The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 610 A Gift That Could Not Be Given Again (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

Rolling around~
The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement in Thunder City, slowly making their way towards the mansion located at the heart of Thunder City amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of the crowd.

The carriage frame is adorned with black jade patterns, and is tall and wide, making it extremely rare even in Thunder City, which ranks among the top three cities in the Azure Dragon region.

"A jade ornament with mysterious patterns! This belongs to a powerful figure in the state!"

"Which official from the Garrison Command is it?!"

"Go! Go quickly! Don't look around! Be careful you don't get into trouble!"

"Your vehicle, get out of the way!"

"."

The crowd gave way, their awe beyond words.

In fact, the main avenue of Thunder City has designated lanes. Carriages like this travel in the central, exclusive lane. Horse-drawn carriages and crowds travel in the side lanes.

There was no obstruction on the path. However, the imposing presence of the vehicle and the overwhelming aura of the elite guards made some timid passersby, as well as worldly-wise middle-aged and elderly people, hesitant to look too closely, fearing they might cause some serious trouble.

On the contrary, some energetic young people, without any stage fright, looked at the central frame with curiosity in their eyes.

As the saying goes, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger!

The reason for this is simply this!
In times of crisis, the elderly strategize, stockpile resources, plan strategically, and devise deadly moves. But in the same situation, a young, energetic person would present a completely different picture.

I control my own life!
Demons and monsters, I will defeat them with my own strength!
Thirty years of Hedong! Thirty years in Hexi!
I will remember this humiliation! One day, I will repay it tenfold!
Such words are often quite thought-provoking!
However, most passionate young people only live in their imaginations, believing that in times of crisis, they should be fearless and indomitable.

In reality, when faced with a true crisis, the actual situation is difficult to describe in words.

Some things, whether heard from others or read in biographies, are completely different from what actually happened to you!
In this vast world, there are many who are born brave, resourceful, and resilient; it is only the mediocre and unproductive that truly reflect the reality of the vast majority of people.

The passion of a young man is fleeting, lasting only a moment. When the passion fades and cold reality confronts him, how many can remain dignified and steadfast, upholding their original aspirations?

The courage of a passionate young man lies in his fearlessness, but fearless words stem from ignorance!
Those who, with ignorant courage, attempt to challenge the established order will only suffer a crushing defeat!
Of course, there are also those who are born with extraordinary courage and strategy. Their courage is not based on ignorance, but on their own cognition, vision, and inner strength.

When faced with a crisis, remain calm and composed!
However, the meaning of this cannot be fully expressed in just a few words.

Whether it's a spirited and passionate young person, a worldly-wise middle-aged person, or a shrewd and calculating old person, each situation has its advantages and disadvantages.

Different occasions and different roles often lead to different outcomes.

Sometimes you need passion, sometimes you need worldliness, and sometimes you need strategy. This ability to adapt and switch between these states freely and easily is the true essence of life!
However, there are also those who are unlucky, with lofty ambitions, amazing abilities, and a tenacious character, but in the end they can only leave behind the words: Oh, heavens, why are you so cruel to me!
In addition, there are also passionate young people in biographies and anecdotes who, though lacking worldly wisdom and strategy, rely on their passion to overcome all obstacles and strive upwards.

Such events are not uncommon in historical anecdotes. However, to use this to insist that strategy is useless, worldly wisdom leads to internal strife, and passion is paramount is undoubtedly a survivor bias.

In fact, those who are famous throughout history and whose stories are passed down may have initially acted on passion, but in the middle stage, they must have learned from their mistakes, gradually matured, and eventually completely transformed themselves in the later stage.

Even later on, those who claim to be passionate often use this label, but such labels are mostly necessary for their persona. They use passion as a pretext to act worldly and devise strategic plans.

Aside from those with extraordinary luck, few in this world can break through adversity with just passion! And even fewer can consistently uphold passion as their sole guiding principle! Or perhaps...
Unique!

Even the hottest passion will eventually cool down when faced with the harsh realities of life!

Drinking ice for ten years, it's hard to cool blood!

