The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 627 The Inner Treasury, the Power of the Divine Soul (Seeking monthly votes at the end of the month~)

"My lord, we have arrived at the Zhenfu Division."

Outside the carriage, Xiong Sanrang's respectful voice could be heard.

The heavy curtain was lifted, revealing a handsome and refined face. He slowly got up and stepped down from the carriage.

The elite troops stood solemnly at attention, bowing respectfully in welcome.

"Welcome, Lord Chen! May you be well." At the gate of the prefectural garrison, elite guards lined up on both sides, bowing respectfully in welcome.

Chen Ping'an nodded slightly, his expression calm, and stepped into the State Garrison Office.

Not long ago, a special envoy from the State Garrison Command reported that the merits of the Evil Duo had been verified and issued, and requested Lord Chen to verify them.

Chen Ping'an was naturally interested in the merits of the Evil Duo.

Although he was in seclusion, the information was sent by a special person from the State Garrison Command and reached his ears immediately through Xiong Sanrang and others.

Normally, once meritorious service is approved and issued, the person who needs to submit the application should keep an eye on it. There's no way someone from the state-level military command would make a special trip for this.

Ultimately, each person is responsible for their own affairs. If you don't care about your own problems, who else can you expect to care for you?

It's always the case that the person submitting the application urges things on, but it's never the case that the person approving it informs them in return.

However, this principle clearly does not apply to Chen Ping'an.

As a powerful figure in the state's military command and a rising star, he still had this little bit of privilege.

He learned of this the moment the merit awards were approved.

After learning about this, Chen Ping'an did not delay for long. Taking advantage of his meditation, he went to the State Garrison Command.

The Evil Duo, as top masters of the Evil Path who have long been renowned, unleashed their power, reaching the threshold of Grandmaster level. The merits accumulated by such top masters over the years are naturally substantial.

Even if someone tries to sabotage him, it won't affect his ability to make up the difference and exchange for the top-tier divine skill, the Tai Xu Wind Control Step.

Chen Ping'an came here today not primarily to collect his merits, but mainly to exchange them for this top-tier, supreme divine skill.

Otherwise, given his mindset and attitude, he might not have been willing to make this extra trip.

As for the specific amount, without considering privacy, you can simply have someone below you make the trip.

This achievement not only earned Chen Ping'an a valuable honor, but also added a significant chapter to his resume.

In addition to ability, merit and seniority are also essential factors for promotion in the state garrison.

Normally, the stronger one's abilities and the higher one's position, the greater the merit one can achieve. Or, to put it another way, the greater the chance and possibility of achieving even greater merit.

Strength is one of the most important factors to consider, but it is not the only one.

There was once a highly capable candidate for the position, but whether due to unforeseen circumstances, a lack of opportunities to achieve significant accomplishments, or simply laziness and a lack of initiative in various matters, he was never promoted to the ranks of senior candidates for the position.

Despite possessing strength approaching that of a deputy commander, he only holds the position of a regular commander candidate.

Such things are rare, but they do happen.

The prefectural garrison headquarters occupied a vast area, far exceeding the size of its subordinate institutions. The complex was enormous, complete with pavilions, courtyards, public buildings, and government offices, offering a full range of functional layouts.

The State Garrison has a Merit Treasury, which is used for exchanging treasures. Whether it is a cultivation technique, a weapon, or any other rare spiritual item, it can be exchanged in the Merit Treasury.

The Treasury of Meritorious Officials is rich in contents and diverse in variety, far surpassing that of ordinary aristocratic families.

Even a prestigious family like the Canglong Gu family would find it difficult to compare with the merit treasury of the State Garrison Command.

However, the scale of support for the two is completely different, and the resources ultimately allocated are difficult to compare in practice.

Furthermore, although the State Garrison Command is the central authority of a region, it is backed by powerful families and various factions. Its treasury of merits is less a private possession of the State Garrison Command and more a shared resource among these various factions.

Some truly rare items might not remain in the treasury of the prefectural garrison for long.

The names of the merit treasuries varied from state to state, but they were generally called Tianlu Pavilion, Treasure House, Treasure Pavilion, or Gold and Jade Treasury.

It is said that in the higher-level Zhenfusi institutions, there were also names such as Xuanbitai, Chijinque, and Cangkuidian.

The title is secondary; the main thing is that this treasure trove is equipped with complex restrictions, its power is as deep as an abyss, and it possesses immense might.

However, this matter was too far removed from Chen Ping'an's life, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

First, there's the issue of the cost-effectiveness of intelligence information. Second, other intelligence that deserves his attention has a higher priority. Given the distance and temporary inaccessibility, he chose to focus his limited energy on other areas.

The merit treasury of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command has a conventional name: the Inner Treasury Pavilion. It is located in a key location within the Garrison Command.

The location of the treasure pavilion was carefully chosen, situated near the offices of several deputy commanders of the state's military command. Furthermore, it was equipped with a highly sophisticated patrol and early warning system.

