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

The remnants of the White Lotus Cult stood frozen in place, trembling all over. They had lost even the courage to flee.

The newly recruited disciples of the Azure Dragon Society were completely dumbfounded.

Most of them had never seen a Grandmaster in action before. Today, they witnessed it and realized what terror truly meant—killing a God-level cultivator was like crushing an ant.

Shangguan Jin Hong withdrew his hand. He stood with his hands behind his back, scanning the entire room.

His gaze fell on a White Lotus Sect disciple. The man's legs went weak, and he knelt down.

"Go back and tell your leader." Shangguan Jin Hong's voice wasn't loud, but it carried throughout the entire street. "The Azure Dragon Society is not someone he can mess with. If they dare to invade again—I will personally raze your headquarters to the ground."

The remnants of the White Lotus Sect were as if granted a pardon. They fled in a panic.

Shangguan Jin Hong turned to look at Granny Zhou. She was still alive. Severely injured and on the verge of death.

"As for you," he said in a tone as indifferent as if it were a trivial matter, "take you back. Lock you up with Liu San Niang."

"Yes." Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng stepped forward and dragged Granny Zhou away.

The news spread like wildfire.

"The Azure Dragon Society has a grandmaster in charge!"

"Shangguan Jin Hong! Hall Master of the First Moon Hall! Three moves! Killed two Divine Meridian Realm cultivators and captured one!"

"The Black Monster died on the spot! Abbess Jingxu died on the spot! Granny Zhou was seriously injured and captured!"

Overnight, the name "Azure Dragon Society" resounded throughout the entire city.

Wanbao Trading Company. Jin Buhuan's teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

"Grandmaster..." he murmured, his face as white as paper. "The Azure Dragon Society... actually has a Grandmaster..."

His men behind him dared not utter a sound.

It took Jin Buhuan a while to come to his senses. He recalled how he had negotiated with Meng Xinghun. He remembered how he had put on airs.

He suddenly laughed. It was a bitter laugh.

"Thank goodness. Thank goodness we didn't fall out back then."

Zhenyuan Escort Agency. Zhou Tieshan remained silent for a long time.

He said to those around him, "From today onwards, we will not interfere in the affairs of the Green Dragon Society. No one in the escort agency is allowed to provoke anyone from the Green Dragon Society. Do you understand?"

"I heard you."

Weiyuan Escort Agency. Ma Rulong was more direct.

"From now on, the Azure Dragon Society will provide escort services free of charge.

The subordinate was stunned: "Chief镖头, this is against the rules..."

"Rules?" Ma Rulong interrupted him. "A power with a Grandmaster in charge, you're talking to me about rules? You've got a death wish!"

His subordinates dared not utter a sound.

The three major families—Li, Wang, and Zhao—held a meeting overnight and reached the same consensus: to observe for the time being and never antagonize the Azure Dragon Society.

Iron Sword Sect Branch.

Iron Hand Swordsman slammed his palm down, shattering the table. Splinters of wood flew everywhere.

"A Grandmaster... How could there be a Grandmaster in Pingyang County?!"

No one answered. All three elders were injured and looked unwell.

"Elder, shall we continue to expand...?" an elder asked in a low voice.

Iron Hand Swordsman gritted his teeth: "Hold on for now. First, send someone to investigate Shangguan Jin Hong's background. If we can't find out, no one is allowed to make any rash moves."

In the east of the city. An inconspicuous inn.

He Qingquan stood by the window, a cup of tea in his hand. The tea had long since gone cold. He had forgotten to drink it.

His gaze fell on the direction of the Azure Dragon Society's First Moon Hall in the distance. His eyes were filled with solemnity.

"Three moves...killed three Divine Meridian Realm cultivators..." he murmured. "Who is this Shangguan Jin Hong?"

He was the person in charge of the Qingmu Sword Sect stationed in Pingyang County. He was at the peak of the Divine Vein Realm. He was considered a first-rate expert in the county.

But a master.

That was someone he could only look up to.

What worried him even more was Shangguan Jin Hong's martial arts style. He carefully recalled those three moves—no sect affiliation, no trace of any particular technique, and not even a clear indication of which martial art it was. It seemed as if he were doing it at will, casually and effortlessly. Yet, its power was terrifyingly immense.

"This is not the martial art of any known sect." He Qingquan's expression grew increasingly solemn. "This person is either a genius who created his own martial arts, or... comes from outside the imperial dynasty."

Both of these imply unfathomable depths.