But what ultimately enabled it to break through the odds and overcome all obstacles was the sword it had honed over ten years!
I have been sharpening my sword for ten years, but I have never tried it. Today I will show it to you. Who has any grievances?

Without this sword, how can one act based solely on passion?

Those who are brave and courageous may display their power for a time, but they are unlikely to maintain their ambitions for long!
However, the wonders of the world are often beyond words.

Legend has it that the Great Qian Emperor, this cowherd in the wild mountains, was once a young man full of ambition and courage!

Talented individuals vied for supremacy, hidden dragons vie for fortune, heroes carved up the land, and chaos reigned as everyone vied for power. In the end, however, he was the one who seized the throne.

Passion is not a bad thing; on the contrary, it can be a sign of ambition and drive. However, if one relies solely on passion, then one is underestimating all the heroes in the world.

Human strength has its limits; what power can one achieve with mere passion?
Why not use passion as a starting point, martial arts as a driving force, and strategy as a lever to shake up this chaotic world?
The carriage moved slowly, and Chen Ping'an sat inside, looking at the hairpin in his hand.

This was a gift that Gu Qingcheng gave him along with the letter.

A gift with very special meaning.

When a girl reaches the age of marriage, she wears a hairpin to signify that she has come of age.

Therefore, when lovers are in love, the man gives the woman a hairpin, which symbolizes that they will become husband and wife and that he hopes the woman will be his wife.

If a woman gives a man a hairpin, it signifies entrusting her life to him, wishing to be bound together in marriage and spend her days hand in hand.

The significance of Gu Qingcheng presenting this gift is self-evident.

If the hairpin in Chen Ping'an's hand is the same one that Gu Qingcheng wore when she came of age, then its significance is even greater.

It implies a sense of entrustment!
When a woman presents a hairpin as a gift, it signifies entrusting her life to him and hoping for a suitable husband.

Chen Ping'an stroked the hairpin in his hand; its texture was like jade, warm to the touch, like the soft, boneless skin of a young girl. A small string of pearl and jade bells dangled from the end of the hairpin, adorned with tassels.

The gift from Gu Qingcheng not only filled Chen Ping'an with anticipation, but also gave rise to a sense of longing for what lay ahead.

In addition, there is a promise in the letter: to drink plum wine together under the peach tree, to hang a raft on the treetop, and to pledge our hearts to look forward to the future.

Whether it's hanging a raft or tying a knot of hearts, both symbolize a commitment of love!
In biographical anecdotes, there are stories of scholars and beautiful women hanging a raft on a treetop, tying their vows with flowers, and pledging their lives to each other.

Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingcheng have a marriage certificate as their bond, a red thread that has bound them together for a long time, so there is no need for them to make a private engagement. However, the thought of this makes people's hearts flutter with joy.

It has to be said that Gu Qingcheng really knows how to manipulate people's mentality.

"Could this Gu Qingcheng be some kind of tea girl?!" Chen Ping'an thought to himself.

This kind of sudden turn of events is something most people couldn't handle.

The act of giving a hairpin as a gift, seemingly entrusting one's life to another, actually carries a hint of flirtation.

Refusing his invitation is a form of emotional suppression.

Then she presented him with a hairpin, which further lifted his spirits.

The technique of first suppressing and then elevating the mood creates emotional fluctuations, and finally, leaving a promise or expectation at the end is sure to entice people to their wits' end.

The tea's essence and flavor, this entire routine, is a perfect score, absolutely a perfect score.

You tell me, where does Gu Qingcheng, an unmarried girl, get so many tricks up her sleeve?

but
Chen Ping'an thought of his previous guesses and suddenly felt that thinking about it was pointless.

But there was one thing he was still concerned about: why was Gu Qingcheng using such tactics on him? Did she have some ulterior motive, or was there some other meaning behind it?
Ah!
This is something we must be wary of!

Although she was his fiancée, she was not yet his true soulmate with whom he would share life and death.

Even among Daoist couples, there are occasionally some ulterior motives and schemes.

Moreover, this applies to the relationship between him and Gu Qingcheng.

"Why can't we just be honest with each other? Why are you playing games with me?"

