The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 647 The Profound Yellow Sword, the Power of the Northern Border (Seeking monthly votes~)

"You mean the gray-robed monster who attacked Azure Dragon at night and the monster who appeared in Long'an might be the same person?"

In the top-floor pavilion of the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, Zhang Tianyuan, the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword, who had rushed back after a long journey, listened to the narration of the Grand Elder Qingfan Zuo.

Zhang Tianyuan was dressed in a dark gold cloud robe, with a black jade belt around his waist. His gray-white eyes seemed to have a mysterious yellow starlight flowing within them, as if he could see through the illusions of the world.

"It's very possible."

Old Master Qingfan had deep-set eyes and a somewhat solemn expression.

He officially sparred with his opponent, and although it only lasted a few moves, the experience left a deep impression on him.

His ruthlessness was even greater than his.

“There’s a problem.” Zhang Tianyuan said succinctly, getting straight to the heart of the matter: “Judging from their combat performance, there’s a significant difference between the two! It doesn’t seem like the same person’s recent performance.”

"Or do you mean that the old monster in black robes was hiding his strength back in Long'an?" Zhang Tianyuan's gray eyes gleamed with a mysterious yellow as he stared directly at Elder Qingfan.

The battle of Long'an revealed a mysterious powerhouse who displayed strength that rivaled, or even secured, the ranks of the Grandmasters of the Wind and Cloud Sect. In a single battle, he defeated Qu Feiyan, the current Holy Maiden of the Tianluo Sect.

Such combat power would make them absolute powerhouses even in the surrounding states.

However, compared to the powerful figure who launched the night raid on the Azure Dragon, there is a significant gap between the two. To be precise, their combat strength differs by several levels.

Such a gap cannot be improved or changed in the near future!

Given this objective situation, there are only two possibilities. One is that the two are not the same person at all. The other is that the opponent concealed their strength during the battle of Long'an.

"Theoretically speaking, this possibility exists!"

"What's the evidence?" Zhang Tianyuan asked, as concise as ever. "Or are you just making this judgment based on a single martial arts technique?"

Zhang Tianyuan's words caused Qingfan Zuo Lao to fall into a brief silence.

A moment later, his voice rang out: "It's hard to say right now, it could be a diversionary tactic. But I personally still lean towards it being the same person."

"Hmm, that's a reasonable guess." Zhang Tianyuan nodded. "But could there be another possibility!?"

"What?" Elder Qingfan raised his head slightly.

"That person is from the Tianluo Sect!"

"Tianluo Sect?"

“As you just said, when the opponent unleashed their attack, they revealed a spiritual secret technique with the intention of creating illusions. Even you were momentarily disoriented!” Zhang Tianyuan looked up at Elder Qingfan and saw an expression of agreement on the other’s face: “If I’m not mistaken, this technique should be the Seven Absolute Divine Skill!”

"The Seven Deadly Skills?" A look of recollection appeared on Elder Qingfan's face. After a moment, his expression changed: "Now that you mention it, it does seem to be true. But..."

Qingfan Zuo Lao hesitated for a moment.

The Seven Absolutes Divine Skill was created by Elder Seven Absolutes of the Tianluo Sect. Logically speaking, only Elder Seven Absolutes should know this skill. However, it is possible that the skill was leaked to outsiders and caught the eye of a core elder of the Tianluo Sect.

"You mean, that person is a core elder of the Tianluo Sect?"

"No, what I mean is, could that person be the Seven Absolutes Elder!"

"The Seven Absolutes Elder?! Impossible!" Elder Qingfan Zuo categorically denied, "I can still distinguish a top-tier grandmaster!"

The Seven Absolutes Elder is a man of great talent and ability. Although he can create his own techniques, he is at most a top-tier grandmaster. At most, he would only have the combat power of an ordinary grandmaster. How could anyone escape unscathed from him?

Zhang Tianyuan raised his head, his gray-white eyes sharp and unreadable: "But how long has it been since you heard of the Seven Absolutes Elder making a move?"

Qingfan Zuo Lao was taken aback, and instantly understood Zhang Tianyuan's meaning.

To outsiders, the Seven Absolutes Elder was a renowned figure with many years of experience, a true veteran of the martial arts world. But to them, he was at most a junior cultivator.

His life was unremarkable, except for the fact that he created a supreme martial art.

After achieving the status of a top grandmaster in his early years, there has been little news about him since. It seems like several decades have passed!

Decades!