He put down his teacup, took out a communication talisman, and activated his inner energy. The talisman transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the sky.

"Sect Master. A Grandmaster-level expert has appeared in Pingyang County, suspected to be from an outside force. We request assistance, at least a Grandmaster-level elder must be present. Otherwise, we cannot withstand them."

The message was sent. He remained standing by the window, motionless for a long time.

He was waiting. Waiting for the Green Wood Sword Sect's response. And also waiting for the Azure Dragon Society's next move.

Thirty li outside the city. An abandoned mountain god temple.

Xuan Qi knelt on one knee, his forehead touching the ground, his whole body trembling slightly.

Standing before him was a thin, elderly man. He wore a grey robe. His face was ordinary; he would have been easily lost in a crowd. Only his eyes—grey and lifeless, like still water—remained utterly devoid of emotion.

"Skynet" Guangling Prefecture Branch Leader. Codename: "Spider".

Early stage of Grandmaster realm. Veteran assassin.

"Xuan Qi," the spider spoke. Its voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping. "The one-month deadline is approaching. Have you completed your mission?"

Cold sweat poured down Xuan Qi's forehead: "Reporting to the leader... this subordinate is incompetent. The Heavenly Origin Medicine has been intercepted by the Azure Dragon Society. There is a Grandmaster within the Azure Dragon Society. This subordinate dares not approach..."

"Grandmaster?" A flicker of interest flashed in the spider's eyes. "What's their background?"

"Unable to find. This person is called Shangguan Jin Hong, who claims to be the leader of the First Moon Hall of the Azure Dragon Society. He had never shown his face in Pingyang County before. He suddenly appeared and killed three Divine Vein Realm elders of the White Lotus Sect in three moves."

The spider remained silent. Its gray-white eyes darted around.

"Killed three Divine Meridian Realm cultivators in three moves. That's quite an achievement."

"Master, shall we continue..."

"The mission deadline is one month," the spider interrupted. "Three days left. Within three days, I will personally go and meet this Shangguan Jin Hong."

Xuan Qi was shocked: "The sect leader is going to take action personally?"

"The owner of Tianyuan Treasure Medicine offered a high price. The reward for this mission is enough to keep the Skynet running for three months." Spider turned and looked towards Pingyang County City. "A mere early-stage Grandmaster can't stop me."

He paused for a moment.

"However, this Azure Dragon Society is quite interesting. Its rise in such a short time suggests there's probably someone behind it."

"What the leader means is..."

"Let's investigate first." The spider's figure flashed and disappeared into the night. "If the Azure Dragon Society is just a small force, we can wipe them out. But if they have a much bigger backer..."

He didn't continue.

Xuanqi understood.

"Skynet" is not under the jurisdiction of any dynasty or sect. But it is not foolish enough to provoke forces it cannot afford to offend.

Qinghe City. Zhenfu Branch Office.

Dongfang Weiwo held a paper crane in his hand. He finished reading. A slight smile played on his lips.

"One million taels of gold. A force of over two hundred men. Territory expanded several times over. Shangguan Jin Hong has not disappointed me."

As for the White Lotus Sect's counterattack, and the rumors circulating in the martial arts world about "Grandmasters of the Azure Dragon Society"—he wasn't worried. The Grandmaster trump card was originally meant to be used as a deterrent. Now that it's been revealed, all factions are even more wary and dare not act.

"The only thing I need to worry about..."

He pondered for a moment.

Skynet.

I put down the paper crane and walked to the window. The night sky was moonless. The world was completely black.

"Skynet...an intelligence and assassination alliance...not under the jurisdiction of any dynasty or sect..." He narrowed his eyes. "Employed by a powerful figure within the dynasty. Their target is the Heavenly Origin Elixir."

He had never seen Xuan Qi in person. But Shangguan Jin Hong's intelligence had brought this mysterious organization to light.

The fact that they can send assassins at the early stage of the Divine Vein Realm to carry out missions shows that the strength of the Skynet is not to be underestimated. If the branch leader were to personally take action—Shangguan Jin Hong might not be able to handle it easily.

But he remained calm.

Grandmasters versus grandmasters. Shangguan Jin Hong is second to none.

Besides, he still has one card left to play.

The jade pendant given by my father. A Grandmaster's strike.

When it really comes down to life or death, this card is enough to turn the tide.

"However, we haven't reached that point yet." Dongfang Weiwo sat down cross-legged and continued to consolidate his cultivation.

Let's see how Shangguan Jin Hong responds to this challenge.