"We''re almost at Liangzhou!"


    Li Qianzong, riding a horse, spread the news, "Just a final stretch and everyone can rest!"


    "We''re finally almost there."


    Chen Sansiy on Qian Xun''s horse''s mane, flipping through a book in utter boredom.


    He himself was not tired.


    The main issue was constantly traveling without much time for martial arts, which really made him anxious.


    [Cultivation Technique: Unity Spear Technique (Proficient)]


    [Progress: 168/1000]


    Even after such a long time, despite utilizing the White Swan Horse''s swift speed to chase back and forth, the progress had only increased by this small amount.


    That too under the circumstances of having Spiritual Grain, otherwise the pace would be even slower.


    The book that Chen Sansi held was a folk-banned book, acquired from Fang Qingyun, called "Record of Major Sects under Heaven," which contained records of some major sects and schools throughout thends.


    In a small Po Yang County alone, there were the Four Great Martial Arts Schools holding sway.


    Inrger areas, simr organizations existed.


    They were just not called "martial arts halls" but referred to as "sects."


    As Chen Sansi saw it,


    In this world, the sectsrgely reced the influential ns and families of worlds where cultivation was not possible, constituting a significant force.


    Moreover, the history in the "Record of Major Sects under Heaven" was quite different from that in "Dasheng Chronicles."


    In "Dasheng Chronicles," the main ounts were about how the Grand Ancestor Cao Xie was invincible and heroic, and the efforts and hardships of the nation''s founders were significant, while the sects were somewhat glossed over.


    But in "Record of Major Sects under Heaven," the story was different.


    It was said initially, Cao Xie received substantial support from thirty-six major sects throughout thends, which helped him unify the nation, and some sects even had their own territories three hundred years ago, almost equivalent to feudal princes.


    But Cao Xie was ruthless and ungrateful.


    Within less than five years after his ascension to the throne, heunched a campaign to stifle Jianghu, wiping out the influence of a fewrgest sects all at once, thereafter suppressing the sects, restricting disciples'' numbers, and limiting their cultivation realms.


    This situation only improved during Yuan''an''s renaissance.


    To this day, every time there is a war, it bes necessary to dispatch sect disciples to battle, and they have regained some status, albeit limited and are still under the category of families and ns, and no single sect could prevail on its own.


    Interestingly,


    Liangzhou had two major sects with Martial Saints.


    One was the Tiantong Sword Sect, and the other was the Moon Splitting Mountain Vi.


    Apart from the ordinary sects, there was a mysterious sect that greatly intrigued Chen Sansi.


    Seeking Immortal Tower.


    This tower was profoundly mysterious, with a heritage of thousands of years, but it rarely appeared, even during changes of dynasties.


    Their sole purpose was to seek immortality, an organization seemingly detached from worldly desires.


    Next, there was the Witch God Sect.


    It was rumored that thousands of years ago, the Witch God of the Witch God Sect had ascended, and his followers aimed to find the path to the Immortal Realm and continue following the Witch God.


    Supporting the Yuwen family was merely for constructing their own forces to help in their quest to find traces of immortals, coveting the fertilends of Central ins because it was easier to find traces of immortals due to the area being rich in extraordinary talents and spiritualnds.


    It seems, the real upper echelons were all practicing immortality.


    And Chen Sansi was still practicing martial arts.


    The disparity between them was as vast as that between the clouds and the mud.


    Coming to the Governor Mansion was indeed the right move.


    Nowadays, there were many Martial Saints, but those above Martial Saint were still as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.


    By joining the Governor Mansion, if he himself could reach the threshold, it was very likely he could receive guidance.


    Under the Emperor...


    It was pointless to consider.


    Just because he didn''t carry the surname "Cao," his potential was capped.


    How could the Emperor, who was so cautious of Sun Xiangzong, possibly nurture another Chen Sansi?


    Lastly,


    The sect record also mentioned a unique martial constitution called the Transformation and Mysterious Body.


    Individuals with this constitution, before practicing martial arts, showed no difference from ordinary people, but once they started practicing, no matter the cultivation technique, would gradually transform their bodies to be mostpatible with the techniques practiced. Those with the Transformation and Mysterious Body, given enough resources, were certain to reach the Martial Saint Realm!


