Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 163 First-Rank Marquis

"580 million points, that's quite a lot."

Lu Ming muttered to himself indifferently.

Next, I will surely be rewarded, and it won't be too late to exchange for the items then.

Now, he plans to use this time to raise his level of Celestial Master.

At that time, our combat power will be even higher.

Looking around, he saw his soldiers resting, some drinking, some singing mournful tunes, as if they were remembering their fallen comrades.

The corpses on the Nuyun River are gone, and the churning blood has vanished with the waves.

Only the crimson bloodstains on the shore revealed the fierce battle that had taken place here.

After exchanging for a Heavenly Origin Fruit, Lu Ming entered a state of cultivation.

Silent all night.

The next day, as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw the soldiers around me already organizing supplies.

Ready to go.

Zhang Meng stood not far away and cautiously walked over after seeing Lu Ming regain consciousness.

"My lord, everything is ready. Where shall we go next?"

"Go back. Send someone to inform Wu Han that he can return with the supplies after the battle is over," a calm voice said.

Zhang Meng quickly replied, "Yes, sir!"

Then he carefully retreated.

A moment later, the soldiers from each battalion headed toward Hongdu Prefecture.

In the following days, Lu Ming did nothing but travel and cultivate.

The aura emanating from his body was gradually increasing.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days have passed.

On this day, Lu Ming also returned to Hongdu Prefecture.

Compared to the chaos outside, Hongdu Prefecture is now a prosperous place.

The people live a prosperous life.

The sounds of children playing could be heard from time to time on the street.

Upon seeing the Marquis's army return, everyone quickly made way for them.

A look of awe appeared in his eyes.

When they entered the Marquis's residence, Guo Zhun came to greet them.

"I've met the Marquis!"

Lu Ming waved his hand, signaling him to rise.

Then, Guo Zhun took out a scroll of imperial edict and held it high above his head.

"My lord, an imperial edict was delivered by fast horse from the court three days ago."

Lu Ming took it, looked at the contents, and raised an eyebrow.

The First-Rank Marquis of Zhige, General of the Cavalry, Grand Commander of the Southern Frontier, one million spirit stones, and a Grand General's Mansion in the capital.

His promotion again put him in a good mood.

The system store has undoubtedly undergone another upgrade.

It actually made him somewhat hopeful.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Congratulations! A first-rank marquis as young as you has never appeared since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty," Guo Zhun said with a fawning smile.

After this battle, Lu Ming's reputation will rise to a new level.

"Tap tap!" Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out.

Then, Zhang Meng rushed in.

"My lord, something terrible has happened!" The voice was filled with urgency.

"Go in and talk!"

After Lu Ming finished speaking, he walked towards the front hall.

As for the generals of each battalion, they all dispersed with their men.

Zhang Meng stood awkwardly beside Lu Ming.

It seems like they are organizing their thoughts.

After taking a sip of tea, the other person said calmly, "Tell me, what happened that made you look so upset?"

Zhang Meng said bitterly, "Just now, a military report came in that the Northern Frontier Pass was breached by six rebel armies in collusion with the Great Xia army. The five ancestors of the imperial clan returned seriously injured, and Grand Tutor Lin Hong was seriously injured and unconscious, and has not yet woken up. All 800,000 elite border troops and 1 million elite imperial guards have been killed in battle."

Millions of people were massacred.

The northern frontier was shrouded in blood mist, and the dragon veins trembled.

The entire hall fell silent at this moment.

Lu Ming didn't speak, but his face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with anger.

These rebel kings actually let wolves into their house.

It's truly hateful.

Millions of people perished under the butcher's knife.

Then, Zhang Meng said again in a hoarse voice, "There is one more thing. The Kaiyang Sect has announced that if you appear outside the domain, they will kill you at all costs, and they have also offered a high-grade spiritual artifact as a reward within the Great Yu territory."

"All rebel kings and disciples of various sects can obtain it by slaying you."

Lu Ming didn't take it too seriously.

He simply waved his hand and then said.

"Where are Wu Han and the others?"

"The return journey has already begun, and the captured supplies are also on their way back, expected to arrive tomorrow," Lu Ming nodded.

"Tell all the generals to seize the time to cultivate after returning to their posts. We don't have much time left!"

Lu Ming said slowly.

The dragon vein trembled once more, indicating that an even stronger expert might enter.

He felt that the great losses suffered by the Great Yu this time, and the fact that the Great Xia had invaded the pass, meant that this was definitely not as simple as a simple tremor of the dragon vein.

This might lead to the emergence of an even more powerful being.

Even for those at the Divine Power Realm, it's not necessarily impossible.

If that's really the case.