Even so, a smile still appeared on Chen Ping'an's lips.

Sometimes, even though it's a trick, it's really effective!

Let alone whether people can see through it, even if they can, they may still become addicted and unable to extricate themselves!
Using a technique of first suppressing and then elevating the mood, and creating emotional fluctuations, aren't these all commendable little tricks?
Actually, tea snacks are quite good, especially when paired with a stunningly beautiful woman with a hint of tea, like a fairy from the moon palace. Sometimes, there's a unique kind of pleasure derived from the contrast.

but
Gu Qingcheng's actions might just be an overthinking; she probably never intended it that way at all.

It's possible that they're actually breaking through some kind of barrier without using any special techniques or tricks.

The gift of the hairpin was also a heartfelt gesture.

Chen Ping'an smiled and shook his head, then carefully put away the hairpin that Gu Qingcheng had given him.

Sometimes, whether something is a scheme or not is just a matter of a single thought. Even if you see through it, what then? If you're unwilling to wake up, won't you still end up sinking deeper into it?
Whether Gu Qingcheng's actions were a tactic or not was not important to him.

The important thing is that it's true that Gu Qingcheng needs something from him.

Otherwise, the engagement might not have gone so smoothly!
As for what you're asking for?
Chen Pingan didn't know.

As long as things continue in this step by step, he will find out one day!

The most urgent and important thing right now is for him to improve, improve, and keep improving!
The hairpin that Gu Qingcheng gave him had a bell hanging from its end. When Chen Ping'an saw it, he was reminded of the silver bell that he had obtained from Lan Yingjun, who was from the Five Poisons Sect.

This silver bell is exceptionally useful; back then, from the perspective of someone at the Profound Light Realm, it was an extremely rare item. Unfortunately, without the corresponding techniques, the bell's true power cannot be realized.

Chen Ping'an had kept this silver bell all along; it had not been sold during the previous transaction.

He was quite interested in the Five Poisons Earthly Fiend Palm technique on Lan Yingjun, the Little Five Poisons. He still hoped that one day he could make a deal with her.

It is said that the Five Poisons Earthly Fiend Palm is a simplified version of the Five Poisons Divine Palm, and it has some of the essence of the Five Poisons Divine Palm.

However, this matter has never been confirmed. The simplified version is real, but how much of its essence it truly captures is something that virtually no one can say for sure.

Given the rank of the Five Poison Divine Palm, even if the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm only possesses a fraction of its essence, it would still be an extremely top-tier, supreme divine skill.

Incidentally, when Chen Ping'an was looking at the latest Hidden Dragon Ranking at Gu Qingchan's place, he also saw the ranking of Lan Yingjun, the Little Five Poisons.

Lan Yingjun's progress was much faster than he had imagined.

Previously, simply making it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking was one thing. Now, however, he has gone so far as to kill a newly promoted mid-stage Jade Balance Realm expert and a seasoned Grandmaster, ranking ninety-eighth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Being able to kill a senior grandmaster, even if that grandmaster had only just reached the threshold of the mid-stage of the Jade Balance realm, was enough to demonstrate Lan Yingjun's combat strength.

Defeating and killing are two completely different concepts. Defeating a newly promoted senior grandmaster is something that some veteran senior grandmasters can do.

But to kill someone is something not everyone can do. Those who can achieve that level are at least among the strongest of the senior grandmasters.

At the very least, its combat strength is at the level of the Blood Centipede. It might even be at the level of Yu Xihai, the young master of the Black Spirit Sect.

Most importantly, who knows if Lan Yingjun is hiding something!?

If it were anyone else, Chen Ping'an might not have doubts, but considering Lan Yingjun's previous level of cultivation, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but have such concerns.

If someone told him that Lan Yingjun had reached the level of a top grandmaster, he wouldn't have the slightest doubt.

A top-tier Grandmaster-level combat power would typically rank around 60th or 70th on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Chen Ping'an's performance, characterized by growing stronger with each battle and breakthroughs before combat, led to his being overestimated by Tianji Tower and ranked 59th on the Hidden Dragon List.