    Thus, the Transformation and Mysterious Body, along with a few other rare constitutions, were collectively known as the Innate Martial Saint Body.


    "Am I an Innate Martial Saint Body?"


    As Chen Sansi read this, his emotions inevitably fluctuated.


    He indeed did not doubt that he could be a Martial Saint. After all, with the proficiency panel and Spiritual Grain, it was merely a question of time.


    But he had not expected that the changes brought by the panel were not illogical.


    It turned out to be a Transformation and Mysterious Body!


    Along the way, Chen Sansi had been worried about the jumbled mix of physiological traits within him, wondering what to do if someone detected it during Bone Training; it seemed he had been overly concerned.


    [Skill: Reading (Small Achievement)]


    [Progress: (496/800)]


    He closed the book and looked up.


    At the end of the road ahead, a city gradually emerged on the horizon. The city was small, even smaller than Po Yang County, with "Dongyi City" inscribed inrge characters above the city gate.


    This ce was only a dozen or so miles from Liangzhou City, but it was quite strangely besieged by heavy troops.


    On the military banner, the prominent mark of "ck Tortoise Camp" was visible.


    Wang Zhi was taken aback and felt a peculiar sensation in his heart.


    Chen Sansi asked, "What are they doing surrounding this ce?"


    "Mr. Chen is not aware,"


    Li Qianzong spoke in a rxed tone, "During the recent skirmish against the barbarians, due to the shortage of men, temporary help from the disciples of the sects was requested for defending the city. However, this ''Seven Absolute Sect'' actually conspired secretly with the barbarians, betraying the nation and nning to coborate from inside with the enemy to capture Liangzhou.


    "Obviously, that was wishful thinking. When they acted, they were suppressed by General Lu, andter they led fifteen hundred disciples to hide in Dongyi City.


    "Dongyi City and West Yi City are two garrison cities of Liangzhou City, specifically utilized for stationing troops. There are no civilians; not much grain was stored, and since the conflict had ended, we haven''t rushed to deal with them and simply surrounded them for now.


    "Our Commander always strategizes to minimize casualties."


    Chen Sansi nodded.


    This was indeed true.


    Even with only about a thousand men, storming the city would indeed lead to substantial casualties.


    With little food supply inside, dragging it out would leave only two choices: one, open the gates and surrender; two, starve to death.


    "Let me give a little heads-up to the junior disciple."


    Fang Qingyun, pushed along by Sun Li, came over and spoke slowly:


    "The ''Seven Absolute Sect'' is merely a second-tier sect within Liangzhou. The reason why Master has kept them until now is also to use them as a benchmark for the Selected Point assessment. We will see the specifics of the assessment when the timees,"


    "Thank you for the tip, Senior Brother."


    Chen Sansi expressed his gratitude.


    "It''s not exactly leaking the questions since many people already knew. Telling you just makes things fairer."


    Fang Qingyun made a gesture of invitation, "Could I ask you to step aside for a private word, Junior Brother?"


    "Why not?"


    Chen Sansi dismounted, took the wheelchair from Sun Li, and pushed it to the woond beside the road, "What advice do you have, Senior Brother?"


    "Here, take this."


    Fang Qingyun took out a porcin bottle from his sleeve, "If you feel unwell within two months, mix this with water and drink it. If nothing happens, just discard it, and consider it as if nothing happened."


    Chen Sansi opened the porcin bottle, which contained ck medicinal powder.


    [Green Blood Poison Dew Antidote]


    Antidote.


    Of course.


    Lord Governor Sun probably knew the Emperor had poisoned him.


    He had instructed him to act as usual, obviously having prepared this antidote in advance.


    Yet he didn''t explicitly say so.


    And he even said to drink it after two months, wondering if the Emperor would provide an antidote? If provided, then act as if nothing had happened.


    Was this meant to avoid directly confronting the Emperor?


    "I understand now," Chen Sansi said.


    He didn''t ask further.


    "Right, that''s all then."


    Fang Qingyun said softly, "It has been quite a journey, brother. Please push me back; we are about to reach Liangzhou."


    ...


    Ten milester,


    A giant city came into view.


    The city was as high as six fathoms, and judging from the walls'' thickness, they appeared to be more than five fathoms thick, almost endless at first sight, like a massive beast of rock sprawled across the wilderness.


    It was Liangzhou City, the foremost stronghold of the Northern Territory.


