Wuxia: Ning Zhongze, who became a disciple of Mount Hua, is shrouded in blue silver.

Zhao Qing immediately understood that this was Japanese ninjutsu.

Japanese ninjutsu does have its unique features, but that's about it.

Zhao Qing closed his eyes, concentrated, and used his ears instead of his eyes.

He could hear every sound around him clearly.

Hearing a noise behind him, Zhao Qing immediately turned around and slashed at the source with a flash of his sword.

Duan Tianya frowned as well, but his movements were extremely quick.

He immediately bent over and leaned back, dodging the fatal sword strike.

It was only then that Duan Tianya realized that Zhao Qing was fighting with his eyes closed.

He immediately retaliated with a palm strike, the wind from which was both swift and fierce.

With his eyes closed, Zhao Qing used his excellent hearing to fully grasp the surrounding situation.

"Rizhao Kyushu!"

Zhao Qing thrust his sword at Duan Tianya.

The sword energy was extremely strong, and Duan Tianya's expression changed.

Zhao Qing was only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm, but his swordsmanship was fierce and his internal energy was profound.

Duan Tianya caught the sword with his palm, but he didn't gain any advantage in the head-on clash.

After exchanging blows, Zhao Qing only took half a step back, while Duan Tianya took three steps back.

Although Duan Tianya used his palm against the sword, this was a Shaolin ultimate technique—the Vajra Palm—used by a master of the Grandmaster realm, and it was extremely powerful.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Qing's sword energy was even stronger.

Duan Tianya dared not underestimate him anymore.

He immediately drew his Japanese sword, pointing the tip at Zhao Qing.

"The intelligence was correct. Your swordsmanship is superb, your skill is profound, and your moves are varied and unpredictable."

Duan Tianya exclaimed, "The test is over. Young Master Zhao, shouldn't you now reveal your true abilities?"

"Lord Duan has drawn his sword, which shows he is serious. I dare not let my guard down!"

Zhao Qing planted his longsword in the ground, and black liquid flowed from his sleeve.

"Yin Five Thunder Technique - Northern Azure Pool!"

The black liquid spread like a tide, instantly covering the surrounding twenty feet!

Duan Tianya immediately felt the water-dirty lightning force damaging his meridians.

Zhao Qing immediately launched an attack, fiercely assaulting Duan Tianya with the Long Rainbow Sword Technique, each move swift and ruthless.

However, Duan Tianya was a master-level expert whose swordsmanship had reached the highest level, and he easily blocked Zhao Qing's attack.

Faced with a formidable enemy, Zhao Qing felt even more eager to fight.

He wanted to see just how far he was from becoming a grandmaster.

Unable to defeat Duan Tianya with his Long Rainbow Sword Technique, Zhao Qing resorted to all means.

With a wave of his hand, blue flames erupted, scorching hot, instantly trapping Duan Tianya.

These blue flames are extremely hot, capable of burning people, blocking vision, and disrupting the senses.

Duan Tianya knew he couldn't be trapped in the fire, so he immediately tried his best to break through.

He pushed off the ground with a sudden burst, his body shooting towards the ring of fire like an arrow.

But he crashed headfirst into the black slime!

A large amount of black slime gushed out from the ground, trying to engulf Duan Tianya.

Duan Tianya was no ordinary person. He immediately activated his internal energy, and the powerful internal energy dispersed the flames and the water-borne lightning.

Then Duan Tianya swung his sword backhand and struck more than a dozen times, breaking through Zhao Qing's encirclement.

As soon as he rushed out, he saw a fiery whirlwind rushing towards him.

"cut!"

Duan Tianya raised his Japanese sword and slashed down with force.

A blade of energy several meters high was unstoppable, splitting the fiery whirlwind in two!

The sharp blade energy flew straight towards Zhao Qing!

Just then, the water-soaked mines on the ground suddenly rose up and turned into a thick wall, firmly blocking Zhao Qing's way.

This strike could not penetrate the Water Mine's defenses.

Duan Tianya immediately sensed the danger, but his feet were trapped by the black slime, making it impossible for him to dodge.

At the critical moment of life and death, this brief delay led to his complete defeat.

Zhao Qing's longsword was already pressed against his neck.

"Lord Duan, you have lost."

Zhao Qing sheathed his sword but did not kill him.

Duan Tianya has powerful backing; killing him would invite retaliation.

