The First Marquis of Daxuan

Jin Yi opened his eyes and saw a very familiar face.

"Su Mu? You're not dead?"

He said, somewhat taken aback.

He remembered that before he lost consciousness, the Xuanwu Guardian had already stormed into the courtyard where they were imprisoned.

Oh, right, Xuanwu the Guardian!
Jin Yi suddenly sat up, looking around nervously.

There was no sign of Xuanwu, the guardian deity.

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he saw Mei Yanwang and the others not far away.

Mei Yanwang, along with hundreds of Yanfu Sect disciples, stood in neat rows, their faces filled with sorrow and unease.

"them--"

Jin Yi's heart, which had just been at ease, suddenly jumped again.

"Don't worry about them."

Su Mu said calmly, moved to Sun Jifeng's side, and stuffed a few pills into his mouth.

It was only then that Jin Yi realized that Luo Anning, Xiang Xiaoyuan, Tu Shan Hanyu, Lin Nianchu, and Dongfang Liuyun were all safe and sound, standing behind Su Mu and quietly watching him.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

"Brothers from the East, why are you looking at me like that?"

Jin Yi looked to Dongfang Liuyun for help and asked in a low voice.

"congratulations."

Dongfang Liuyun's expression was strange, and he said with a half-smile, "Protector Xuanwu."

"The Black Tortoise Protector?"

Jin Yi frowned, puzzled.

"You are now the new Xuanwu Protector of the Yanfu Sect."

Dongfang Liuyun continued, "Our statuses will be different from now on."

Jin Yi: "..."

Are you kidding me?
He was expelled from the Yanfu Sect, yet he's still called the Xuanwu Protector?
When the Xuanwu Protector tried to kill him before, he showed no mercy whatsoever.

Moreover, even if none of this had happened, Jin Yi's strength was still a long way from being qualified to serve as a protector.

He was just an ordinary elder of the Yanfu Sect. Above him were the Ten Kings of Hell.

If he wants to become one of the four protectors of the Yanfu Sect, he first needs to break through to the Dao Extreme Realm.

His strength is still far inferior to that of the Ten Kings of Hell, let alone the Four Guardians.

He never dreamed he would become one of the four protectors of the Yanfu Sect.

"Don't look at me, those people are waiting for you."

Dongfang Liuyun gestured with his chin to Mei Yanwang and the others in the distance, and said with a smirk, "You are now the highest-ranking disciple of the Yanfu Sect here. Whether to fight or make peace is up to you."

Seeing that Dongfang Liuyun didn't seem to be joking, and that Mei Yanwang and the others in the distance seemed to be looking at him as well, Jin Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

He subconsciously turned his head to look at Su Mu.

"Su——"

He spoke as if seeking help.

"What Liu Yun said is true."

Su Mu said calmly.

"I never expected that the Xuanwu Guardian would speak so kindly on his deathbed, leaving behind such an order."

Whether or not you choose to take over the position of Dharma Protector left behind by him is up to you.

Whatever your choice, as long as you don't attack me first, I won't attack you.

Su Mu now knows that when the Xuanwu Guardian attacked, it was Jin Yi and Sun Jifeng who risked their lives to block the attack for everyone.

Su Mu acknowledged this favor.

Jin Yi became increasingly confused.

Just then, Mei Yanwang flew forward and called out from afar, "Protector Jin, may I have a word with you in private?"

At this moment, Mei Yanwang was no longer the same person who had been so spirited as before.

Even the tone of his voice when speaking to Jin Yi was completely different from before.

Jin Yi looked to Su Mu for help, and Su Mu nodded.

Jin Yi had no choice but to get up and go to Mei Yanwang's side.

Knowing that Jin Yi had been unconscious and hadn't witnessed many things, Mei Yanwang quickly recounted the whole story.

"Guardian Jin, the future of the Yanfu Sect now rests on your shoulders—"

"Mei Yanwang said in a deep voice."

Jin Yi: "..."

It's all on me? I'm just a minor Dao Origin Realm cultivator; I can't possibly bear such a heavy burden.

I warned you all long ago not to have designs on Su Mu, not to have designs on Su Mu.

You just wouldn't listen; you insisted on murdering someone for money just for a knife.

it's good now!

The Xuanwu Guardian actually died under Su Mu's blade!
Jin Yi's heart was also filled with turmoil.

