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

Eighty li east of Pingyang County. Deep within a karst cave.

The candlelight flickered. Three people knelt on prayer cushions before the statue of the White Lotus Mother.

In the middle stands an elderly woman with white hair and wrinkled skin, leaning on a dragon-headed cane. This is Granny Zhou.

Peak of the Innate Divine Meridian Realm. Supreme Elder of the Guangling Branch of the White Lotus Sect.

The gaunt old man on the left has a dark face, deep-set eyes, and fingers like withered branches. He is the Black Monster, a late-stage Innate Divine Meridian Realm expert, and the Elder of Punishments.

The middle-aged Daoist nun on the right, with phoenix eyes that held a commanding presence, held a whisk. She was Abbess Jingxu, a mid-stage Innate Divine Meridian Realm cultivator, and an Elder who transmitted her skills.

All three opened their eyes at the same time.

"The Heavenly Origin Medicine was originally something I taught," Granny Zhou said in a hoarse voice, like a broken gong. "It was taken away by the Six Doors—and today, I'm taking it back myself."

"Senior Sister Zhou, Lu Zhennan is no pushover." The old black monster's voice seemed to squeeze out from a crack in the rock. "He will definitely set an ambush."

"That's why I called both of you here." Granny Zhou stood up and tapped her cane. "Three Divine Meridian Realm experts are enough to give Lu Zhennan a hard time."

"I heard that a secret guard from the Zhenfu Division has arrived in Pingyang County." Abbess Jingxu flicked her whisk. "Peak of the Divine Meridian Realm. 'Shadow Sword' Mo Wuhen."

A cold glint flashed in Granny Zhou's cloudy eyes.

"Mo Wuhen... I've fought him before."

Thirty years ago, in Guangling Prefecture, I was defeated by half a move from his sword. Thirty years have passed, and my Xuan Yin Palm technique has reached its full potential—he may not be able to defeat me anymore.

He paused for a moment.

"Besides, we don't want to kill Mo Wuhen. We want to stall him. As long as we can hold him off for a moment, Junior Brother Hei and Junior Sister Jingxu can snatch the precious medicine from Lu Zhennan."

Black Monster and Abbess Jingxu nodded at the same time.

Liu Sanniang emerged from the shadows and whispered, "Elder, there's news from the Six Doors. Liu Ruyan will personally escort the precious medicine by waterway in three days, circling the eastern foothills of the Cangmang Mountains. Besides that, there are two other routes."

"Three routes?" Granny Zhou frowned. "Lu Zhennan released three pieces of information—which one is true?"

Liu Sanniang said, "The intelligence from our undercover agents is that Lu Zhennan did indeed set up three routes. The official road escort was a ruse, and the underground medicine storage was also a ruse. The real route was by water."

Grandma Zhou remained silent.

She knew Lu Zhennan. That old fox wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket. The waterway transport was probably a ruse. The real medicine was most likely still somewhere within the Zhenfu Division.

"Never mind him," Granny Zhou said finally. "Send people to keep an eye on all three routes."

"I'll lead the attack on the underground vault. Junior Brother Hei will lead his men to block the waterway. Junior Sister Jingxu will keep an eye on the official road. Whichever route discovers the true medicine, seize it with all your might. The rest of you, quickly provide support."

"Yes."

The headquarters of the Mad Blade Sect.

Lei Potian stood in front of the tiger-skin chair, toying with a short knife.

"Brother, the news is confirmed. Lu Zhennan has set up three routes: the official road, the underground warehouse, and the waterway. We don't know which one is real."

"Then send men on all three routes." Lei Potian sheathed his short sword. "Send the second brother on the official road. The third brother on the waterway. As for the underground vault—I'll go myself."

"Big Brother is going personally?" Lei Zhendong was surprised. "Lu Zhennan is at the late stage of the Divine Meridian Realm, and Mo Wuhen is also there..."

"That's why I went in person." Lei Potian's eyes were full of fighting spirit. "I've been stuck in the mid-stage of the Divine Meridian Realm for three years. If I can snatch the Heavenly Origin Treasure Medicine this time—even just a small piece—it will be enough for me to break through to the late stage, and even have a chance to become a Grandmaster. At that time, who in Pingyang County can suppress me? Even the imperial court will have to give me some leeway."

"But the White Lotus Sect will also go..."

"Let them go," Lei Potian sneered. "The White Lotus Sect and the Town Guard are fighting like dogs. I'll just take advantage of the chaos."

Iron Sword Sect Branch.

Zhao Tieyi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest.

"When will the three elders arrive?"

Deputy Helmsman Zhou Wenhai replied, "It will take at least five more days."

"We're too late." Zhao Tieyi stood up. "Forget it. We won't get involved this time. Send the order that all disciples are forbidden from participating in the competition for the precious medicine. We'll discuss it again when the three elders arrive."

"Yes."

West of the city. The Wang family.

He Qingquan sat in the reception room, a cup of tea in his hand. The tea had gone cold. He didn't drink it.

"Elder He, there are three sources of information about the precious medicine..." Wang Chongyuan reported cautiously.

