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

Green Dragon Society Headquarters

The main hall was brightly lit.

Li Chenzhou sat upright at the head of the table, his figure as imposing as a mountain, his black robe gleaming darkly in the candlelight. His eyes were slightly closed, seemingly dozing, but a faint yet palpable pressure enveloped the entire hall, making even the air feel heavier.

Zhuo Donglai stood at the lower end, his posture upright, his hands tucked into his sleeves. His gaze was calm, and his speech was neither fast nor slow, each word as precise as if it had been weighed.

"There's been quite a bit of activity from all sides lately."

He paused, observing Li Chenzhou's reaction. The man at the head of the table remained motionless.

"It seems that a big shot from the Antarctic Sword Sect is coming to the west. According to our informants planted around the sect, the sect is currently mobilizing its elite forces, and the leader is very likely to be the Tenth Elder—the Cold Sword Venerable."

Li Chenzhou's eyelids twitched slightly.

"The White Lotus Sect is also making moves," Zhuo Donglai continued. "The Golden-Robed Dharma King personally ordered the recall of all twelve Dharma Protectors. There are also signs of mobilization of the thirty-six elite Dharma Protectors. This is not a small-scale operation; it's a full-scale deployment."

"Iron Blood Hall, Blood Nether Sect, Green Wood Sword Sect..." Zhuo Donglai frowned slightly, "They are also gathering their forces. However, their movements are much smaller than the previous two, more like... they are waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Li Chenzhou finally spoke, his voice low and deep, like muffled thunder rolling across the sky.

"We're waiting for a signal," Zhuo Donglai said. "Or rather, we're waiting for a leader to make the first move so they can follow and reap the benefits."

Li Chenzhou opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Have you figured out exactly what needs to be done?"

"Not yet." Zhuo Donglai shook his head, his tone unusually grave. "The news is being tightly controlled. The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Zhenfu Division's spies have been very active lately, seemingly pushing something in the shadows. Our people have tried to infiltrate several times, but have all been rebuffed."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard..." Li Chenzhou murmured, a slight smile playing on his lips, more like a beast sniffing out its prey. "That old fox Yan Jingchen has indeed been up to no good."

"And then there's Qinglong Temple," Zhuo Donglai added. "Master Huiming's side is quiet, but his master, Master Qinglong... has been frequently summoning the abbots of major temples in the west recently. What they discussed, no one knows."

Li Chenzhou remained silent for a moment.

Only the faint crackling of candlelight and the distant, indistinct footsteps of patrolling disciples remained in the main hall.

"Whatever they're going to do," Li Chenzhou slowly stood up, his black robes hanging down like dark clouds. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "The expansion of the Azure Dragon Society cannot stop. The January Hall to the April Hall will continue to push outwards, not giving up an inch of territory that is rightfully ours. The May Hall and the June Hall will be responsible for guard duty, rotating every three days, with double shifts at night."

He turned around and looked out at the dark night sky.

"Get everyone ready—a great battle is inevitable."

Zhuo Donglai bowed deeply: "Yes."

He turned and left, his footsteps silent, like a cat.

Li Chenzhou stood alone by the window, gazing at the horizon. The night wind seeped in through the cracks, ruffling his clothes. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, like a cold star in the darkness.

He was unaware that the five forces had secretly joined forces, nor that the imperial court and Qinglong Temple were orchestrating everything behind the scenes.

But he knew—

The rise of the Azure Dragon Society was inevitably accompanied by bloodshed and violence.

Since we're bound to clash sooner or later, let the storm rage on!

Pingyang County, the rear courtyard of the Zhenfu Division

The night was as still as water, and the moonlight as smooth as silk.

Dongfang Weiwo sat cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed, his internal energy surging like a tide, endlessly circulating and regenerating.

After his trip to the ruins, his cultivation improved considerably.

His foundation in the mid-stage of the Innate Divine Meridian was already solid, and the true qi in his dantian was nearly 30% more abundant than before. He was only a thin veil away from the late stage. But he wasn't in a hurry—in cultivation, haste makes waste, and he had plenty of time and patience.

He cultivated the "Chasing Clouds and Moon Steps" to a high level.

His movement speed is now 50% faster than before. When he uses his full power, those below the Grandmaster level can hardly see him; they can only feel a gust of wind passing by before he is already a hundred paces away.

He also refined that black short sword.

The short sword felt icy cold to the touch, its blade faintly adorned with flowing dark patterns, like a sleeping dragon. It contained an ancient sword aura, which could be unleashed at a crucial moment, its power equivalent to a Grandmaster's strike. This was his last trump card, one he would never use lightly unless absolutely necessary.

The bamboo shadows sway gently in the courtyard.

A white figure landed silently on the courtyard wall, its clothes undisturbed, and not even the bamboo leaves trembled.

Ximen Chuixue stood on a high place, dressed in white as snow, with his sword hanging at his waist. Moonlight shone on him, casting his shadow long and thin, like a silent sword scar.

"Young master, there is news," he said, his voice as clear and cold as a spring.

Dongfang Wei did not open her eyes, but simply nodded slightly: "Speak."

"A great figure has arrived at the Antarctic Sword Sect. According to reliable sources, it is the Tenth Elder, Venerable Cold Sword."

"Cultivation level?"

"Grandmaster Seventh Heaven"

Dongfang Weiwo opened his eyes, a hint of seriousness flashing in them.

Grandmaster, Seventh Heaven.

Ximen Chuixue is at the peak of the fifth level of Grandmaster, and Ye Gucheng is also at the peak of the fifth level. If the two join forces, their sword intents merging, can they withstand the Seventh Heaven?

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Ximen, if you and Mr. Ye join forces, can you deal with the Seventh Heaven?"

Ximen Chuixue remained silent for a moment.

He didn't ask questions like "Are you sure?"—that wasn't his style. He simply said:

"Seventh Heaven, ready for battle."

Two words, seemingly casual, yet carrying immense weight.

Dongfang Weiwo felt somewhat reassured. He knew Ximen Chuixue; this man never spoke recklessly. To say "we can fight" meant that at least a stalemate could be maintained, that they could maneuver and not be defeated at the first blow.

"Keep an eye on things," Dongfang Wei said. "Report on everything, big or small, including the movements of the Antarctic Sword Sect, the White Lotus Sect's gathering, the activities of the three families of the Iron Blood Hall... Report back immediately."

"Yes."

Ximen Chuixue's figure flickered, like a snowflake being blown away by the wind, and disappeared outside the courtyard wall.

The bamboo leaves swayed gently a few times before returning to stillness.

Dongfang Weiwo sat alone in the courtyard, his brows slightly furrowed.

A Grandmaster at the seventh level... This level of powerhouse is not something that Ximen and Ye Gucheng, working together, can easily contend with. Moreover, the Antarctic Sword Sect has sent far more than one person; the White Lotus Sect, the Iron Blood Hall, and other forces are also secretly gathering. With five parties joining forces, even with Li Chenzhou, Fu Hongxue, and Gongzi Yu among the Azure Dragon Society's members, their top-tier combat strength is still insufficient.

We must replenish our forces.