Inside the treasure pavilion, there are dedicated martial arts masters guarding it, as well as strict protective measures and a self-inspection mechanism.

The vault is sufficiently secure.

Guided by his elite guards, Chen Ping'an arrived at the strategic location of the Inner Treasury.

Strictly speaking, this was Chen Ping'an's first time visiting the Inner Treasury Pavilion.

Previously, although he had exchanged for the Dragon Soaring Body Technique, he applied for the exchange in the name of a lower-level organization, and he himself had not come to the Inner Treasury Pavilion.

However, the Soaring Dragon Body Technique is merely a divine skill, and its value naturally cannot compare to the Void Wind Control Step that he intends to exchange for on this trip.

Such rare techniques are highly valued even by powerful figures at the deputy commander level.

Even if.
The essence of this technique is lacking.

"Master Chen."

An elderly man with white hair led Chen Ping'an into the treasure pavilion.

Although Chen Ping'an had only visited the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command a few times, he was extremely famous, and many people within the Garrison Command knew him.

This old man is a senior retainer of the State Garrison's Pavilion, with a mid-stage Jade Balance cultivation level, and is also one of the pavilion's visible guardians.

"May I ask what brings you here, Lord Chen?" With no one else around, the old man inquired. His tone wasn't particularly enthusiastic, but one could sense his goodwill.

"This is the exchange category, Lord Chen, you can take a look."

"No need." Chen Ping'an waved his hand: "I want to exchange for a movement technique, the Void Wind-Riding Step!"

"The Void Wind-Riding Step?" The old man's eyes brightened slightly, a strange glint flashing across them. But it quickly disappeared.

“That’s right.” Chen Pingan nodded slightly.

The inner treasury was extremely quiet, but Chen Ping'an sensed several auras in the shadows, all of them at the Jade Balance Grandmaster level. Furthermore, in a more distant direction, it seemed that the gazes of Grandmasters were watching this place.

"Lord Chen, please come with me." Seeing that Chen Ping'an had made up his mind, the old man stroked his beard and said.

Chen Ping'an didn't exchange many pleasantries and followed the old man directly to the top floor of the Treasure Pavilion.

The Tai Xu Yu Feng Bu (太虚御风步) technique, a level of cultivation inheritance, is among the rarest items even in the inner treasury of the state's military headquarters. It might not be the absolute top-tier resource, but it's certainly close to it.

The entire redemption process went extremely smoothly without any hiccups.

The exchange process was extremely rigorous. In addition to requiring Chen Ping'an to be present in person, he also had to produce his seal, token, and other items for multiple verifications.

The seals and tokens bear unique markings that can be identified by the naked eye. In addition to their external form, they are also engraved with exclusive spiritual runes. These runes don't have much practical use, but they serve as an excellent anti-counterfeiting measure.

Multiple verifications are required, and none can be omitted.

This procedure was also to prevent anyone from changing their appearance and impersonating another person to exchange for treasures in an attempt to slip through the cracks. It's worth mentioning that when Chen Ping'an was exchanging and verifying his identity, he felt a subtle, almost imperceptible, gaze sweep over him.

This attention was subtle, extremely faint, and utterly hidden.

If he hadn't cultivated his realm to the first level of breakthrough, possessed the solid foundation granted by the Golden Finger panel, and undergone a purification process through dual cultivation techniques, he might not have even discovered it.

Chen Ping'an remained calm and composed, seemingly unaware of anything amiss, and handled his tasks with remarkable naturalness.

Only after leaving the inner treasury did a ripple stir in Chen Ping'an's heart.

Beneath the ripples lay his seemingly calm, yet turbulent, inner world.

"Is he a pseudo-celestial being? Or a celestial being!?"

That fleeting aura was completely different from spirituality; it was a new kind of power.

Above spirituality, this is
The power of soul!

To reach the pinnacle of martial arts mastery, one must complete the three stages of breakthrough, including the condensation of spiritual patterns, the nurturing of the divine soul, and the breaking of the outer shell, before one can attempt to reach the realm of martial arts mastery.

Under the unity of heaven and man, if there are flaws in the physical body and the soul is damaged, the path ahead is cut off, then it is the false realm of heaven and man.

If one's physical body is completely shattered, one's spirit and soul are flawless, and one is perfectly harmonious, then that is the realm of martial arts mastery!

But whether it's the former or the latter, as long as the shell barrier can be broken, the power of the soul can be generated.

Possessing the power of the divine soul, the martial arts realm of this person secretly spying and sensing is self-evident.

The question of whether one is a pseudo-celestial being or a martial arts celestial being only lingered in Chen Ping'an's mind for a moment before he quickly came to an answer.

According to the information he had previously learned, in Canglong Prefecture and the surrounding prefectures, including various hegemonic forces, violent institutions such as the Qiankun Division and the Zhenfu Division, there were many powerful individuals, but only one true Martial Dao Celestial!