According to the information on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, Chen Ping'an's combat strength only reached the standard of a top-tier grandmaster for a short period of time. Normally, he is still somewhat lacking in the ability to reach the level of a top-tier grandmaster.

Of course, this does not include the fact that Chen Ping'an is getting stronger with each battle and has the potential to break through in the final moments of combat.

Based on a comprehensive assessment, Chen Ping'an's overall combat strength should rank him among the top sixty in the Hidden Dragons.

Besides Lan Yingjun, the hairpin that Gu Qingcheng gave him also reminded Chen Ping'an of his sister's coming-of-age ceremony.

Hairpins hold a unique significance for women, especially the one worn when they reach the age of 14 (the age of coming of age).

The coming-of-age ceremony, or "jiji zhi li," involves combing a woman's hair and attaching a hairpin, signifying that she has reached adulthood and is eligible for marriage.

The hairpins and hair ornaments needed for the coming-of-age ceremony are chosen by the woman's elders, representing their deep affection.

With Chen's father gone, and his elder brother acting as his father, the responsibility of being an elder naturally fell on Chen Ping'an's shoulders.

Chen Ping'an had already prepared the hairpins and hair ornaments needed for Er Ya's coming-of-age ceremony.

Besides the hairpins and hair ornaments, Chen Ping'an also prepared a gift for Er Ya's coming-of-age ceremony. It was the Warm Sun Jade that he had recently acquired at the Long'an Auction House.

When a girl reaches the age of marriage, the officiant begins the ceremony, the principal guest adds the hairpin, and the elders give her a courtesy name.

The hairpin ceremony can be held multiple times. Ordinary families usually hold the ceremony once, wealthy families can hold it twice, and powerful and influential families can hold it three times.

Chen Ping'an's preparations were naturally based on the three stages of the hairpin-addition ceremony.

Although he and Er Ya were not from aristocratic families, he cultivated himself all the way to this day, and with him there was a family!

Although Er Ya is not from a prestigious family, she is more valuable than many scions of prominent clans.

There's no need to establish a powerful family; my existence is enough to make me a powerful family!
Three hairpin-adding ceremonies and three changes of clothes—this is the custom of aristocratic families! But since Chen Ping'an is here, he naturally wants his sister to enjoy the best.

The coming-of-age ceremony only happens once, so it's never too important to pay attention to it.

Besides the hairpins and hair ornaments, and the gifts that need to be given at the coming-of-age ceremony, there is another crucial point: the bestowal of a name by the elders. Previously, in Canglong Prefecture City, Er Ya had said: "My elder brother is like a father; please bestow a name upon me, brother."

Chen Ping'an had promised Er Ya that he would bestow a name upon her at her coming-of-age ceremony. Based on this, Chen Ping'an had been diligently studying books such as the *Erya* and *Yueci* to catch up on his studies and prepare a name for Er Ya.

After so many days of hard work, he had already come up with an idea for Er Ya's courtesy name. The next step was to carefully consider and ponder it.

There are not many days left until Er Ya turns fifteen, and Chen Ping'an doesn't have much time left.

"My lord, we have arrived at the manor."

Xiong Sanrang's voice came from outside the carriage. Under the respectful greeting of a group of elites, Chen Ping'an stepped down from the carriage.

Today was his day off, so he didn't need to go to the Thunderous Garrison Office. He visited Gu Qingchan briefly, and now that things were settled, he returned to continue his cultivation.

He had many things to do, including forging divine weapons and cultivating techniques. Every day required careful planning and full utilization of his time.

Once the blood samples from the monsters are confirmed, he will only be busier.

The Qingyang Blood Refining Method lacks a lineage concept, so he needs to carefully study and ponder its contents.

Fortunately, he has the cheat code panel. Once he succeeds, his subsequent cultivation can form a path dependency. In addition, the existence of the cheat code panel also allows him to know very clearly whether he is on the right path.

It won't lead to someone figuring things out on their own, thinking they're on the right path, when in fact they've embarked on a crooked path of cultivation, ultimately suffering a backlash from their practice and going astray.

With his current martial arts skills and experience, plus the assistance of the cheat system, as long as he has suitable demon beast blood, cultivation shouldn't be too difficult.

