This martial saint is too cautious.

Chapter 360 Laoshan (Seeking more monthly votes)

Traveling along the roads of southern Sichuan.

Lin Yan stayed in the courtyard of the Inspector's Mansion. Because of the matter in Shangsha Prefecture, he had been delayed for seven days on his journey in southern Sichuan.

After killing Wang Yanqing, he went directly to the Shu-Nan Circuit Inspector's Office and gave the booklet to Inspector Luo of the Shu-Nan Circuit.

Although the Southern Sichuan Circuit does not have jurisdiction over the Taiyi Circuit Inspector, they are both inspectors of the imperial court, and there are channels of communication between them.

Most importantly, Lin Yan wanted to see what the Taiyi Circuit Inspector's attitude was.

He was very satisfied with the final result.

Upon receiving the news, the Taiyi Dao Patrol Envoy dispatched a deputy patrol envoy to Shunan to carry out his duties, while simultaneously working through the night to eradicate the Yin-Yang Sect's transportation route.

The next day, the Taiyi Xingdao Inspectorate directly questioned the Chixiao Sword Pavilion. Although the Chixiao Sword Pavilion claimed that this was only Wang Yanqing's personal behavior, the Taiyi Xingdao Inspectorate still took action against the Chixiao Sword Pavilion.

The Crimson Sky Sword Pavilion is prohibited from recruiting disciples for the next five years.

This applies not only to the Chixiao Sword Pavilion itself, but also to the martial arts academies of the Chixiao Sword Pavilion in various prefectures of Beihai.

Furthermore, all profits from the businesses operated by the Crimson Sky Sword Pavilion and the territories it controls will be confiscated within five years.

Five years later, the territory will be halved.

For a power, this is already an extremely severe punishment.

However, Lin Yan learned from Lord Luo, the Inspector of the Southern Shu Circuit, that the original punishment from the Inspector of the Taiyi Circuit was much harsher. As a result, the Crimson Sky Sword Pavilion was practically ruined. In the end, it was only through the intervention of the Heavenly Sword Sect that the Crimson Sky Sword Pavilion was barely saved.

With the intervention of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Inspectorate conceded a step.

Lin Yan had anticipated this outcome.

As one of the two top forces in the North Sea Path, the Heavenly Sword Sect has a very strong influence in the North Sea Path. Many martial artists in the various inspection offices and even the inspectors come from the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Ten Sword Pavilions under the Heavenly Sword Sect.

This is also why Lin Yan did not expose Lu Junlou as the mastermind behind Wang Yanqing.

Without irrefutable evidence, Lu Junlou cannot be brought down.

As for the fact that Senior Brother Jiang Che will be appointed as the Director of the Patrol Office in Shangsha Prefecture, this was not at Lin Yan's behest, but rather arranged by the Taiyi Xingdao Patrol Envoy on his own.

Wang Yanqing belongs to the Heavenly Sword Sect. Since he has done such an outrageous thing, he will naturally not send any martial artists related to the Heavenly Sword Sect to serve as the head of the patrol office. As for those martial artists who do not belong to the Heavenly Sword Sect and have nothing to do with the Taiyi Sword Sect, they will not get involved in this mess if they see that the Shangsha Mansion is related to the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Yin Yang Sect.

The most suitable person for the position of Director of the Patrol Office of Shangsha Prefecture is a martial artist from the Taiyi Sword Sect. Only a martial artist from the Taiyi Sword Sect would not care about the Tianjian Sect and would carry out a major purge of Shangsha Prefecture.

Coincidentally, Senior Brother Jiang Che had recently secured a position at the Inspector's Office, and in the end, the Inspector of Taiyi Xingdao chose Senior Brother Jiang Che.

"It's time to go back to the mountain gate, and then back to Shandong Road."

For Lin Yan, returning to the mountain gate was mainly about retrieving items that could save his life.

The main hall of the Inspector's Office.

"Young friend Lin, please have a seat."

"Lord Luo, I have come to take my leave."

Lin Yan looked at Luo Lie and explained his purpose.

Now that the matter in Shangsha Prefecture has been resolved, there is no need for him to continue traveling in southern Sichuan.

