask you to do anything against your conscience."

Su Bai remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"it is good."

Ning Yuechan looked at him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Aren't you going to ask what's wrong?"

Su Bai shook his head.

"If the adults don't say it, there must be a reason why they don't say it. I will do my best to do what the adults ask me to do."

Ning Yuechan was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

This time, the smile was deeper than before.

"You..." She shook her head, stood up, "Wait."

She turned and went into the house.

Su Bai sat in the courtyard, looking at the door.

A short while later, Ning Yuechan came out.

She held a thin booklet in her hand, with a blue cover and worn edges, clearly quite old.

She walked up to Su Bai and handed him the booklet.

"The Azure Origin Technique," she said, "is enough for you to break through to the late stage of the True Qi Realm. As for the rest, we'll talk about that when you reach that level."

Su Bai accepted the booklet with both hands.

It wasn't opened.

He looked up at Ning Yuechan, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

Verbal gratitude?

No matter how grateful you are, it's just empty words and doesn't translate into anything tangible.

It seems that the only thing he can do is become stronger.

Then he would repay Ning Yuechan's kindness.

Ning Yuechan waved her hand.

"Go back. Practice hard."

Su Bai stood up, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, sir."

Ning Yuechan looked at him, something flashing in her eyes before quickly disappearing.

"Go."