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

It was the third day of the Lunar New Year, and it was still dark.

In the Marquis's mansion, amidst the tears of blood, in Dongfang Weiwo's room.

He had already packed his belongings—a bundle, a long sword, and nothing else.

Without disturbing the servants or taking any attendants, he left the imperial city alone.

Pushing open the door, a chilly morning breeze rushed in. Dongfang Weiwo took a deep breath and strode towards the main hall.

Unexpectedly, my parents and older brother were already waiting there.

Dongfang Wudi, dressed in casual clothes, stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, his resolute face particularly dignified in the morning light. Qin Lanyin sat on a chair to the side, her eyes slightly red, clearly having cried. Dongfang Lingyun leaned against a pillar, holding a cup of hot tea, watching him with a half-smile.

The baby fish were still asleep and didn't come to see them off.

"Father, Mother, Elder Brother," Dongfang Weiwo stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Your son will be leaving now."

Dongfang Wudi nodded without saying anything more. Between father and son, few words are ever needed.

Qin Lanyin stood up, walked over to him, and carefully examined him. She reached out to straighten his collar, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "When you get to Pingyang County, remember to write back. Wear more clothes as it gets cold, and don't just focus on cultivation without eating..."

"Mother, I'm already sixteen," Dongfang Weiwo said helplessly.

"What's wrong with Sixteen? Sixteen is also my son." Qin Lanyin glared at him, took out a brocade pouch from her sleeve and stuffed it into his hand. "This is a peace charm that your mother got for you. Take it with you."

Dongfang Weiwo accepted the brocade pouch and solemnly put it into his bosom.

Dongfang Lingyun walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Second brother, take care. Don't worry about things at home, I'll take care of them."

"Brother, you've worked hard." Dongfang Weiwo nodded.

Finally, he turned to his father. Dongfang Wudi walked up to him, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke: "Since you've chosen this path, walk it well. If you encounter anything you can't handle, remember that your father is here at home."

"I've remembered it."

Dongfang Weiwo bowed again, turned around and strode out of the Marquis's residence.

Behind her, Qin Lanyin finally leaned on Dongfang Wudi's shoulder and began to sob softly.

Dongfang Wudi put his arm around his wife's shoulder, watching his son's departing figure with a deep, unfathomable gaze.

Leaving the imperial city, Dongfang Weiwo galloped away on his horse, heading alone towards Pingyang County.

Three days later, in Pingyang County.

Dongfang Weiwo arrived in the county town, travel-worn. Instead of reporting to the Zhenfu Division first, he went straight to the headquarters of the Qinglong Society's Yiyue Hall—the manor on the western outskirts of the city.

The manor was heavily guarded, with numerous hidden sentries. Dongfang Weiwo's arrival had been announced beforehand.

As soon as he stepped into the council hall, Shangguan Jin Hong came out to greet him.

"Young Dragon Head."

Shangguan Jin Hong clasped his hands and bowed respectfully, displaying the demeanor of a ruthless and powerful figure.

Behind him, Jing Wuming followed three steps away like a shadow, nodding slightly as a greeting.

"No need for such formalities, Hall Master Shangguan." Dongfang Weiwo waved his hand and sat down in the main seat. "Any news these past few days?"

Shangguan Jin Hong took his seat at the lower end and began, "I have a major report to Chief Shaolong—the Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Nether Sect have clashed."

Dongfang Weiwo raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"The specific reasons are still unclear, but according to various sources, a fierce conflict broke out between the two sides in the Black Wind Ridge area, which borders Guangling Prefecture and Pingyang County. The Grand Elder of the Green Wood Sword Sect personally led the team, and the Blood Dark Sect also dispatched a Vice Sect Leader. They are currently in a standoff and war could break out at any time."

Dongfang Weiwo felt a slight stirring in his heart.

The Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Nether Sect are both top powers in the thirteen western prefectures, one righteous and the other demonic, and their grudges have been brewing for a long time. Now that they are openly confronting each other, it has given the Azure Dragon Society some breathing room.

"This is good news for us." Dongfang Weiwo nodded. "Let them fight, we'll sit back and watch them fight."

"Young Master is wise," Shangguan Jin Hong continued. "However, the forces in Guangling Prefecture have already begun to pay attention to us."

"Please elaborate."

Shangguan Jin Hong stood up and walked to the map of Guangling Prefecture hanging on the wall. He pointed at it with his finger, his expression becoming more solemn than before: "The power structure of Guangling Prefecture is much more complex than we expected. We originally thought that the three major families were only at the peak of the Innate Divine Vein Realm, but the latest information shows that the Zhao family, the Zhou family, and the Wu family all have Grandmasters in charge."

