The Great Martial Saint!

hum~
Inside the Clear Pool Courtyard, Chen Ping'an's spiritual light gradually dimmed, marking the end of his cultivation for the day.

He had just reached the pavilion and was admiring the clear pond in the garden when a respectful voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Senior, we have a guest visiting."

Yunxu Mountain and Qingchi Courtyard, as renowned cultivation sites within Bicang Prefecture, require enormous daily expenses, and their facilities and services are naturally top-notch.

Each courtyard has its own dedicated butler, one butler per courtyard, responsible for handling all matters, such as resource purchases and information inquiries.

However, the spiritual items Chen Ping'an wanted to purchase were of a very high standard. There were also some resources that were considered secret, making it inappropriate to have others handle them. Furthermore, he didn't have the habit of entrusting his life or fortune to others, so these services remained unused.

"A guest has arrived?"

Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened, and a light shone from his brow, as an invisible divine soul rippled out and spread in all directions.

Soon, through his divine sense, he saw an old man standing at the foot of Yunxu Mountain, followed by many people.

"Let him in."

"Yes, senior." Outside the courtyard, a woman in a long dress bowed respectfully and quickly left to carry out her orders.

Having lived in Yunxu Mountain for many years, she knew that the guests who came and went here were all extremely wealthy and powerful, truly the most distinguished guests standing at the top of Bicang Prefecture, whose status was beyond description.

If they were placed outside, any one of them would be a top figure capable of influencing the fate of a state.

Such a person is not someone a mere housekeeper like her can afford to offend.

This senior in Qingchi Garden may look young, but who knows how old he is?

"This old servant, Fulin, greets Lord Chen."

The old man, dressed in a magnificent robe, stood before Chen Ping'an with utmost respect.

"What's the matter?"

Chen Ping'an's gaze was indifferent, and his expression revealed no emotion.

"Having heard that Your Excellency has personally visited Bicang, my Highness has specially ordered this old servant to invite Your Excellency to his residence for a chat." The old man lowered his head slightly and bowed halfway.

As a senior member of the Prince of Bicang's household and a trusted confidant of His Highness, he was a figure of absolute authority outside the palace. But at this moment, he behaved with extreme humility.

He knew the identity of the person in front of him: Chen Ping'an, the acting garrison commander of Beishan, the head of the state garrison, a rising star, and a ruthless swordsman.

Chen Ping'an was renowned, and even the young master of Gu Yue dared to kill him. How could he, an old servant, dare to be so arrogant?

"Your Highness?" Chen Ping'an slightly raised his eyes, his expression calm. "Which Your Highness?"

Upon hearing this, the old man was startled, his heart filled with turmoil, but he dared not show the slightest change in expression, and said respectfully, "Reporting to Your Excellency, it is His Highness Xuanmo."

As the old man finished speaking, the room fell silent. He stood there, anxious, feeling an overwhelming pressure.

It was quite a while before Chen Ping'an's voice rang out again.

"I understand. You may return now."

"Yes, my lord."

The old man dared not raise any objection and immediately bowed and left.

"This old servant takes his leave."

He was unable to fulfill His Highness's orders on this trip, but with Your Highness before him, he dared not make any disrespectful moves.

If you anger the other party, the consequences could be unpredictable!
If that day comes, I'm afraid His Highness might not stand up for him.

Rampage!

This is none other than the ruthless Chen Ping'an!
They are powerful enough to influence the reputation of a region and control the fate of a state; they are true top-level giants.

"Ji Xuanmo."

Chen Ping'an toyed with the celadon jade cup in his hand, looking relaxed, and murmured softly.

Although his trip to Bicang was kept secret, he hadn't really concealed his whereabouts during his recent public appearances. It was quite normal for Ji Xuanmo to discover his whereabouts.

To be able to find him through a few clues, Ji Xuanmo's intelligence network in Bi Cang is indeed extraordinary.

This invitation was less of an invitation and more of a show of force.

The Prince of Bi Cang's Mansion has three most popular candidates for the crown prince position: Ji Xuanmo, Ji Dongqing, and Ji Shulan.

Among the three crown princes, Ji Xuanmo ranks first in overall strength and is the most likely to succeed as the Prince of Bicang. He also belongs to the same lineage as Ji Changkong and Qingmu Fugong.

Like in Canglong Prefecture City, Liang Xiaoxian recruited and won over Ji Xuanmo, as did Qingmu Fugong and his group at Beishan Pass.

On the other hand, at the Azure Dragon Banquet, Lady Biluo recruited another person, Ji Dongqing, who was second only to Ji Xuanmo in overall competition.

Of the three, Ji Shulan had quite a few supporters, but ultimately she was still much weaker.

Faced with the title of Prince, her status as a woman ultimately became a fatal flaw.

Without absolute power to suppress tradition, it is inevitable that more effort will be required to overturn it.

"Princess Bi Cang?"

Chen Pingan looked up and smiled as a message flashed before his eyes.

"interesting."