Although he had great confidence in Su Mu before, he never imagined that Su Mu could actually kill the Xuanwu Protector.

It should be noted that the Xuanwu Protector is a veteran Dao Realm expert who has dominated the world for many years and has almost no defeats.

Such a person actually died at Su Mu's hands.

Has the Shetland Sheepdog grown to this extent?
To be honest, Jin Yi never doubted that Su Mu would one day become the strongest person in the world.

But he only felt that Su Mu had unlimited potential, and did not expect that Su Mu had reached this point so quickly.

Having been able to kill the Xuanwu Protector, how many people in the world today can be a match for Su Mu?

Now, Su Mu is no longer a promising talent, but a genuine top expert!
"Guardian Jin, Guardian Xuanwu made it clear before he died that he made the wrong decision because of his injuries. I was also blinded by greed."

Now Su Mu has killed the Xuanwu Protector and stolen the Yanfu Secret Realm.

"We can't avenge the Xuanwu Protector, but the Yanfu Secret Realm is the foundation of our Yanfu Sect. We absolutely cannot let Su Mu take it away."

Mei Yanwang continued.

Jin Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes. Now you know you regret it.

You guys are doing the first day of the lunar month, but Su Mu is doing the fifteenth.

If you hadn't tried to steal their Immortal-Slaying Blade first, would they have dared to try and seize the Yanfu Secret Realm?
Now that you can't beat them, you want to make peace? There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Jin Yi felt somewhat helpless as he thought to himself.

Logically speaking, since Yanfuzong had already intended to kill him, there should have been no further connection between him and Yanfuzong.

But after all, he was once a disciple of the Yanfu Sect and had received great favors from it, so it was unrealistic to sever all ties so easily.

He couldn't just stand by and watch the Yanfu Sect decline like this.

But Jin Yi doesn't have that much influence.
What makes him think he can persuade Su Mu to give up the Yanfu Secret Realm?

That's the secret realm of Jambudvipa.

Moreover, Yan Fuzong struck first, and he is too ashamed to even talk to Su Mu about it now.

"Guardian Jin, before his death, Guardian Xuanwu passed on his position to you. You are now one of the four guardians of the Yanfu Sect."

Now that the sect leader and the other three protectors are gone, you are the god of the Yanfu Sect.

You can't just abandon the Jambudvipa sect.

Mei Yanwang said with a mournful face, "We did make a mistake before, but Protector Xuanwu has already given all his property to Su Mu as compensation, so Su Mu himself didn't suffer any loss. This matter—"

"Mei Yanwang, you're an old hand at this, so don't say things that make people laugh their heads off."

What would you do if someone wanted to kill you and your family?
You tried to kill people, but ended up being killed in return.

The property of the Xuanwu Protector is his spoils of war, as is the Yanfu Secret Realm.

What grounds do you have to ask someone to give up their spoils?

"If you win, you make a fortune; if you lose, you don't want to put in any effort. Where in the world is there such a good deal?"

Jin Yi said with a mocking expression.

Mei Yanwang looked embarrassed.

If it were in the past, he would have slapped Jin Yi for saying such things.

But now, even if Jin Yi slaps him a few times, he has to endure it.

It wasn't that King Mei wasn't afraid of death, but the matter at hand was far too serious.

With the Xuanwu Guardian dead in battle, the Yanfu Secret Realm fell into Su Mu's hands.

If he cannot retrieve the Yanfu Secret Realm, then Mei Yanwang will be a sinner of the Yanfu Sect.

He can't handle this.

“Protector Jin, as long as Su Mu is willing to return the Yanfu Secret Realm, even if he makes me kowtow and confess my sins, even if he takes my life, I won’t even blink an eye.”

Mei Yanwang said solemnly, "I only ask that Protector Jin have the ability to turn the tide and save Yanfu Sect from this disaster."

"I am not a Dharma protector, so please don't call me a Dharma protector."

"You are!"

"Mei Yanwang, do you all listen to whatever I say?"

Jin Yi hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't let go of his feelings for Yanfu Sect and spoke up.

He knew all too well that if Su Mu took the Yanfu Secret Realm away, the Yanfu Sect would truly decline.

The Yanfu Secret Realm is the foundation upon which the Yanfu Sect can continuously cultivate powerful individuals.

Without the Yanfu Secret Realm, how can the Yanfu Sect recruit powerful individuals and contend with the Great Qian Dynasty?

