In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Chapter 106 The Suspended Sword Bureau, Cold Jade Valley

"The conflict between the government and the Ziyang Sect is probably no longer just a simple contest between geniuses."

At this moment, Lu Yuan couldn't help but think to himself.

They compete for resources, for talent, for power—in short, they compete for everything.

This also shows that the imperial court's control over Tianshui Prefecture has become negligible.

Otherwise, even if Wu Tong was an inner elder of the Ziyang Sect, he wouldn't dare to speak to a mere military officer like that.

I believe the situation in other prefectures is not much better.

If this continues, the conflict will inevitably erupt completely. At that time, a war between the imperial court and the sects will be unavoidable, and it may even be a war that shakes the heavens and the earth.

This means that no matter which path he chooses to take next, he will not be able to escape unscathed.

The only thing we can do is grow faster and become stronger.

"Lu Yuan, we can succeed through the martial arts examination; there's no need to be in the top ten!"

At this moment, Jiang Ying nudged Lu Yuan again and whispered, "Believe me, the Ziyang Sect is not a good place to go!"

"You chose the imperial court?"

Lu Yuan turned to look at Jiang Ying and asked in a low voice.

"Not the imperial court, but the Sword-Hanging Bureau!"

Jiang Ying smiled and said directly.

"The Sword-Suspended Division?"

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered slightly. So this was the government organization that had made contact with Jiang Ying?

Moreover, judging from Jiang Ying's words, the Suspended Sword Division does not seem to be an ordinary government organization, or even belong to the imperial court, which is quite interesting.

"They promised that after joining the Sword Suspension Division, we could start directly as Bronze Sword Envoys. As long as we had enough merit points, we could freely exchange for any resource, including all kinds of super resources, and even Heavenly Grade cultivation techniques would be no exception!"

Before Lu Yuan could ask any more questions, Jiang Ying continued, "The Suspended Sword Division not only wields immense power, granted by imperial authority, but also, although responsible for monitoring the martial world, we basically don't need to travel around; we only need to stay in one place."

"Most importantly, the swordsman of the Sword Suspension Division is that old sword saint from the royal family!"

Hearing Jiang Ying's words, Lu Yuan's heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

As far as he knew, the old sword saint of the royal family, though not necessarily the only martial saint of the time, was the only martial saint openly recognized within the Great Zhou, and had suppressed the major sects for nearly a hundred years.

Unexpectedly, the one in charge of the Suspended Sword Division was this old sword saint who had lived for over a hundred years.

This means that once you enter the Suspended Sword Bureau, it's like having latched onto the coattails of a Martial Saint, and you might even have the chance to meet this legendary figure in the future.

As for the authority of the Suspended Sword Division, it sounds somewhat like a combination of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Doors, monitoring the martial arts world, authorized by imperial power, and able to execute first and report later.

Of course, Lu Yuan didn't actually have much ambition for power. What he was more interested in was whether he could more easily obtain more and better resources, and whether he could have a more stable cultivation environment.

Of course, he also needs earth-grade and even heaven-grade cultivation techniques, and the more the better.

Because the subsequent methods of the Five Elements Vajra Body still need to be deduced, and the Thunderclap Sword Technique and the Great Sun Sword Technique also need to break through their limits, how can they be without the corresponding Earth-grade and Heaven-grade techniques?

"Lu Yuan, what's your decision?"

Seeing Lu Yuan remain silent, Jiang Ying continued, "Although we're only starting as Bronze Sword Envoys, equivalent to a sixth-rank official, the officials in the Suspended Sword Bureau are one rank higher than any other official. They can command any civil or military official below the fifth rank at will. If they can be promoted to Silver Sword Envoy or even Gold Sword Envoy in the future, even a first-rank official would have to obey their orders. Don't you want to be an official like that?"

"You have a good eye for people. I really have no reason to refuse such an official position. From now on, let's advance together!"

Lu Yuan smiled and then nodded.

He didn't actually refuse to be an official, but he valued strength more than power.

However, if everything is as Jiang Ying said, then joining the Suspended Sword Division is indeed better than going to the Purple Sun Sect.

Previously, when he was at the breeding farm in Tianqingshan, he often heard Zhu Xi talk to Chen Xiu and the others about the Ziyang Sect.

In summary, the Ziyang Sect is a large and deeply rooted organization, with not only numerous geniuses but also a multitude of powerful individuals. The competition for resources is even more intense than that of the Martial Academy.

Unless one is a martial arts prodigy or a genius with a sacred body, to obtain enough resources to aid in cultivation, one needs to constantly complete tasks and earn sufficient contributions. Even so, truly super resources may not be immediately available.

Most importantly, although the Ziyang Sect has many Earth-grade cultivation techniques, and even the Heaven-grade techniques are not limited to one, they are basically all in the hands of the various elders.

If one cannot gain the favor of an elder and become their personal disciple, one might be able to obtain a low-grade cultivation technique through sect contributions, but a high-grade cultivation technique is almost impossible.

Lu Yuan was well aware of his own physical attributes, which were at most average.

In the Ziyang Sect, where top-tier talents are commonplace, first-rate talents are considered worthless, and even martial arts masters are numerous, which elder would be interested in him?

However, the Suspended Sword Division is different. Since they took the initiative to have Jiang Ying persuade him, it means they don't care about his physical constitution at all.

If he demonstrates sufficient strength, he should be able to access super resources and top-grade cultivation techniques more easily.

In that case, he has essentially already made a clear choice.

"Okay, let's improve together!"

Jiang Ying smiled slightly.

"The martial arts examination for this year will be held in Cold Jade Valley, a place where only those with a seventh-rank cultivation level are permitted to set foot. Therefore, those who have failed to advance to the seventh rank may now leave on their own; otherwise, they will bear the consequences!"

At this moment, Wu Dong's gaze swept across the crowd, and he spoke directly.

"What?! This year's martial arts examination is going to be held in Cold Jade Valley?!"

"Damn it, I finally managed to cultivate to the eighth rank of Golden Muscle, and now I'm being told I'm not even qualified to participate in the martial arts examination?"

As soon as Wu Dong finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.

Those who failed to advance to the eighth rank, in particular, were all looking dejected, wishing they could break through on the spot.

Even if I fail to participate in the martial arts examination this time, I can come back in three years. But three years after three years, if I fall behind, I will fall behind in every step. What's more, this fall will last for three years.

Although somewhat unwilling, those who failed to rise to the eighth rank still left one after another.

Because they all knew very well that if they ignored the advice and forced their way into the Cold Jade Valley, they would lose not only their martial arts qualification, but their lives.

If they can't participate in the martial arts examination this year, they will have another chance in three years. But if they lose their lives, then they will lose everything. It is not difficult for them to choose which is more important.

"You will all follow me to Cold Jade Valley!"

After saying one more thing to everyone, Wu Dong turned and left.

Without hesitation, everyone followed closely behind.

About half an hour later, the group of nearly a thousand people, led by Wu Dong and Yang Di, stopped outside a valley.

Although they had not yet actually entered the valley, everyone could already feel a chilling aura emanating from within, and many people couldn't help but shiver.

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