Start with acting, and you'll achieve immortality!

The azure light on the jade talisman rippled outwards like waves.

That line of small characters, written with sharp strokes

With a sense of anxiety

"Zizhi, come to Jiangning immediately."

"The teacher is in danger!"

Li Ping's pupils contracted slightly, and almost instinctively he poured more spiritual energy into the jade talisman.

The jade talisman shone brightly, and Ren Jun's familiar yet somewhat weary voice rang out.

It rang directly in his mind

"Zizhi, that is me."

The sound was short, with a hint of panting.

It seemed as if it was trying its best to suppress something.

To make a long story short

"Something happened to the teacher."

"The Si family of Jiangning has united with several long-established families in the prefecture."

"Under the pretext of 'purging the emperor's corrupt advisors,' they surrounded the prefectural governor's residence."

"They sealed off the entire city, laying a trap."

"The teacher is trapped inside the house, while we wait outside."

"Unable to approach"

Li Ping's heart skipped a beat.

The Si family? He had heard of this name when he was studying in Jiangning.

That was a true behemoth in Jiangbei Prefecture, with countless experts within its clan.

Rumor has it that an old monster in the late Foundation Establishment stage is in charge.

"...The Si family had been plotting this for a long time; they somehow managed to hire a master of formations."

"The 'Four Directions Dragon Locking Formation' that they set up was so difficult that even the teacher found it hard to break."

"I suspect it's their clan's Golden Core ancestor who has been in seclusion for many years."

"They may have already made a move."

Golden Elixir!

Li Ping felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

What does that mean? A Foundation Establishment cultivator can become the governor of a prefecture, while a Golden Core cultivator...

That was a terrifying existence capable of suppressing an entire prefecture or even several prefectures.

With my meager Qi Refining cultivation level, how could I possibly compete with someone like that?

They probably don't even qualify as ants.

"You want me to go to Jiangning? Senior brother, are you out of your mind?"

Li Ping mentally complained.

"With my meager cultivation, what could I possibly do there? Just to fill the gaps in the teeth of a Golden Core cultivator?"

As if hearing his innermost thoughts, Ren Jun's voice rang out again.

With a hint of bitterness and helplessness

"Zizhi, I know this is risky."

"But now, you are our only chance."

"The Si family kept a close eye on all members of their master's school, as well as officials close to their master."

"Only you are far away in Xiyun County."

"He's just an insignificant clerk, not even on their radar."

"What they want is to completely trap the teacher and exhaust his spiritual power."

"We need someone to tear a hole from the outside."

"You...you're full of clever ideas and act unconventionally."

"Perhaps we can find an unexpected weakness in their strategy."

"What do I need to do?"

Li Ping asked himself...

"...Back then, the teacher left a secret operation in the west of the city."

"The location is..."

Ren Jun gave an address

"The teacher has prepared a way to break the formation there."

"I need you to infiltrate Jiangning and retrieve something from there."

"Then follow my instructions."

The light on the jade talisman gradually dimmed, and Ren Jun's voice became weak.

"Zizhi, this matter is extremely dangerous."

"Nine deaths and one life"

"If you are unwilling, your senior brother will not blame you."

"Destroy the jade talisman, and it will be as if this message was never received."

"If you are willing to come... please be careful in everything you do."

The sound stopped abruptly there.

The jade talisman returned to its cold state and lay quietly in Li Ping's palm.

A deathly silence fell over the room.

Li Ping sat on the edge of the bed, remaining motionless for a long time.

To go or not to go?

His mind was in complete chaos.

Go? Jiangning City is now a den of dragons and tigers, with Foundation Establishment cultivators everywhere.

Golden Elixir sits in the central hall

With my current level of cultivation, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to make a ripple if I went in.

To take such a dangerous risk for a teacher who usually only uses him as a pawn.

does it worth?

Not going? He looked down at his brand-new county magistrate's uniform.

His success today is indeed thanks to this teacher.

If it weren't for the teacher taking them in back then, and if their senior brother Ren Jun hadn't happened to appear that day...

The grass on his grave must be three feet tall by now.

He couldn't deny this kindness.

Moreover... if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

If the teacher falls, the Si family will take control of Jiangbei County.

Could this acting magistrate, promoted by his teacher, expect a good outcome? A new broom sweeps clean.

The first fire will likely reach him.

"Remnants of the previous dynasty"

On his head

Hiding in Xiyun County, seemingly safe

In reality, it's nothing more than a prolongation of its existence.

Li Ping's thoughts suddenly drifted back to the battle at Hulu Pass where they surrounded and killed Hu Lie.

The Qi Refining stage cultivator he killed, Miao Jun

Before his death, Miao Jun said that his master was very interested in something in the Wanzhong Mountains.

A master who can command Qi Refining stage cultivators at will is no ordinary person.

Xiyun County is located in a remote area. What could possibly be so important that it would attract the attention of important figures in Jiangning City?

Li Ping had been unable to understand this for a long time.

But now, he had a vague guess.

The Si family...

Could it be that the one behind Miao Jun...

"Owner"

Are they from the Si clan? They've already extended their reach into Xiyun County.

Even the death of Hu Guan and the outbreak of the beast tide were orchestrated by them.

If that were the case, I would have already been drawn into this vortex.

There was no way to avoid it.

The more Li Ping thought about it, the colder he felt inside.

He originally thought that by controlling a small town, he would have a place to settle down and make a living.

Now it seems that I have only just climbed out of a quagmire.

He stepped into yet another, even larger swamp.

"Damn it, there's never a moment's peace."

Li Ping cursed under his breath.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

His fingers unconsciously caressed the warm jade talisman.

Go, it's a matter of life and death.

But there is a glimmer of hope, and perhaps there is still a chance to strive for a greater future.

Not going seems like a safe and secure option.

In reality, they were just sitting and waiting to die; they would be settled sooner or later.

He walked to the window and opened it.

Looking at the cold, clear moon on the horizon.

Under the moonlight, the distant, towering mountains resembled a crouching behemoth.

Dark and endless.

The direction of Jiangning City is further blocked by mountains.

Not even a single light can be seen.

But Li Ping knew that there...

A storm is brewing that could upend the entire Jiangbei County.

And he, this fledgling who had just learned to fly.

But they had no choice but to brave the storm and plunge in.

That's enough.

After a long while, Li Ping let out a long breath.

His gaze regained its firmness and calmness.

"This favor must be repaid."

"You have to fight for your own destiny."

He closed the window, turned around, and walked to the table.

Unfold a blank map

That's a map of the trade route from Xiyun County to Jiangning City.

His fingers slowly traced across the image.

My mind started racing.

Before heading to Jiangning, we must first settle things in Xiyun County, our crucial rear base.

Manpower, funding, and defense—none of these can be compromised.

And my brother and sister-in-law...

Li Ping's gaze finally settled on the map.

"Ten Thousand Mountains"

those four words

Perhaps, there

That is the safest place