"Well, I won't stop you from leaving, young friend. However, given your killing of the Yin Yang Cult member, I have reported this to my superiors and requested commendation for you. The commendation has already been issued."

Upon hearing Luo Lie's words, Lin Yan frowned slightly, but there was no joy on his face.

He would rather have his identity revealed than receive a reward.

Seeing Lin Yan frown, Luo Lie guessed what Lin Yan was thinking and stroked his beard to explain, "Don't worry, young friend Lin, your identity will not be revealed. In the past day or two, some people have indeed tried to find out your identity from me, but I have refused them all. Even after this report, the number of people who know your true identity is very small."

After saying this, Luo Lie silently added in his mind, "Not only are there very few, but so far only the Marquis knows Lin Yan's identity."

This time, he only reported it to the Marquis, and after reading the letter, the Marquis only replied with one sentence: This boy is like me.

Those four words shocked him for quite a while.

What kind of status does the Marquis have? He is the third of the Eight Great Marquises of the Land.

At less than a hundred years old, he had reached the sixth stage of the Dharma Aspect realm, and was the true pillar of stability for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Lin Yan's actions in the Thunder Swamp Secret Realm were insignificant compared to the fact that he was granted the title of Marquis.

"Young friend Lin, the court's reward for you this time is that, in terms of official rank, you must pass the assessment to reach the fifth level of patrol inspector, which cannot be changed. Therefore, the court directly promoted you to the fourth level patrol inspector. However, in terms of authority, you were promoted from Tianquan to Tianji."

"Tianji?"

Lin Yan's eyes lit up. He didn't care about the patrol level. The patrol level was just a matter of being able to take on some higher-level tasks and getting more points, but for him now, that extra bit of points didn't mean much. He relied on quantity to get more points.

On the contrary, this privilege upgrade is something he can actually use now.

The Tianquan privilege can only be used to exchange for treasures owned by the Shu-Nan Circuit Inspectorate, but the Tianji privilege can be used to exchange for treasures in all the Circuit Treasurys, or more accurately, treasures from the entire imperial court.

Moreover, if Tianquan can enjoy a 30% discount, then Tianji should be even lower.

"Young friend Lin, Tianji only needs to exchange 60% of the points."

Seemingly knowing what Lin Yan was thinking, Luo Lie gave the answer directly.

"Understood, thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet. In addition to these, the imperial court will also award you a place."

"Spots, spots for the secret realm?"

"Um."

"What secret realm?"

Lin Yan was a little curious. This Lord Luo only mentioned the number of spots in the secret realm, but didn't say what kind of secret realm it was.

However, upon hearing Lin Yan's question, Luo Lie smiled slightly and stroked his beard, saying, "Not some secret realm?"

Lin Yan: ————

If he weren't outmatched by Lord Luo, he would have grabbed the man's beard right now. Is it really that interesting to keep him in suspense?

"Young friend Lin, I'm not keeping you in suspense."

Seeing Lin Yan's helpless expression, Luo Lie burst into laughter. After laughing, he said, word by word, "The secret realm quota I mentioned means exactly what it says. As long as it is a secret realm that the Great Zhou has, as long as young friend Lin meets the entry requirements, he can enter."

"All secret realms are acceptable?"

Lin Yan's face also showed emotion: "If this junior wishes to enter the Heavenly Sword Sect's Myriad Swords Secret Realm, is that also possible?"

Luo Lie's lips twitched slightly: "Alright, but young friend Lin must be prepared to take on all the martial artists of the Heavenly Sword Sect single-handedly. The imperial court will only give young friend Lin the opportunity to enter; everything else is irrelevant."

As he said this, Luo Lie silently added in his mind, "Given the Marquis's appreciation for Lin Yan, he should still be concerned about Lin Yan's personal safety after he comes out."

But he wouldn't reveal this, because in his view, Lin Yan's questioning was just a deliberate test, not a genuine desire to enter the Myriad Swords Secret Realm of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The fact that a Dharma Aspect expert from the Taiyi Sword Sect entered the secret realm of the Heavenly Sword Sect is practically telling all swordsmen that the Taiyi Sword Sect is inferior to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Understood."