Jin Yi hates Mei Yanwang and Xuanwu Protector, but the other members of Yanfu Sect are innocent.

Most of the Jambudvipa sect is still good.

"The Xuanwu Protector's dying wish is that whatever your demands, we must obey unconditionally!"

"That's what King Mei said with certainty."

"Then I'll give it a try."

Jin Yi sighed and said, "But I'm telling you in advance, I can only try, and I can't guarantee whether it will work."

Furthermore, if you cause any more trouble, I promise I will never interfere in your affairs again.

"I'll grant your request. As long as you can help the Yanfu Sect reclaim the Yanfu Secret Realm, you'll be the Yanfu Sect's savior—"

Mei Yanwang Dao.

“Mei Yanwang, you do not represent the Yanfu Sect.”

Jin Yi said irritably, ignoring Mei Yanwang's extremely ugly expression, and turned to walk towards Su Mu and the others.

He returned to Su Mu and saw the amused expression on Su Mu's face, and his face instantly turned red.

He was the one who invited Su Mu and the others to Yanfu Sect, but so many things happened as a result.

Now he has to help Yanfu Sect demand Su Mu's spoils of war, and he himself is a little embarrassed to ask.

If it weren't for the fact that Yanfuzong had been so kind to him, Jin Yi really wouldn't want to deal with this mess.

"Do you know what happened?"

Su Mu said with a half-smile, "So, you're now trying to help the Yanfu Sect keep me here?"

"Stop joking."

Jin Yi smiled bitterly, "The Xuanwu Protector has died at your hands. Who in the Yanfu Sect can be your match now?"

"Alright, stop beating around the bush."

Su Mu said, "I won't show mercy to my enemies, but I'm still pretty good to my friends."

You helped me before, I acknowledge that favor, and I won't blame you no matter what you say.

"The more you say that, the more ashamed I feel," Jin Yi said with a bitter smile. "I begged you to come to the Yanfu Secret Realm, but things have turned out like this—"

"You can't blame yourself. I did indeed benefit from the Yanfu Secret Realm."

Su Mu said, "Without the Yanfu Secret Realm, I would have to cultivate diligently for at least several decades to break through to the Dao Extreme Realm."

For a Dao Origin Realm expert, decades of arduous cultivation is nothing of importance.

Decades are but a blink of an eye.

Jin Yi increasingly felt that he hadn't been able to help Su Mu at all, but instead had brought Su Mu so much trouble.

"Although I know it's shameless to say such things, the Yanfu Sect has been incredibly kind to me. The actions of Xuanwu Protector and Mei Yanwang do not represent the entire Yanfu Sect."

Su Mu, I hope you can give Yanfu Sect another chance.

Jin Yi said with a wry smile.

"Give the Yanfu Sect another chance? Give you another chance to trick us?"

Dongfang Liuyun sneered, "Old Jin, you are you, and Yanfu Sect is Yanfu Sect."

We approve of you as a person, but we have absolutely no goodwill towards the Yanfu Sect.

“Brother Dongfang, you yourself said that an individual is an individual, and the Yanfu Sect is the Yanfu Sect.”

Xuanwu the Dharma Protector and Mei Yanwang do not represent the Yanfu Sect.

Most of the people in our Jambudvipa sect are good.

Actually, the Xuanwu Protector was also affected by his injuries; he wasn't usually the greedy type.

Dongfang Liuyun pursed his lips, as if he wanted to say something more.

Su Mu raised his hand to stop him.

Su Mu looked at Jin Yi and slowly said, "You want the Yanfu Secret Realm?"

"It's not that I want the Yanfu Secret Realm, but the Yanfu Sect."

Jin Yi took a deep breath, knowing that what was bound to happen would happen eventually, and there was no escaping it.

He looked at Su Mu and said seriously, "To be precise, it is the Yanfu Sect that wants to redeem the Yanfu Secret Realm."

"Redeem the Yanfu Secret Realm? Tell me, what price can the Yanfu Sect offer?"

Su Mu said with a half-smile.

"Brother Su, let's get straight to the point. You name the price."

Jin Yi said in a deep voice, "Yanfu Sect is in the wrong in this matter. No matter what price you offer, Yanfu Sect will absolutely not bargain."

For the Yanfu Sect, the value of the Yanfu Secret Realm is irreplaceable.