Although the Great Yu Kingdom has its own clan experts, once they reach this level, their numbers are vastly different from those of the main sects.

Without strong backup support, there is a high risk of annihilation.

Thinking of this, he turned his gaze and took out the communication jade talisman to send a message to the Seventh Ancestor.

This may be the only way now.

After arranging everything, Lu Ming looked at Zhang Meng and said, "You may leave now."

"Yes, Lord Marquis!"

After responding, the other person left the hall.

After tidying up his clothes, Lu Ming walked towards the backyard.

Meanwhile, in the Chaotian Hall of the capital city of Dayu.

The atmosphere was very heavy.

The Empress sat on the dragon throne.

The officials below were in an uproar; the events in the northern frontier had caught them completely off guard.

All the rebel kings rushed into the border.

Even if the Great Yu mobilized troops to rescue them, it was too late; the eighteen prefectures had become hell.

When Lin Hong returned severely injured, he collapsed from anger and coughed up blood. He has not recovered since. The Five Ancestors faced an attack from thirteen peak Refinement God cultivators and killed seven of them.

They fought their way out, but returned severely wounded.

He is currently in seclusion for recuperation.

What was initially a very favorable situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The world is in a state of panic.

Currently, the only territories controlled by the Great Yu are the Southern Frontier and the Central Region.

It's less than half of what it was at its peak.

How could the imperial court not be anxious?

Moreover, and more importantly, even stronger individuals will soon arrive from the various sects.

The Dharma Image and the Divine Power Realm descended.

How should the Great Yu respond?

Although there was a divine artifact to deter them.

However, the energy stored inside is only enough for the Empress to launch a full-force attack, a suicidal tactic.

Immortal artifacts, in the end, can only be powered by the energy of immortals. Since the establishment of the Great Yu Dynasty, they have been used several times, and we dare not use them lightly.

Even if she could cripple an entire sect.

But other sects will still attack.

This is why the Empress has been hesitant to use the celestial artifact.

The current situation is arguably unsolvable.

"Gentlemen, do you have any good ideas? Please share them," the Empress's voice rang out.

The beaded curtain swayed.

Some outlines were vaguely revealed.

A subtle, oppressive aura slowly permeated the hall.

After exchanging glances, the ministers ultimately had no better solution.

At this moment, the seventh ancestor of the Great Yu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Zhige just sent me a message. Perhaps we can give his method a try."

As he spoke, he took out the communication jade talisman.

"Oh, tell me about it!" the Queen asked curiously.

Lu Ming's strength is undeniable, but she still doesn't quite believe he can offer advice or strategies.

The Seventh Patriarch didn't waste any more words.

He immediately said, "Lord Zhige suggests that the court send an envoy to the Kaiyang Sect to discuss cooperation. Now that the Kaiyang Sect has been driven out of the Great Yu, they want to regain the opportunity to compete for destiny. The only way they can go is to cooperate with my Great Yu."

Presumably, they will know which is more important, the chance to become an immortal or the death of hundreds of disciples.

The Seventh Patriarch's words caused the eyes of all the ministers in the hall to light up.

Even the Queen fell into deep thought.

She seemed to be thinking about what the chances of success were.

Indeed, if the Great Yu Dynasty did not have the support of external forces, it would easily find itself in a passive position now.

Although the fortune gained from supporting Dayu is not as great as the fortune gained from the dragon.

But the Kaiyang Sect has no chance.

“This is something we can give a try,” Li Yan said, stepping forward.

A look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

The Empress nodded, then asked, "But who should we send?"

"I'll give it a try!" the Seventh Patriarch said with a smile.

He was a good friend of an elder of the Kaiyang Sect, and had just broken through to the Dharma Aspect Realm.

He also wanted to go out and test the power of his condensed Dharma form.

"Then I'll have to trouble the Seventh Ancestor."

The Empress's voice rang out.

The Seventh Patriarch waved his hand and said...

"As long as it works, I don't mind making a few more trips."

The Great Yu Kingdom is indeed in dire straits now.

If the northern frontier falls, there will be no one to support it.

There is a risk of annihilation.

With the help of the Kaiyang Sect, even if we can't recover lost territory, at the very least we can stabilize the central government and maintain a balance with the various rebel kings.

The more I thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

The Seventh Patriarch said again, "I will go now."

As he spoke, he walked directly out of the main hall, his body transforming into a streak of light and heading towards the outer realm.

Meanwhile, Lu Ming was having dinner with his wife.

"My lord, I heard that the northern frontier has fallen. Is everything alright?"

A soft voice sounded.

With a hint of worry.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to us in southern Xinjiang as long as I'm here."

Lu Ming said with a smile.

Then, he poured a glass of wine for his wife as well, saying, "Have a drink with me today."

