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

Eighty li east of Pingyang County.

Temporary stronghold of the White Lotus Sect.

Deep inside the cave. The candlelight flickers.

Granny Zhou sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. Her face was pale, and her breathing was unsteady. Her left leg was wrapped in thick bandages. Mo Wuhen's sword had injured the bone; it wouldn't heal for at least two or three months.

The old monster sat to her left. The knife wound on his shoulder had scabbed over, but he still couldn't put weight on his arm. Abbess Jingxu sat to her right. She had a new whisk. Her complexion wasn't good either.

The three remained silent for a long time.

"We've suffered a huge loss this time," the old monster said first, his voice hoarse. "Twenty-one disciples, gone just like that."

"There are still more than a dozen seriously injured. Whether they will survive is still uncertain," Master Jingxu added.

Granny Zhou opened her eyes. Her cloudy eyes were filled with a sinister look.

"Lu Zhennan... I will definitely settle this score with him."

"Senior Sister, now is not the time to settle scores," said the Black Monster. "All three of us are injured. Most of our disciples have been lost. We can't fight again for a while. If the headquarters finds out we've lost..."

"I know," Granny Zhou interrupted. "So, let's not report this to the headquarters yet. We'll figure out a way to get the precious medicine back after we've recovered from our injuries."

"The precious medicine is probably no longer in Lu Zhennan's hands," said Abbess Jingxu. "When we attacked the underground vault, a group of men in black also went to steal it. They weren't from the Zhenfu Division, nor were they from the Mad Saber Sect."

A cold glint flashed in Granny Zhou's eyes.

"I know. Those people have strange movements and insidious palm techniques. They don't seem to follow the righteous path, nor the demonic path. I've lived for decades and have never seen that kind of martial arts before."

"Could it be someone from the Azure Dragon Society?" the Black Old Monster asked.

Grandma Zhou remained silent for a moment.

"Possibly," he said slowly. "The Azure Dragon Society appeared too suddenly. Nobody had heard of them just two or three months ago, and then they seized the Tianlan Mine, destroyed the Black Wind Stronghold, and repelled the Blood Demon Sect. If the precious medicine really is in their hands..."

He didn't continue.

Silence fell once again in the cave.

"Let Liu San Niang investigate," Granny Zhou finally said. "She's been operating in Pingyang County for five years and has her own intelligence network. Keep a close eye on the Azure Dragon Society. Report any unusual activity immediately."

"Yes."

The following day. The Zhenfu Division, Thousand-Household Office.

He Qingquan, dressed in a blue robe with a long sword at his waist, had three long wisps of beard that fluttered in the wind. He possessed a somewhat otherworldly air about him. He entered the council hall and gave a slight bow to Lu Zhennan, who sat at the head of the table.

"Commander Lu. I've long admired you."

Lu Zhennan stood up and returned the greeting: "Elder He has come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

The guests and hosts took their seats. Shen Lian personally poured tea.

He Qingquan took a sip from his cup and exclaimed, "Excellent tea!"

"Elder He, you flatter me." Lu Zhennan put down his teacup. "May I ask what brings Elder He to Pingyang County this time?"

He Qingquan put down his teacup and smiled.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Commander Lu, the Green Wood Sword Sect has heard about the Heavenly Origin Medicine."

Lu Zhennan's expression remained unchanged: "The precious medicine is already properly stored in my Zhenfu Division. Elder He need not worry about it."

"Commander Lu, you've misunderstood," He Qingquan waved his hand. "The Green Wood Sword Sect isn't trying to steal the precious medicine; we want to cooperate with Commander Lu. If the medicine is refined into a Breakthrough Pill, it will greatly benefit those breaking through to the peak of the Divine Vein Realm. The Green Wood Sword Sect is willing to provide alchemists. Once the pill is refined, we'll split the profits equally."

Lu Zhennan remained silent.

"Elder He, the precious medicine is not mine; it was seized by the Six Doors from the White Lotus Sect. I am merely holding it in trust. Escorting it to the capital is the imperial court's decision. I have no say in this."

"Commander Lu is a smart man," He Qingquan said with an unchanged smile. "The court's intentions can change. As long as the reason is sufficient—for example, the precious medicine was accidentally lost or stolen. Both the Commander's Office and the Green Wood Sword Sect get what they want. Why not?"

Lu Zhennan's eyelid twitched.

This is a test of him.

"Elder He," the tone turned cold. "The Zhenfu Division is a government office, not a trading firm. Elder He, it's best not to say such things."

He Qingquan didn't take it to heart. He picked up his teacup and took another sip.

"Commander Lu, please don't be angry. I was just joking."

He put down his teacup. Then, he changed the subject.

"I've heard that a force called the Azure Dragon Society has recently emerged in Pingyang County?"

Lu Zhennan's heart skipped a beat: "Elder He, you've also heard of the Azure Dragon Society?"

"I've heard a little about it," He Qingquan said. "To wipe out Black Wind Stronghold and repel the Blood Demon Sect overnight. This force is not simple. The Green Wood Sword Sect has always paid close attention to the martial arts forces in Pingyang County. This Azure Dragon Society... is quite interesting."

"What does Elder He mean?"

