Ten Directions Sword Master

Within the territory of the Great Chu, security was still guaranteed on the official roads.

Every ten miles there was a post station where people could send letters and deliver goods, and rest and find a place to stay.

A few copper coins are enough to stay a night, which is much cheaper than finding an inn.

A post station was built every hundred li (approximately 50 kilometers) to allow people to change horses, rest, and transmit intelligence.

At least twenty or thirty soldiers could be recruited from the post station, so ordinary bandits really wouldn't dare to commit crimes near the official road.

Once you're caught off guard, the officers from the thief-catching office are not to be trifled with.

The cavalry, clad in silver robes, were all martial artists who had cultivated internal energy, with the captain leading the group having even reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

If they encounter vicious and ruthless thieves, they will ask the Silver Fish Envoy of the Thieves' Office to personally take action. These are all experts who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage but are stuck before the Refinement of Spirit stage.

The imperial court has no shortage of cultivation resources, martial arts techniques, or ways to select talent.

No other sect can match the number of experts at this level.

"Along the way, I have seen at least ten groups of disaster victims. They were pale and emaciated, and their bodies were skeletal. Even the area near Wu County was like this. I can't imagine how bad it must be in other counties."

Lu Li lowered the curtain on the carriage, his mood somewhat heavy.

The disaster victims certainly didn't dare to charge the convoy; they just staggered along the roadside, their eyes filled with despair and numbness.

As they walked, some elderly people fell to the ground and never got up again.

"The weather has been so strange these past two years. The harvest in my fields outside the city has decreased by at least 30%... I heard from the steward that it's even worse up north, with yields decreasing by 50% or even total crop failure!"

Nan Henshui has good insights into current affairs and is also knowledgeable about general matters.

"I heard that in the north or west, a liter of rice costs fifty copper coins!"

"Brothers, with so many disaster victims, is it possible for us to buy some rice and grain to save a few?"

A hint of reluctance flashed in Song Yuming's eyes as she asked.

Although she was an orphan, her parents were chivalrous heroes of Guiyang County. After her parents passed away, she was immediately taken to Bailu Academy by the headmaster. She had never experienced hardship and did not know the difficulties of the lower classes.

"No! There are tens of millions of disaster victims. Even if we give them all, how many can we save? It will only cause more people to crowd the roads and block their way."

Nan Henshui quickly dissuaded his naive junior sister from her idea. He had been to the countryside and witnessed the crazy actions of refugees who were truly desperate for food.

"It hasn't reached the point of cannibalism yet. As long as we hold out until we reach the vicinity of a major city, the imperial court will provide porridge and relief."

Cannibalism through exchanging children...

Lu Li remained silent; this word was extremely distant to him, who possessed memories of Earth.

He only traveled between Pengcheng and Yuzhang County, associating with aristocratic young masters like Fatty Luo. How could he truly feel the devastating impact of years of disasters on the lower classes?

But what can I do in this situation?

Only a few high-ranking figures at the top of the court or those in charge of the three temples and three views could intervene and change the general trend of the world.

"I remember that the Northern Dynasty's grain production was less than ours, and this disaster has been even more severe... So, what is the situation within the Great Zhou territory right now?"

The Great Zhou was founded by high-ranking border troops, and its internal affairs and people's livelihood were already weak. After a little thought, Lu Li realized a major hidden danger.

"In the north, refugees are rising up everywhere, and three or five groups have already become quite powerful, each with a population of nearly 100,000... In addition, the desert is also short of food, and various tribes are frequently crossing the border to plunder food. Life in the Great Zhou is ten times harder than here."

A hint of surprise flashed across Nan Henshui's eyes. This Senior Brother Lu had amazing talent in swordsmanship, and now it seemed that his overall situational awareness was also quite good.

"Once the Great Zhou army is free to deal with the situation, I'm afraid their iron cavalry will march south again, and the border will be in turmoil once more."

When this topic came up, all three disciples of Bailu Academy fell silent.

Let alone the fact that these individuals haven't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage, even a Refining Spirit expert would find it difficult to stand firm against an army of tens of thousands.

To reverse the situation on a battlefield involving tens of thousands of people, only a near-grandmaster who ranks high on the Earth Ranking and is half a step into the Dharma Body stage could possibly intervene.