"That's what he said?"

Ji Xuanmo was dressed in a dark blue silk robe, with a handsome face, and had a scholarly air about him.

"I dare not deceive Your Highness," the old man said, bowing and scraping.

"Which prince?" Ji Xuanmo's eyes turned colder: "What a reckless brute!"

“Your Highness, so it seems that we are not the only ones who have come into contact with the Mangdao; there are other factions as well.” A middle-aged man in a long robe stepped forward.

"In my opinion, we should clarify the relationships and make preparations as soon as possible. If Mang Dao is willing to assist Your Highness, then we should treat him with great courtesy; if not..."

The middle-aged man in the long gown didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning behind it was self-evident.

Ji Xuanmo turned his head, glancing sideways at him: "Who do you think he is?"

Seeing His Highness's expression, the middle-aged man in the long robe immediately realized that he had made a mistake in his words and displeased His Highness.

Before he could remedy the situation, someone stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, Mr. Wen's words are inappropriate. Mang Dao is a peerless talent, a rising star among prodigies. Now he has broken through to the Celestial Realm and is guarding the Northern Mountain, holding an extraordinary position."

With his abilities, even if he has no intention of aligning himself with us, there's nothing we can do. If we rashly target him, we'll not only fail to gain assistance but also face a backlash. Furthermore, we might easily push the reckless sword away, ultimately benefiting someone else.

"Mr. Ge is right."

"good."

This person's opinion and words quickly attracted the attention of several people in the hall. Ji Xuanmo's expression softened slightly. After listening to the opinions of several people, he turned his gaze to the middle-aged man in the long robe.

“This man, Mang Dao, is no ordinary person; he is not one of those commoners you’ve previously recruited. I understand your eagerness, sir. But let’s not let anything like this happen again.”

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man in the long gown felt a chill run down his spine and immediately bowed his head in agreement.

"Investigate the movements of the others, see who else is in contact with Mang Dao! If we can't recruit them, no one else can. Also, keep an eye on Mang Dao, report any developments immediately. And another thing..."

Ji Xuanmo assigned tasks to each person and gave them a few instructions.

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand.

"Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."

"Yes." Everyone bowed and left the hall. Inside the hall, after everyone had left, Ji Xuanmo's expression instantly turned cold.

"Wild Blade"

"You've repeatedly defied my dignity! Do you really think I'm easy to bully?! The situation is still uncertain, so I'll tolerate you for now. Once the throne is secured, I'll use my power to suppress you. What do you say then?"

Ji Xuanmo's expression was sinister, completely unlike his previous demeanor. Beneath his handsome appearance lay a deep chill.

"Just bear with it a little longer."

Ji Xuanmo slowly lowered his eyes, and a dark mark appeared below his eyelids.

"Everyone says Ji Shulan has the highest cultivation level, but who knows, if we're talking about combat strength, hmph..."
"Demonic cultivation techniques are still quite fast to learn."

The mark writhed on the skin like a worm, giving it a somewhat sinister appearance. Ji Xuanmo chuckled coldly, and when he looked up again, the mark on his face had vanished, leaving only a gentle-looking man, like a refined scholar.

"Ji Xuanmo went to find Chen Ping'an?"

At the Prince of Bicang's residence, Ji Dongqing wore a hair crown and a black robe, his expression conveying a sense of inquiry and seeking answers.

"Your Highness, we went to look for him. However, His Highness Xuanmo himself did not show up."

"You don't even understand the concept of respecting and valuing talent, yet you want to recruit people?" Ji Dongqing sneered. "Pay close attention to their movements over there, and report back immediately if you have any news."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After weighing the pros and cons, he had no intention of recruiting Mangdao, but he also did not want to see Mangdao used by others.

In retrospect, the likelihood of Ji Xuanmo successfully recruiting him and providing assistance is extremely low.

After giving a few instructions, Ji Dongqing stopped paying attention.

"Has there been any news from Elder Yan?" Ji Dongqing's expression showed a hint of anticipation.

This matter concerning Elder Yan is of great importance. If it succeeds, his chances of succeeding to the throne will greatly increase.

"Your Highness, no."

His confidant's words left him slightly disappointed, but he was prepared for the matter, and after a brief adjustment, he regained his composure.

"And what about the Azure Palace?" Ji Dongqing paused, "Any news?"

Bi Cang Palace, the residence of the Bi Cang Prince, is also the most heavily guarded place in the entire Bi Cang Prince's mansion.

"Your Highness, apart from the young princess visiting us a few days ago, everything else is normal, and there has been no unusual activity."

"Qingyu." Upon hearing this, Ji Dongqing immediately relaxed a little.

The Prince's affection for the young princess is common knowledge in the Prince's household. Over the years since his illness, only Ji Qingyu has been able to visit her regularly; the others have not been seen even once a year.

Especially these past few days, apart from Ji Qingyu, no one else has been able to be summoned. Even they haven't enjoyed this privilege of being able to see him.