"Two hundred years ago, did you ever hear of the name of the Seven Absolutes Elder? The reason he became known to us was because of his self-created technique. He was unremarkable in his early years, but later he showed amazing talent. With great perseverance, he entered the Grandmaster realm, broke through to the middle stage of Jade Balance, and became a top Grandmaster!"

Having already amazed us once before, how could there be no possibility of him doing so again?

At first, Qingfan Zuo Lao did not agree with Zhang Tianyuan's statement at all, but after careful consideration, he felt that such a possibility was not small.

To be honest, in the eyes of a martial arts expert like him, the Seven Absolutes Elder's talent was mediocre and nothing to boast about; at most, he was just a little better than ordinary geniuses.

But even he was amazed by the other person's talent.

This is why, given his status, he would even learn about a Tianluo Sect elder who wasn't even a Grandmaster.

Previously, my impression of the Seven Wonders Elder was based entirely on rumors.

But who can know the true extent of their abilities?

Suppose that decades ago, when the opponent disappeared and stopped making moves, he was already at the Grandmaster level.

Given the other party's late-blooming talent and ability to create their own techniques, it's not impossible for them to reach this stage within these decades.

While the possibility is extremely small, it cannot be said that it is entirely impossible.

Most importantly, this argument is supported by evidence of the Seven Divine Skills displayed during the battle.

"If that's the case, then he and the old monster who appeared in Long'an are not the same person."

If it was the Seven Absolutes Elder who launched the night attack on Canglong, then he wouldn't have attacked the Heavenly Luo Saintess in Long'an.

"I've only offered a new possibility! Further investigation is needed to determine the specifics! The factors we currently have could be the other side trying to mislead us, or they could be a slip-up we inadvertently revealed!"
Let's investigate all the leads together and see what kind of fish we finally catch!

Zhang Tianyuan's eyes narrowed, turning grayish-white as they darted around, revealing a sharp and fierce aura.

"Hmm." Qingfan Zuo Lao nodded.

The assassin was a powerful figure with deep roots, but he was not on the list of influential figures. It was extremely difficult to guess who such a mysterious expert was.

He had used some means to leave a tracking mark on the other party. Unfortunately, the other party discovered it and removed it in time.

Clearly, the other party is also a cautious person with extremely rich experience.

Furthermore, one thing he was certain of was that during the battle, he had sensed and locked onto his opponent, and was able to roughly determine the opponent's aura and bone age.

The abundance was tinged with a hint of decay. This feeling could not be found in the middle-aged generation, but rather in a decaying old monster nearing its end!
The Grandmaster lived for five hundred years.

Considering the existence of longevity elixirs and longevity fruits, under normal circumstances, the maximum lifespan of a Grandmaster can reach 530 years, or even 550 years.

Judging from the decaying aura emanating from the other party, even if the other party is not five hundred years old, he is probably over four hundred years old.

If we take into account the effects of taking the Longevity Pill, the patient's age will only be even greater.

This kind of decaying aura, though it can be disguised, is often just a superficial appearance. With his spiritual power, he can usually tell the difference between the real and the fake at a glance.

In this respect, the possibility of the other party trying to hide it from him is extremely low.

If the other party were a martial arts master, he would be suspicious, wondering if they were trying to mislead him. But no matter how strong the other party was, they were still only at the Grandmaster level, and their abilities were limited, so they couldn't really hide from his senses.

From an age perspective, it's easy to rule out the possibility that he's an elderly man who can write seven poems.

just
The essence of life cannot be simply explained by the number of years. Judging by his age, the old man with the seven-character quatrain is almost three hundred years old.

If one breaks through to the Grandmaster level, frequently using secret techniques that consume lifespan during this process will greatly affect the judgment of aura.

Grandmasters can live to be five hundred years old, but not all grandmasters can live to that age. Even with the aid of longevity elixirs and the fruits of heaven and earth, the same applies.

In some extreme cases, grandmasters frequently engaged in magical battles, which depleted their life force and weakened their vital energy. Some even died of old age at just over three hundred years old.

"What instructions did the leader give?" Zhang Tianyuan asked the crucial question.

"Let's try to downplay this issue in terms of public opinion first, and then discuss everything when he returns," Elder Zuo of Qingfan replied.

Although the leader is in Bi Cang, the night raid is no small matter. He used the Heavenly Insight Instrument to transmit the message through a special channel and report it in a timely manner.