As long as the Yanfu Secret Realm can be redeemed, the Yanfu Sect can bear any price.

Moreover, does the Jambudvipa sect even have a choice now?

Dongfang Liuyun, Luo Anning, and the others all showed surprise on their faces.

They still don't know how Su Mu did it.

Even though they were used to seeing Su Mu turn the tide, they were still quite shocked this time.

I knew Su Mu was doing well in the Great Thousand World, but I never expected that Su Mu had become so powerful that he could make the Yanfu Sect bow down.

Jin Yi didn't just say that casually.

You can just name your price?
"Nothing is more valuable than the Yanfu Secret Realm, don't trade it."

Lin Nianchu whispered in Su Mu's ear.

She was an elder of the Danxia Sect and understood the significance of the secret realm better than Luo Anning and the others.

A secret realm can even give rise to a super sect.

Both the Danxia Sect and the Hengshan Sect benefited greatly from the secret realm.

The value of a secret realm is simply immeasurable.

The Yanfu Secret Realm is the most famous of all the secret realms in the world.

Once you have something like this, you shouldn't hand it over.

With the Yanfu Secret Realm in hand, given time, Su Mu could even recreate the Yanfu Sect.

The Yanfu Sect is a powerful entity that shares the world with the Great Qian Dynasty, far surpassing the Danxia Sect and Hengshan Sect.

How much would it take to redeem such a thing?
Its value is not much less than that of the entire Jambudvipa sect.

"No rush, let's hear what Yanfu Sect has to say first."

Su Mu said calmly, "Jin Yi, if I were to name a price, your Yanfu Sect wouldn't be able to afford it."

Okay then, considering you helped me before, I'll give you face.

"If your Yanfu Sect can offer a price that tempts me, I might be willing to return the Yanfu Secret Realm to you."

"Senior brother——"

Lin Nianchu exclaimed in surprise.

Luo Anning tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Don't worry, Senior Brother knows what he's doing."

In all the years I've known my senior, I've never seen him suffer a loss.

Luo Anning's face was full of trust in Su Mu.

Lin Nianchu was stunned for a moment and then fell silent.

She hadn't been with Su Mu for long enough, and sometimes she still couldn't see through his methods.

However, since Luo Anning said so, she must be right.

Luo Anning was the one who accompanied Su Mu from his humble beginnings to his peak.

Jin Yi fell silent.

He didn't know what he could do to win Su Mu's heart.

That's the secret realm of Jambudvipa.

To be honest, if he were Su Mu, he would never have handed over the Yanfu Secret Realm either.

With the existence of the Jambudvipa Secret Realm, it's like an ordinary person having a gold mine; all sorts of benefits will come continuously.

"It's very simple."

Sun Jifeng, who had already regained consciousness, suddenly spoke.

"Simple?"

Jin Yi looked at his partner with some surprise.

My partner has always been too lazy to use his brain. He doesn't talk when he can take action, and he absolutely won't use his brain when he can solve a problem with his hands.

He actually has a way to solve the current predicament?
He actually knows what can be used to redeem the Yamafu Secret Realm?
"Old Sun, tell me, what's your idea?"

Jin Yi asked in a deep voice.

"It's simple. Just let Su Mu join the Yanfu Sect, and we'll be one family. What difference does it make who controls the Yanfu Secret Realm?"

Sun Jifeng said matter-of-factly.

"Should we have Su Mu join the Yanfu Sect?"

Jin Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes; it wasn't like he hadn't tried it before.

From the very beginning, he intended to invite Su Mu to join the Yanfu Sect, and even offered him the position of one of the Ten Kings of Hell.

At that time, Su Mu was not yet a Dao Realm expert.

Su Mu refused back then, let alone now that Su Mu is already a Dao Extreme Realm expert and has the upper hand.

I've never seen anyone who, when in a dominant position, turns around and joins the losing side.

Let alone whether Su Mu would be willing to join the Yanfu Sect, even if he were, what position could the Yanfu Sect offer Su Mu?
Protector?

"This is impossible."

Jin Yi sighed.

"How is it impossible?"

Sun Jifeng retorted indignantly, "Su Mu's Saha World was devoured by the Great Celestial Venerable, and he is now homeless."

Those people in the Great Qian Dynasty can't tolerate Su Mu. Joining our Yanfu Sect is the best choice.