“Okay!” Li Xirou nodded, without refusing.

Until late at night.

The jar of wine was finished.

Lu Ming looked at his wife, whose face was flushed in the candlelight.

She couldn't help but whisper, "It's getting late, let's rest."

When the voice rang out, Li Xirou nodded.

Then, the candlelight went out.

Meanwhile, inside the Yongwang Mansion.

The banquet was still ongoing.

A stern-faced man held a wine glass, casually twirling it between his fingers.

Her eyes were like stars.

It was none other than Tian Shu Dao Zi.

Compared to the last time it appeared, its cultivation level has increased further, reaching the peak of the Dharma Aspect stage.

Liu Xuan sat beside him, carefully pouring him wine.

Prince Yong had clearly drunk quite a bit; his face was flushed, and his eyes were glazed with intoxication as he asked, "Immortal Master, when will your sect's Divine Power Realm elder arrive?"

His voice was cautious.

Even though I drank quite a lot.

But Prince Yong was also very careful to maintain a proper balance.

He knew that someone like Tian Shu Dao Zi was no ordinary person.

The other person stopped what they were doing.

After a moment, he said calmly, "Ten days from now. The aftershocks of the dragon vein's tremor have not completely subsided yet, so only those at the Dharma Aspect Realm can enter for the time being. Ten days from now, sect experts at the Divine Power Realm will be able to descend."

After a few days, once the fluctuations have completely subsided.

He entered the Great Yu realm after reaching the fifth level of supernatural powers.

Prince Yong should just wait to ascend the throne.

A smile appeared on Tian Shu Dao Zi's face.

Prince Yong's eyes flashed, and he quickly said, "Thank you for telling me, Immortal Master. I'd like to offer you a toast."

He raised his glass as he spoke.

Tian Shu Dao Zi neither agreed nor disagreed and drank the wine in his cup.

Then he asked, "What are Prince Yong's plans next?"

"We have contacted all the rebel kings and they have all decided to attack the central government first. After all, the central government is about to be overwhelmed after the previous attacks."

If we are given more time, we should be able to break through.

"At that time, the Great Yu Dynasty will be finished."

Tian Shu Dao Zi nodded.

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything!"

Then, he stood up and walked towards his own courtyard.

Clearly, by this point, he had lost interest in drinking with Prince Yong.

Liu Xuan followed closely behind.

After they left.

The others also dispersed.

A night passed, and when Lu Ming pushed open the door and went outside...

The maid on night watch cautiously approached.

"My lord, Lord Zhang Meng requests an audience."

Lu Ming nodded.

Then, they walked towards the front yard.

As soon as I arrived outside, I saw Zhang Meng waiting for me, dressed in a light blue outfit.

"My lord, the captured supplies were all returned last night."

The voice rang out, tinged with excitement.

Lu Ming nodded.

A smile appeared on Zhang Meng's face; judging from his expression, it was clear that they had acquired a considerable amount of supplies this time.

"Let's talk in the front hall."

Lu Ming walked forward, while Zhang Meng followed behind, carrying the account book.

The two had just sat down.

Lu Ming then said, "I won't look at the ledgers, you tell me."

"My lord, this time we have obtained 800 million taels of silver, as well as 30,000 Innate Pills, 15,000 Foundation Pills, and more than 3,000 Qi Condensation Pills provided by the Kaiyang Sect to support the Prince of Langya."

And three million spirit stones.

Lu Ming nodded, his gaze passing through the doorway of the hall and looking outside.

Guo Zhun is taking inventory of the supplies.

A smile spread across his face.

He was probably the happiest person to receive the large amount of supplies that had entered the warehouse.

Lu Ming also let out a breath of stale air.

With this money and cultivation resources, it shouldn't be a problem to get everyone under my command into the Qi Refining Realm.

After a moment of contemplation, he said.

"All the pills are stored in the warehouse for the soldiers to exchange."

"As for the spirit stones, use them for pay wages."

"Yes, Lord Marquis," Zhang Meng replied.

Then they exited.

It was obvious that Guo Zhun had been notified.

After watching him leave, Lu Ming picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He couldn't help but think about his future path.

Although he knew in his heart that Kaiyang Sect would probably agree to Dayu's request.

But with the strength of their sect, it would be good enough if they could protect the central core from destruction.

It is simply impossible to suppress the other sects.

Therefore, we still have to rely on ourselves from now on.

At the very least, we must ensure that southern Xinjiang is not breached.

As long as this place is under my control, I can gather the fortune of this area myself once I have something to suppress it.

They possess the ability to protect themselves.

With that in mind, I opened the system shop to see what new items I had unlocked.

(End of this chapter)