Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Pingyang County, Night, Zhenfu Division Branch

It was late at night.

Three dark figures swept across the rooftops of Pingyang County like ghosts, silently approaching the courtyard of the Zhenfu Division branch.

The leader made a hand gesture, and the three men surrounded Dongfang Weiwo's public housing from three directions.

"Remember, only scare, don't kill."

The lead assassin whispered, "Make a commotion, just let that kid know someone's watching him, that's enough."

The other two nodded.

They jumped down and landed in the courtyard outside the public housing.

Then they saw a person.

Clad in white, as white as snow, standing under the moonlight.

The man stood with his back to them, hands clasped behind his back, a long sword hanging at his waist, his figure as upright as a pine tree. Moonlight shone on his white robes, giving them a faint silver glow.

The three assassins stopped in their tracks at the same time.

They couldn't sense this person's presence—not that there was no presence, but that person's presence was too powerful, so powerful that their senses couldn't reach its boundaries, just as ants can't perceive the height of the sky.

"retreat."

The leader of the assassins acted decisively, his voice filled with suppressed fear.

late.

The man in white turned around.

It was a face as cold and aloof as an ice sculpture, his eyes as indifferent as a thousand-year-old icy pool. He glanced at the three of them as if they were three stones.

"The White Lotus Sect?"

Ximen Chuixue spoke, his voice as cold as frost and snow.

The three assassins did not answer, but turned and fled.

Ximen Chuixue did not give chase.

He simply gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

A flash of sword light appeared.

No one saw how the sword was drawn, and no one even heard the sound of it being unsheathed. There was only a flash of white light, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, gone in an instant.

The three assassins froze simultaneously.

A thin red line, as thin as a hair, appeared on their necks. Moments later, blood beads seeped from the red line, and the three slowly collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

One sword kills three grandmasters.

Ximen Chuixue sheathed his sword, turned and walked back into the shadows, his white clothes unstained by a single drop of blood.

He didn't even blink once.

The next day.

The King of the Underworld sat on the dilapidated stone steps of the post station, with three corpses in front of him.

Three Grandmaster-level assassins were killed with a single sword strike, their wounds perfectly clean, the precision of their swordsmanship terrifying. He carefully examined the wounds, his brow furrowed, his expression grave.

"One sword kills three grandmasters... What a fast sword."

He muttered to himself, his fingers gently tracing the edge of the sword wound.

The man in gray stood to the side and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, can you tell what level of cultivation he possesses?"

The Netherworld Dharma King shook his head, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes:

"I can't tell. This person's sword is too fast, and there's no extra energy leaking out from the sword aura, so I can't determine their level. I only know... they're a master, the kind that's unfathomable."

He stood up, walked around the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his expression shifting between light and dark.

How could Pingyang County have such a master? A small place like the Zhenfu Division branch couldn't possibly hide such a person. That leaves only one possibility—this is a bodyguard secretly sent by the Dongfang family to protect Dongfang Weiwo.

"Your Majesty," the man in gray said, "could he be a member of the Azure Dragon Society?"

The Netherworld King thought for a moment, then shook his head:

"Although the Azure Dragon Society has Li Chenzhou, he is known for his fist techniques, not his swordsmanship. Moreover, the Azure Dragon Society is only protecting its own territory, so there's no need for them to specifically send someone to guard Dongfang Weiwo. The Dongfang family is the one most concerned about Dongfang Wudi's son."

He stopped, his eyes darting around:

"It seems that Dongfang Wudi had anticipated that someone would make a move against his son and had arranged for expert guards in advance. The Dongfang family's foundation is indeed unfathomable. Although I cannot see through this person's cultivation level, being able to kill three Grandmasters with one sword means he is at least a strong Grandmaster."

The man in gray hesitated, "Then...should we still attack him?"

"Move?" The Netherworld Dharma King sneered.

"With an unfathomable swordsman guarding the place, how am I supposed to make a move? Even if I were to take action myself, the outcome is uncertain. Is it worth taking this risk for Dongfang Weiwo? It's not worth it."

He sat down again, his face grim.

Headquarters was pressing him hard, and the barbarians were also waiting for news, but he couldn't go and die.

The fact that the guards sent by the Dongfang family showed that Dongfang Wudi was prepared. Even if he succeeded in taking action, Dongfang Wudi's retaliation would be something he couldn't withstand.

"Your Majesty, how are we going to explain this?" the man in gray asked.

The King of the Underworld pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"Report the truth—I have expert guards sent by the Dongfang family to protect me, so I can't make a move. If headquarters wants to blame someone, so be it; they can't expect me to go and die."

"Yes."