In addition, he also needs to spend some time studying the two monster carvings. He has already gained some ideas from the previous exploration, but he still needs to continue to practice and refine them.

"My lord, Mang Dao is on leave today. He went to the Gu family's residence and has now returned to his residence. He is currently staying at home and is probably cultivating."

Inside the Leiming Town Commandery's office, a trusted subordinate was reporting to Wu Benqing the whereabouts of the ruthless Chen Ping'an.

"They're relatively well-behaved, actually."

Wu Benqing sat high in his chair, a look of satisfaction on his face.

These days, he has been sending people to observe Chen Ping'an's movements, fearing that he might cause some trouble again.

Fortunately, after observing Chen Ping'an for some time, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping'an possesses combat strength approaching, or even surpassing, that of a top-tier grandmaster, so naturally he wouldn't dare send anyone to track him casually. But for him, merely knowing Chen Ping'an's overt whereabouts was not difficult at all, given his extensive network of connections throughout Thunder City.

"Go down."

After listening to his trusted subordinate's full report, Wu Benqing casually waved his hand.

"Yes, my lord."

Before long, only Wu Benqing remained in the public housing.

"What do you think?" Wu Benqing asked suddenly, sitting in the large chair.

Just as Wu Benqing finished speaking, a deep voice came from the shadows beside him: "This young man, Mangdao, is incredibly talented and gifted. But to get to where he is today, talent alone is far from enough. His own diligent practice is indispensable. His previous slaying of demons and villains was mostly by chance. Even if the Gu family had helped him, it was probably not his intention. Now that things have stabilized, he has naturally begun to focus on his cultivation."

Wu Benqing nodded, agreeing with what he said.

These days, Mang Dao has rarely been seen getting involved in anything. He usually sits in his office all day without going out. Occasionally, he calls in his subordinates, but they are usually sent away quickly.

They showed no intention of interfering in major decisions, factional alignments, or conflicts of interest within the Thunderous Garrison.

This performance pleased him greatly.

"Since our young Master Chen is so fond of cultivation, then as his superior, I should naturally take good care of him. Remember, unless it's something important, don't disturb him. The Zhenfu Division needs rising stars, and it's rare for Leiming to have such a promising young talent, so naturally we must cherish him," Wu Benqing said with a smile.

For him, the best outcome is for Mang Dao to stay out of it. This way, he can maintain stable interests without offending Mang Dao, thus avoiding a lot of trouble.

"By the way, we must ensure that he receives every penny of the benefits he's entitled to. What we need is stability, not just a little bit of profit."

"clear."

After the words were spoken, the shadowy area fell silent, as if the figure had vanished.

Wu Benqing turned his head and looked out the window. His thoughts drifted as he recalled the replies that had recently come from several forces in the Thunder Mountain Range.

Surprisingly, the attitudes of the various factions were consistent, and their responses were brief, consisting of only one sentence: "We have recorded the mistake of the reckless swordsman, but considering our past relationship, we will not repeat it!"

"It won't happen again."

Wu Benqing raised an eyebrow, his eyes turning icy: "What a fine 'never again'!"

A cold smile appeared on his face, a smile that seemed to contain a hint of anger.

These evil heretics, after cooperating for a long time, have really started to think of themselves as important figures, forgetting who the real officials are.

They've even started threatening our company!

If it weren't for the huge profits from smuggling and the backing of various parties, would you have been allowed to continue like this until now?!

If one day...
Wu Benqing's smile vanished abruptly, replaced by endless silence.

Traitors and rebels should all be killed!

"This brute is quite leisurely."

Gu Lu lay flat on the large chair, enjoying the service of his beautiful concubine beside him.

He has been famous for a long time, but he has always been extremely enthusiastic about physical pleasures.

Human strength has its limits; even if someone has already reached the threshold of becoming a grandmaster, the same applies.

In the long course of life, there will always be times when our mental energy is depleted. When mental energy is depleted, various symptoms will appear. Some will feel utterly lost and lose their fighting spirit; some will be anxious and confused, overwhelmed by doubts; and some will become stubborn and arrogant, going to extremes.