Zhu Wushi might not intervene, but Gui Haiyidao, Shangguan Haitang, and Cheng Shifei will definitely not give up.

The four secret agents of the Dragon Guard Manor are all formidable, not worth the risk.

Zhao Qing let him go because he did not attack first.

The outcome is unpredictable.

Duan Tianya's strongest martial art is the Illusion Sword.

The Illusion Sword is extremely powerful, and Duan Tianya never uses it lightly.

If he had struck first and used the Phantom Sword, Zhao Qing wouldn't have had time to react.

The most terrifying thing about the Phantom Sword is its speed.

Duan Tianya had already reached the Grandmaster realm, and when he unleashed his full power with the Illusion Sword, his speed far surpassed that of Zhao Qing, who was at the Innate realm.

The other party will die instantly.

But things changed quickly, and if Zhao Qing had reacted in time, the outcome would have been like this.

Their competition was just a friendly exchange, not a life-or-death battle; they would stop when they were at each other's throats.

Although Duan Tianya lost to Zhao Qing, he did not regret it and remained calm.

He took out the token from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Qing, saying, "Young Master Zhao, I am here on the orders of the Divine Marquis."

"This token was given to me by the Divine Marquis."

"Young Master Zhao wishes to serve the imperial court; with this token, you may go directly to the Dragon Guard Manor."

"The Dragon Guard Manor will arrange a position for Young Hero Zhao."

"Duan believes that with Zhao Shaoxia's martial arts skills, it would be a waste for him to be in the Huashan Sect."

"Young Master Zhao should reconsider."

Duan Tianya only handed the token to Zhao Qing after he had tested Zhao Qing's martial arts skills.

Zhao Qing was not surprised by Duan Tianya's actions; it was something he had expected.

The chief spy of the Dragon Guard Manor wouldn't come knocking without a reason.

Zhao Qing displayed outstanding martial arts talent; he had long known that the Dragon Guard Manor would try to recruit him.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Divine Marquis. I will seriously consider this matter."

Zhao Qing did not give a clear answer as to whether she would join the Dragon Guard Manor, only saying that she would think it over carefully.

Duan Tianya told Zhao Qing to think it over carefully, not to force him to make a decision immediately.

"Hulong Manor recruits talented individuals, treats them with respect, and does not force anyone to do anything against their will."

Duan Tianya nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Zhao Qing watched Duan Tianya walk away until his figure disappeared before returning to the carriage.

Ren Yingying asked eagerly, "Husband, do you want to pledge allegiance to the imperial court?"

Zhao Qing pondered for a moment and replied, "There are indeed benefits to joining the imperial court. Let me think about it some more."

People from the martial arts world and the imperial court have always been at odds.

Martial artists, relying on their martial skills, break the law, kill people at will, and even murder government officials.

The imperial court would not tolerate the misdeeds of those in the martial arts world, so it continuously suppressed their influence.

Over time, conflicts arose between the imperial court and the martial arts world.

The heroes of the martial arts world look down on those who submit to the imperial court; any sect that submits to the court will be despised by the martial arts community.

Zhao Qing believed that his next move would be to stir up trouble in the martial arts world and then disrupt the entire nation.

To frequently trigger the system, obtain rewards, and improve martial arts skills, this is the only way.

Serving as an official in the imperial court and building one's own power base is a good choice.

Zhao Qing was indeed tempted by the Dragon Guardian Manor's proactive recruitment.

But he must deal with the Five Sacred Mountains Conference first; other matters can wait.

On the way, Zhao Qing encountered people from the East and West Factories.

Zhao Qing neither agreed nor refused.

That evening, Zhao Qing found a place to stay in Shibalipu.

He asked the two women, "If I were to pledge allegiance to the imperial court, which do you think would be better: the Eastern and Western Depots or the Dragon Guard Manor?"

All three parties are trying to win him over, and Zhao Qing must seriously consider this.

Choosing either side would put him at odds with the other two factions, making the decision very difficult.

Huang Rong directly refused, saying, "I don't understand Ming Dynasty politics and will not comment on this matter."

It's normal that Huang Rong, being a person from the Song Dynasty, was unfamiliar with the Ming Dynasty court.

Zhao Qing turned to Ren Yingying and said softly, "The Eastern and Western Depots are controlled by eunuchs. Does my husband also want to castrate himself to become an official?"