The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 723 Five Blessings Merchant Guild, Lakeside Daughter (Seeking monthly votes~)

"Deputy Commander!"

Inside the public housing, Fang Zhengyu's body was trembling.

No matter how many times he mentally adjusted, he found it difficult to get out of this mood.

"How could it be so fast!?" His lips were pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and he hadn't slept for several days and nights.

He never expected that Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, would be promoted so suddenly. Without any warning, from being unemployed at home to his sudden leap forward, this situation caught everyone completely off guard.

In just a few days, the name of Chen Ping'an, the "Mangdao," spread throughout the city, making him the most sought-after person at the moment.

"What should we do? What should we do?" Fang Zhengyu clenched his fists, his fists trembling violently. "What should we do?"

Li Wusheng is dead, and he has no backing in the state garrison. Now that the Mangdao faction is gaining power, no one will be willing to take him in anymore.

All that was left for him was death!
The Azure Dragon's residence in the Qiankun Division.

"Wild Blade"

Tong Guan's hand holding the pen trembled slightly.

This is almost unbelievable for a grandmaster. But now, it has indeed happened.

"Slaying a top-tier grandmaster of the evil path, returning with overwhelming power, resisting the impeachment, and being promoted to the position of deputy head!"

"A top-tier grandmaster!" Tong Guan felt a pang of panic.

This is a top-tier grandmaster!
He died so easily at the hands of the ruthless Chen Ping'an.

This was incredibly shocking for him, who hadn't even reached the mid-stage of the Jade Balance realm.

At that moment, endless regret welled up in Tong Guan's heart.

If only time could turn back.
Unfortunately, life...
No if!

The Shadowless Blade Sect.

"What? The deputy commander!"

"The youngest deputy commander in the Azure Cang region!"

"Slaying a top-tier Grandmaster! The Savage Blade?"

"."

Upon learning of Chen Ping'an's promotion, the Shadowless Blade Sect was thrown into chaos. After gaining a deeper understanding of the situation, their thoughts became even more complex.

"Gentlemen, let's discuss whether we should change our attitude towards Mang Dao Chen Ping'an! If we don't change it today, it might be too late by tomorrow! With Mang Dao's talent, he will definitely break through to the Grandmaster level in martial arts within three years at most! Within sixty years, he will surely reach the pinnacle of Grandmaster. At that time, with his talent, it would not be surprising if he were to be listed on the Wind and Cloud Grandmaster Ranking!"

If we wait until that day, even if the patriarch intervenes, it will likely be to no avail, and the situation will be beyond saving!

"There's still a chance! There's still a chance! It's not too late!"

"."

The news of Chen Ping'an's promotion to deputy commander gradually reached the ears of various forces, and as time went by, the spread of the news became wider and wider.

Starting from Canglong Prefecture City, it spreads towards the prefecture's borders, including Guangyuan City, Leiming City, Liyang County City, Qiyun County City, and finally Weishui County City.

The news spread to all the cities along the way, and the word was carried along the trade route to the important towns of Beicang and Long'an.

As the news spread, the once-in-a-decade Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony officially began in Azure Dragon City.

All parties moved about and arrived at the city.

The entire Canglong Prefecture was bustling with activity.

The Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony will last for a month, making it the perfect arena for fame and fortune for all factions. It's the ideal stage for vying for benefits, acquiring spiritual items, gathering information, and engaging in strategic competition.

Chen Ping'an was not concerned about the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony and its related activities.

His main concern was the Azure Dragon Auction that would take place during the grand ceremony.

The Azure Dragon Auction lasted for three days, featuring only rare and precious items. It attracted countless small families, sects, and independent cultivators from all over the country.

Even renowned top-tier and large-scale forces will send representatives to participate in this grand event and share in the profits.

Furthermore, for some major forces both within and outside the state, this event is not just about participating in exchanges, but also the best opportunity to showcase their influence.

If one can acquire a fine item at an auction, it is the best strategic move in terms of both reputation and profit.

If a powerful entity manages to acquire a major auction item, in addition to the item's intrinsic value, it also serves as the best form of publicity for its reputation.

"Have you heard? Even the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce is here for this auction."

"The Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce? Isn't that a chamber of commerce under the Beihai Business Alliance? Even they've been alerted?"

"Yes! That's why it's called the Azure Dragon's Grand Event! We might only see it a few times in our lifetime."

"Indeed, this is a momentous occasion in our state; let us all celebrate it!"

"Haha, come on, cheers!"

"."

Inside a tavern in the inner city of Canglong, the atmosphere was incredibly lively, with occasional whispers and discussions.

