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

Springtime in Pingyang County is short.

At the end of March, just as warmth began to creep onto the willow tips, a sudden cold snap arrived, shrouded in a deadly chill.

Early morning. The city gates have just opened.

The group entered the county town. Leading them was an elderly man in his sixties, wearing a long, dark blue robe, with a rusty iron sword hanging at his waist. His face was withered and emaciated, like decaying wood. Only his eyes held a shrewd, restrained glint.

With each step, the blue bricks beneath their feet cracked silently.

Iron Hand Sword Elder, Supreme Elder of the Iron Sword Sect. Late stage of Divine Meridian Realm.

Behind them were three elderly men, all at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm. Their auras were powerful, and their gazes were like lightning. Further behind were more than twenty elite disciples, the lowest being at the Golden Body Realm.

The group swaggered through the streets, heading straight for the Iron Sword Sect branch.

Along the way, spies from various factions retreated in all directions. No one dared to stand in their way.

On the second floor of Wanbao Trading Company, Jin Buhuan held a teacup, his fingers slightly white.

"The Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements have arrived. One late-stage Divine Vein Realm cultivator and three peak-stage Profound Gang Realm cultivators... This is their plan to uproot the Mad Blade Sect."

"Boss, about our cooperation with the Green Dragon Society..." the waiter whispered beside him.

Jin Buhuan remained silent for a moment.

"Let's see how Meng Xinghun responds."

The headquarters of the Mad Blade Sect.

Lei Potian stood in the center of the martial arts arena. His golden-backed broadsword was stuck in the bluestone ground, the blade humming.

He was shirtless. His bulging muscles were wrapped in bandages, with blood seeping out faintly—hidden injuries from his last fight with Lu Zhennan.

He was the founder of the Mad Blade Sect. The foundation he built must not be lost.

"Sect Master, the Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements have arrived." The scout in black knelt on one knee. "The Supreme Elder, Iron Hand Sword Elder, is personally leading the team, accompanied by three elders, totaling more than twenty people. They have already taken up residence at the West Branch of the City."

Lei Potian closed his eyes. Then he slowly opened them.

"Iron Hand Sword Elder... was already at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm thirty years ago. Now he has broken through to the late stage of the Divine Vein Realm, and his strength is unfathomable."

"Sect Leader, then we..."

"What's the panic?" Lei Potian drew his broadsword. With a swift turn, a sharp blade of energy slashed out, cleaving the testing stone ten feet away in two. "I founded the Mad Blade Sect myself. What storms haven't I weathered?"

He turned to look at the deputy sect leader.

"What did the Green Dragon Society say?"

Meng Xinghun sent someone back, saying, "Give him three days to consider."

"Three days..." Lei Potian sneered. "They're waiting for us to offer an even higher price."

"Sect Leader, then we..."

"Raise the stakes? With what?" Lei Potian held his sword across his lap. "What the Mad Blade Sect can offer—territory, money, resources—Meng Xinghun can take it all himself. What he really wants—is for us to be his pawns."

The deputy sect leader was startled: "Then what does the sect leader mean?"

Lei Potian did not answer.

Looking north. Towards the direction of the Azure Dragon Society's First Moon Hall.

"Send someone to deliver a message to Meng Xinghun. Say..." He paused, ""I, Lei Potian, wish to pay him a personal visit."

Ichigetsu-do Hall. Inner hall.

Shangguan Jin Hong sat upright in the main seat, toying with a copper coin in his hand. The coin flipped and danced between his fingers, sometimes disappearing, sometimes reappearing, as if it were alive.

Below, Meng Xinghun, Han Tang, Lu Zhangke, and Hebi Weng sat on either side.

"Iron Sword Sect reinforcements have arrived," Meng Xinghun spoke first, his words rapid. "Iron Hand Sword Elder, late-stage Divine Meridian Realm, skilled in using a heavy sword. His swordsmanship follows a fierce and powerful path. Thirty years ago, at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm, he killed three others of the same level. The three elders are..."

They knew everything about the Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements. They laid out the details of each member's skills, fighting style, and weaknesses in detail.

Shangguan Jin Hong listened quietly and nodded.

"The intelligence gathering was quite good."

"In addition," Meng Xinghun continued, "Lei Potian sent someone to deliver a letter, saying that he wants to pay a visit in person."

"Lei Potian..." Shangguan Jin Hong's lips curled into a smile. "The founder of the Mad Blade Sect. He's quite a figure. He's here to ask for help."

"What does the hall master mean?" Han Tang asked in a deep voice.

Shangguan Jin Hong didn't answer directly. He looked at Lu Zhang Ke.

"How's the recruitment going?"

Lu Zhangke rose and bowed, "Reporting to the Hall Master. We have recruited forty-seven rogue cultivators at the Innate Realm, thirty-two at the Qi Sea Realm, and fifteen at the Profound Gang Realm. Most are lone wolves, retired martial artists, or those with grudges against their former forces. Their backgrounds are clean. They are usable."

"How's their combat strength?"

Hebi Weng interjected, "They've undergone initial training, and their coordination is acceptable. In chaotic battles, they can withstand an attack from an equal number of regular troops. But to deal with a long-established force like the Iron Sword Sect, they still need more experience."

