Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 708 Breakthrough to the Second Rank!

West Desert.

Hanzhou City.

Winter has arrived, and all things are withered and lifeless.

Hanzhou City seemed to have been immersed in a monotonous vat of gray and yellow by an invisible giant hand.

The city walls are a mottled yellowish-brown after being eroded by wind and sand, the ground is a dull grayish-yellow after being trampled and compacted, and the roofs and walls of the houses are mostly made of locally sourced loess bricks, presenting a somber yellow color.

Even the sky, which should have been a clear blue, appeared hazy and yellowish due to the fine dust that permeated the area year-round.

The trees were bare branches, and the weeds on the ground lay flat, withered and yellow. The whole city was shrouded in the harsh winter, with hardly any greenery to be found, only an endless expanse of desolate yellow.

"Ding dong...Ding dong..."

The clear and melodious sound of camel bells drifted in with the biting cold wind.

A caravan of camels carrying goods slowly passed through the city gate, their thick, brown fur billowing in the wind, and puffs of white steam billowing from their nostrils.

Pedestrians on the street were all wrapped tightly in heavy cotton-padded coats or fur robes, their hands tucked into their sleeves, walking hurriedly, wanting only to return to their homes where they could shelter from the wind and cold as soon as possible.

Against this uniform yellowish-brown backdrop, the imposing cluster of buildings in the city center stands out strikingly and grandly.

That was the residence of the Marquis of Zhenxi.

However, if judged by the standards of a "marquis's mansion", it seems too grand, even... presumptuous!
Its scale and style have clearly surpassed the residence of a subject, and are more like a miniature royal palace.

If the gilded plaque reading "Marquis of Zhenxi's Residence" hanging above the gate were removed and replaced with a plaque reading "Royal Palace of So-and-So," probably no one would find it incongruous.

Such excessive construction would have been a capital offense in the Central Plains, punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan.

But in this remote western border region, everyone turned a blind eye to this, and even took it for granted.

Who doesn't know? Who doesn't understand?
This Marquis of Zhenxi, Meng Xinghun, is ostensibly the highest-ranking official in charge of all affairs in the Western Desert, appointed by the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty who sits on the dragon throne—the Protector-General of the Western Desert.

But in secret, he was also the leader of the Qingyi Tower, the largest sect in the Western Desert, whose orders were strictly enforced!
He was the uncrowned king of this vast and desolate land, the true ruler who held the power of life and death.

Nominally under the jurisdiction of the Great Qian Dynasty, they were in reality no different from warlords who carved out their own territories, established states within states, and were essentially kings.

In that case, what's wrong with building his mansion like a palace?

In this land where power reigns supreme, authority is the hardest truth.

Such a strategically important location was naturally heavily guarded.

The mansion was filled with both overt and covert sentries, and elite guards patrolled back and forth with eyes as sharp as eagles, not missing a single sound or movement.

However, at this moment, a graceful figure seemed to ignore the impenetrable guards, moving freely among the intricate pavilions and towers of the Marquis's mansion as if it were empty.

"mother--!"

"Mother! Where are you?"

The girl's voice, tinged with a touch of coquettishness and languor, echoed in the cool air.

Her face was like a peach blossom in early March, tender and beautiful, with a radiant glow, as if water could be squeezed out of it.

But there was always a hint of sleepy laziness between her eyebrows, as if this had become her unique temperament mark.

She walked with a lazy, unhurried pace.

The guards she encountered along the way not only did not stop or question her, but also bowed and made way for her.

The guards all knew that the girl's name was Mi Qianmeng, and she was the only daughter of the Marquis's trusted confidant.

Mi Qianmeng held a prominent position in the Marquis's mansion, almost equivalent to that of the Marquis's confidant.

"Mother, come out quickly! I need to speak to you urgently!"

Mi Qianmeng wrinkled her nose slightly, sniffed the air hard, and a sly look appeared on her face:
"I can smell your distinctive 'cold sandalwood' scent! Don't hide anymore!"