Strictly speaking, Elder Qingfan bears a significant responsibility in this battle. Although he may not have to shoulder all of it, he will inevitably face some consequences.

To avoid further repercussions, Qingfan Zuo Lao exaggerated the opponent's combat strength to a certain extent while remaining true to the facts.

In terms of sheer killing power, he was no match for him at all; perhaps only the ultimate killing power of the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword could rival him.

The two discussed the Azure Dragon's night raid for a long time. However, with limited information, no matter how long the discussion went, they could only come up with a few possibilities regarding the attacker.

The two mainly discussed the corresponding impact and the reactions of various forces. Qingfan Zuo Lao also mentioned the tacit understanding with the Gu family to Zhang Tianyuan. Zhang Tianyuan largely agreed with this.

The timely shift in focus of this matter, besides the news blackout, is indeed inseparable from the public opinion surrounding Mangdao and Gu Qingcheng.

"The 'Wild Blade'!" Zhang Tianyuan's gaze sharpened.

If his intelligence is correct, it seems that Mangdao and Li Wusheng have a grudge against each other.

"Did anything unusual happen while I was away?"

“If there are any special circumstances.” Elder Qingfan thought for a moment. He usually focused on cultivation and didn’t know much about such things.

Judging from the other party's reaction, Zhang Tianyuan knew he wouldn't get any information out of them. He didn't press the matter further and planned to summon several deputy commanders later to ask them questions, especially Ning Zhengyue, the nominal direct superior of the Mangdao, the Five Thunder Transformation Master.

Although it may seem unlikely, when investigating, no clue, however small, should be overlooked.

However, this matter was only investigated incidentally. Li Wusheng had been in office for many years, and his network of relationships was intricate and complex. He had made quite a few enemies, not to mention those with whom he had a grudge.

Furthermore, Li Wusheng's death may not necessarily be related to a revenge killing; there are many other possible reasons behind it.

However, the Northern Border Garrison has already learned of this matter. The death of a top-tier figure in the state is no small matter. It is believed that a special envoy team will be dispatched soon to investigate.

Before that, he needed to do as much homework as possible to deal with the special envoy from the Northern Border Garrison.

In the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, he was truly the second-in-command; without the head of the division present, many matters could be decided with a single word from him. But in this vast northern border, his position as the deputy head of the prefecture, with real power, was truly insignificant.

Although he could be considered a giant, with the leader in front of him, his status as a giant was somewhat questionable.

The vast northern borders encompass far more than a hundred states, and their territory stretches for millions of miles!
The Northern Border Garrison was divided into regions for governance, with strict rules and clear order.

In the land of Bi Cang, he might still have some influence at grand gatherings. But once they reach the vast northern border, his ambition as the powerful deputy commander to influence the fate of an entire region would be a joke.

However, that's just how things are in this world.

There's always someone stronger, and there's always someone better.

As your horizons broaden, you'll always find someone stronger and of higher status than you.

Some things don't need to be overthought; just mind your own business.

In this matter, once we have a full understanding and make a reasonable judgment, we can wait for the special envoy of the Northern Border Garrison to make a decision in coordination.

When you let go of your worries, the world naturally becomes vast and open.

They don't strive to influence the course of fate; with their current status, they are already living quite comfortably.

Even in the vast northern border, they are absolute powerhouses!
The false celestial being has a flawed soul and has severed all paths to enlightenment.

Even so, a pseudo-celestial being is still a celestial being!

Overlooking the billions of living beings on earth, enjoying power and influence over a vast territory!
When Zhang Tianyuan returned from dealing with the aftermath of the Long'an turmoil, Elder Zuo of Qingfan asked him about the situation in Long'an.

Zhang Tianyuan was somewhat surprised; when did Elder Qingfan start caring about these things? However, considering the Azure Dragon's attack, he could understand.

With the assistance of the Northern Border Garrison, the subsequent events in Long'an were handled extremely smoothly.

Deepen reforms, encircle and suppress, and annihilate.
Each and every task they undertook was commendable.

However, there are still some unresolved matters.

This time, the Heavenly Saintess Tianluo appeared, but the pursuit did not yield the desired results. Killing the Vice Leader of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and severely injuring the Evil Extreme Dao Master would be good, but in terms of achievement, it is ultimately not as good as capturing the Heavenly Saintess Tianluo alive.

The Holy Maiden of Tianluo is a peerless prodigy of the Tianluo Sect in this era, hailed as the sect's greatest genius in nearly three thousand years. If she could be captured alive, the blow to the Tianluo Sect would be unimaginable.