"It doesn't matter if it's a little short on the mark." Shangguan Jin Hong slammed the copper coin onto the table. The coin embedded itself perfectly into the mahogany table. "The key is to show them—following the Azure Dragon Society means there's something to be gained."

He got up, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the window. The sky outside was overcast.

"With the arrival of reinforcements from the Iron Sword Sect, the pressure on the Mad Saber Sect has greatly increased. Lei Potian is eager to find allies. This is an opportunity."

"Does the Hall Master mean to form an alliance with the Mad Blade Sect?" Meng Xinghun asked.

"An alliance?" Shangguan Jin Hong turned around, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "No. I want to make the Mad Blade Sect a vassal of the Azure Dragon Society."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Han Tang frowned: "Master, Lei Potian is the founder of the Mad Saber Sect. He is proud and arrogant. I'm afraid he won't bow down easily."

"Arrogant and haughty?" Shangguan Jin Hong laughed, a hint of mockery in his smile. "That's because he hasn't met anyone who can make him bow his head."

He walked back to the main seat, sat down again, and looked at Meng Xinghun.

"Tomorrow, you will represent the Azure Dragon Society and host a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, inviting Lei Potian to attend."

"Me?" Meng Xinghun was taken aback. "Isn't the hall master going to show up personally?"

"Now is not the time," Shangguan Jin Hong said calmly. "I will not make a public appearance for the time being. To the outside world, you will be the highest-ranking person in charge of the Azure Dragon Society. Let everyone believe that Meng Xinghun is the highest-ranking person in charge here."

Meng Xinghun pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"clear."

"Remember this." Shangguan Jin Hong's gaze sharpened. "You need to put pressure on Lei Potian. Show your strength; that's up to you."

"Yes."

"Han Tang, continue to keep an eye on the three major families and the two major escort agencies. See how their attitude changes after the Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements arrive."

"Yes."

"Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng, intensify the training of the new recruits. Within three days, I want to see them arrayed in battle formation."

"Yes, ma'am."

Zhenfu Division, Thousand-Household Office.

Lu Zhennan leaned back in his armchair.

"My lord, reinforcements from the Iron Sword Sect have arrived," a guard reported from outside the gate.

"Understood." Lu Zhennan waved his hand. After the guards withdrew, he looked at Mo Wuhen beside him. "What do you think?"

Mo Wuhen remained dressed in black, standing in the shadows. His voice was indifferent.

"The Iron Sword Sect's arrival is ill-intentioned. On the surface, they are supporting the branch, but in reality, they want to take advantage of the White Lotus Sect's weakened state to expand their territory."

"What about the Mad Blade Sect?"

"Lei Potian has sent people to contact the Azure Dragon Society. He probably wants to form an alliance."

"The Azure Dragon Society..." Lu Zhennan narrowed his eyes. "That Meng Xinghun, so young, yet so cunning. Could there be someone backing him?"

"I've investigated Meng Xinghun's background. I couldn't find anything." Mo Wuhen's tone rarely showed a hint of solemnity. "This person seems to have appeared out of thin air. There are no past records. But judging from his cultivation level and style of doing things—he's definitely not an ordinary rogue cultivator."

"A peak Qi Sea Realm cultivator, yet his combat strength is comparable to a mid-stage Profound Gang Realm cultivator..." Lu Zhennan pondered. "If he truly has someone behind him, that person's strength is at least at the peak of the Divine Vein Realm. Perhaps even..."

The two looked at each other. Neither of them uttered the word.

Grandmaster.

"Continue the investigation."

Lu Zhennan said, "We can't alert them. Also, send someone to keep a close eye on Zuixianlou. I heard that Meng Xinghun is going to host a banquet for Lei Potian there tomorrow."

"Are you worried that they'll join forces?"

"The Mad Blade Sect plus the Azure Dragon Society. A mid-stage Divine Vein Realm expert plus Meng Xinghun, who is comparable to a mid-stage Profound Gang Realm expert, plus those Profound Gang Realm experts from the Azure Dragon Society... If they really join forces, even the Iron Sword Sect wouldn't dare to act rashly."

North of the city. A secluded little courtyard.

The White Lotus Sect's last secret stronghold in Pingyang County. Liu San Niang is temporarily hiding here.

"Third Sister, a reply from the main altar has arrived." A maid pushed open the door and handed over the secret letter.

Liu San Niang opened the package. She quickly scanned it, her expression gradually darkening.

"The headquarters wants us to investigate the Green Dragon Society thoroughly, at any cost?" He held the letter up to the candle flame and burned it. "They also said we need solid intelligence within a month, otherwise..."

She didn't finish her sentence. The maid already understood.

"Third Sister, what should we do?"

Liu San Niang remained silent. She stood up.

"Get me a set of clothes for night. Tonight, I'll personally go and investigate the Azure Dragon Society."

"Third Sister, it's too dangerous!"

Although Meng Xinghun is only at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm, he has several Xuan Gang Realm experts under his command…

"I'm not going to fight," Liu San Niang sneered. "I'm just going to scout things out. Besides—the most dangerous place is the safest place. They won't expect me to go in person."

He walked to the window, gazing towards the direction of the Azure Dragon Society's Yiyue Hall in the distance. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

"Azure Dragon Society... Meng Xinghun... who exactly are you people?"