Following the faint, familiar fragrance, she wandered through several moon gates and arrived at a rather secluded, independent courtyard.

Without any hesitation, Mi Qianmeng walked straight to the master bedroom door and pushed open the slightly ajar carved wooden door!
"mother--!"

The words stopped abruptly.

Mi Qianmeng was struck as if by an invisible bolt of lightning, and suddenly froze at the doorway.

Her languid, beautiful eyes widened instantly, her pupils contracting in extreme shock, her small mouth slightly open, but no sound came out.

Inside the bedroom, the spring scenery was enchanting, and the atmosphere was ambiguous.

Beside the soft couch in the room, a man and a woman were intertwined, their clothes disheveled.

The man was very young, with a muscular physique, smooth lines, and a powerful presence. His dark skin was covered with fine beads of sweat.

However, in stark contrast to his masculine physique was his face—extremely ordinary, so ordinary that it was completely unremarkable, as if it would disappear instantly in a crowd, leaving little impression on anyone who saw it.

This person is Liang Jin.

The woman was a very attractive and charming lady.

Her skin was so pale it was almost bloodless, which only made her look like a datura flower blooming quietly in the dark night, beautiful yet with a dangerous allure.

What's especially captivating are her eyes. With each glance, they seem to hold a myriad of charms and profound stories. Anyone who sees her for the first time will find it hard not to be drawn to those mesmerizing eyes.

She is none other than Mi Qianmeng's mother—Leng You.

Suddenly caught in her private moment by her daughter, two rare blushes instantly appeared on her pale face. She hurriedly pulled up her slipping clothes, barely covering a large expanse of dazzling white skin.

She hurriedly reached up to smooth a few strands of hair that clung to her skin, accentuating their natural curls, and her voice betrayed her barely concealed panic and embarrassment:

"Qian...Qianmeng...you...why did you suddenly come here? Is something the matter?"

Hearing her mother's voice, Mi Qianmeng suddenly snapped out of her daze, as if waking from a dream.

In an instant, an indescribable sense of shame, shock, and even a hint of being wronged by being kept in the dark erupted in her heart like a volcano, making her fair and delicate face instantly turn as red as a ripe tomato, the color spreading all the way to her ears and neck.

"You, you...you actually...you actually did this kind of thing in broad daylight?!"

She was so ashamed she wanted to disappear, and she stomped her foot, her voice trembling with tears:

"Oh my! You guys are really... really shameless! So embarrassing!!!"

After saying that, she could no longer face the shocking scene before her. She suddenly raised her hands and covered her burning cheeks tightly, as if that would shut everything out.

Then, like a startled deer, she turned and ran wildly along the same path without looking back, so fast that she left only a fragrant breeze behind.

By now, how could she not understand what those two people, alone in a room with the doors and windows ajar, were doing?
She had vaguely heard that since her master returned from his trip to the capital of Daqian, his temperament seemed to have changed, and he had become quite fond of beautiful women and indulged in debauchery.

But she never expected that the person the landlord was seeking pleasure with would include... her own mother!

No wonder... no wonder everyone in the manor, from the stewards to the ordinary guards, has been exceptionally attentive and respectful when they see me lately, even with a hint of cautious flattery.

It turns out... everyone already knew all along, except for me, who was kept in the dark like a fool!

Seeing this, Leng You was extremely anxious. Forgetting to tidy her disheveled appearance, she rushed to the door and anxiously called out in the direction her daughter had disappeared:
"Qianmeng! Qianmeng! Listen to your mother's explanation! Come back!"

However, Mi Qianmeng's figure had already disappeared at the end of the winding corridor, her footsteps fading away quickly without any sign of stopping.

Liang Jin watched this scene, but his face remained largely unmoved.

He reached out and pulled the unsettled Leng You back into his arms, his arm strong and firm.

"It's alright, let her go."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

"They're just kids; they've already bumped into it, so what? They'll find out sooner or later anyway. Let's continue."

He needs to practice the "Mahagala Protector Practice".

