Promise!

Chapter 286, Blocking the Path

Cangzhou City, First Ring Road, Xiao Mansion, Quiet Room.

hum!
The moment Xiao Linye opened his eyes, the silver light between his brows receded, his aura surged, and a powerful force swept across him, revealing that he had broken through to the third level of the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm.

I first met Zhuang Jin more than half a year ago. He had just broken through to the second level of the realm, and now he has actually severed his three corpses. This is without the assistance of a precious pill like the 'Super Gang Yuan Pill'. It's simply outrageous!
The reason for this lies in the cultivation technique he obtained from the ruins of an immortal – the "Nine-Nine Heaven and Earth Technique".

The Black Fiend Technique is the first version of the technique. Its characteristics are: comprehensive and all-encompassing, squeezing out potential to achieve cultivation speed, but it has serious bottlenecks. It must compete with the time required to break through realms, and once it gets stuck, it will be completely blocked.

The Five Elements Technique is the second version, characterized by reduced potential extraction, slower cultivation speed, and lower bottleneck difficulty.

The Five Elements Transformation Technique is the third version. Its characteristics are: it does not squeeze potential, but instead allows it to accumulate. The cultivation speed is slowed down, which is conducive to breaking through bottlenecks. It belongs to the category of accumulating strength for a late-blooming breakthrough.

What is unknown to outsiders is that the immortal from eight hundred years ago eventually developed a fourth version of the cultivation method, which, based on the third version, uses the three elements of Heaven, Earth, and Man to accelerate the cultivation speed.

For example, the "Nine-Nine Heaven and Earth Technique" is one such technique, a kind of kingly cultivation method that integrates the three powers of heaven, earth, and man into one, gathers the power of the masses, and uses the collective power of the masses to gather the great momentum. When the time is right, heaven and earth will work together, and the power of the three powers will be gathered into one body, which can greatly accelerate the cultivation speed and reduce the difficulty of breaking through bottlenecks.

However, this version of the technique benefits powerful clans and aristocratic families, which could exacerbate class stratification. Judging from the various arrangements made by that immortal, he did not want this to happen. Therefore, this version of the technique was sealed off and not circulated. Only a few pieces were hidden in the immortal's ruins, serving as a trump card similar to the "Yin Yang Union Technique".

At the same time, each immortal relic with such a technique only leaves behind one 'seed of qi' corresponding to the technique, which can only be cultivated by one person.

The situation in Cangzhou became extremely complicated after Zhuang Jin, a rogue martial artist, broke through to the Yin God realm. Xiao Linye took advantage of the chaos to come here, vying for a position in the state government, establishing the Azure Dragon Society, and gathering rogue martial artists, all for the sake of this cultivation technique.

Otherwise, would a martial artist at the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm, who has lost his mind, do such a thing? Even for the goal of 'universal harmony,' he wouldn't be so reckless, dancing on the edge of a knife.

"My cultivation of the 'Nine-Nine Heaven and Earth Technique' is destined to pit me against powerful clans and aristocratic families, to save the people from suffering, and to recreate the world."

Xiao Linye merged with the 'Seed of Qi'. Whether influenced by it or through self-hypnosis, his true intention was indeed for the people, but at the same time, it was also for achieving his own path.

"The nine provinces of the Great Qian Dynasty are plagued by deep-seated problems. In comparison, the situation in Cangzhou is already favorable due to the unexpected arrival of Senior Zhuang. Although I did not receive his support, I did receive assistance from Governor Xuanyuan Zhengji."

'However, the support behind Governor Xuanyuan is more for the purpose of annoying the three major families and challenging them; this support is extremely limited and could be abandoned at any time.'

Thinking of this, Xiao Linye sighed: 'What a pity! I couldn't bring that Senior Zhuang, a rogue martial artist who broke through to the Yin God realm, onto my ship. Otherwise, I could have been more determined to become the Governor of Xuanyuan Prefecture. Also, with two Yin God martial artists behind me, facing the three great families, two against three wouldn't be such a disadvantage.'

He did fail to win over Zhuang Jin as a powerful backer, but in fact, Zhuang Jin's very existence had already attracted the attention of the three great families. Otherwise, this person wouldn't have been able to cause trouble until now. If this person had acted like this before Zhuang Jin's breakthrough, he would have been dealt with long ago.

"We've reached the limit of the three great families' tolerance. I'm afraid the Xuantian Division will make its move soon. Governor Xuanyuan is alone and unable to withstand the pressure. He might have to make some concessions and abandon me."

'Sigh, so be it. I'll try my best to hold on a little longer. If I really can't hold on any longer, I'll just leave first and settle things when I return after breaking through to the Yin Spirit realm.'

As for his own safety, Xiao Linye's gaze narrowed slightly. Thinking of the gains from the Immortal Ruins, he realized that even when facing a Yin God Venerable... well, not someone as genuine as Zhuang Jin, but a mediocre Yin God like Xuan Yuan Zhengji, he still had a certain ability to protect himself.

……

Around the same time—

Cangzhou City, First Ring Road, Shangguan Family Residence.