Eight days later, the convoy arrived in Yuhang. Yu Ziqi led three disciples straight to the largest Taoist temple in the city. After showing a token, the receptionist's expression changed drastically, and he welcomed them in with an almost obsequious attitude.

Inside the main hall, the abbot of this Taoist temple, despite being an elderly man with white hair and beard, acted like a junior and always referred to him as a high-ranking official.

Upon hearing that Yu Ziqi wanted to take a boat to Wucheng County, he immediately made arrangements, having the disciples of the temple bring over a large boat that could depart at any time.

We respectfully request that Yu Ziqi stay a few more days so that everyone in the temple can listen to his teachings and have the opportunity to ask him questions while we drink tea.

With the Crimson Fire Secret Realm about to open, Yu Ziqi naturally wouldn't agree to stay for one night and would set off the next morning.

On the way back to the academy, Nan Henshui couldn't help but say, "I'm not mistaken, am I? That Abbot Shen seems to be a Refinement Realm expert as well? So our White Deer Academy has such a high profile in Wu County!"

Earlier, Abbot Shen pushed his hand, and it instantly turned into fire, boiling the tea. This was a demonstration of a martial artist drawing upon the spiritual power of heaven and earth.

Despite being of similar cultivation level and significantly older, and with hundreds of disciples and a vast territory, the Dongxiao Temple clearly wielded considerable influence in the area. Yet, their attitude was undeniably condescending.

"Tell me, besides being the vice dean of Bailu Academy, what other position does Dean Yu hold?"

Seeing that Nan Henshui hadn't reacted yet, Lu Li added another comment.

"What did Senior Shen refer to? Think about it again?"

"Master Gao Gong..."

Nan Henshui paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

"The disciples of Louguan are respected by every Taoist sect in the world... This is the origin of Taoist temples and monasteries, the place where the Taoist patriarch preached in mythology. Even though its influence has not surpassed that of Baiyun Temple and Zhenwu Temple in recent years, who would dare to underestimate it?"

Lu Li sighed softly. What he had seen and heard today deepened his agreement with Gu Jingyu's statement about the difference in the foundation of sects.

While Bailu Academy may appear to be the second-best power in the world, only one level below Shuangsi Temple in terms of values, they are actually worlds apart.

When the evaluation was initially conducted, the four academies were considered as a whole.

In addition, the differences between each gear are much larger than outsiders imagine.

Of the three Taoist beliefs, Zhenwu Temple has the shallowest foundation. It was founded by a Taoist during the transition from the Northern Wei to the Great Chu Dynasty. Legend has it that he obtained a heavenly book from the Taoist patriarch, which served as the foundation for the sect.

For over a thousand years, countless masters have emerged, their rising power shaking the world.

Baiyun Temple was founded by a great master in the Middle Ages. With a long history, 70% of the Taoist temples in the world trace their origins back to it, hence it is known as the ancestral temple of Taoism.

Compared to the other two, Louguan is the most low-key, and no earth-shattering events have been reported for many years.

Among the world's most renowned masters, the Daoist of Louguan was nowhere to be seen.

But just the fact that the oldest and most powerful Taoist ancestor in mythology once preached at Louguan, thus establishing the world's first Taoist temple, even if the lineage was interrupted several times, this illustrious lineage is enough to inspire awe.

With just a Louguan disciple token, an old abbot at the Refining Spirit Realm thousands of miles away could be made to treat him with utmost respect, showing the deference of a junior.

This is the true foundation of a sect.

Thanks to Dean Yu Ziqi, the next day I boarded an extremely luxurious three-story ship.

Apart from the naval officers, servants, and maids, the huge ship had no other passengers, making a special trip just to send the four of them on an empty journey.

The prestige of Louguan is still valuable even in the Jiangnan region.

The ship sailed swiftly downstream, indicating that Dongxiao Temple is quite popular in the local area.

When the river patrolman saw the flags hanging on the boats, he waved his hand and let them all pass.

In less than two days, they arrived at the dock outside Wucheng County.

The destination of the four academies' top disciples is the Crimson Fire Secret Realm, which is right here.