At the foot of Qingmu Peak, the mountain gate was tightly closed.

Qing Yuanzi sat in his cave in the back mountain, his face as pale as paper. Although he hadn't been seriously injured in his battle with Li Chenzhou, forcibly activating his true energy had consumed a large amount of his lifespan. His body was already on the verge of collapse, and after this battle, he had at most three years to live.

"Grandmaster Uncle," a disciple's voice came from outside the door, "a guest has arrived."

Qing Yuanzi opened his eyes: "Who?"

"An elder from the Antarctic Sword Sect said he came to...pay a visit."

Qing Yuanzi remained silent for a moment, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of his lips. The Antarctic Sword Sect had finally arrived.

"please."

Half an hour later, two middle-aged men entered the cave in the back mountain.

The leader was a man in his forties, with a cold and stern face, his brows furrowed with arrogance. He wore a long blue robe, an ancient sword hung at his waist, and his aura was as deep as the sea—a Grandmaster at the fourth level. He was Ling Yunzi, a powerful elder of the Antarctic Sword Sect.

Behind him was a man of similar age, with a cultivation level of Grandmaster Level 3. He also had the arrogance of a superior person in his eyes and brows. His name was Ling Xiaozhi.

"Senior Qing Yuanzi." Ling Yunzi cupped his hands, his tone still quite polite, "It's been many years, but you still retain your former elegance."

Qing Yuanzi smiled wryly: "Elder Ling, you jest. I am already old and frail, how could I possibly have any vigor left? You two have come from afar, may I ask what brings you here?"

Ling Yunzi sat down, his expression turning serious: "Senior, the Qingmu Sword Sect has been dependent on my Antarctic Sword Sect for generations, receiving our sect's offerings and protection. Now that our sect leader, Qingxuan Zhenren, has been publicly killed by Li Chenzhou of the Azure Dragon Society, the Qingmu Sword Sect has lost all face, and my Antarctic Sword Sect has also lost face. Therefore, we have come here today, firstly to seek justice for the Qingmu Sword Sect."

Ling Xiaozi replied, his tone contemptuous:

"The Azure Dragon Society is nothing but a rabble that relies on sneak attacks and ambush to wreak havoc. They are not worthy of being compared with my Antarctic Sword Sect."

Qing Yuanzi sneered inwardly, but on his face, he showed gratitude:

"You two are too kind. The Azure Dragon Society is indeed going too far. My cultivation is insufficient, and I am no match for Li Chenzhou. If the Antarctic Sword Sect is willing to help, the entire Azure Wood Sword Sect will be eternally grateful."

He paused, then said:

"However, although Li Chenzhou is only at the third level of the Grandmaster realm, his fist intent is extremely domineering, and his combat power far surpasses that of others at the same level. If you two were to fight him, you would need to be extra careful."

These words, ostensibly a reminder, are actually a provocation.

As expected, Ling Yunzi smiled disdainfully:

"He's only a Grandmaster at the third level, while I'm only at the fourth level. No matter how strong he is, can he possibly defeat me despite being at a higher level? Don't worry, senior, once I figure out the Azure Dragon Society's background, I will naturally avenge this debt for the Azure Wood Sword Sect."

Qing Yuanzi nodded repeatedly, but secretly he was calculating: once the Antarctic Sword Sect and the Azure Dragon Society were both severely weakened, the Green Wood Sword Sect might be able to profit from it. Even if not, at least they could use the Antarctic Sword Sect to eliminate the Azure Dragon Society, a major threat.

Ling Yunzi changed the subject: "Also, you should know about that ancient ruin in the Endless Mountains, right?"

Qing Yuanzi's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "I've heard a little about it."

"That ruin is said to contain ancient inheritances, and even secrets that can lead to breakthroughs beyond the Grandmaster level."

Ling Yunzi looked directly at Qing Yuanzi, "Our sect is determined to obtain that ruin. Senior has been operating in the west for many years and should have gathered a lot of information. We hope that Senior can share intelligence with our sect. After the matter is accomplished, the Qingmu Sword Sect can have priority to enter the ruin."

Qing Yuanzi remained silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I do know some things, but the ruins are within the territory of Qinglong Temple, and that old monk Qinglong is not easy to deal with. If you two want to enter the ruins, you must be careful of Qinglong Temple."

"The affairs of Qinglong Temple are none of your concern, Senior." Ling Yunzi stood up. "Senior, please take good care of your injuries. Leave the affairs of the Qinglong Society to us."

The two turned and left.

As Qing Yuanzi watched their retreating figures, a complex light flashed in his eyes—a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

Using someone else to do your dirty work—I hope that knife is sharp enough.