This skill is extremely profound, emphasizing the balance of Yin and Yang, and the harmony of Dragon and Tiger. Only through the practice of dual cultivation between men and women can one achieve twice the result with half the effort and make rapid progress.

Previously, Liang Jin had been practicing dual cultivation with Xiao Wan, but unfortunately, Xiao Wan's body was too weak to withstand long periods of cultivation.

However, Liang Jin found it difficult to fully trust other women.

So after Liang Jin returned to the Western Desert, he found Leng You.

Leng You had already handed over her natal evil insect to Liang Jin, which was equivalent to handing over control of her body and her life to Liang Jin.

This woman is decisive and ruthless; once she makes a decision, she leaves no way back, making it difficult for Liang Jin not to trust her.

As expected, Leng You would never refuse to cultivate with Liang Jin. So ever since Liang Jin returned to the Western Desert from Daqian, the two have been inseparable and maintained this relationship for a long time.

"Sigh... Qianmeng, I've spoiled her too much, she's so reckless."

Leng You nestled in Liang Jin's arms, letting out a soft sigh. Her tone carried a hint of helplessness and doting affection, but more so, it reflected on the management of the manor.

"None of the guards stopped her from reporting the crime, and just let her barge in and enter the inner room... It seems that they were afraid of my past power and dared not offend her."

Nowadays, the most trusted members of the Green Robe Pavilion are naturally the former Star Demon Sea subordinates under Leng You's command. Even the guards of this Marquis's mansion are basically all former Star Demon Sea people.

A cold glint flashed in her beautiful eyes:
“This is definitely not a good thing. The Marquis’s mansion is newly established and its rules are not yet in place. There are such big loopholes in the security and guards that a young girl can enter and leave as if she were alone.”

"After this incident, I must personally reorganize the system and establish strict rules!"

The Zhenxi Marquis's Mansion was expanded and rebuilt on the basis of the old residence, and there are still many shortcomings.

Mi Qianmeng's unexpected intrusion today served as a wake-up call for Leng You.

Although the old subordinates of Xingmohai were loyal, many of them were loyal to Leng You himself.

This made Leng You feel somewhat apprehensive.

She decided to make all her subordinates aware that while they needed to be loyal to her, they also needed to be loyal to Liang Jin.

Liang Jin neither confirmed nor denied this.

He swept Leng You up in his arms and carried her to the large bed in the inner room, which was covered with soft animal hides, and gently laid her down.

Rough fingers brushed across the ends of her slightly damp, curly hair, his tone indifferent:

"You can handle the affairs within the manor as you see fit."

He sensed the changes in Leng You's aura, then changed the subject:
"This 'Mahagala Dharma Protector Technique' is indeed profound. During this period of dual cultivation, I have noticed that your aura is becoming more abundant, your internal energy is circulating more smoothly, and your realm seems to have improved considerably."

The Mahakala Dharma Protector Practice is not a heretical method of absorbing yin to supplement yang or absorbing yang to supplement yin, but a legitimate method of mutual benefit between yin and yang.

Women who cultivate with Liang Jin will not only not suffer damage to their vital energy, but will also be able to cleanse their meridians and catalyze the growth of their internal strength by using his abundant and pure primordial yang energy, thus gaining great benefits.

Xiao Wan is a perfect example.

Before she began dual cultivation with Liang Jin, she was merely a seventh-rank martial artist who had just stepped into the realm of martial arts.

However, since following Liang Jin back and forth between the Western Desert and the Great Qian Dynasty, although he was "tortured" by the intense and prolonged cultivation method along the way, his cultivation level has risen like a rocket, and he has now steadily stepped into the fifth rank!

This is an incredible miracle in the eyes of ordinary martial artists.

Leng You himself had a profound foundation, being a master at the early stage of the third rank. During the time he cultivated with Liang Jin, he benefited greatly.

Upon hearing this, Leng You's eyes flashed with barely suppressed joy and excitement, and he respectfully replied:

"It is all thanks to the Lord's grace that I have been able to cultivate."

