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

The voice was very low, so low that only Dongfang Wei could hear it.

Dongfang Weiwo sized up this person.

He was at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm. But what truly caught his attention was not his cultivation level, but the aura emanating from this person—a pure killing intent that could only be forged through countless life-and-death battles.

Han Tang is like this, and so is Meng Xinghun.

The top assassins in the world of Meteor, Butterfly, and Sword seem to share the same traits—silence, aloofness, and indifference. All emotions are hidden deep within, leaving only the sword in their hands.

"Get up," Dongfang Weiwo said. "What are you good at?"

"Assassination." Meng Xinghun's answer was extremely concise. "Tracking, concealment. Swordsmanship can also be used."

"How does it compare to Han Tang?"

Meng Xinghun paused for a moment: "I've never fought one. I don't know."

Dongfang Weiwo's lips curled up slightly.

A very honest answer.

He pondered for a moment.

Chen Jialuo is the leader of the first branch of the Yintang, responsible for the construction of the stronghold in the Cangmang Mountains and the recruitment of personnel in the surrounding areas. Han Tang has only recently joined and has not yet been officially appointed as the branch leader. Meng Xinghun is a newcomer.

"Meng Xinghun".

"Your subordinate is here."

"From this day forward, you will be the First Branch Master of the Azure Dragon Society's First Branch, responsible for the sale and financial management of the Tianlan Mine. Han Tang will be the Second Branch Master of the First Branch, responsible for the defense of the mine. You two will report directly to me."

Meng Xinghun didn't ask why, he just nodded: "Yes."

"After entrusting the matter of the mine to you and Han Tang, I have a few requests."

"Dongfang Weiwo held up three fingers. "First, the quality of the ore must be guaranteed; inferior ore cannot be passed off as superior. Second, the sellers must be carefully selected; we cannot sell to forces that are clearly hostile to the imperial court. Third, and most importantly—do not expose the core strength of the Azure Dragon Society at the mine. If someone comes to steal it, fight if you can, retreat if you can't. A lost mine can be reclaimed, but if you die, you lose everything."

"clear."

"Go ahead. Chen Jialuo will tell you the exact location of the mine and its current situation. The three of you are all leaders, so discuss things together and report back to me if you're unsure."

Meng Xinghun turned and left.

The figure flashed in the doorway and disappeared as if it had never existed.

Dongfang Weiwo sat alone in the secret room and glanced at the system interface.

Three thousand five hundred energy points remain.

He has enough manpower for three Black Iron Summonings. But he doesn't plan to use it now. He has enough manpower for the time being, so he'll sort out the mine situation first, and then consider expanding his manpower.

As for himself—his own cultivation cannot be neglected either. No matter how strong the summoned beings are, they are ultimately external forces. What truly allows him to stand firm is his own strength.

He stood up and straightened his clothes.

It's time to head back to the city.

Several days later, in Qinghe City.

Dongfang Weiwo returned to the backyard of the Zhenfu branch office, changed out of his black outfit and into the official robes of a junior officer. He transformed back into the taciturn and unassuming second young master of the Marquis's mansion.

The city has been buzzing with discussion and excitement these past few days.

Inside the teahouse, several江湖客 (jianghu ke, a group of江湖客, a term referring to people from all walks of life

"Have you heard? The Iron Sword Sect has arrived in Qinghe City!"

"The Iron Sword Sect? The one in Guangling Prefecture?"

"That's it! Vice Sect Master Zhao Tieyi is personally leading the team, with over thirty skilled fighters, more than a dozen of whom are at the Acquired Realm!"

"That's the Iron Sword Sect... Can the Azure Dragon Society withstand it?"

"Who knows. But Wanbao Trading Company has also sent people, with Manager Jin Buhuan personally leading over twenty guards. This is going to be interesting—several groups are vying for the same mine; it would be strange if a fight didn't break out."

Another tea drinker lowered his voice: "You guys don't know yet, do you? The Blood Demon Sect hasn't given up either. I heard they've transferred several more elders from the main sect, all of them at the Innate Realm. The Heavenly Mountain Sect is also making moves; Han Songzi went back to get reinforcements, and he'll probably be back soon."