Near the window sat a man wearing a black veil and a bamboo hat, obscuring his face. He sipped his tea, seemingly uninterested in the conversation around him.

The people around him were not surprised by the man's attire.

With the start of the Azure Dragon Ceremony, there are many people in the city dressed similarly, each with a distinct temperament.

Compared to some strangely dressed practitioners, this kind of attire by men is undoubtedly much more normal.

"Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce"

The man in the straw hat sitting by the window was none other than Chen Ping'an in disguise.

He wasn't particularly interested in the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony, but he was quite keen on taking advantage of the opportunity to sell some supplies.

To this day, he has already made some investments.

Recently, Canglong Prefecture City has been a hub of activity, with various forces involved, including many members of the Chamber of Commerce. He took this opportunity to deal with some supplies.

He obtained the Golden Circle Protector through fair and square means, and the corresponding supplies could be obtained by using the Gu family's channels. However, he had to personally secure other resources.

The resources he offered this time were not particularly rare to him. However, they were extremely precious to ordinary grandmasters, and even great grandmasters.

After making a series of purchases, Chen Ping'an's cash flow increased by nearly 20,000 crystals.

After a little more time, I should have dealt with most of my ordinary supplies.

In the middle of the process, Chen Ping'an sat here, listening to the bustling city, finding a quiet place amidst the noise and passing the time.

After days of intensive study and practice, now is the perfect opportunity to relax a bit.

Upon hearing about the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce, he took it to heart.

The Wufu Chamber of Commerce, a chamber of commerce under the Beihai Business Alliance, is not one of the seven core chambers of commerce, but it is still a rare large-scale chamber of commerce.

They came all the way from Beihai, so naturally they have a lot of transactions to do.

The North Sea Merchant Alliance has numerous channels and wields significant influence. Many rare and precious spiritual items from the Snow God Palace were disseminated through the North Sea Merchant Alliance.

Chen Ping'an might be able to gain something from the Snow Spirit Leaf he's been scheming for. If he could make up for half a year's or even a year's worth of cultivation in one go, that would be a wonderful thing for Chen Ping'an.

If he could have a year to buffer the situation, and wait until a year later, given his influence and status, it might not be so troublesome for him to pursue the Snow Spirit Leaf.

However, Chen Ping'an's only concern now is that as his cultivation level increases, the cultivation benefits brought by the Snow Spirit Leaf may not be as significant.

If one's mind is slightly clouded before, consuming spiritual substances can restore perfect clarity. However, if one's mind is already perfectly clear, consuming external substances might enhance it further, but how much more?
"I wonder if, besides the Snow Spirit Leaf, there are any other rarer spiritual items in the Snow God Palace that could be used as a superior substitute?" A similar thought flashed through Chen Ping'an's mind.

However, it is too early to think about this now; it would be like worrying unnecessarily.

The priority right now is to acquire the Snow Spirit Leaf.

"Perhaps, I can make contact with the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce," Chen Ping'an thought to himself.

Besides the Snow Spirit Leaf, Chen Ping'an also wanted to acquire some resources at this Azure Dragon Auction.

The main needs fall into several categories. First, there are things that can be used openly and also provide assistance covertly. Second, there are things used for disguise and to weaken one's own abilities with the help of external objects. Third, there are secret techniques and intelligence information.

This is also the most urgent matter for Chen Ping'an right now.

As for treasures, Chen Ping'an never expected that there would be any at this Azure Dragon Auction.

Even a once-a-decade event like this cannot support the auction of such precious treasures.

For a truly extraordinary treasure to appear, it must be from a major commercial city of at least the size of Xuanling City, a top-tier event held once every ten or even twenty years.

If one wishes to increase the frequency of visits, then perhaps one would need to travel to Beishan Prefecture, to that formidable city within the Black Nether Mountains. There, in addition to cultivators from the Azure Land, there are also many cultivators and forces from beyond the land who have come seeking fame and fortune.

Commerce was extremely prosperous, and even valuable treasures appeared frequently.

However, compared to the Xuanling Land, this place is undoubtedly more dangerous. Due to its proximity to the Black Nether Mountain Range, attacks by demonic beasts are not uncommon.

Even if a martial arts grandmaster went there, he wouldn't dare say that his safety was guaranteed.

If one is unlucky and ventures deep into the heart of the mountains, even a pseudo-celestial being could perish there.

The dangers here are far greater than those of ordinary large cities.

Furthermore, as a rare and formidable pass within the Bicang region, it is densely populated with various forces, all vying for power and interests backed by the Black Nether Mountains. The situation is also fraught with strategic maneuvering and factional maneuvering, making it incredibly complex.