"I know." He Qingquan put down his teacup. "Lu Zhennan's tricks might fool the White Lotus Sect and the Mad Saber Sect, but they won't fool me. There's only one real medicine. No matter how well he hides it, he'll have to give it away."

"What the elder means is..."

"Keep an eye on all roads leading out of the city." He Qingquan stood up. "No matter which road, once they leave the city—they won't escape my notice."

Wang Chongyuan nodded repeatedly.

He Qingquan walked to the window and looked at the moonlight outside.

The Green Wood Sword Sect was determined to obtain this precious medicinal herb. His visit wasn't solely for the herb—he had an even more important mission: to probe the situation in Pingyang County and prepare for the Green Wood Sword Sect's expansion.

Pingyang County is located on the western border of Guangling Prefecture. It is rich in resources and its power is dispersed. It is a good place.

"The Heavenly Origin Elixir is just the beginning," he murmured. "Pingyang County will eventually fall under the Qingmu Sword Sect's territory."

Three days later. Midnight.

Zhenfu Division, Thousand-Household Office. Direction of the underground warehouse.

Granny Zhou, along with Black Monster, Abbess Jingxu, and twenty elite members of the White Lotus Cult, quietly approached the outer wall of the Thousand Households Office.

According to the plan, the attack on the underground warehouse will proceed in three routes.

The moment I climbed over the outer wall—

Torches were burning all around.

"There's an ambush!"

Grandma Zhou's expression changed. But she was a seasoned veteran who had lived for decades, and she remained calm in the face of danger.

"Junior Brother Hei! Junior Sister Jingxu! Proceed according to the original plan!"

The three of them rushed in three different directions at the same time.

Lu Zhennan emerged from the darkness, a short knife in his hand. Behind him stood thirty elite soldiers from the Zhenfu Division, their bows and crossbows nocked, arrows aimed at the White Lotus Sect members.

"Grandma Zhou, it's been a long time." Her voice was calm and even. "The last time we met was five years ago in Guangling Prefecture."

"Lu Zhennan!" Granny Zhou slammed her cane on the ground. A crack appeared in the stone slab. "Hand over the precious medicine!"

"A precious medicine? You want a precious medicine?" Lu Zhennan laughed. "It's in the basement behind me. Come and get it if you dare."

Before he could finish speaking, the old monster pounced on the entrance to the underground parking garage.

His movements were as swift as a ghost. His ten fingers were like withered branches. His finger strikes were fierce, aimed directly at the elite guards at the entrance.

"Release the arrows!"

Thirty powerful crossbows fired simultaneously. Arrows rained down.

The old monster spun around, his long robe billowing. Arrows struck his body, producing a metallic clang—a testament to his external martial arts skills.

"A trivial skill."

With a thrust of both palms, the overwhelming force sent more than ten elite soldiers flying.

At the same time, Abbess Jingxu flicked her whisk. Thousands of silver threads, like snakes, coiled towards Lu Zhennan.

Lu Zhennan swung his short sword. The blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, severing several silver threads. But the whisk was made of celestial silkworm silk, incredibly tough. It broke and then rejoined, endlessly.

The three fought fiercely in the backyard. Sand and stones flew everywhere.

Lu Zhennan was fighting two opponents—Master Jingxu, a mid-stage Divine Meridian Realm cultivator, and Old Monster Hei, a late-stage Divine Meridian Realm cultivator. He himself was at the late-stage Divine Meridian Realm, slightly stronger than Master Jingxu but slightly weaker than Old Monster Hei. He could hold his own against two opponents, but gradually he began to lose ground.

Grandma Zhou didn't do anything.

She stood on higher ground, leaning on her cane, observing coldly. Her gaze swept back and forth between the entrance to the underground parking garage and Lu Zhennan.

She is waiting.

Waiting for nothing to leave a trace.

She knew that "Shadow Sword" Mo Wuhen must be nearby. He was the only person she feared.

A sword light pierced out from the darkness.

fast.

It's incredibly fast.

The target wasn't Granny Zhou. It was the Black Old Monster who was besieging Lu Zhennan.

Sensing danger, the burly man abruptly dodged to the side. A sword flashed past his shoulder, leaving a gaping wound.

Mo Wuhen emerged from the shadows. His clothes were as black as ink. His long sword pointed diagonally at the ground. His face was cold and stern, devoid of any emotion in his eyes.

"Shadow Sword Mo Wuhen..." The old monster clutched his shoulder, his face grim.

Mo Wuhen didn't look at him. His gaze fell on Granny Zhou.

"Zhou Yuzhen. Thirty years have passed. You're still alive."

A flicker of fear crossed Granny Zhou's eyes, quickly replaced by murderous intent.

"Mo Wuhen! Thirty years ago you defeated me by half a move. Today—I will reclaim it with interest!"

He slammed his cane down. His figure moved with lightning speed, lunging towards Mo Wuhen.

The Profound Yin Palm technique has reached its pinnacle. Wherever the palm strikes, even the grass and trees freeze. A bone-chilling cold permeates the air.

Mo Wuhen neither dodged nor evaded. He thrust out his sword.

The tip of the sword collided with the top of the cane.

clang--

Sparks flew. They each took three steps back. Then they pounced on each other at the same time.