Dongfang Weiwo's gaze sharpened: "You have them all?"

"Yes." Shangguan Jin Hong nodded. "The three major families have been passed down for hundreds of years, and their foundations are much deeper than they appear on the surface. Zhao Tianxiong, the patriarch of the Zhao family, entered the Grandmaster realm ten years ago and has always lived a secluded life, rarely showing his strength in front of outsiders. Zhou Yuanli, the Grandmaster of the Zhou family, broke through three years ago, and not many people know about it. As for the Wu family, their Grandmaster, Wu Zhenyue, is rumored to be the strongest, already at the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm."

Dongfang Weiwo remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "With the three major families and the imperial court's influence behind Fang Wenjin, the situation in Guangling Prefecture is more complex than imagined."

"That's not all." Shangguan Jin Hong's finger moved across the map. "In the Guangling Prefecture, the three major sects that can truly be called top-tier forces are the Iron Sword Sect, the Golden Roc Sect, and the Heavenly Wolf Mountain. All three sects have grandmasters in charge, and their strength should not be underestimated."

"Iron Sword Sect." Dongfang Weiwo repeated the name, his gaze slightly somber.

Shangguan Jin Hong naturally knew why the young leader was so concerned about this name. He turned around, his expression turning serious: "This is the second matter I have to report. The situation regarding the Iron Sword Sect is not very optimistic."

"Just say it."

"The Iron Sword Sect is one of the three major sects in Guangling Prefecture. Its sect leader, Dugu Yi, is a Grandmaster, and his iron sword skills are unparalleled, earning him the title of 'Invincible Iron Sword.' Within Guangling Prefecture, his swordsmanship is widely recognized as top-tier among Grandmasters. He is also extremely protective of his own, and his disciples are spread throughout the counties." Shangguan Jin Hong paused, "Dugu Yi already knows about our previous destruction of the Iron Sword Sect branch in Pingyang County."

Dongfang Weiwo remained expressionless: "His reaction?"

"Furious." Shangguan Jin Hong said bluntly, "According to reports from insiders, Dugu Yi slammed his fist on the table in front of all the elders during a meeting at the headquarters, saying that the Azure Dragon Society was provoking us and that this grudge must be avenged. He has already declared that he will personally lead his men to raze the Azure Dragon Society to the ground."

A brief silence fell over the council chamber.

Jing Wuming stood in the shadows, his fingers silently resting on the hilt of his sword, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"However, Dugu Yi hasn't made a move yet," Shangguan Jin Hong continued. "There are two reasons. First, the Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Nether Sect are currently locked in a stalemate at Black Wind Ridge, and the situation is unclear. Dugu Yi doesn't want to rashly send troops at this critical juncture, fearing that someone might take advantage of the situation. Second, he hasn't figured out our strength yet. A suddenly emerging Azure Dragon Society, capable of destroying his branch, does it have a larger backer behind it? Dugu Yi is waiting for reports from his scouts."

"In other words, we are currently safe, but this safety is temporary," Dongfang Weiwo said calmly.

"Yes." Shangguan Jin Hong nodded. "Once the situation at Black Wind Ridge becomes clear, or once Dugu Yi believes he has figured out our strengths and weaknesses, he may take action at any time."

"What about the Golden Roc Sect and the Heavenly Wolf Mountain?" Dongfang Weiwo asked.

"The headquarters of the Golden Roc Sect is located in Golden Roc Ridge in the northern part of Guangling Prefecture. The sect leader, Li Tianpeng, is also a Grandmaster. His martial arts are characterized by their fierce and powerful style, and the Nine Forms of the Golden Roc are rarely matched in Guangling Prefecture. He has many disciples and acts domineeringly, making him the undisputed leader in the northern part of Guangling Prefecture." Shangguan Jin Hong recited the details with great familiarity. "However, they have never been on good terms with the Iron Sword Sect. The two sides have clashed many times over the control of several mines, making them rivals."

"Tianlang Mountain is located in Tianlang Ridge in the western part of Guangling Prefecture. Its master is Xiao Pojun, a Grandmaster-level expert who is skilled in swordsmanship and is known as the 'Tianlang Blade.' Tianlang Mountain operates in a gray area between good and evil, always acting alone and not participating in any conflicts, but its strength should not be underestimated. It is said that Xiao Pojun's combat power is no less than that of Dugu Yi."

Dongfang Wei went through all this information in his mind one by one.

