My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

The imperial court spared no expense in trying to appease Li Xuancang.

Five thousand low-grade spirit stones, one thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and a considerable amount of other cultivation resources.

Seven days later, Ou Yexuan walked out of the refining site with disheveled hair and an exhausted look on his face.

"Finally finished."

Although he was exhausted, his eyes were bright and his face was full of excitement.

"Lord Li, I have successfully completed my mission."

Ou Yexuan handed the five pieces of armor to Li Xuancang with a somewhat smug expression, and introduced them to Li Xuancang.

"Lord Li, all five pieces of armor are of mid-grade Earth level, which can withstand most of the attacks from late-stage Profound Realm cultivators."

Ou Yexuan could be proud; this was his masterpiece, the pinnacle of his weapon-refining skills.

Earth-grade divine weapons are already rare, and defensive armor is even more advanced than other divine weapons.

A mid-grade Earth-level treasure armor, even surpassing many high-grade Earth-level divine weapons.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master."

Li Xuancang was also very happy. With these precious armors, his family's safety was greatly guaranteed, and he could rest assured.

"Lord Li, if you need to forge divine weapons in the future, please feel free to come and find me."

Ou Yexuan gained a great deal from the collaboration and was very satisfied with it.

He still had one-fifth of the crocodile's scales left, and he also obtained some animal meat and the crocodile's bones. His weapon-forging skills improved even further, and he made a fortune.

"That's natural."

Li Xuancang was also very satisfied and would contact Ou Yexuanlian again if needed.

Upon returning to his residence, Li Xuancang took out three pieces of precious armor and handed them to his parents and eldest sister.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Sister, you should all wear this precious armor from now on."

The armor is made from a large number of precious treasures. It is as thin as a cicada's wing, warm in winter and cool in summer, and can be worn all year round.

"Xuan Cang, what is this?"

Father Li picked up the precious armor and examined it carefully.

"Father, you must remember to wear the armor at all times; it will protect your safety."

Li's father, mother, and eldest sister nodded and followed Li Xuancang's arrangements.

Then, Li Xuancang summoned Ouyang De.

"Go to the Xuanxin Sect immediately and hand over this armor and these cultivation resources to my little sister."

One of the five pieces of armor was prepared for Li Ling'er.

"Yes, ma'am."

Ouyang De immediately took his belongings and left.

Heading to Xuanxin Sect again, Ouyang De knew the way well and quickly arrived at the sect's gate.

After the gatekeeper announced his arrival, he saw Elder Qingxuan again.

"Elder Qingxuan, how have you been?"

"Haha, it's been a year since we last met. Fellow Daoist Ouyang has made another breakthrough in his cultivation. Congratulations!"

Elder Qingxuan was shocked to see that Ouyang De had already reached the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but he congratulated him with a smile.

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Li Ling'er was soon led to the main hall.

"Disciple greets Master."

More than a year has passed, and Li Ling'er has grown into a graceful young woman with her cultivation reaching the late stage of the Bone Forging Realm.

Of the four elements—wealth, companions, methods, and location—cultivation resources are always the most important.

The cultivation techniques of the Xuanxin Sect are among the most advanced in the human race. With Elder Qingxuan's frequent guidance, it is only natural that Li Ling'er's cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds.

"Greetings, Miss."

"Greetings, Brother Ouyang."

Upon seeing Ouyang De again, Li Ling'er was overjoyed, as she could learn about her brother and family.

"Miss, these are treasures that the master asked me to deliver, along with a letter written by the master himself."

The large amount of cultivation resources offered up even drew the attention of Elder Qingxuan.

Ouyang De wrapped the armor up so that Elder Qingxuan wouldn't see it.

The mid-grade Earth-level treasure armor is extremely rare, so it's inevitable that Elder Qingxuan would be tempted by it.

After completing the mission, Ouyang De bid farewell to Elder Qingxuan.

Li Ling'er returned to her courtyard with the things and eagerly opened Li Xuancang's handwritten letter.

She treasured it as if it were a precious gem, examining it carefully word by word.

The letter described the family's situation and her marriage to the Du family, and instructed her to wear the precious armor and not to mention it to anyone.

Li Ling'er's eyes widened, her mind reeling.

She knew what a level-eight treasure armor meant, which was why she was so shocked.

She carefully took out the armor and put it on.

With the protective armor, even a Qi Refining Realm expert would find it difficult to harm her in the slightest.

"Junior Sister Li's brother has sent someone to deliver cultivation resources again."

"Sigh! Comparison is the thief of joy!"

"Why don't I have an older brother who's at the Profound Realm?"

"..."

Many disciples were filled with envy when they learned that Li Xuancang had once again sent cultivation resources to Li Ling'er.

For a little bit of cultivation resources, they have to complete sect missions, risking their lives at the cost of survival.

Li Ling'er doesn't have to do anything; she has more cultivation resources than she can use.

They cultivated peacefully in the sect, and their cultivation improved much faster than others; their circumstances were worlds apart.

"boom!"

Inside the military camp, a powerful aura surged into the sky, and Li Xuancang quickly arrived.

"Bai Meng has broken through."

A moment later, Bai Meng strode out with his imposing figure, his aura as a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator showing no sign of concealment.

"Greetings, Your Excellency. I have done my duty without disgrace."

Bai Meng bowed deeply to Li Xuancang, his expression extremely respectful.

Get up!

Bai Meng ate half of the giant crocodile's flesh, and he did not disappoint Li Xuancang, successfully breaking through.

Li Xuancang currently has three experts at the Gangqi Realm. As long as Wang Xiaoniu and others can also break through to the Gangqi Realm, he will have enough manpower.

Not long after, Ouyang De returned to Ganquan County, bringing back news about Li Ling'er.

Knowing that Li Ling'er was safe and sound and had reached the late stage of the Bone Forging Realm, Li Xuancang felt relieved.

After staying in Ganquan County for several months, Princess Zhaoyang is about to return to the capital.

"General Li, when you come to the capital, please remember to visit me."

Zhao Yang looked reluctant to part.

"Alright, if I reach the capital, I will definitely come to see you."

Only after receiving Li Xuancang's promise did Zhaoyang smile and embark on her journey home.

Bai Meng personally led a thousand iron cavalry to escort her out of Liangzhou territory.

Thorn Ridge is located at the intersection of the Great Yan, Great Li and the grassland.

The buffer zone deliberately created by the three parties has instead become a haven for many evil cultivators, sect traitors, and wanted criminals by the imperial court.

There is no order, no law, only the brutal reality of the survival of the fittest.

A recent piece of news has completely ignited the Thorn Ridge.

"A spirit stone vein has been discovered deep within Thorn Ridge, and many people have already gone there, wanting to compete for it."

"The value of the spirit stone vein is immeasurable; we absolutely cannot miss it."

"Go there quickly, you might be able to get a share of the profits."

"..."

The news spread, and the entire Thorn Ridge was shaken.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching all corners of the world and causing a sensation.

"There is a spirit stone vein in Thorn Ridge, head there quickly."

"Gather your men immediately and come with me to Thorn Ridge."

"The spirit stone mine is mine, and no one can take it from me."

"..."

The value of the spirit stone vein is immeasurable, and no one can remain indifferent to it.

Upon receiving the news, all factions quickly assembled their forces and launched an attack.