Shangguan Jinfeng came and said to Zhuang Jin, "The Azure Dragon Society is not behaving honestly. The Xuantian Division has reached an agreement with the state government and plans to eliminate them."

"Oh?"

Zhuang Jin noticed the key point: the Xuantian Division and the state government had reached an agreement.

He quickly realized: perhaps the Azure Dragon Society had grown stronger, making the state government feel threatened, or perhaps it was an exchange of interests between the three great families and Xuan Yuan Zhengji. In any case, Xuan Yuan Zhengji had given up Xiao Linye, a pawn used to annoy the three great families.

At this point, the Azure Dragon Society is finished, and Xiao Linye is in grave danger!
"Xiao Zhuang, what's your opinion?"

Previously, Shangguan Jinfeng addressed him as "Young Master Zhuang," reflecting a generational and strength difference. After Zhuang Jin broke through to the Yin God realm, he became "Little Zhuang," which was merely a difference in age, but their status remained equal. At this moment, she was also seeking Zhuang Jin's opinion.

"Mother-in-law, please do as you please."

Zhuang Jin made it clear that this matter had nothing to do with her and she would not get involved.

"good!"

Shangguan Jinfeng looked at Zhuang Jin with satisfaction. In the past six months, Zhuang Jin had indeed kept his promise to her, focusing on cultivation and remaining law-abiding, without doing anything out of line that might threaten the three great families.

In return, she kept her promise and made all sorts of arrangements and preparations, intending to transfer all the power of the Shangguan family to Shangguan Yunchang after she broke through.

"The date of this action is the third day of the twelfth month, on that day..." Shangguan Jinfeng continued, explaining the specific plan.

In this matter, Xuantian Division was still mindful of its conduct. It did not say "I don't like the Azure Dragon Society" or "You threaten the status of my three great families." Instead, it used the excuse of the bullied rogue martial artist to comply with the will of Heaven and the people.

These pieces of evidence were certainly not fabricated. How could a group of people be so honest? Shangguan Jinfeng went out to watch the monkey show and collected the evidence along the way.

Even if we assume the Azure Dragon Society doesn't have the strength to match you, and they just want to cause trouble for you, even your breathing is wrong. They could just take your left foot and kill you first. What can you do about it?

The so-called reasoning is something you can talk to about those who are also 'slightly skilled in martial arts' and can make you sit down and calmly discuss reasoning with them. Xiao Linye and his Azure Dragon Society are clearly not among them.

Zhuang Jin was also a little confused as to why Shangguan Jinfeng wanted to talk about this in detail. Was it another test? He simply nodded and said, "Then I wish Mother-in-law all the best."

"No, it's because you, Xiao Zhuang, are doing well. The Shangguan family, Cangzhou City, and Cangzhou will be yours in the future. Your mother is old and now just wants to watch the show."

Shangguan Jinfeng said with a smile.

'So that's where they were waiting!'

Zhuang Jin understood. Shangguan Jinfeng was relinquishing power and downplaying her own presence, waiting for Shangguan Yunchang to break through her limits before transferring the position of family head along with the power of the Shangguan family—this was advantageous to Zhuang Jin. Once Shangguan Yunchang became the head of the Shangguan family, there would be no fear of the three major families uniting. However, responsibility and obligation are equal. Power is given to you, and you must naturally accept the obligations along with it. Logically, this is indeed the case: since the future of the Shangguan family belongs to you, shouldn't you contribute something?

If Zhuang Jin doesn't go this time, Shangguan Yunchang will. Shangguan Yunchang is currently nearing the completion of her Three Corpses Severance under the influence of the Treasure Basin's Upgrade Pill, so it's impossible for her to leave seclusion. If she gets injured, it will be even more troublesome.

"Oh dear, my mother-in-law is really... Well then, I'll go then!"

Zhuang Jin felt he had been tricked, but the rights and responsibilities were equal. For his woman and for a safer future, in a way, he was also working for himself, so he was willing to do it.

The cost of this action: After taking action, it will inevitably lead to a confrontation with the independent martial arts groups represented by the Azure Dragon Society, and will completely side with the aristocratic families.

However, because of his status, he was already on this side, and political issues like this are not like a dinner party; it's impossible for you and me to be on good terms.

Shangguan Jinfeng paused, then added, "Xiao Linye and the Azure Dragon Society are not innocent either. They secretly used your name, Xiao Zhuang, to recruit people. Your intervention is perfectly reasonable."

She understood Zhuang Jin's character; this was giving Zhuang Jin a reason to take action. It could only be said that this consideration was truly thorough... no, it should be said that it was premeditated!

"I see."

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly. Since it was unavoidable, she accepted it, even feeling a little anticipation: 'Perfect, that Xiao Linye is quite interesting. This will be a good opportunity to see what's going on with him.'

Besides…

His eyes were deep and his intuition told him that this trip would be quite interesting.

……

On the third day of the twelfth month of the sixty-fifth year of the Qianyuan era, the state government and the Xuantian Division suddenly took action against the Qinglong Society, enumerating its numerous crimes against independent martial artists, and pledging to punish the wicked and uphold justice on behalf of Heaven.