"I feel that the shackles in my body have been loosened, and my internal strength is nearly 30% stronger than it was a month ago! My current realm is completely stable at the mid-third grade, and my foundation is solid."

When Leng You said this, he couldn't help but feel excited and moved.

She has only been cultivating with Liang Jin for such a short time, yet she has already advanced from the early stage of the third rank to the middle stage of the third rank!
The effect of practicing dual cultivation for one month is probably equivalent to the effect of two or three years under normal circumstances!
The dual cultivation effect of this "Mahagala Protector Technique" is truly heaven-defying! Liang Jin nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by this.

"In that case, let's not waste any more time."

He lay back down, his tone carrying an undeniable command:

"I find everything I do very difficult and tiring, so you should do it."

He always wore the [Zhenyuan Dragon-Slaying Lock], and never took it off, even when he was relaxed and enjoying himself with his partner.

The heavy burden that constantly suppressed and tempered his physical body and internal energy naturally made him feel extremely difficult.

Leng You was already used to it and nodded obediently.

She gracefully turned over and straddled Liang Jin's waist. With a light lift of her jade hand, a gentle yet powerful internal force surged forth, transforming into a gust of wind.

"call--"

As the wind blew past, the bedroom doors and windows were pushed shut tightly by this invisible force, cutting off all light and sound from the outside world.

……

Time passes quietly.

Before we knew it, dusk had fallen and the cold night had descended.

In the western desert during winter, the temperature difference between day and night is like two different worlds.

During the day, there is still a hint of warmth under the sunlight, but once night falls, the cold air is like an all-pervasive icy needle, piercing to the bone marrow.

The servants in the Marquis's mansion had already changed into their thickest winter clothes, but they were still shivering from the cold, and their breath instantly turned into frost.

One by one, lanterns were lit, their dim yellow light swaying in the biting wind, barely dispelling the darkness throughout the mansion.

The bedroom door, which had been tightly closed all day, finally creaked open from the inside.

Liang Jin and Leng You came out one after the other.

Leng You was still stunningly beautiful, but a deep weariness was hard to hide between her brows.

This endless and mentally taxing "cultivation" lasted all day long. Even though she was a third-rank martial artist with a solid foundation, she felt weak all over and her energy sea was empty. She couldn't take it anymore.

Although Liang Jin's complexion remained normal, the weariness in his deep eyes was even more pronounced.

The existence of the Zhenyuan Dragon-Slaying Lock meant that he had to expend far more energy than ordinary people in any activity, including dual cultivation.

In the courtyard outside the bedroom, a carriage and a guard of about two hundred men had been waiting for some time.

With Leng You's help, Liang Jin and Leng You boarded the carriage together.

With a low shout from the coachman, the carriage slowly started moving, surrounded by guards, and drove out of the side gate of the Marquis's residence, heading towards the solitary peak outside Hanzhou City.

Night, pitch black.

The carriage traveled across the vast Gobi Desert, the cold moonlight spilling like mercury, illuminating the sand and stones with a pale glow.

The carriage traveled up the mountain road and finally reached the top of the solitary peak.

The solitary peak is covered with jagged rocks and coarse sand. As far as the eye can see, not a blade of grass grows, only a lifeless expanse of yellowish-brown earth.

At the very center of the summit stands a simple and sturdy earthen fortress, entirely constructed of rammed earth.

This earthen fort has a long history. It was originally a beacon tower used for military observation. Later, it was abandoned and was converted into a small temple for a local deity by nearby herders or ascetics. The incense has been burned for a long time.

Now, the blazing braziers, like eyes in the darkness, illuminate the area around the earthen fortress as bright as day.

Squads of heavily armored guards patrolled the area warily, transforming it into a heavily guarded military stronghold.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the heavy wooden door of the earthen fortress, which was covered with iron sheets.

As Leng You carefully helped Liang Jin down from the carriage, all the guards surrounding the earthen fortress, regardless of distance, knelt down on one knee in unison.

