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

Pingyang County, the rear courtyard of the Zhenfu Division.

Dongfang Weiwo sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his internal energy surging like a river, and the newly formed meridian network of his divine meridians resembled a precise star map in his perception.

He used the sixth level of the "Dragon Body Refining Technique" to guide the flow of true qi, and with each cycle, his meridians would subtly widen.

After half a month of arduous training, the foundation of his initial Divine Meridian technique was completely solidified. He had also mastered the second move of the Overlord Fist, "Earth Split"—below the Grandmaster level, he was confident of being invincible. But he wanted more: to integrate the two Overlord Fist moves and explore the prototype of the third move.

Faint footsteps could be heard outside the window; it was Liu Tie on his patrol duty.

Dongfang Weiwo slowly finished his cultivation and opened his eyes. The system panel appeared in his mind—

Current energy points: 867,000

The Iron Sword Sect was destroyed, Zhao Tianxiong was killed, and the Southwest Branch of the Sea Sand Gang was severely damaged. After these three tough battles, the energy points harvested by the system climbed from over 190,000 to this number.

867,000.

We are still 130,000 short of one million.

almost.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. The night in Pingyang County was so quiet that you could hear your own heartbeat.

But Dongfang Wei knew that this quiet wouldn't last long.

The Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Dark Sect are on the verge of war at Black Wind Ridge, the Iron Blood Hall is making frequent moves in the Northern Territory, the East Sea Underworld and the Sea Sand Gang are escalating their conflict, and the Chaotian Palace is stirring up trouble in the Endless Mountains.

The curtain is rising.

And he is gathering his strength.

The Zhao family mansion in Guangling Prefecture.

White banners fluttered high, and mournful music played softly. The coffin of Zhao Tianxiong, the patriarch of the Zhao family, lay in the main hall, the lid closed. The mark left by that palm strike was too horrifying; the Zhao family did not want anyone to see the body.

Zhao Shicheng knelt before the coffin, his eyes bloodshot and his face ashen. The patriarch was dead. The Zhao family's sky had fallen.

"Shrink all industries and recall all children living abroad."

Zhao Shicheng's voice was hoarse. "From this day forward, the Zhao family will close its doors to guests and will not participate in any disputes."

"Patriarch, what about the ancestor's grudge..." an elder said, his voice trembling.

"Do you want the entire Zhao family to be wiped out?" Zhao Shicheng interrupted him. "You were there when that palm strike was delivered; do you think anyone in the Zhao family could withstand a second one?"

The mourning hall was deathly silent. No one dared to speak.

Zhao Shicheng closed his eyes. He knew better than anyone else that the Zhao family had no right to talk about "revenge." The moment Chai Yuguan brought the funeral gifts, he understood: the Green Dragon Society's decision not to kill the entire Zhao family was not out of mercy, but out of disdain.

The Zhao family was completely wiped off the table of the three major families of Guangling Prefecture.

The original site of the Iron Sword Sect is now the Eryue Hall of the Azure Dragon Society.

Chai Yuguan sat in the main seat of the main hall, a map of Guangling Prefecture spread out in front of him. He pointed to several locations with his finger, and his deputy quickly took notes.

"Eat up all the medicine shops in the East Market, the blacksmith shops in the West Market, and the porters' shops at the docks."

"Master, these all originally belonged to the Zhao family..."

"Does the Zhao family dare to compete with me?" Chai Yuguan said without even looking up.

The deputy lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

Chai Yuguan picked up his teacup and took a sip. He had used seventy percent of his strength in that palm strike that killed Zhao Tianxiong. Enough—no one in Guangling Prefecture dared to lay a hand on the Eryue Hall anymore.

But he knew that wasn't enough. Guangling Prefecture was merely on the edge of the thirteen western prefectures.

The real rivals are in the west. Each of those five great mountains has a Grandmaster presiding over it. Chai Yuguan knows very well that he is not yet a match for a Grandmaster, but he is not in a hurry.

If Dongfang Wei is not in a hurry, then he is not in a hurry either.

Shaolong sets the overall strategy, while he oversees execution. How to develop Eryuetang, expand its strength, and deal with potential enemies—these are all his responsibilities.

Meanwhile, another meeting was taking place in a private room of the Qingfeng Teahouse outside Guangling Prefecture.

Shangguan Jin Hong sat in the main seat, opposite Li Tian Peng, the leader of the Golden Roc Sect—a burly, rugged-looking middle-aged man. Li Tian Peng concealed his Grandmaster-level aura very well, but the occasional glint of shrewdness in his eyes did not escape the notice of Shangguan Jin Hong, who was also a Grandmaster.

"Master Shangguan, let's get straight to the point." Li Tianpeng picked up his teacup. "The Azure Dragon Society swallowed up the Iron Sword Sect, and the Zhao family is crippled. Of the five major forces in Guangling Prefecture, only four remain. I just want to ask one thing—does the Azure Dragon Society plan to continue expanding, or simply maintain its current position?"

"What does Leader Li think?"

"The Zhou and Wu families have already settled accounts regarding the establishment of Eryuetang in Guangling Prefecture." Li Tianpeng held up two fingers. "The two families' attitudes are very clear: as long as the Qinglong Society doesn't touch their core industries, they won't cause trouble."

"What about the Golden Roc Sect?"