"Tsk tsk, so many powerful forces are eyeing Qinghe City, the waters are getting muddier and muddier."

Someone in the crowd sneered, "It's easier to fish in troubled waters. But speaking of which, what exactly is this Azure Dragon Society? They appeared overnight and even the Blood Demon Sect suffered losses."

"Who knows? Anyway, it's none of our business. We'll just watch the show."

Dongfang Weiwo sat at a table in the corner of the teahouse, holding a cup of tea in his hand, listening expressionlessly.

He was wearing the official robes of a junior officer in the Zhenfu Division, and his young face made him look like an ordinary official, so he didn't attract anyone's attention.

Iron Sword Sect. Wanbao Trading Company. Blood Nether Sect. Tianshan Sect.

All four forces are eyeing the Tianlan Mine.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a slight smile curved his lips.

The more people who come, the better.

This game has only just begun.

Zhenfu Division, Qinghe Branch Division.

In the main hall, Zheng Yuanlang sat behind his desk. The documents on his desk were piled up like a small mountain. He had barely slept for the past few days, and the fatigue on his face was clearly visible.

"My lord," a strongman entered, "the Iron Sword Sect members are settled in at the Yue Lai Inn in the north of the city. Deputy Sect Leader Zhao Tieyi hasn't gone out and has been staying at the inn. The Wanbao Trading Company members are staying at the Tongfu Inn in the south of the city, and Jin Buhuan hasn't made any moves either."

Zheng Yuanlang rubbed his temples: "What about the Blood Demon Sect and the Heavenly Mountain Sect?"

"There's no news yet. However, according to our scouts, the Blood Demon Sect has set up another camp on the outskirts of the Vast Mountains, and it's larger than the previous one. People from the Heavenly Mountain Sect are also gathering there, and their numbers are double what they were last time."

Zheng Yuanlang took a deep breath.

Four Innate Realm experts. Zhao Tieyi of the Iron Sword Sect is in the Innate Profound Gang Realm, Jin Buhuan of the Myriad Treasures Trading Company is in the late stage of the Innate Qi Sea Realm, and then there are the Innate Realm experts that the Blood Nether Sect and the Heavenly Mountain Sect will be sending soon—there are four or five just on the surface. And who knows how many more are hidden in the shadows.

This was no longer a situation he could control.

"Where is Commander Shen?" he asked.

"Commander Shen went into the mountains last night, saying he was going to investigate the Green Dragon Society."

Zheng Yuanlang nodded without saying anything.

He can only hope that Shen Lian can stabilize the situation. Otherwise, Qinghe City's meager resources are simply not enough to satisfy the powerful forces.

The backyard of the division.

Dongfang Weiwo sat cross-legged on the bed, his internal energy and blood slowly circulating.

His initial stage of the Blood Exchange Realm was now stable. After several days of cultivation, he had gained a deeper understanding of the power of the Blood Exchange Realm. The core of the Blood Exchange Realm lies in "exchange"—replacing the blood of a mortal with the blood of a martial artist imbued with spirituality. It cannot be rushed; it must be done step by step.

He took out an ordinary body-tempering pill and swallowed it, then began to circulate the "Dragon Body-Refining Technique".

The fourth level of the Flood Dragon Body Refining Technique is completely different from the Body Refinement Realm. The Body Refinement Realm is about tempering the physical body, relying on arduous training and the aid of elixirs. The Blood Exchange Realm is more like "nurturing"—nurturing qi and blood, nourishing meridians, and strengthening the foundation. Each circulation of qi and blood slowly transforms the body, making the spirituality in the blood increasingly rich.

It can't be rushed.

He wasn't in a hurry.

In the path of cultivation, a solid foundation is paramount. He spent five years in the Body Refining Realm, building a foundation more solid than anyone else's, all so he could go further later. The same applies to the Blood Exchange Realm—every step must be taken steadily, and one cannot sacrifice the foundation for speed.

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the door.

"Sir, the Commander-in-Chief requests your presence."

Dongfang Weiwo opened his eyes, suppressed his aura, and got up to open the door.

"understood."

He straightened his clothes and walked towards the front hall.

As he passed through the courtyard, he glanced at the sky.

The sky was a clear, deep blue, without a single cloud.

Good weather.