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

Qinghe City. Zhenfu Branch Office.

I, Dongfang Weiwo, sat cross-legged in the quiet room.

The true energy within his body circulated slowly, consolidating his newly broken-through Qi Sea realm cultivation.

After breaking through to the Innate Realm, his perception increased dramatically. He could clearly sense even the slightest movement of the grass within a hundred-foot radius. He could "see" Zhao Tieshan next door processing official documents, and he could "hear" Liu Tie, Zhang Dashan, and Su Wen whispering in the courtyard.

"Boss has been cultivating more and more diligently lately. He's been holed up in the meditation room all day long," Liu Tie's voice said.

"That's right. The higher-ups said to tell the boss to behave himself. And he's been behaving himself quite well," Zhang Dashan chimed in.

"What do you know?" Su Wen lowered his voice. "I heard that the boss is already being treated like a captain. This is a sign that he's about to be promoted. If we don't work hard now, when will we?"

Dongfang Weiwo smiled slightly.

Withdraw your senses. Resume the practice.

The sixth level of the "Dragon Body Refining Technique," the Innate Chapter, emphasizes tempering the muscles and bones with true qi, so that the physical body and true qi complement each other, achieving unity of inner and outer. Having just broken through, the foundation is not yet stable, and at least a month of refinement is needed.

"Once my foundation is solid, I can try to break through to the Profound Realm," he thought to himself. "No rush. Cultivation in the Innate Realm cannot be rushed. It's easy to suffer a qi deviation."

A paper crane flew in through the window and landed in my palm.

The Azure Dragon Society's communication paper cranes. Driven by internal force, they are extremely fast and difficult to intercept.

Unfold. Shangguan Jin Hong's handwriting:

The Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements have arrived in Pingyang County. They include one late-stage Divine Meridian Realm cultivator and three peak-stage Profound Gang Realm cultivators. Lei Potian intends to form an alliance with the Azure Dragon Society. He has ordered Meng Xinghun to host a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion tomorrow at noon. Various forces are stirring. My subordinates will not appear in public for the time being; Meng Xinghun will be in charge of all external affairs. Please make the final decision, Leader.

Dongfang Weiwo finished reading it. After a moment of contemplation, he crumpled the paper into pieces with his fingers.

He took out a jade bottle from his robes, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. He continued his cultivation.

The most important thing right now is to consolidate one's cultivation.

In the affairs of Pingyang County, Shangguan Jin Hong was strategizing behind the scenes, while Meng Xing Hun was handling things on the front lines.

He was relieved.

A Grandmaster level expert is powerful enough to suppress everything. But it's not time to reveal their trump card yet.

The last day of March.

Dark clouds gathered over Pingyang County, foreshadowing a storm.

Early morning. The Qinglong Society's Yiyue Hall martial arts training ground.

Forty-seven newly recruited rogue cultivators at the Innate Realm stood in neat formation. Thirty-two were at the Qi Sea Realm.

Fifteenth level of the Profound Realm. Each of them possessed a powerful aura and piercing gaze. After days of training by Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng, this group of originally loose and undisciplined lone martial artists had taken on the appearance of a regular army.

But the bigger changes are happening at the core of the Azure Dragon Society.

In a quiet room.

Chen Jialuo sat cross-legged, his internal energy surging like a tide. As the leader of the Red Flower Society, he had cultivated the Hundred Flowers Misaligned Fist for many years, possessing a profound foundation. After arriving in this world, he obtained many cultivation resources, causing his cultivation level to rise steadily.

Right now, we're on the verge of a breakthrough.

He had reached the peak of the Acquired Divine Power Realm, but was now at the Innate Qi Sea Realm. This bottleneck had been holding him back for several days.

At dawn, during the thirty-sixth cycle of the cultivation technique—

Suddenly, the body's internal energy burst forth, surging wildly into the dantian and condensing into a ball within the dantian.

boom--

A muffled thud. A sac of air formed.

Chen Jialuo suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light. His aura surged. He stood up, feeling the surging true energy within him, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"The innate... I've finally broken through."

At the same time.

Master Wuchen, mid-stage of the Acquired Divine Power Realm, broke through to the early stage of the Innate Qi Sea Realm.

Zhao Banshan, at the peak of the Acquired Golden Body Realm, broke through to the early stage of the Innate Heavenly Sea Realm.

Wen Tailai, at the peak of the Acquired Golden Body Realm, broke through to the early stage of the Innate Qi Sea Realm.

Tian Guinong, at the peak of the Acquired Divine Power Realm, broke through to the early stage of the Innate Qi Sea Realm.

The five of them almost simultaneously completed the leap from the acquired to the innate realm. Although they were only at the early stage of the Qi Sea Realm, they were already a force to be reckoned with in Pingyang County.

More importantly—these five were already renowned masters in the martial arts world. Their combat experience and teamwork were far superior to those of ordinary rogue cultivators.

Another quiet room.

Meng Xinghun slowly finished his practice.

He was originally at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm, with combat strength comparable to the mid-stage of the Profound Gang Realm. After years of cultivation and combat experience, that bottleneck has finally been broken.

Early stage of the Profound Gang Realm.

The true Profound Realm. Not just "comparable." It's a genuine, undeniable level of mastery.