"It's nothing." He Qingquan stood up. "Just a reminder to Commander Lu—when new forces emerge, they either devour others or are devoured by others. If they get out of control, they'll become a major problem sooner or later."

拱手。

Goodbye.

Lu Zhennan stood up: "See the guest out."

After He Qingquan left, Shen Lian whispered, "Sir, he was testing our attitude towards the Azure Dragon Society."

"I know." Lu Zhennan sat down and picked up his teacup. "He Qingquan is more difficult to deal with than the White Lotus Sect. Elders of reputable sects have their own considerations when doing things. But his goals are far more profound than those of the White Lotus Sect."

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"The Green Wood Sword Sect wants to expand its sphere of influence." Lu Zhennan put down his teacup. "Pingyang County is located on the western border of Guangling Prefecture. It is rich in resources, but its power is scattered. Controlling this place would be a piece of fat meat for them."

Shen Lian's heart skipped a beat: "Should we be on guard against them?"

"We must be on guard." Lu Zhennan stood up and walked to the window. "But right now, the biggest threat isn't the Green Wood Sword Sect. It's that invisible and intangible force—the Azure Dragon Society."

West of Pingyang County. An abandoned mountain god temple.

The temple was dilapidated. The statues of deities were leaning precariously, covered in a thick layer of dust. A side hall in the back courtyard, however, was spotlessly clean. The doors and windows were tightly shut. A few oil lamps were lit inside.

Xuan Qi knelt on the ground. In front of him was a black wooden box. The box was engraved with intricate patterns, and a faint luster flowed around it.

"My lord. Mission failed." The voice was low. "The precious medicine was snatched away by the Azure Dragon Society."

No sound came from the wooden box. But an invisible pressure surged out, causing Xuan Qi's back to bend even more.

"The Azure Dragon Society?" A hoarse voice came from the wooden box. It was impossible to tell if it was male or female, or how old it was. "Find out their background."

"Investigating. Currently, all we know is that the stronghold is in the Yiyue Hall, and the leader is Meng Xinghun, who is at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm and whose combat strength is comparable to the mid-stage of the Xuan Gang Realm. There are also two guardians in the hall who are at the early stage of the Xuan Gang Realm, and together they can fight against the peak of the Xuan Gang Realm."

"not enough."

"Yes." Xuan Qi lowered his head even further. "This subordinate will continue the investigation."

"I'll give you one month." The voice from the wooden box was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Find out who the leader of the Azure Dragon Society is, where their headquarters are, how many people they have, and whether they have any powerful backers. If there are still no results after one month..."

The consequences were not mentioned.

Xuan Qi's body trembled slightly.

"Understood."

The oppressive aura dissipated.

Xuan Qi stood up, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and turned to leave the side hall.

As they approached the temple entrance, a man in black came to greet them.

"Seventh Brother, what did the Master say?"

"Give us a month," Xuan Qi said hoarsely. "Within a month, you must find out everything about the Azure Dragon Society."

"Is a month... enough?"

"It has to be enough, even if it's not enough."

Xuan Qi looked up at the night sky, a complex light flashing in his eyes. "The Azure Dragon Society...who exactly are you?"

Qinghe City. Zhenfu Branch Office.

It was late at night. Dongfang Weiwo sat by the window of his duty room, a letter in his hand. It was a specially made coded message from the Azure Dragon Society, sent by Meng Xinghun.

Shangguan Jin Hong has become the head of the Yiyue Hall and has begun to integrate resources and expand his influence. Meng Xinghun, Han Tang, and the two elders of Xuanming have come under his command.

The Green Dragon Society has ample funds. Shangguan Jin Hong plans to expand its scale tenfold within three months.

Updates: All three elders of the White Lotus Sect are injured and unable to launch another attack in the short term. The conflict between the Mad Saber Sect and the Iron Sword Sect is escalating; Iron Sword Sect reinforcements will arrive within three days. He Qingquan remains in the county city, his aim not only for the precious medicine—the Green Wood Sword Sect seems to have expansionist intentions. The mysterious black-clad forces continue their clandestine activities, their objectives unknown.

Lu Zhennan has begun to suspect the Green Dragon Society, but has no evidence. The Zhenfu Division is investigating an internal mole, so vigilance needs to be heightened.

Dongfang Wei burned the letter. He leaned back in his chair.

The addition of Shangguan Jin Hong has brought about a qualitative change in the Azure Dragon Society's combat strength. At the early stage of Grandmaster level, he is virtually invincible in the entire Pingyang County. However, he doesn't intend to let Shangguan Jin Hong make a move easily. He'll save his trump card for last.

As for Lu Zhennan's suspicions...

Suspicion is one thing. Evidence is another. Without evidence, Lu Zhennan can't do anything to him.

Open the sixth level of "The Dragon Body Refining Technique" - the Innate Chapter.

After breaking through to the Innate Realm, the "Dragon Body Refining Technique" also entered a new stage.

The core of the Innate Chapter is the "Dragon Vein"—condensing dragon-shaped meridians within the body to allow true essence to circulate faster, stronger, and longer.

Close your eyes. Begin your cultivation.

True essence circulates in the meridians.

A faint roar, like a dragon's cry, seemed to emanate from his dantian, echoing through the silent guard room.