Having received Luo Lie's affirmative answer, Lin Yan finally understood.

Some secret realms are indeed in the hands of sects and families, but as the strongest power in the Great Zhou Dynasty, no sect or family would refuse to grant a secret realm slot.

Even if the imperial court doesn't take action because of this, it still controls many secret realms. If those secret realms are closed to the martial artists of that faction, the latter will suffer even greater losses.

"You can take your time to decide which secret realm to choose and when to enter. Even if you are not on the Shu Nan Road, but on another road, you can contact the patrol envoy's office on that road, and someone will arrange everything for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Luo."

"No need to thank me, I have no right to do so. If you want to thank someone, thank the imperial court."

Luo Lie replied meaningfully, "The Marquis doesn't want his identity revealed for the time being, so we can only temporarily rely on the court to do him a favor."

After leaving Shunan, Lin Yan returned to the Taiyi Sword Sect to see his master.

"Cooperating with the Yin-Yang Cult?"

Shen Cangwu frowned slightly: "Logically speaking, the Lu family, as a prominent family in the capital region, shouldn't take such a huge risk to cooperate with the Yin-Yang Sect, unless—"

"Master, unless what?"

"Unless you covet the visualization diagrams of the Yin-Yang sect."

In Shen Cangwu's view, the only thing the Lu family could be interested in from the Yin-Yang Sect were those three visualization diagrams.

As for colluding with the Yin-Yang Sect to rebel, the Lu family didn't have the guts, and the Yin-Yang Sect didn't have the strength either. The Great Zhou was different from the previous dynasty. The Great Zhou and the sects jointly ruled the world and were quite popular in the martial arts world. Not to mention, there were eight Martial Marquises in charge. The Lu family had no reason to rebel.

"But now it seems that the Yin-Yang Sect's most precious treasure, the Yin-Yang Visualization Diagram, is in your possession. Even if the Lu family cooperates with the Yin-Yang Sect, they can only obtain the Yin and Yang diagrams at most. In a way, this can be considered your first counterattack against him."

Hearing his master's words, Lin Yan looked thoughtful. The next moment, he asked curiously, "Master, how did Lu Junlou manage to condense an avatar? And in my opinion, that avatar is already infinitely close to the Cave Heaven Realm. If it weren't for me, other Void Aspect martial artists would probably not be a match for that avatar."

"The Heavenly Sword Sect has a technique called the Sword Qi Incarnation Technique. Unlike the sword clone technique of the Taiyi Sword Sect, this Sword Qi Incarnation Technique can condense a real clone. However, with Lu Junlou's current strength, he can only maintain the clone for a maximum of three days."

Shen Cangwu also had a thoughtful expression on his face. A clone had been existing on someone else's body for several months, which was already beyond the upper limit of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Qi Incarnation Technique.

"etc!"

A few breaths later, a glint suddenly flashed in Shen Cangwu's eyes: "A visualization diagram!"

"A visualization diagram?"

"I believe I am right. Humans are divided into Yin and Yang, and all things also have Yin and Yang, which is why they can exist in the world. But the sword energy incarnation does not. However, if we use the visualization diagram of the Yin-Yang Sect to cultivate the Yin and Yang of the sword energy incarnation, we can make the sword energy incarnation exist forever."

After saying that, Shen Cangwu paced around the main hall: "According to what you said, that clone only had the power of a single sword. Combined with the Yin-Yang visualization diagram on you, that means that the other party should have only visualized the Yin or Yang diagram, and could not yet cultivate both Yin and Yang simultaneously."

Lin Yan listened to his master's words and showed approval on his face. The only things that Lu Junlou took a liking to in the Yin Yang Sect were the three visualization diagrams and the secret medicine formulas.

Moreover, he himself often studied the Yin-Yang visualization diagram. Although there was no significant change in his strength, when his master spoke, he thought about it carefully and realized that it really made sense.

When one's own Dharma form manifests, the three-dimensionality is so great that it doesn't seem like a Dharma form at all, but rather like a real, existing thing.

This is the effect he got from observing the Yin-Yang visualization diagram, and it is also the only place where he has found the Yin-Yang visualization diagram to have a significant effect.

