The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

Upon seeing the weapons and equipment in the cave, even Chen Zhaowu, with his usually thick skin, broke out in a cold sweat.

Previously, when they were attacked by demons with arrows at the Reclining Buddha Temple, they thought it was because someone in the army was smuggling arrows.

Although this is also a serious crime, it has been quite common throughout history.

Arrows are consumables, so selling some would be difficult to detect.

But the weapons in front of us are not just arrows; there are also powerful bows and crossbows, swords, spears, halberds, and even armor.

The armor of the Da Yue Dynasty was made using special methods and could even withstand attacks from low-level demons.

This is something that is strictly prohibited from being bought and sold privately.

Zhou Heng is right. This is no longer a simple disturbance; it's someone plotting a rebellion.

"Things have really gotten complicated. Now we can't trust anyone in Qizhou, including the Garrison Commander Han Zhengxiong."

Xue Zhiwei looked at Zhou Heng and said in a deep voice, "We must leave here immediately and bring the message back to the capital."

As for whether they can escape—”

She couldn't help but sigh.

It's still unknown how many people are involved in this matter. If it's really as she guessed, the four of them would never be able to leave Qizhou alive.

"You can't summon the main force of the Imperial Guard?"

Zhou Heng frowned.

In his mind, shouldn't a violent institution like the Guardian Division be like an arrow piercing the clouds, bringing forth a thousand troops to meet it?

With a large number of experts arriving, even if there are rebels, they will be wiped out in the blink of an eye.

With such a prestigious title, the Imperial Guard should possess such strength; their swords aren't only capable of slaying demons.

Judging from Xue Zhiwei's words now, it seems like it won't work?

"Qizhou is hundreds of miles away from the capital, and it will take us time to send a message back."

"And if someone in Qizhou really rebels, do you think we can still get our messages out?"

Xue Zhiwei sighed and said, "If we hadn't discovered these weapons, things would have been fine, but now, the other side is unlikely to let us go."

"You suspect the entire Qi Province has rebelled?"

Zhou Heng said thoughtfully, "Is it that Prince Qi, Zhao Yuanji?"

Xue Zhiwei nodded.

If Prince Qi, Zhao Yuanji, didn't know about so many weapons, then he would be underestimating this prince.

Raising a demon army in Mount Tai is such a big deal. Looking across Qi Prefecture, who else but King Zhao Yuanji of Qi could do it?

Even Han Zhengxiong, the military commissioner of Qizhou under the Gongwei Commandery, could be implicated.

"Let's split up and escape. Whether we can get away or not depends on luck."

Xue Zhiwei said earnestly.

Chen Zhaowu, unusually, did not refute Xue Zhiwei. Clearly, even he felt that he was doomed this time.

"Judging by the time, my magic 'Mirror Flower Water Moon' should have worn off by now, and Huang Tunan and his group should already realize they've been deceived."

Zhou Heng said calmly, "If the mastermind behind all this is really Qi King Zhao Yuanji, then Tianlang Sect must also be implicated."

"A leopard can't change its spots. They're probably hoping that Prince Qi, Zhao Yuanji, will ascend the throne so that the Tianlang Sect can claim credit for his role in the rise of the new emperor."

Chen Zhaowu spat.

"So, you still have time for one meal."

Zhou Heng looked up at the sky and said slowly.

"us?"

Xue Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she stared intently at Zhou Heng.

"If I remember correctly, according to the rules of the Guardian Division, several people form a team, with the one of higher rank in charge."

I am a three-star demon-slaying captain; you should all obey my orders.

Zhou Heng said in a calm tone.

All three nodded.

"Alright, now I order you to split up and leave Qizhou, and report the events here to the authorities truthfully."

Zhou Heng adjusted his sword, stepped forward, and said, "I will buy you some time."

"You're insane!"

Xue Zhiwei's expression changed drastically.

Zhou Heng walked slowly forward, waving to them with his back turned.

"To hell with it! If Old Zhou dies, I'll be at odds with King Qi for life!"

Chen Zhaowu cursed and strode off in another direction without even glancing at Xue Zhiwei.

He has always been so decisive; he never hesitates when it comes to doing something.

"You must survive."

Xue Zhiwei watched Zhou Heng's figure disappear around the corner and murmured to herself.

She knew in her heart that Zhou Heng was willing to risk his own life to give them a chance to survive.

Taking a deep breath, Xue Zhiwei no longer hesitated and cupped her hands in greeting to Lü Zian.

"Take care of yourself."

She turned and left in another direction.

Lu Zian's eyes flickered.

"I'm just a lowly spy. Even if I went to the capital, how many people would listen to me?"

The two of them are enough.

Lu Zian muttered to himself, "Back in Ningyang County, we teamed up, and this time, you can't do without me either."

He glanced at the unconscious monk Fayuan, thought for a moment, then carried him on his back and quickly disappeared.

…………

Zhou Heng slowly walked to the main gate of Lingyan Temple, sat down on the steps, and placed his sword across his lap.

Hundreds of steps extend forward and downward.

The worshippers in the temple had been dispersed by Xue Zhiwei, and now the steps were empty.

"I forgot to ask Xue Zhiwei for some martial arts manuals."

Zhou Heng muttered something to himself.

If you're going to play the hero, you need to have some assets to back it up.

"Since we don't have any martial arts manuals, we can only focus on improving the Boundless Ocean Technique first."

He silently recited it in his heart.

He devoted all his cultivation of three Jiazi (a unit of time) to the Boundless Ocean Technique.

In an instant, memories churned in Zhou Heng's mind, and at the same time, his dantian seemed to explode, instantly flooded with countless streams of immortal energy.

Just as he felt his chest was about to explode, the immortal energy began to flow along his meridians.

The celestial energy surged like a tide, washing over his body again and again.

The refined skill of the Three Jiazi directly pushed the Boundless Ocean Technique to its perfect state.

The Boundless Ocean Technique, when mastered, makes one a seventh-rank immortal official; when perfected, it makes one a sixth-rank immortal official.

The seventh and sixth ranks may seem like a small step apart, but they are actually a significant hurdle.

The sixth rank is the middle third rank.

A single step can make all the difference.

Even within the Imperial Guard, a mid-ranking official of the third grade already meets the minimum requirement to serve as a prefectural governor.

The mountain breeze ruffled Zhou Heng's hair as he flicked his right sword finger.

Tick, tick.

Large raindrops suddenly began to fall from the sky.

Half of the Heavenly Gang Immortal Technique: Summoning Rain.

Zhou Heng's face lit up with surprise.

Previously, when using this half-form of the Heavenly Gang Immortal Technique, the immortal energy in the body would be completely consumed in an instant.

But now, he felt that the immortal energy within him was enough to support him to perform it five or six times.

Just as Zhou Heng was sensing the changes in the immortal energy within his body, the sound of horses' hooves rang out.

Huang Tunan and his group appeared at the end of the steps.

As they dismounted, they drew their swords and charged towards Zhou Heng along the steps.

The truth is revealed when the map is unrolled; nothing is hidden or concealed.

Zhou Heng stood up and stepped to the top of the stairs.

"Holding the sun and moon in my hands and plucking stars from the sky, there is no one like me in this world."

Zhou Heng recited aloud, and then swung his right sword finger forward.

The raindrops falling from the sky instantly transformed into chains, which flew down the steps like dragons.