Li Tianpeng was silent for a moment: "The Golden Roc Sect can do business with the Azure Dragon Society, but they will not form an alliance for the time being. The most important thing right now is not that we are suspicious of each other, but that the Green Wood Sword Sect and the Blood Nether Sect are locked in a standoff at Black Wind Ridge. Once a winner is decided, the victor will be free to attack, and Guangling Prefecture will be the first to suffer. Hall Master Shangguan is a wise man and should understand what I mean."

Shangguan Jin Hong nodded. Li Tianpeng was very pragmatic. Not forming alliances was to maintain the initiative, and doing business was to solidify their rear before the situation became clearer. This attitude was enough for the Azure Dragon Society.

The two talked for another half an hour and finally agreed on three points: the Golden Roc Sect and the Azure Dragon Society would not invade each other; they would exchange intelligence within Guangling Prefecture, especially regarding the movements of the Blood Demon Sect and the Green Wood Sword Sect; and the specific details of the material transactions would be discussed separately.

East China Sea, Bibo Island.

Inside the main hall, Yang Dingtian sat in the main seat, with the four Yin Marshals standing on either side.

"Reporting to King Biancheng," Dai Qisi stepped forward with her hands clasped, "Last time, the deputy leader of the Hai Sha Gang, Han Tao, was severely injured and forced to retreat, and the left and right elders, Han Dali and Liu Wuchang, were killed. The Hai Sha Gang's influence in the southwestern sea area has been completely reduced. Their fleet has not shown any signs of heading north recently, and they have withdrawn from several of their outposts in the vicinity."

"Sha Tongtian is still not making a move?" Yin Tianzheng frowned.

Xie Xun sneered: "He is a Grandmaster, but he is not without his concerns. The three families of Penglai Island, Giant Whale Island, and Ten Thousand Snake Island in the East Sea are keeping a close eye on him. If he goes all out against us, the other three families will not let this opportunity pass."

Yang Dingtian nodded slightly. This was precisely the fundamental reason why the Underworld chose the East Sea as its breakthrough point—the forces were complex and intertwined, and although Grandmaster Sha Tongtian seemed to be invincible, he was actually constrained at every turn.

As long as the underworld does not touch the core interest of the Sea Sand Gang's salt transport route, Sha Tongtian will not abandon the fundamental and take matters into his own hands.

But just because Sha Tongtian can endure it doesn't mean he will endure it forever.

"The Sea Sand Gang is currently inactive, waiting for an opportunity," Yang Dingtian said slowly. "We can't give them that opportunity. Within three months, we must establish a trading post in the southwestern waters of the East China Sea that is not under the control of the Sea Sand Gang. The East China Sea is rich in resources; controlling a shipping route is equivalent to controlling a source of wealth. The Underworld needs money, manpower, and resources. Until then, we must intensify the screening of new recruits; not a single Sea Sand Gang spy can be left alive."

"Yes, ma'am."

Yang Dingtian walked out of the main hall with his hands behind his back and stood on the edge of the cliff. Moonlight spilled onto the sea, shattering into countless silver sparks.

King Biancheng, one of the Ten Kings of Hell in the Underworld.

Right now, he's the only one in the palace.

But sooner or later, they will all be together.

Pingyang County Town Pacification Division.

Dongfang Weiwo held a secret report that had just been delivered from Guangling Prefecture.

Shangguan Jin Hong's handwriting was as concise as ever: Li Tianpeng's attitude is pragmatic, Jinpeng Sect is willing to exchange intelligence, and will not form an alliance for the time being.

The Zhou and Wu families are still observing and have not yet made any improper moves. After surrendering, Dugu Yi has been obedient and has explained the relationship between the Iron Sword Sect and the Blood Dark Sect—the Iron Sword Sect is indeed an outer pawn of the Blood Dark Sect, responsible for gathering intelligence and secretly cultivating its power in Guangling Prefecture.

Dugu Yi himself submits intelligence reports to Blood Hand Celestial Venerable, the protector of the Blood Nether Sect, every month. Dugu Yi's cultivation is at the early stage of the Grandmaster level. During the destruction of the Iron Sword Sect, he was intimidated by Chai Yuguan's absolute power and dared not harbor any disloyal thoughts. As for the Blood Nether Sect, Blood Hand Celestial Venerable has already sent people to investigate twice.

The last line of the secret report: The standoff at Black Wind Ridge has escalated; the Blood Nether Sect has dispatched four more protectors; and Master Qingsong of the Green Wood Sword Sect has arrived at the front line with three superior-grade spirit swords.

Dongfang Weiwo put down the letter, his gaze slightly narrowed.

The Iron Sword Sect's backer was indeed the Blood Nether Sect. The Blood Nether Sect couldn't possibly ignore Dugu Yi's surrender and the Iron Sword Sect's destruction. Currently, their main force was tied up in Black Wind Ridge and couldn't spare any resources, but their scouts had arrived—indicating that the Blood Nether Sect had already taken the Azure Dragon Society into their hands.

Once the standoff at Black Wind Ridge ends, regardless of who wins, the Azure Dragon Society will be purged.

The window of opportunity is closing.

He picked up his pen and wrote a reply:

"Continue to win over Dugu Yi and closely monitor the Blood Nether Sect's movements. Report any unusual activity to me immediately. Also, inform Hall Master Chai that the Zhao family is finished and there's no need to exterminate them. Leave them some room to maneuver so you can win over the hearts of the people in Guangling Prefecture later."

After writing it, he put it in an envelope and had his personal guards deliver it to Guangling Prefecture overnight.

He was the only one left in the quiet room.