"It seems that I misunderstood at first. The Yin-Yang Visualization Diagram may not directly enhance strength, but rather be used in other ways."

Shen Cangwu looked at his disciple: "I told you last time that there are precious techniques in martial arts. Although the Sword Qi Avatar Technique of the Heavenly Sword Sect has not reached the level of a precious technique, it is a precious technique for cultivating clones in the Qinghua Domain. If you can really use the Yin-Yang Visualization Diagram to make the sword qi clone exist for a long time, it means that the Sword Qi Avatar Technique will reach the level of a precious technique."

The master and apprentice exchanged a glance. Lin Yan understood what his master meant: the Yin-Yang visualization diagram would not have any effect on improving martial arts strength in the short term, but he could use it in other areas.

My current cultivation method allows me to utilize the Yin-Yang visualization diagram.

The Dharma Image Holding Weapon Technique!

Lin Yan's eyes gleamed. The Dharma Image Weapon Technique was a manipulation of the Dharma Image, but the duration of the Dharma Image was limited by the power of the Dharma Image itself. If the Yin-Yang Visualization Diagram could prolong the existence of the sword energy clone, then theoretically it would also be useful for the Dharma Image.

"wrong."

Lin Yan suddenly shook his head in his heart. Was it possible that his success in cultivating the Dharma Image Weapon Technique was due to the help of the Martial Dao Tree in the final step? And before this final step, the success of the previous steps in forming the hand seals included the contribution of the Yin Yang Visualization Diagram.

The more Lin Yan thought about it, the more likely this possibility seemed.

If, as Master said, the Dharma Image Weapon Technique, being a True Dharma-level technique, failed to be recorded and its name in the manual, leading to the loss of mental focus, then there's no reason why, in the Night Owl Clan, which has possessed this technique for over a thousand years, not a single person has truly been able to cultivate it to the final stage.

If even one cultivator reaches the final stage and loses their composure, the powerful members of the Night Owl Clan will be able to determine that this Dharma Image Weapon Holding Technique is very likely a "True Technique" level cultivation method, and the Night Owls will not be willing to trade it with them.

He had overlooked this problem before, but now that his master had brought it up, and considering the situation of the Dharma Image Holding Weapon Technique, Lin Yan felt that this was very likely.

Without studying the Yin-Yang visualization diagram, one would never have been able to cultivate to the point where the Martial Arts Tree would lend a helping hand.

step.

"Since the imperial court has given you a spot in a secret realm, I suggest you don't rush it. Wait until you break through to the Cave Heaven realm before deciding on a course of action."

Shen Cangwu changed the subject, saying that the imperial court had given his disciple an unlimited number of places in the secret realm, which was somewhat unexpected.

Logically speaking, even if the Yin-Yang Sect was wanted by the imperial court, killing only one of its protectors would not be enough to warrant such an exception from the court.

If he didn't know his disciple's background, he would have suspected that his disciple came from one of the few families in the capital region.

"Yes, that's what I think too, no rush."

"The Taiyi Sword Sect will begin refining pills in half a month, and the pills will be ready in three months. When you return to Shandong, you must come back in time."

It takes three months to refine one batch of pills.

Only major medicines require such a long processing time.

"Alright, this disciple will not miss it."

Since it concerns his entry into the Cave Heaven Realm, Lin Yan naturally wouldn't joke about his future in martial arts. This trip back to Shandong Road is to search for the Heavenly Sound Fruit. If he doesn't find it, he will return early.

Shen Cangwu nodded slightly, waved his right hand, and a token shot out, which Lin Yan caught.

"Master, which sect's expert is this?"

Looking at the token, Lin Yan asked with some curiosity.

"Your Qijian Hall Master's."

After answering, Shen Cangwu looked at his disciple's shocked expression and laughed.

To be honest, even he didn't expect that the senior would give Lin Yan a sword token. He originally wanted to ask Lao Zuo if he had one, but Lao Zuo said he didn't and asked him to wait a moment.

Three days passed before I received the sword token before me.

