May I seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, and live a long and prosperous life.

At this moment, the main hall of the Zhou family ancestral home was completely silent.

The heads of each department remained silent.

"Hehe, don't think I don't understand what you're thinking. You guys are just too short-sighted, only focusing on the petty gains in front of you."

"I ask you, if Yun City falls, what will become of our Zhou family?"

"Other families can move away, but can our Zhou family move away? Our Zhou family is the most prominent family in Yuncheng, with hundreds of thousands of people now. Our descendants are all rooted in Yuncheng. When the bandits invade, our Zhou family will be the first to suffer."

Do you know that this so-called Heavenly King Chen loves to rob powerful and influential families? Haven't you all inquired about how many families he has ruined and wiped out, from the three northwestern provinces to the four cities of Ji Province?

"Besides, do you think you can escape? When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? That King Chen is going around with the family register, calling out names to kill one by one! When the city falls, none of you here will escape!"

Zhou Zhengqing sighed: "Our Zhou family's tenth ancestor, although he was a master with unparalleled martial arts skills, was already an old man. None of his descendants have ever reached the master level!"

You've all seen master-level martial arts techniques, right? Are they useful? Right now, the highest level in the family is only at the early stage of the first rank, and that's only achieved by using a lot of family resources. Their martial arts achievements stop there.

If it weren't for the Third Prince leading 50,000 elite warriors to fight against the bandits, we would have been wiped out long ago, and our master-level martial arts techniques would have only benefited those bandits.

Rather than that, it would be better to hand it over to the Third Prince and contribute to the people of Yun City. If we manage to defend it, the Third Prince will remember the Zhou family's contributions!

"Besides, the master-level martial arts techniques of our ancestors are actually somewhat useless."

"The prerequisite for cultivation is to first learn another technique and cultivate it to the peak of the first rank, then disperse the power and repeat this process. Only after dispersing the power three times in a row can one be qualified to initially practice this technique."

Our tenth ancestor suffered three consecutive setbacks in this way before finally breaking through to the Grandmaster realm. Sadly, he was already ninety-six when he broke through, and only lived for another ten years before passing away.

"Moreover, this technique was not created by our tenth ancestor. According to the records left by our tenth ancestor, this technique was bestowed upon us by an old white-haired immortal who appreciated our talent by chance."

"As you can see, the most basic requirement for this technique is to disperse one's internal energy three times, which can slightly enhance one's foundation and internal strength. There is also an intermediate requirement: after dispersing one's internal energy six times, one can further develop a very powerful foundation and internal strength."

This technique also has an advanced threshold. One must first experience nine consecutive instances of dissipating one's internal energy before formally practicing it to achieve an extremely powerful foundation and internal strength, making one invincible among those of the same level.

"Alas, that's all there is to it, but it's just theory. The Tenth Ancestor has already lost his power three times in a row, and he's already ninety-six years old, his life is about to end. And this is a martial arts genius like the Tenth Ancestor. If it were an ordinary martial artist, the peak of the first rank would be a realm that can never be reached, let alone losing his power. Who would be willing to do that?"

"The origin of this technique is unknown, but it is really strange. Our tenth ancestor was the most talented person in our Zhou family. In his time, he was the number one martial arts talent. He didn't break through to the Grandmaster level until he was ninety-six years old."

In my opinion, this grandmaster-level cultivation technique has too stringent entry requirements. Only martial arts geniuses can attempt it. It's useless for us to leave it. Ye Tianzi has been protecting our Cloud City for over a year, and he's invincible at the first-grade level. He should have the talent! We've received his kindness, and it's time to repay it.

"Now, do you still have any reason to stop me from handing over the cultivation technique?"

At this point, after Zhou Zhengqing's earnest persuasion, the heads of each branch of the family all agreed with the head of the family's words.

After all, they weren't unreasonable people; they were just short-sighted and didn't see as far ahead as Zhou Zhengqing.

"Master, you have made yourself very clear. I have no objections and agree to hand it over."

"Master, I agree as well."

I agree.

Zhou Zhengqing looked around and said with satisfaction, "Since everyone agrees, I will contact the Third Prince's side now and submit a copy of the Grandmaster-level cultivation technique!"

……

Yuncheng, the residence of the Third Prince.

The third prince was practicing calligraphy in his room when his trusted aide, Lu Maode, entered and reported to him:

"Your Highness, Master Yan just brought the results of the discussion in the Grandmaster Council. Five Grandmasters disagree with handing over their cultivation techniques."

After writing the last character, the Third Prince put down his brush and sighed, "Alas, I had already foreseen this outcome. Maode, not all grandmasters are of one mind."

"Since they're unwilling, then so be it. We still need to rely on them now."

"How many people agree?"

"Three grandmasters agreed," Lu Maode replied.

"Then just submit the ones that agree."

"Yes, ma'am."

"We've done our best and left the rest to fate. There's only so much we can do, but we hope we can help Ye Tianzi and the others."

"Once the Grandmaster's manual is handed over, contact the Night Emperor. If he doesn't want to show up in person, we can place it in the place he designates."

Just as Lu Maode was about to take his leave, a servant came in to report:

"Your Highness, Zhou Zhengqing, the head of the Zhou family of Yuncheng, just sent someone to report that he wishes to hand over a grandmaster-level martial arts manual."

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince's eyes lit up. He looked at Lu Maode and laughed heartily, "Maode, you see, there are still people who can see the situation clearly! There's a reason why the Zhou family of Yuncheng is so prosperous and has become the most prominent family in Yuncheng!"

"Maode, pass down the order: send a team of martial artists to the Zhou family to retrieve the Grandmaster-level martial arts manual!"

"Yes, sir, I'll make the arrangements right away." After saying this, Lu Maode immediately took his leave with his servants.

……

It was five days after the Third Prince issued the edict.

The Third Prince then ordered a notice to be posted throughout the city, informing Li Heng that several master-level cultivation techniques had been received and that copies of these techniques could be sent to him. He also asked Li Heng how he wanted them delivered to him.

After seeing the notice, Li Heng thought it best not to expose himself if possible.

Moreover, the other party understood his desire not to be exposed and kindly inquired about the handover method.

So Li Heng carefully devised a comprehensive plan. Then, at midnight, dressed in black and masked, he climbed a tall building and used a powerful bow to shoot a letter into the Third Prince's residence.

The letter specified the handover procedures.

After achieving his goal, Li Heng used his lightness skill to circle the city several times, and only returned home after confirming that no one was following him.