This martial arts master is located within the Azure Dragon State.

As for the others, although there are those with the strength to suppress, they are all pseudo-human beings!

Although the truth of this matter is difficult to ascertain, it has been widely circulated within the prefecture.

Anyone who has entered the upper echelons of the state has heard of him.

Given its widespread circulation, this matter possesses a high degree of credibility.

In other words, the aura and attention that Chen Ping'an just sensed came from a pseudo-celestial being in martial arts.

Furthermore, the pseudo-celestial being lived for eight hundred years!

However, compared to the lifespan of a true celestial being, which is thousands of years, there is still a huge gap.

If lifespan is already like this, one can only imagine its power and supernatural abilities.

If the person secretly spying just now was a true martial arts master, Chen Ping'an, with his current foundation, probably wouldn't have been able to detect the other party as he has now.

"A false celestial being!"

Chen Ping'an walked calmly down the corridor with an unchanging expression.

According to Chen Ping'an's previous perception, although the inner treasury was heavily guarded, it was still some distance from being truly secure.

Let alone a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud, even a strong person whose combat power reaches the level of a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud, if they are determined to plan, may still be able to succeed.

Even though the top floor of that treasure pavilion has spiritual restrictions that divide it into different areas, it is clearly still not enough to stop powerful individuals of this level.

However, at this moment, Chen Ping'an's doubts disappeared, and he clearly understood that the true guardian of the inner treasury was that pseudo-celestial being in the shadows.

With such powerful figures guarding the inner treasury, it's no wonder that the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command never worries about the treasury being stolen.

With such precautions in place, if the treasury could still be stolen, then the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command would have no reason to remain in Canglong Prefecture. If that were to happen, either the dynasty would lose all its prestige and demons would run rampant, or the world would descend into chaos and rebellious armies would rise up everywhere!

Chen Ping'an walked along the corridor, leaving the Treasure Pavilion area. After walking a few steps, he saw a magnificent building.

That was the office of Li Wusheng, the deputy commander of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison.

Being adjacent to the Inner Treasury, it can provide mutual support in normal times. In times of crisis, it can provide rapid assistance to the Inner Treasury, minimizing the risk of any unforeseen events occurring there.

Around the Inner Treasury Pavilion, situations like Li Wusheng's are not uncommon. Several powerful deputy directors work in this area.

"Li Wusheng"

Chen Ping'an walked calmly and naturally past the majestic building.

perhaps
He should try a different approach.

On the top floor of the treasure pavilion, in a dark room, an old man sat cross-legged, suspended in mid-air.

The old man's eyes were deep-set like wells, his eyelashes were as black as raven feathers, a bluish-gray Buddhist nail was embedded between his eyebrows, and his gray and white hair moved without wind.

"Mid-stage of Yuheng"

The old man murmured to himself, a hint of surprise in his expression.

Besides his cultivation level, he also sensed a will in Chen Ping'an that was no less than that of a Grandmaster.

He possesses exceptional talent and is an extraordinary genius.

but.
The Hidden Dragon Prodigy Ranking is held every fifty years, with a new generation every thirty years. Changes in the Hidden Dragon Ranking are commonplace. He has lived for hundreds of years and has witnessed countless Hidden Dragon Prodigies.

Although Chen Ping'an's talent surprised him, it was far from shocking or awe-inspiring.

Looking back at previous rankings of the Hidden Dragon List, aside from those at the top who have the potential to reach the Martial Dao Celestial level, the rest can only achieve the status of Pseudo-Celestial. Even if they eventually achieve the status of Pseudo-Celestial, it will be decades, or even a hundred or two hundred years, after they are removed from the list.

Not to mention, some exceptional talents, due to bad luck, died and perished early, stopping at the Grandmaster level.

The path of spiritual practice is ever-changing. Only through experiencing the world can one truly understand it.

The old man's gaze was deep as he slowly closed his eyes.

Those who do not reach the level of the celestial beings are ultimately nothing more than ants!
After getting on the vehicle, Chen Ping'an returned to his own courtyard without any problems.

At this hour, Er Ya, or rather, Zhao Heng, is still at school.

After returning to the courtyard, Chen Ping'an didn't linger and went straight to his room.

After setting up a simple spiritual barrier, his eyes flashed, and an object appeared in his hand.

The ultimate divine skill, the Void Wind-Riding Step!

During his trip to the State Garrison, he obtained the cultivation technique he had longed for, but the secret surveillance he had witnessed also changed his plans.

Think it over quietly and wait for the right opportunity.

just
In any case, before he left Azure Dragon.

Li Wusheng is doomed!

Chen Ping'an's gaze narrowed slightly, a flash of light appeared on his brow, and he opened the inheritance jade book in front of him.

A flash of inspiration, a shimmering, flowing light.

Amidst the misty atmosphere, a sense of heritage emerges.

(End of this chapter)