He will merge his power with our Yanfu Sect to form a new Yanfu Sect.

Since his strength is not comparable to that of the sect leader, then let him be the deputy sect leader.

Since the sect leader is getting old, once the sect leader passes away, he will become the sect leader of the Yanfu Sect.

"In that case, wouldn't the Yanfu Secret Realm still remain within our Yanfu Sect?"

"Ok?"

Jin Yi frowned.

To be honest, Sun Jifeng's suggestion was a last resort.

By making Su Mu the vice sect leader of the Yanfu Sect and having him succeed the sect leader in the future, the Yanfu Sect's reputation can be preserved, and Su Mu's reputation can also be preserved.

This is equivalent to using the entire Yanfu Sect to redeem the Yanfu Secret Realm, and Su Mu will receive the entire Yanfu Sect.

As far as the Yanfu Sect is concerned, since the Yanfu Secret Realm is under the control of its own deputy sect leader, it is not considered a loss.

"Get something for nothing?"

Su Mu smiled enigmatically, "Not only will I have to sacrifice the Yanfu Secret Realm, but I'll also have to sacrifice myself for the Yanfu Sect?"

“Su Mu, that’s not how it works.”

Sun Jifeng said seriously, "Think about it, the reason you feel you're at a disadvantage is because of the name Yanfu Sect."

What if we changed the name of the Jambudvipa sect?

For example, change it to the Great Xuan Dynasty.

Once you become the sect leader, you can simply change the name of the Yanfu Sect to the Great Xuan Dynasty. It will still be essentially the same. If you think about it this way, won't you be at a disadvantage?
This is equivalent to you annexing our Jambudvipa sect.

This is what I think: even if you take the Yanfu Secret Realm away, with your current foundation, it would take you countless years to create a secret realm comparable to the Yanfu Sect.

Moreover, neither the Great Qian Dynasty nor the Yanfu Sect would allow a third force to emerge.

But directly annexing the Yanfu Sect is different.

Let me tell you a secret: our sect leader doesn't actually have many years left to live. Once he dies, the entire vast foundation of the Yanfu Sect will be yours.

"By the way, you don't even need to hand over the Yanfu Secret Realm, so you're not losing out at all."

Su Mu looked at Sun Jifeng. This guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, could he really be so cunning when he got into a plan?
If this deal is actually done, the only victim will be the sect leader of the Yanfu Sect?
For the disciples of the Yanfu Sect, it seems to make no difference whether the sect is called the Yanfu Sect or the Great Xuan Dynasty.

"Our sect leader is not a power-hungry person; his only wish in life is to overthrow the Great Qian Dynasty."

"If you're willing, I think the sect leader might even agree to abdicate early and let you succeed him as the sect leader of the Yanfu Sect!"

Jin Yi said in a deep voice, having now sorted out his thoughts.

If you look at it from a different perspective, there's suddenly room for maneuver.

Yes, if there aren't enough deputy sect leaders, then let Su Mu become the sect leader of the Yanfu Sect!

In any case, Su Mu and the Great Qian Dynasty are irreconcilable enemies. Since Su Mu has become the sect leader of Yanfu Sect, he must also oppose the Great Qian Dynasty. This is the purpose of Yanfu Sect.

In fact, the small world from which Su Mu was born has also been destroyed, which makes Su Mu's experience naturally similar to that of the disciples of the Yanfu Sect.

Lin Nianchu's beautiful eyes widened upon hearing this. The Sect Master of the Yanfu Sect?
How did Senior Brother Su become the Sect Master of Yanfu Sect in the blink of an eye?
Isn't that just too unbelievable?

What will I do if Senior Brother Su becomes the sect leader of Yanfu Sect?
The Danxia Sect belongs to the Great Qian Dynasty, which is the mortal enemy of the Yanfu Sect.

Forget it, I'll follow my husband wherever he goes. Anyway, I have no feelings for the Great Qian Dynasty. At worst, I'll just drag the Danxia Sect into joining the Yanfu Sect...

Lin Nianchu muttered to herself.

"If the sect leader of Yanfu Sect can step down and yield the position to a more worthy successor, I can reluctantly accept it."

Su Mu slowly said, "Jin Yi, go and talk to them."

"understood."

Jin Yi took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "I believe the Sect Master will agree. Our goals are actually the same: to overthrow the tyranny of the Great Qian Dynasty!" (End of Chapter)