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

That night. Black Wind Ridge.

The stockade wall was two zhang high, made of a single round log. Behind the wall was an arrow tower, guarded day and night. The stockade gate was made of thick ironwood covered with iron sheets, so strong that even a battering ram couldn't break it open.

Meng Xinghun did not go through the door.

He and Han Tang climbed up the cliff behind the mountain. It was over thirty zhang (approximately 15 meters) high, almost vertical. Meng Xinghun moved with light agility, his toes barely touching the protrusions of the rock face as he ascended several feet. Han Tang followed behind, not as graceful, but each step was extremely precise, like a gecko.

It scaled the village wall. It landed on the rooftop. Without a sound.

The moonlight was thin. Most of the village was dark. Only the large stone house in the center was lit.

Two guards at the gate. Yawning. Drowsy.

Meng Xinghun determined the direction and gestured to Han Tang.

They split up.

Han Tang's figure flickered and disappeared into the shadows.

Meng Xinghun floated down from the rooftop. He landed silently.

He walked close to the wall. His footsteps were so light that they didn't even disturb the fallen leaves on the ground.

The first guard knew nothing.

A chill ran down his throat. The sword was swift. As it sliced ​​across his throat, another hand covered his mouth.

[System Notification: Meng Xinghun has killed a Black Wind Stronghold guard (early stage of the Blood Exchange Realm), gaining 30 energy points.]

The second one turned his head and saw his companion slump down. His pupils contracted sharply. Before he could even open his mouth, the sword had already pierced his throat.

[System Notification: Meng Xinghun has killed a Black Wind Stronghold guard (mid-stage Blood Exchange Realm), gaining 40 energy points.]

The two bodies were gently placed on the ground. No one was alerted.

Meng Xinghun pushed open the door of the stone house.

The room was brightly lit.

Huo Tianlang sat on a tiger-skin chair, a jar of wine and half a roasted lamb in front of him. He was eating meat heartily and drinking wine from a large bowl. His nine-ringed broadsword leaned against the side of the chair, the iron rings glowing dark red in the firelight.

The door opened, and he paused for a moment. Then he resumed his hand. He put down the lamb leg, wiped the grease on his clothes, and slowly stood up. His expression didn't resemble that of a bandit leader trapped in a room—there was a forced composure. But deep in his eyes, a barely perceptible anxiety lurked.

"From the Azure Dragon Society?" The voice was relatively steady. "You're Meng Xinghun?"

"Where is the goods?"

Huo Tianlang didn't reply. He stared at the sword in Meng Xinghun's hand, his Adam's apple bobbing. Suddenly, he spoke, his tone laced with resentment: "You know I didn't want to mess with your Azure Dragon Society. You set up your flag in Pingyang County, while my Black Wind Ridge is in the Cangmang Mountains, keeping to ourselves."

Meng Xinghun remained silent.

"Someone came to my door saying they could help me." Huo Tianlang gritted his teeth. "The Blood Nether Sect. An elder at the Innate Realm came in person and said that as long as I rob your Azure Dragon Society's goods, they will back me up. From now on, Black Wind Ridge will be the Blood Nether Sect's partner in Qinghe City."

He paused, glancing towards the door—it was empty, there was nothing there.

"They said they'd send people tonight to keep watch and protect me from you." Huo Tianlang's voice lowered, filled with disbelief and bewilderment. "But... I haven't seen a single person since evening."

The stone house was quiet for a moment.

Meng Xinghun said calmly, "The Blood Nether Sect has already withdrawn."

Huo Tianlang's face suddenly turned ashen.

"They withdrew? Impossible! They said—"

"Your life isn't worth the effort of a mere Innate Realm cultivator," Meng Xinghun interrupted him. "You're just a disposable pawn."

Huo Tianlang's mouth opened and closed. The scar on his face was red with anger, but his eyes held even more fear—fear of the Blood Demon Sect's betrayal, fear of the swordsman before him.

He suddenly laughed. It was a bitter laugh.

"I've been a bandit for twenty years, and this is the first time I've been made a fool of."

The laughter stopped abruptly. He reached out and grasped the hilt of the nine-ringed broadsword, slowly raising it.

"But even if I'm a pawn to be discarded, I'll die standing."

Meng Xinghun wasn't angry. He didn't even frown. He just stared at Huo Tianlang as if he were looking at a dead man.

"Then die."

Meng Xinghun drew his sword.

A flash of sword light illuminated the entire stone house.

Huo Tianlang was prepared. He swept his nine-ringed broadsword horizontally, the rings clanging as he met the sword's edge.

clang--

The swords clashed. Sparks flew. Huo Tianlang took two steps back. His hand went numb. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Five moves.

The first move resulted in his left shoulder being pierced.

The second move resulted in a torn right hamstring.

The third move severed the tendons in his right hand. The nine-ringed broadsword clattered to the ground.

The fourth move was to smash his jaw with the hilt of the sword. He could no longer utter a sound.

The fifth move: sword to the throat.

Meng Xinghun looked at him kneeling on the ground. There was no killing intent in his eyes. There was no pity. Only coldness.

"I told you, I'm here to take your life tonight."

The sword's edge was thrust forward.

Huo Tianlang's pupils dilated. His burly body crashed to the ground. Blood flowed from his throat, spreading across the bluestone ground. In a daze, the face of the Blood Nether Sect elder, making his solemn promises, flashed before his eyes—then everything returned to darkness.