I wonder why my great-grandfather dotes on Qingyu so much.
Could it really be because Qingyu's birthday is the same as her great-grandfather's?

Ji Dongqing pondered for a moment, then moved to another location.

"The Azure Palace is of paramount importance. The slightest mistake could lead to total defeat. Report back immediately if you receive any news."

The others below also knew the gravity of the matter, and they all nodded in agreement with solemn expressions.

"Next, it's up to Elder Yan. As long as Elder Yan settles things, the rest are nothing to fear." Ji Dongqing's face was heroic as he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

Compared to the matter of Elder Yan, the matter of the Mang Dao approaching Bi Cang is merely secondary!

The struggle for the throne concerns the fate of the land. How could a mere mortal like Mangdao possibly reverse such a powerful trend?
Even with exceptional talent and a promising future, that...
That's something for the future.

For several days in a row, Chen Ping'an was active in the high-end commerce, treasure pavilions, shops, and trade fairs of Bi Cang Prefecture.

As time went by, news of his presence in Bicang gradually spread within the Celestial Circle of Bicang Prefecture.

Today, Chen Ping'an's status is vastly different from what it used to be.

Even in the heart of this region, the fiefdom of a prince, he was no nobody. He was an important figure whom all sides needed to treat with utmost respect and to win over.

In the past few days, many forces have sent invitations, wanting to pay a visit.

However, Chen Ping'an refused them all, citing his need for peace and quiet.

Given his influence and status, even if he refused, these forces would not dare to voice any objections.

Whether he sees her or not is his right.

In the past few days, he has been using an alias to purchase a considerable amount of resources. During one such instance, he even managed to snag a pot of fourth-grade spirit wine by chance. Although the quantity was small, its purity was undeniable. However, its quality was inferior to the pot Ji Qingyu had gifted him.

Furthermore, against this backdrop, his progress in martial arts was also steady.

On this day, Chen Ping'an, disguised as a stranger, attended a fairly large trading conference. At the conference, he acquired very few truly valuable resources.

But during the subsequent pleasantries, Chen Ping'an heard some shocking news.

"A celestial being, a great cultivator, will soon arrive at Bi Cang Prefecture City?"

The Great Cultivation of Heaven and Man?

Chen Ping'an remained calm, but a strange feeling stirred within him, and he couldn't help but feel a strong urge to try.

In the previous battle against the White Bone Grandmaster, he had joined forces with others, with Little Heavenly Luo contributing a great deal of effort. Now that his cultivation has advanced further and his foundation has increased, he really wants to try a one-on-one battle.

With this in mind, he couldn't help but pay more attention to this topic during the conversation.

"A rogue cultivator from the Western Wilderness, a hermit named Baosha, a celestial being?"

A martial arts master can generally be called a Venerable One, a Martial Lord, or simply a title chosen according to their own preferences. However, the most generally accepted titles are Venerable One and Martial Lord.

The title "Great Celestial Being" is a designation established to distinguish them from ordinary celestial beings. This concept is roughly equivalent to "Great Celestial Cultivator," only the perspective is different.

The difference between this Baosha Sanren and Baosha Dazun is that just by hearing the latter part of the name, one can know that the other party's identity is extraordinary, that he is a great cultivator of the celestial realm.

According to what the small group discussed, this Baosha Sanren is usually active in the Western Wilderness, so why would he suddenly come to this Bi Cang Prefecture City?

Unfortunately, this is happening at a crucial juncture in the overall situation of Bi Cang?

Chen Ping'an was puzzled, and naturally others in the room had similar thoughts, so they asked the question on his behalf.

"Although the population of the Western Wilderness is not prosperous, it is still vast and far beyond the reach of the territories. Some tribal cities can even be compared with the central hubs of the territories. Western Wilderness City, for example, is famous throughout the Northern Territory and is enormous in size."

"What is this Venerable Baosha doing here in my Bicang for no reason?"

As he listened to the other person's words, information about the Western Wilderness surfaced in Chen Ping'an's mind.

The Western Wilderness, despite its name, is not located in the western border of the dynasty, but rather refers to the area west of the northern central region. It belongs to the same category of desert lands as the Azure Flame Desert of the northern border.

However, compared to the Azure Flame Desert, the Western Wilderness still has a relatively large population. The dynasty here also governs by dividing and conquering, and there are also some forces named after tribes located in various cities of the Western Wilderness.

Compared to the Western Wilderness, the truly westernmost part of the dynasty's territory lies in the western border. That place is generally referred to as the far west.

It is said that there are phenomena of foreign civilizations there.

However, the dynasties were vast and could not be fully described in a single book, and Chen Ping'an was not entirely clear about this matter either.

Even at the Celestial Realm, when looking at the four borders of the dynasty, it is still like gazing at the blue sky, vast and boundless, as majestic as ever.

"The Great Qian Dynasty."

Chen Ping'an slightly collected his thoughts, and the elderly celestial being who had previously brought up the topic began to explain the reasons behind it. (End of this chapter)