Meng Xinghun stood up. He drew his sword. He swung it once.

A sword aura silently sliced ​​through the air, leaving a hair-thin sword mark on the wall.

"The Profound Realm... is indeed different."

He murmured a sentence. Then he sheathed his sword.

At noon today, he is to represent the Azure Dragon Society at the appointment at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. With his cultivation at the early stage of the Profound Realm, coupled with his assassination experience and swordsmanship, he is confident in handling any unforeseen circumstances.

Noon. Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

A three-story restaurant. Located in the heart of Pingyang County. A top choice for gatherings and banquets by various factions. Today, the entire building has been booked by Meng Xinghun.

A private room on the third floor. The window is open. It overlooks half of the county town.

Meng Xinghun sat in the main seat. Behind him were Han Tang and two newly recruited Xuan Gang Realm rogue cultivators. Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng remained hidden in the shadows, just in case.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Lei Potian led the deputy sect leader and four elite disciples of the Mad Saber Sect up to the third floor. He was dressed in black today, with a large golden-backed saber hanging at his waist. His tiger-like eyes swept around, finally settling on Meng Xinghun.

"Master Meng, I've long admired you." He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, neither humble nor arrogant.

Meng Xinghun rose and returned the greeting: "Sect Leader Lei, please sit down."

Guests and hosts were seated. Food and drinks were served.

Lei Potian didn't touch his chopsticks. He got straight to the point.

"Chief Meng, my Mad Blade Sect and the Azure Dragon Society have no prior grudges, and we have even had discussions about cooperation before. Today, you have invited us to a banquet; may I ask what brings you here?"

Meng Xinghun picked up his wine cup and took a sip. He slowly said, "Sect Leader Lei, let's not beat around the bush. The Iron Sword Sect's reinforcements have arrived. One is at the late stage of the Divine Meridian Realm, and three are at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm. Your Mad Blade Sect cannot overcome this hurdle."

Lei Potian's face darkened: "Are you threatening me?"

"No." Meng Xinghun put down his wine glass. "I'm trying to help you."

"help me?"

"The Azure Dragon Society can help you hold off the Iron Sword Sect." Meng Xinghun looked directly into Lei Potian's eyes. "There's only one condition: the Mad Blade Sect must merge into the Azure Dragon Society and become its subordinate force."

Everyone present was astonished.

The deputy sect leader and several disciples behind Lei Potian all changed color. Their hands gripped the hilts of their swords.

Lei Potian remained motionless, his gaze fixed solely on Meng Xinghun, sharp as a knife.

"What did you say?"

I said—

Meng Xinghun spoke slowly and deliberately, "The Mad Blade Sect submits to the Azure Dragon Society. Sect Master Lei becomes a member of the Azure Dragon Society. Your territory, manpower, and resources will be uniformly allocated by the Azure Dragon Society. In return, the Azure Dragon Society will ensure that your Mad Blade Sect is not swallowed up by the Iron Sword Sect."

boom!

Lei Potian slammed his palm on the table. The solid wood table shattered into pieces instantly. Food and wine spilled all over the floor.

"Meng Xinghun!"

He abruptly stood up, his tiger-like eyes wide open. "I, Lei Potian, rose from nothing, single-handedly establishing the Mad Blade Sect, dominating Pingyang County for twenty years, and have never bowed my head to anyone! You, a mere leader of the Azure Dragon Society, dare to demand my submission?"

Meng Xinghun remained seated, his expression unchanged.

"Sect Leader Lei, I'm not negotiating with you. These are the Azure Dragon Society's conditions. Accept them, and the Mad Blade Sect will survive. Reject them, and the Mad Blade Sect will perish."

"Arrogant!" Lei Potian drew his sword, the golden-backed blade pointing at Meng Xinghun. "I'd like to see what kind of skills your Azure Dragon Society has to dare to utter such boastful words!"

Han Tang stepped forward and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Meng Xinghun raised his hand to stop him.

He slowly stood up and met Lei Potian's gaze.

"Sect Leader Lei, are you sure you want to make a move here?"

Lei Potian glanced around. He gradually calmed down.

This is the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, in the heart of the city. Once a move is made, it will inevitably attract the attention of various factions. At that point, the Iron Sword Sect will seize the opportunity to attack, while the Mad Blade Sect will be attacked from both sides—while the Azure Dragon Society will reap the benefits.

Take a deep breath. Sheath the sword.

"Meng Xinghun, I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said today. But I want to tell you—the Mad Blade Sect will never submit to anyone."

With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left with his men.

He reached the top of the stairs. He stopped in his tracks. Without turning his head, he looked back.

"From this day forward, the Mad Blade Sect and the Azure Dragon Society will keep to themselves. Any offense will be met with swift and merciless retribution."

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Han Tang walked to Meng Xinghun's side: "Master, he refused."

"As expected," Meng Xinghun said calmly. "Lei Potian is a tough guy; he won't easily back down. But the Iron Sword Sect will make him back down."

"So what do we do next?"

"Wait." Meng Xinghun looked out the window, his gaze falling on the direction of the Mad Blade Sect in the north of the city.

"Once the Iron Sword Sect corners him, he will naturally come back to us."