[System Notification: Meng Xinghun has killed Huo Tianlang, the leader of Black Wind Stronghold (peak of the Acquired Divine Power Realm), and has gained 1500 energy points.]

Screams could be heard sporadically from the village.

Han Tang's side is also moving quickly.

Liu Chuang, nicknamed "Iron Hand," is the second-in-command. He's at the peak of the Golden Body Realm. He's checking inventory at the armory entrance. Han Tang leaps out from the shadows, aiming a fatal sword strike to Liu Chuang's throat. Before Liu Chuang's hand can even touch the hilt of his sword...

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed Liu Chuang (peak Golden Body Realm), the second-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold, and gained 300 energy points.]

The third leader, "Ghost Foot" Sun Qi, was at the mid-stage of the Acquired Golden Body Realm. He was feeding the horses in the stable. A sword entered from his back and exited from his chest. Sun Qi collapsed into the manger. The hay was stained red.

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed Sun Qi, the third leader of Black Wind Stronghold (mid-stage Golden Body Realm), and gained 200 energy points.]

The strategist, "Poisonous Scorpion" Wu Yong, was at the early stage of the Golden Body Realm. He was squatting in the outhouse. Han Tang didn't go in. A sword pierced through the wooden wall, striking right in the center.

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed Wu Yong, the strategist of Black Wind Stronghold (early stage of the Acquired Golden Body Realm), and gained 150 energy points.]

Then the fourth. The fifth. The sixth.

Han Tang moved silently through the village. At each place he passed, a corpse lay fallen.

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed the Black Wind Stronghold leader (early stage of the Acquired Golden Body Realm), gaining 100 energy points]

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed the Black Wind Stronghold leader (late stage of the Blood Transformation Realm), gaining 80 energy points]

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed the Black Wind Stronghold leader (mid-stage Golden Body Realm), gaining 200 energy points]

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed the Black Wind Stronghold leader (early stage of the Acquired Divine Power Realm), gaining 500 energy points.]

... (Several minor tips omitted)

All thirteen leaders were wiped out. This alone contributed nearly four thousand points.

Han Tang easily dealt with another 120 or so bandits who dared to move. Their cultivation levels were low, most were at the stage of body tempering and blood exchange, each possessing 5 to 30 points. However, there were too many of them.

[System Notification: Han Tang has killed 127 Black Wind Stronghold bandits, bringing his total to 2100]

On his way back, Meng Xinghun also knocked down more than thirty people.

[System Notification: Meng Xinghun has killed 38 Black Wind Stronghold bandits, bringing his total to 800.]

The remaining hundred or so bandits knelt on the ground. Those who did not resist were spared. They dispersed and ran into the mountains.

Current balance: 8600 (including the previous balance of 300)

Dongfang Weiwo sat in the duty room of Qinghe City, looking at that string of numbers.

The corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

8300. 1400 short, next Bronze Summon.

"Soon."

As soon as it was light, the news exploded.

The whole city was talking about the same thing—Black Wind Stronghold had been wiped out. Overnight, more than three hundred people were either dead or fled, and Huo Tianlang was beheaded.

"Who did it? The government?"

"No. It was the Azure Dragon Society. It was Chief Meng who personally took action."

"Peak of the Innate Qi Sea Realm? Wiping out an entire stronghold single-handedly?"

"He killed Huo Tianlang, and took another man with him. He slaughtered all thirteen leaders. One slash each."

Wanbao Trading Company. Jin Buhuan listened to the shop assistant's words, his brush hovering for a long time without falling. He put down the brush, picked up his cool tea, and took a sip. The tea was cold, but his heart was warm. Luckily, he had chosen the Green Dragon Society.

Zhenyuan Escort Agency. Zhou Tieshan remained silent for a long time before saying to his subordinates, "From now on, the shipping costs for goods delivered to the Green Dragon Society will be halved."

The subordinate was stunned: "Chief镖头, we don't have any business with the Green Dragon Society yet..."

"It will be ready soon," Zhou Tieshan interrupted him. "Go to the Meng residence and deliver the invitation, saying that I'm inviting Chief Meng for tea."

Weiyuan Escort Agency. Ma Rulong, while wiping his weapon, instructed, "Send someone to the Green Dragon Society to ask if they do escort services. We're familiar with the White Tiger and Northwest routes, so the price is negotiable."

The Mad Blade Sect. Lei Potian slammed his palm on the table. The teacup jumped up. "That Meng Xinghun! He slaughters without hesitation? He's more formidable than I expected."

"Brother, the Azure Dragon Society is not to be trifled with," Lei Zhendong said in a low voice.

"It's better if they're not to be trifled with." Lei Potian walked to the window. "Those who are too weak are not qualified to cooperate with me. Keep a close eye on the Iron Sword Sect. Report to me when reinforcements arrive."

Iron Sword Sect. Zhao Tieyi leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers. His injuries hadn't fully healed. The palm print on his chest had faded to a yellowish-blue. He could get out of bed now.

"The Azure Dragon Society..." he murmured, his gaze complex.

"Master, shall we still present the gift...?"

"Keep delivering."

Zhao Tieyi interrupted, "The stronger the Azure Dragon Society becomes, the more we need to win them over. Tell the headquarters to send reinforcements quickly. The world is about to change."