"With this sword token, even if you encounter a fifth-realm expert, you will have a chance to escape. But you should avoid using it if possible. If your sword token is very rare and extremely expensive to make, this sword token—there are no more than five in the entire Great Zhou."

"No more than five pieces?"

Lin Yan's mouth gaped slightly. Was his master exaggerating a bit? There should be more than five sixth-level Dharma Aspect martial artists in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"The materials used to refine this item are not available in the Great Zhou Dynasty. They come from the Qinghua Domain and are considered precious even within the Qinghua Domain, as they are not commonly found."

"Disciple understands."

"I'm telling you this so that although those people from the Taiyi Sword Sect haven't seen you yet, it's because I'm here. If I can no longer guide you in your martial arts cultivation, they will see you."

"It's enough for me to have my master. That day is still a long way off."

Lin Yan chuckled, and Shen Cangwu snorted, "I originally thought so too, but now I'm not so sure."

Lin Yan's rapid improvement in strength during the trip to the Thunder Swamp Secret Realm made Shen Cangwu somewhat uncertain.

If we continue to break through at this rate, we'll be overtaken in less than twenty years.

The next day.

Lin Yan left the Taiyi Sword Sect and this time did not stop along the way, but went straight to Shandong Road.

Seven days later, they arrived in the Shandong region.

Upon returning to Shandong, Lin Yan did not go to Qingzhou or Guangping County, but instead headed straight for the Laoshan area.

This trip was limited in time.

First, go to Laoshan to search for the Heavenly Sound Fruit. If you find the Heavenly Sound Fruit, then decide how long to stay in Qingzhou and Guangping County based on the remaining time.

If we go to Qingzhou and Guangping County first, the travel time becomes uncertain.

Langya Prefecture.

As soon as Lin Yanfei entered the Langya Prefecture area, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

There are too many birds.

Just a short while ago, more than a dozen birds flew past him, though they kept a distance of several dozen feet from him.

Some of these birds landed in Langya Prefecture, while others headed towards Laoshan Mountain outside Langya Prefecture.

Lin Yan sensed that most of those heading straight for Laoshan were led by Dharma Aspect Realm experts, while those who landed in Langya Prefecture were mostly True Qi Realm warriors, but there were also some half-step Dharma Aspect Realm experts among them.

"What grand event is happening in Laoshan?"

Shandong's martial arts are weak, but this does not include Taiqing Palace in Laoshan.

Laoshan Taiqing Palace, along with Taiyi Sword Sect and Taixuan Palace, are known as the Three Tai in the martial arts world.

Being able to be on par with the Taiyi Sword Sect and the Taixuan Palace is enough to prove the strength of the Laoshan Taiqing Palace.

However, Taiqing Palace differs from Taiyi Sword Sect and Taixuan Palace in one aspect: Taiqing Palace disciples rarely venture out into the outside world.

Taiqing Palace's method of accepting disciples is also different from that of other major sects. Instead of setting up examinations and selecting the best from many candidates, it adopts a succession system.

When Taiqing Palace was first founded, it had 136 disciples. New disciples were found by these senior disciples who went out to search for suitable ones and brought them back. Each disciple only accepted one disciple in his lifetime.

Some people might wonder, what if you don't meet the right person?

Or perhaps one of the disciples perished while traveling?

The answer is that, in this generation, Taiqing Palace only has thirty-six disciples left.

These thirty-six disciples also include the Palace Master and two Deputy Palace Masters.

To be precise, the total number of people in Taiqing Palace, from the Palace Master to the newly initiated disciples, is thirty-six.

Taiqing Palace emphasizes a relaxed attitude and seems unconcerned about the sharp decline in the number of disciples, while maintaining the rule that each disciple can only bring one person up the mountain.

Sensing that several more flocks of birds were flying towards him from not far away, Lin Yan's eyes narrowed. When he sensed a familiar figure among them, he immediately sent a telepathic message to the other party.

Three breaths later, in the flock of birds a hundred feet away, a young man with a look of surprise on his face turned towards...

He gave a few instructions to his companions, and then his flying beast broke away from the group and flew towards Lin Yan.

P.S.: The guaranteed monthly votes are out. Please give me your guaranteed monthly votes.