Throughout the long years, we need leisure and comfort to relieve prolonged mental stress and restore our mental strength.

The way Gu Luping used to console himself was quite conventional, and was a form of enjoyment that was popular with the public.

"However, a leisurely life is better than aimless tinkering! It's worth it for our company to gift you a residence with a meditation room!"

Gu Luping opened his mouth, and a beautiful concubine put pastries into it.

"A hidden talent! Just focus on your cultivation; why get involved in these power struggles?!"

Gu Luping released his concubine's hand, eliciting a shy blush from those around him, who seemed to be both refusing and welcoming him.

"If it weren't for the Gu family, I really wouldn't want to share your meager profits! You do nothing and just get such a huge portion for nothing. So many people are fighting tooth and nail for a piece of yours, and they can't even get half of it. Mangdao, Mangdao, what makes you so special?"

Gu Luping grabbed the little hand beside him and pulled it into his arms, and they lay down together on the large chair.

"Fine, fine, we've already eaten. As long as you behave yourself, that's all that matters. Mangdao, you're really lucky!"

Inside the room, incense smoke curled gently, swirling around, while the rest of the music rose and fell in a melodious, harmonious rhythm.

Not having to be the top leader, Chen Ping'an's life was quite peaceful.

In the blink of an eye, another ten days have passed.

Chen Ping'an took his leave whenever he was supposed to, without any hesitation.

Even when he was on official business, Chen Ping'an, not wanting to get involved in too many things, still had plenty of time to cultivate.

If anything happens, the subordinates will naturally help handle it.

As long as he doesn't cause any trouble, he, as the superior, is naturally happy to have an easy time.

As for what kind of trouble he might cause, if it's unintentional, then so be it, and he can handle it and hold them accountable according to normal procedures. But if it's intentional, then as his superior, he will let them know what it means to be ruthless and decisive!

Anything that disrupts his cultivation rhythm is unforgivable!
hum~
A flash of inspiration struck him, and Chen Ping'an slowly opened his eyes.

Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Late Jade Balance - Spirit Pattern Spirit Fruit (Nine Patterns)
武学：颠鸾倒凤·阴阳枢入门（0/8640）、七杀天罡拳入门（0/1440）、霸刀大成（0/3200）、七绝神功大成（4055/4800）、万魔铸身诀圆满、游龙身法圆满、金刚不坏神功圆满、龙象霸体诀圆满、三分人劫指圆满
"4055 points!"

Over the course of ten days, Chen Ping'an did not slack off in the slightest, and his progress in cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill took another step forward.

In the past ten days, in addition to his cultivation, he has also made great progress in the refinement of divine weapons.

The Yin Wind Knee Pads, which he obtained from Elder Ma San of the Black Spirit Sect, were also completely refined by him. Once activated, these Yin Wind Knee Pads could unleash a divine Yin wind, which complemented Chen Ping'an's Soul-Severing Leg Technique perfectly.

In addition, the Yin Feng knee pads also provide some protection and assistance to his legs.

After refining this divine weapon, Chen Ping'an's palm, fist, and claw techniques were aided by the Seven Luminaries Finger Gloves, his leg techniques by the Yin Wind Knee Guard, and his knife, sword, and spear techniques by the Hundred Illusions Divine Blade, making them a perfect match for the Seven Absolute Divine Skill.

The confinement category includes the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flag; the binding category includes the Gray Fine Net; the restriction category includes the Mysterious Light Treasure Mirror; and the support category includes the Green Bamboo Tube and the Mist Weakening.

Of these divine weapons, apart from the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flag, the Hundred Illusions Divine Blade, the Mysterious Light Treasure Mirror, and the Seven Luminaries Finger Gloves, the rest can be openly displayed.

On the surface, Chen Ping'an can be said to possess three divine weapons.

The subsequent pursuit of top-tier divine weapons seemed even more logical, as there were sufficient reasons and motives for it.

Besides the Yin Wind Knee Guards, Chen Ping'an also undertook the initial refinement of the Black Profound Iron Mask. As expected, this top-tier divine weapon, comparable in value to a priceless treasure, proved extremely difficult to refine.