The three major families, three major sects, and six forces with grandmasters in charge of Guangling Prefecture, plus the imperial court's power behind Prefect Fang Wenjin, make this situation far deeper and more murky than expected.

The Azure Dragon Society had just established itself in Pingyang County when it directly offended the Iron Sword Sect, the strongest of its members.

"Continue with the attitudes of all parties in Guangling Prefecture towards us." Dongfang Weiwo's expression was calm, revealing no emotional fluctuation.

Shangguan Jin Hong withdrew his finger and sat back down in his chair: "The three major families are currently taking a cautious approach. Although the Zhao family sent people to probe our capabilities, their attitude softened considerably after learning that we have a Grandmaster in charge. My assessment is that their strategy is to 'closely monitor and respond cautiously,' and they will not take the initiative to act in the short term."

"The Zhou family leans towards neutrality, while the Wu and Zhao families are closer. But the three major families have one thing in common—they all want to see how the Iron Sword Sect and we will resolve this matter. To put it bluntly, they are all waiting, waiting for us to clash with the Iron Sword Sect first."

"Sitting on the sidelines watching the tigers fight." Dongfang Weiwo's lips curled up slightly. "The same idea we have when we watch the Green Wood Sword Sect fight the Blood Dark Sect."

"Exactly." Shangguan Jin Hong smiled, then became serious again. "But no matter what, everyone in Guangling Prefecture already knows that a Qinglong Society with a Grandmaster in charge has emerged in Pingyang County. The news has spread like wildfire, and the entire Guangling Prefecture is talking about us."

"What are you talking about?"

"Discussing what the Azure Dragon Society is all about, who's behind it, and what it wants."

Shangguan Jin Hong's tone was somewhat cold, "Some say we are rising stars in the martial arts world, some say we are pawns of a powerful force, and some say we are the imperial court's secret henchmen. There are all sorts of speculations, and no one knows the truth."

Dongfang Weiwo nodded slightly. This was exactly the effect he wanted—mysterious, unfathomable, making people hesitant to act rashly.

But the problem now is that the Iron Sword Sect has moved beyond the scope of "wait and see".

Dugu Yi was truly enraged. A grandmaster and the head of a sect had his branch destroyed; this matter could not be resolved peacefully.

"Continue to monitor the movements in Guangling Prefecture, especially the Iron Sword Sect and the Golden Roc Sect. If Dugu Yi wants to make a move, he will most likely do so while the Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Nether Sect are locked in a fierce battle." Dongfang Weiwo stood up. "In addition, reinforce the manor's defenses and double the number of sentries. If the Iron Sword Sect really attacks, we cannot be unprepared."

"Understood, Your subordinate." Shangguan Jin Hong clasped his hands in a fist salute, then asked, "Young Master, regarding the Golden Roc Sect—since they have a grudge against the Iron Sword Sect, could we…?"

"We can try to make contact, but don't rush it," Dongfang Weiwo said. "The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend, at least not for now. The Golden Roc Sect is no pushover, and Li Tianpeng won't treat us any differently just because the Azure Dragon Society destroyed a branch of the Iron Sword Sect. Let's find out their attitude first before deciding on the next step."

Shangguan Jin Hong nodded in agreement.

Dongfang Weiwo walked to the door, then suddenly stopped, turned around and said, "There's one more thing. I need to go into seclusion to break through to the Profound Gang Realm, so please don't let anyone disturb me these next few days."

A hint of joy flashed in Shangguan Jin Hong's eyes, then he solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Young Master, please rest assured and continue your seclusion. I will personally guard the door. Anyone who wants to disturb Young Master, will have to step over my dead body first."

"Congratulations, Young Dragon Chief." Jing Wuming rarely spoke, his voice deep and sharp like a drawn blade. "On the day Young Dragon Chief emerges from seclusion, I, your subordinate, offer my congratulations."

Dongfang Weiwo waved his hand and strode towards the cultivation chamber.

Behind him, Shangguan Jin Hong watched the young dragon leader's retreating figure, his eyes filled with both relief and a hint of solemnity.

Pingyang County is just a small place, but it is surrounded by wolves.

Shaolong's decision to go into seclusion to break through at this time was both a necessary step to improve his strength and a gamble—gambling that Dugu Yi would not dare to make a move at this critical juncture, and gambling that the standoff between the Qingmu Sword Sect and the Xueming Sect could be dragged on for longer.

Shangguan Jin Hong turned to look at the direction of Guangling Prefecture on the map, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Iron Sword Sect, Golden Roc Sect, Heavenly Wolf Mountain.

The Zhao family, the Zhou family, and the Wu family.

Six grandmasters and one prefect.