They lowered their heads and, with utmost respect, even fervent worship, shouted in unison:

"Greetings to the Marquis!"

The sound waves echoed across the silent mountaintop.

Liang Jin simply waved his hand casually.

Only then did everyone rise as ordered, remaining standing respectfully with their hands at their sides, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Leng You helped Liang Jin walk slowly toward the gate of the earthen fortress.

Two people were already waiting quietly at the main entrance.

One of them was a thin old man dressed as a Daqian person. He wore a long, white robe, a square scarf on his head, and had five long, flowing beards. He always had a folding fan with him. He looked more like a scholar than a martial artist.

It was Mr. Ding, the strategist of the Green Robe Pavilion.

The other man was actually over sixty years old, but he looked like a strong man in his fifties. He was burly, wearing a wolf fur coat, with thick hair and beard, and his curly hair was loose. He had a jeweled ribbon tied around his forehead.

He was Muzzarra, the patriarch of an ancient family in the kingdom of Sharri.

Upon seeing Liang Jin arrive, the two immediately abandoned their casual demeanor, bowed respectfully, and spoke with utmost reverence:

"My lord, you've arrived."

Liang Jin nodded slightly in return.

His gaze slowly swept over Mr. Ding and Mu Zheluo, finally landing on Leng You beside him, and he spoke in a deep voice:
"I am going into seclusion this time. The dangers are unknown, and I don't know exactly how long it will take."

His tone carried an unquestionable sense of entrustment:

"Before I leave the pass, all military and political affairs of the Western Desert, as well as matters large and small within and outside the Green Robe Tower, will be discussed and decided by the three of you together."

While the Western Desert appears to be gradually stabilizing under the strong integration of the Green Robe Tower, undercurrents are surging beneath the surface, and the situation is far from being one of peace and security.

Emperor Zhao Yu of the Great Qian Dynasty, sparing no expense, finally reached a temporary peace agreement with the powerful northern neighbor, the Black Dragon Dynasty, on the condition of ceding some border cities and paying huge annual tributes, and the war between the two countries gradually subsided.

Both sides' armies are gradually disengaging and withdrawing in an orderly manner, and a complete ceasefire is expected to be achieved soon.

However, this brief peace may mean an even greater storm for the Western Desert.

Once the Black Dragon Dynasty is completely extricated from the war in the North and can free up its resources, its next target will most likely be the Western Desert!

After all, everyone knows that the Black Dragon Dynasty's illustrious and highly respected Demon Slayer King died at the hands of Meng Xinghun of the Western Desert!
With such a deep-seated blood feud, how could the Black Dragon Dynasty let it go?

Using this as a pretext, sending troops to the Western Desert would not only avenge past grievances but also allow them to occupy this vast strategic territory, thus achieving a strategic encirclement of the Great Qian Dynasty from the west and north—a win-win situation.

They are surrounded by powerful enemies, and their newly allied followers are still undecided.

At this turbulent time, with hidden crises lurking, Liang Jin's decision to go into seclusion to break through his bottleneck seems less than ideal.

Unfortunately, his other clones, either due to their sensitive identities or because they were in dangerous situations, did not have a suitable opportunity to engage in long-term, intensive seclusion.

In contrast, only this clone of Meng Xinghun, who is stationed at the Western Desert base camp, has a relatively safe and stable environment, making it the most suitable for this crucial breakthrough.

Liang Jin knew that only his own strength was fundamental.

He has now reached the peak of the third rank, seemingly only one step away from the second rank, but in reality, this threshold is like an insurmountable chasm.

If one can successfully enter the second rank, with their terrifying combat power far surpassing their peers, they can truly become a pillar of strength, deterring all villains both inside and outside, and completely stabilizing the situation in the Western Desert!
"Rest assured, Lord! We will do our utmost to stabilize the Western Desert and await your successful completion of your seclusion!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ding, Mu Zheluo, and Leng You straightened up and responded in unison.