    "Open the gates—"


    After verifying their identities, a team of over a thousand people entered the city smoothly.


    Despite being the closest to the barbarian tribes and in a region of constant strife, the bustling inside the city surprised everyone.


    Passing through the city gates, there were towers and shops everywhere, vendors shouting, people haggling, and the noise of disputesbining into a symphony of life, with streets bustling and people living peacefully. Stay updated via empire


    "Mr. Chen, please follow me."


    Li Thousand Captain said, "Your and yourdy''s amodations have been arranged by General Fang, and your followers will also be well ced in the areas where the soldiers stay. Please rest assured."


    "Thank you for your efforts."


    Chen Sansi and others bid farewell.


    "Ah, this journey truly wore me out, but atst, we are home."


    Fang Qingyun coughed twice, "May I ask Sister Sun Li to push me home?"


    "Senior Brother Four,"


    Sun Li spoke with a hint of concern in her voice, "Earlier, I encountered Cao Fan and Yin Hanwen, and some others. Why did they all rush from the Capital City to Liangzhou for the Selected Point? Is it really necessary?"


    "Thest round of closed-disciples are all aiming for the special skills in the hands of our master, so of course it is necessary," Fang Qingyun stopped, bought some candied hawthorn on sticks, and handed one stick to each of the Sun siblings, "Not just them, but the Crown Prince''s men too, and even the Emperor has sent people to participate in the Selected Point.


    "Their physique is good and they have the best resources. Some are even nearing the Hua Jin phase. This Selected Point might be the most outstanding one of recent years."


    "Nearing Hua Jin?"


    Sun Li stopped mid-bite and pulled the candied hawthorn away from her mouth, "Junior Brother has only just mastered Refining Internal; can he reallypete with them?"


    "Stop for a moment."


    "Hmm?"


    After the wheelchair stopped, Fang Qingyun turned around to face his Junior Sister, and just stared without a word.


    "Senior Brother Four, why are you looking at me like that?"


    Sun Li was puzzled.


    "It''s nothing,"


    Fang Qingyun, realizing but not revealing, wore an inscrutable smile, "It just feels like you are quite close to this Junior Brother Chen, worrying about him so soon."


    "Senior Brother,"


    Just as Sun Bu Qi had entered the city, he bought a lot of food and toys and hurried to catch up, "Cao Fan and the others seem quite formidable. Perhaps you could help Sansi when the timees?


    "His skills would certainly make him the top disciple in other years, but what if he doesn''t make the cut this year? Wouldn''t that be too harsh?"


    "What, you think I should show favoritism?"


    Fang Qingyun struck Sun Bu Qi on the head with a rolled-up scroll, "Even if I wanted to, do you think that would be helping Chen? That would be harming him!


    "Take yourself for example. Although your physique is average, your perceptiveness is excellent. With some effort, you certainly wouldn''t fall far behind Cao Fan and his group. Do you know why you''re still lingering in the Bone Training Realm?


    "Isn''t it because you rely on our Master?


    "I still remember when you were a child at the private school, if you lost a fight, you would immediately threaten with ''my father is a Martial Saint and my Senior Brother is from the Mysterious Phenomenon. I''m going to get them toe and smash your whole family.''


    "Especially Tang Ruoshan. Every time he actually went and intimidated others, either by smashing stone lions with a palm or uprooting willow trees, not stopping until he made them cry. Hepletely spoiled you!


    "How could you possibly cultivate diligently?"


    "Boring, you manage to bring up something about me in everything,"


    Sun Bu Qi made a quick exit.


    "Hey~"


    Fang Qingyun suddenly remembered something and furrowed his brows, "Sister, unless I''m mistaken, Junior Brother Chen is already married, isn''t he?"


    "Yes, indeed."


    Sun Li, unaware of any issue, answered with a clear gaze, "Sister Lan is very skilled at needlework, she is virtuous and kind-hearted."


    "This is bad, this is bad!"


    Listening to the endless praises, Fang Qingyun first shouted an rm and then sighed deeply, "Our Master will probably be quite upset about this~"


    "Senior Brother, you''re speaking in bits and pieces. What exactly are you talking about?"@@novelbin@@


    Sun Li considered herself smart.


    However, today she found her Senior Brother''s words as hard to understand as a riddle."