Furthermore, this could even allow them to gain a complete strategic advantage and acquire greater benefits.

Unfortunately.
Zhang Tianyuan shook his head.

Ultimately, they were unable to achieve complete success.

If he hadn't returned, there might have been a chance to capture the Heavenly Luo Saintess alive, but now that he's back, that possibility is completely out of reach. Now, all that's left is to see what happens in Qingling Prefecture and with the Northern Border envoy.

Previously, during the unrest in Long'an, the Northern Border Garrison Command dispatched a special envoy. Given the authority of the Garrison Command, the envoy team sent this time was extremely powerful. Leading the team was an exceptionally strong pseudo-celestial being, even he was far inferior and no match for him. Furthermore, the left and right deputy envoys were both pseudo-celestial beings.

After coordinating the forces of all parties in the two states, the encirclement and strike team was incredibly powerful.

Without such power, such numerous victories could not have been achieved. Many masters from the Evil Path, the Ascending Dragon Path, and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect were annihilated.

Speaking of which, with Li Wusheng killed in this attack by the Azure Dragon, it's unknown what kind of force the Northern Border Garrison will send.

The Azure Dragon has done this twice in a row. If the first time there was still some room for redemption, this time, the leader has lost face.

The Northern Border Garrison Command probably won't show any sign of aggression.

Thinking of this, both of them felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

Although they hold high positions and wield great power, capable of controlling the fate of a state with a single thought, they still fall far short in the face of true authority.

Without merging with the divine, one will never attain true freedom!

During their conversation, the two happened to discuss the Northern Border Garrison's reaction, and Zhang Tianyuan then mentioned some intelligence he had learned from the Northern Border envoy regarding the upcoming encirclement and suppression operation.

For example, the changing factional structure within the Northern Garrison Command, the general situation within each state, and other matters.

During the conversation, Zhang Tianyuan mentioned that there seemed to be some major activity between the Blood Prison Sect and the Heavenly Net Sect recently. According to intelligence from the Northern Border Garrison Command, the two forces have been exchanging information frequently lately.

I don't know what they're communicating about.

The Blood Prison Sect is a true behemoth within the dynasty's territory. In terms of power and foundation, it is in no way inferior to the Heavenly Net Sect. It is a truly top-tier demonic force.

If the two are indeed plotting something, then it's certainly not good news for them.

"Alright, Elder Zuo, I won't disturb your meditation any longer."

After exchanging information for a long time and obtaining the information they wanted, Zhang Tianyuan took his leave.

Elder Qingfan did not try to stop him; he waved his hand, and the two parted ways.

It's good that Zhang Tianyuan is back; now he can continue to be a hands-off manager without any worries.

If there's anything, Zhang Tianyuan can take care of it.

That's how it's supposed to be, given the division of labor.

After leaving the top floor pavilion, Zhang Tianyuan summoned him one after another and learned the latest intelligence from the Canglong Prefecture Garrison.

"It seems I won't see it before I leave."

Stepping out of the Gu family's gate, Chen Ping'an climbed straight onto the vehicle.

He came here to say goodbye to the Gu family. He had originally planned to also meet with Gu Qingcheng to bid her farewell.

But to my surprise, I didn't even see a single person.

This left Chen Ping'an somewhat helpless.

I wouldn't call it disappointment, but I did feel a bit of a sigh.

Is she shy?

impossible!

Chen Ping'an quickly dismissed the fleeting deduction in his mind.

Gu Qingcheng's appearance, like a celestial being from the Moon Palace or a fairy from the Guanghan Palace, made it impossible for him to associate the word "shy" with her.

Although I didn't really want to admit it, I was still a little unwilling to leave the city without seeing my fiancée.

Chen Ping'an felt lost and disappointed.

However, as soon as such thoughts arose, Chen Ping'an felt a chill and became secretly wary.

what's the situation!
This strategy...it feels so familiar!
Could Gu Qingcheng really be a tea girl?

Chen Ping'an calmed his mind and cleared his mind of distractions before leaving the Gu family's territory.

After saying goodbye to the Gu family, I will officially leave Canglong tomorrow!

Chen Ping'an's idea was good, but he had only just returned to his own courtyard when he received news from the Canglong Prefecture Garrison.

Zhang Tianyuan, the powerful deputy commander and master of the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword, wants to see him!
(End of this chapter)