Liang Jin said no more, glanced at the three of them, nodded slightly, then turned around and walked towards the heavy earthen gate of the fortress that seemed to isolate him from the hustle and bustle of the world.

"Rumble..."

The door slowly closed behind him, the heavy sound echoing in the night sky, ultimately isolating him completely from the outside world.

Liang Jin's figure disappeared into that unknown darkness.

Immediately afterwards, the guards sprang into action, following the pre-arranged plan, to completely block all roads leading to the summit, set up roadblocks, and increase the number of sentries.

In an instant, this solitary peak, along with the earthen fortress atop it, became an absolute forbidden zone, off-limits to any uninvited person.

This place was a secluded retreat carefully chosen by Liang Jin.

Far from human habitation, secluded and desolate, it is perfect for carrying out dangerous and unknown breakthroughs.

Even if something goes wrong during the process, causing a huge commotion, it won't affect innocent people or cause unnecessary panic and turmoil in the outside world.

Inside the earthen fort, the light was dim.

Most of the doors and windows have been sealed off from the inside with earth and stones, leaving only a small skylight on the top of the fort for ventilation and lighting.

The biting wind, carrying fine sand, kept pouring in through the skylights, swirling inside the fortress and making a wailing sound.

Through that small skylight, one can see the exceptionally clear and bright stars dotting the dark blue sky.

Liang came to the area below the skylight, found a relatively flat and dry spot, and sat down cross-legged.

The clear moonlight, like quicksilver, flowed quietly through the skylight, enveloping most of his body.

With a flick of his hand, three oddly shaped fruits appeared before him.

Each one is the size of an adult's head, with a dark gold outer shell that is smooth, has a metallic sheen, and looks incredibly hard.

At this point, the outer shell was covered with cracks, revealing the yellowish-brown, crystal-clear fruit inside, with a surface covered with natural thunder patterns!
The immense energy contained within the fruit pulp was almost overflowing, and a rich aroma immediately filled the entire earthen fortress.

Whether I can advance to the second rank in one fell swoop depends on you all!

Liang Jin stared intently at the three lightning-struck fruits, muttering to himself.

He is now indeed at the peak of the third rank, seemingly only a thin veil away from the second rank.

However, if he were to proceed step by step and rely on all his clones to cultivate diligently, even with his talent and resources, it would take at least half a year to break through this barrier, and that would be under ideal conditions where everything goes smoothly.

Furthermore, in this way, all his energy will be occupied by cultivating his cultivation level, leaving him no time to cultivate other powerful martial arts, and his strength growth will hit a bottleneck.

But now, with these three rare treasures of heaven and earth obtained by chance—the Lightning-Struck Fruit—Liang Jin has seen a shortcut that can greatly shorten the process!

"Take one first to test its medicinal properties and see how effective it is."

Liang Jin immediately reached out and took a lightning-struck fruit. He squeezed it slightly with his fingers—

"Crack!"

The dark gold shell, which was already riddled with cracks and appeared to be hard, shattered instantly, turning into dust that fell in a flurry.

The amber-colored fruit, with its inner radiance, was immediately and completely revealed in his palm.

The shelled fruit alone is as big as an adult's fist.

Without further hesitation, Liang Jin opened his mouth and swallowed the entire Thunderstruck Fruit whole!
With his current physical strength far surpassing that of other martial artists of the same level, he is not afraid of the meridian damage that the domineering medicinal power of ordinary rare herbs might cause, and is confident that he can withstand and refine them.

however--

Just as the lightning-struck fruit slid down his throat into his stomach and instantly transformed into a scorching torrent that exploded with a deafening roar, Liang Jin's expression suddenly changed!
"How can this medicine be so potent and powerful?!"

Liang Jin was deeply shaken.

But then, he sensed something deeper, a faint yet chilling aura hidden beneath the powerful medicinal force!
"No! That's not right!!!"

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with an unbelievable shock.

"Besides the medicinal effects that rare and precious herbs should have... how could this fruit contain such a bizarre thing?!"

(End of this chapter)