The Azure Dragon Society recruits independent martial artists, but most of them don't join. So what about those who do join?

There is a saying that "two people make friends, many people form a party." Organizations and factions that gather people are like wild beasts that want to eat meat. Naturally, they also want to compete for interests. With the pie not getting bigger and the resources remaining the same, none of the three major families' share can be touched. Even Xiao Linye himself doesn't dare to be so stubborn. So naturally, he can only encroach on the portion of the pie held by rogue martial artists.

The already limited pie has been further reduced by the pressure from the Azure Dragon Society, causing losses to independent martial artists who do not join the Azure Dragon Society and making their lives even more difficult.

This is a kind of absurd irony. Xiao Linye founded the Azure Dragon Society, claiming to fight for the interests of independent martial artists and painting a grand vision and beautiful future. But in fact, after gathering independent martial artists, the first thing he did was to cut the very group and class he was supposed to protect.

He was clear about this, understood it, and was aware of it, but there was nothing he could do about it. As for his specific actions, well, he proposed, "I'll take the blame, let the rogue martial artists suffer a little more," "To achieve great things, bloodshed and sacrifice are necessary," and "This is for the greater good," thus unifying their thinking.

Perhaps it is true that great loyalty can appear as treachery; this is somewhat like crocodile tears.

Now that the three major families have taken action against the Azure Dragon Society, there is a great deal of support among the vast number of independent martial artists. Countless people have stepped forward to expose them and have become their own henchmen.

The Azure Dragon Society was instantly shaken, and its core members were precisely targeted and eliminated. Xiao Linye, the Dragon King, reacted extremely quickly and escaped from Cangzhou City first. Zhuang Jin obtained an item that Xiao Linye used daily and that still had a residual aura, and tracked after him.

……

Zhuang Jin held a futon in his hand. This was the futon that Xiao Linye used for his daily meditation. It still had some residual energy on it. He used his own spiritual power to perform the secret technique 'Thousand Mile Soul Lock'.

The Thousand-Mile Soul Locking Technique is a signature method of the Yin God Grand Venerable. It involves capturing an aura and tracking it over a thousand miles. Because of its eeriness and mystery, it is like a death-reaping Yama, hence the name 'Thousand-Mile Soul Locking Technique'.

"They are cautious, using their own aura to create a barrier, and they also have a powerful treasure to shield them. If the other four Yin God warriors came, they might not be able to do anything, but I am different."

Zhuang Jin was not a fraud like Xuan Yuan Zheng Ji. He had broken through his own strength and was born with a powerful soul. His soul sea was twice that of a normal Yin God martial artist. With the unity of heaven and man and the help of the Holy Spirit Pearl, he suddenly broke through a certain blockade and isolation and followed that very faint connection to track it down.

the other side.

"Even though my own aura has been extinguished and shielded by the Void Stone, why do I still feel a vague unease?!"

Xiao Linye was suddenly struck by a sudden thought, his heart pounding with fear. He sensed a lingering gloom in his heart, and his face darkened.

His intuition had saved his life many times, and he trusted it implicitly. Gritting his teeth, he changed course from his original intention to leave Cangzhou and quickly ventured deep into the Funiu Mountains, intending to use the powerful beasts there to add variables and divert trouble eastward.

Just as they were about to reach the second pass of the Funiu Mountains, they suddenly stopped, because a figure was blocking their way.

"Senior Zhuang?!"

Xiao Linye's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he had encountered the worst situation. Among the five Yin God martial artists in Cangzhou, he was confident that he could escape with his life if it were Xuan Yuan Zhengji or the three heads of the major families, but Zhuang Jin... was the only one among them who was not very confident.

He was no ordinary man. He composed himself, clasped his hands respectfully, and said to Zhuang Jin, "Senior Zhuang understands my ambition. I am destined to confront powerful clans and aristocratic families, which will also benefit you in the future."

"Furthermore, I have no grudge against Senior Zhuang. I will be eternally grateful and remember this favor since you spared me today."

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Jin snorted coldly, causing the man's face to turn pale and blood to flow from his seven orifices. He looked at him indifferently and said, "Stop using your petty tricks."

When this person spoke earlier, there were extremely subtle fluctuations of mental energy. This is a very special secret technique that can enhance one's persuasiveness. As long as the other party has even the slightest bit of approval in their mind, it can subtly influence them and persuade them.

It was only because Zhuang Jin was special that he could sense things with his divine sense. If it were any other Yin God martial artist from Cangzhou, such as Xuan Yuan Zheng Ji or Cen Chong Xuan, and if they harbored any other ulterior motives, they might have fallen into his trap. So, we let him go for now.

"Senior Zhuang, I was wrong."

Blood trickled from Xiao Linye's ears, eyes, nose, and mouth, like tiny snakes, due to the backlash from the secret technique. He paid no heed, instead performing a deep bow to apologize, filled with deep regret: 'Half a year ago, when we first met, I had severed two of my corpses and dared not use this method. I never imagined that now, with all three corpses severed, this technique, supposedly effective even against Yin God martial artists, would still fail to deceive me. Instead, I've made a mess of things.'

……

(End of this chapter)