In Chen Ping'an's judgment, even a grandmaster who has reached the peak of combat power would probably find it extremely difficult to refine this divine weapon.

To successfully refine it would take at least several years. Even for someone with combat power reaching the level of a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud Realm, and abundant spiritual energy, refining it wouldn't be easy.

Fortunately, Chen Ping'an had abundant spiritual energy and a solid foundation. He had also undergone a purification and enhancement process through dual cultivation techniques, making it much easier for him to refine his skills.

According to his assessment, it should take about a month and a half to fully refine this divine weapon. If he didn't pursue maximum concealment and only wanted to refine it to the level he wanted to use, then he estimated that it would take another ten days to reach that standard.

"Ten days!" Chen Ping'an's eyes were calm, yet profound and unfathomable.

Once the Black Xuan Iron Mask was basically refined, he began to handle the planning and preparation.

During these ten days, in addition to refining divine weapons and practicing cultivation techniques, he also wrote a letter back to Gu Qingcheng.

He didn't say much in the letter, only expressing his regret that Gu Qingcheng couldn't keep the appointment, wishing her success in breaking through her cultivation level, and looking forward to future invitations.

In addition, he briefly explained his current situation and some circumstances in Leiming.

Besides reviewing Qingcheng's letter, Chen Ping'an also wrote a letter to Er Ya. The content of the letter was similar, but he added some expectations for what would happen next. He mentioned that once the matter of Lei Ming was basically sorted out, he would return to Canglong Prefecture City to celebrate his sister's coming-of-age ceremony.

Besides Gu Qingcheng and Er Ya, Chen Ping'an also wrote a letter to Wan Jun. It was mostly about how well he had taken up his post in Lei Ming, and how he hoped Wan Jun would cultivate diligently so that when they met again, she would have reached the middle stage of the Profound Light Realm and entered the top ten of the Azure Dragon Rising Star Ranking.

Because of Wan Jun, Chen Ping'an also paid attention to the Azure Dragon Rising Star Ranking. It is updated every three months, and it was updated once during this period as well. Wan Jun's ranking improved slightly, but she was still outside the top ten.

However, given Wan Jun's background and the methods he bestowed upon her, it should be a natural progression for her to enter the top ten rising stars once she reaches the middle stage of the Profound Light Realm.

In addition, Wan Jun also possesses a breakthrough pill that allows her to enter the advanced stage of the Profound Light Realm, so her subsequent cultivation path should be safe and smooth.

Chen Ping'an had been in office in Leiming for about half a month. During this time, he had killed evil spirits, bandits, and thugs in the Leiming Mountains, and his merits had already been reported to Canglong Prefecture City.

Considering the distance between Thunder City and Azure Dragon Prefecture, Azure Dragon Prefecture should have already accepted this matter by now. It shouldn't be long before there's official feedback and the distribution of merit points.

Chen Ping'an had certain expectations regarding the amount of merit awards.

This gain might make up for the shortfall in merit points needed to exchange for the Tai Xu Wind Control Step. If he can make up for it, then he will once again obtain a supreme divine skill in the category of movement techniques.

With this as a foundation, his overall combat strength will increase slightly. Furthermore, he can use this to publicly display even greater combat power, thereby gaining a higher status within the Zhenfu Division and thus facilitating the collection of information on the Purple-Eyed Demon Lord and the exchange of rare spiritual items.

"Other matters are trivial; cultivation is primary, external things are secondary! Continue!"

Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed, he cleared his mind of all distractions.

hum~
A flash of inspiration, and seven kinds of mysterious light shone in the room.

True essence flowed slowly, surrounding Chen Ping'an's body.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! The path of martial arts never ends!

In Thunder City, Chen Ping'an cultivated and refined his skills while waiting for feedback on his merits from the Azure Dragon Prefecture's Garrison Command.

Two days passed in this way.

Two days later, Chen Ping'an did not receive any feedback on his merits from the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command. Instead, he received a major piece of news.

This event caused the villains to tremble and the demons to panic, and the situation in Leiming changed dramatically.

(End of this chapter)