Compared to the previous important town of Long'an, the complexity of the situation is undoubtedly on a much larger scale.

Both in terms of the number of forces and their influence, they far surpass those of the two states.

Even the Prince of Bicang's mansion, within that formidable pass, could not achieve absolute control.

With the Evil Eye and the Bloodthirsty Demon Jar in hand, Chen Ping'an was no longer as eager for powerful treasures as before. Rather than casually seeking any treasure, he preferred to wait for the right opportunity and consider his own capabilities before making any plans.

His current offensive, defensive, and speed abilities are virtually flawless among those of the same cultivation level. Even his most lacking attribute, spirituality, has been refined through dual cultivation techniques and aided by the Seven Absolute Divine Skill, making him stand out among Grandmasters.

However, whether or not he has shortcomings is relative. If we compare him to a celestial being in his current state, then he will naturally be quite lacking.

However, based on Chen Ping'an's current predictions, once he advances to the Celestial Realm, his various qualities should not be considered a weakness.

The lack of spirituality, which corresponds to the divine soul power of celestial beings, has led to the creation of self-cultivation techniques and the path of self-refinement to replenish oneself.

In addition, he possesses the spiritual item Yin-Yang Dew, which he can consume to enhance his inner strength. He also has a dual cultivation technique, which can be used as preparation for a second purification. The wonders of these techniques have already been prepared.

Bloodline and physique are tempered by the Azure Yang Blood.

In matters of warfare, there are the Seven Killings Heavenly Gang, the Guanghan Sword Technique, and even more powerful treasures to enhance them. While these may not be considered strengths, they certainly are not weaknesses either.

In terms of speed, it also touches upon the realm of the True Skill Scroll, the Tai Xu Wind Control Step. If one can perfect it, then it would be considered quite good among the Celestials.

After all, although celestial beings have long lifespans, they are not without shortcomings. When cultivating, they will still have different focuses depending on their innate talents and temperaments.

With a clear path and well-defined plans, Chen Ping'an's path of cultivation was smooth and easy.

Chen Ping'an still had supplies to sell, so after a brief period of leisure, he finished his tea and left.

In the following period, Chen Ping'an focused on the matter of supplies, and occasionally inquired about other information.

This auction featured several highlight items, including breakthrough pills and several top-tier divine weapons. It also included valuable medicinal ores and other precious minerals.

Chen Ping'an took a liking to one of the top-tier divine weapons among them.

He showed little interest in anything else.

With his previous gains, he certainly didn't lack top-tier divine weapons.

In truth, this opportunity really did make him rich overnight.

By the time Chen Ping'an finished processing the supplies, it was already deep and dark.

However, Canglong Prefecture City remains prosperous, brightly lit, and bustling with activity.

For some reason, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Chen Ping'an, wearing a straw hat, walked down the street and found himself in a rather leisurely mood.

"Yes, that's the feeling!"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he pulled out a long sword from somewhere and hung it at his waist.

In the light drizzle, he strolled through the streets and alleys. His face was serene as he quietly contemplated, reflecting on the dream he had held since childhood.

Wielding a sword, I roam the world, vanquishing all injustices.

All the joys and sorrows of life are captured in a single sword strike.

I once imagined a gentleman as refined as jade, carrying a sword, traveling to see the splendor of the world.

If one day, the sword is drawn from its sheath, its light will chill nineteen provinces, and its sword energy will stretch for thirty thousand miles!

Chen Ping'an walked through the bustling streets and alleys until he reached the banks of the Biluo River.

The misty ferry crossing, shrouded in rain, still retains its former glory.

He walked along the riverbank, past the bustling crowd, and continued forward. Despite the surrounding noise and commotion, his heart remained calm, as still as water, without a ripple.

What is a celestial being?
Those who achieve harmony between humanity and nature are truly human!

Those whose souls are without flaw are celestial beings!

Those who are grateful to Heaven and Earth are celestial beings!

To follow the natural order and harmonize with all things is to be a person of heaven and humanity!

Chen Ping'an's mind was surging with thoughts, as if he were trying to grasp that wisp of inspiration from the darkness.

He walked along the riverbank until the lights were dim and a light drizzle began to fall.

His eyes fixed on something, and a flash of inspiration appeared in his mind.

If one can fully realize human nature, then one can fully utilize the resources of things! If one can fully utilize the resources of things, then one can praise the transformative and nurturing power of heaven and earth.

Celestial beings! Celestial beings!
Even celestial beings are still human!
"Hahaha"

Chen Ping'an laughed heartily, carefree and exuberant, just like that young man from many years ago.

Unrestrained and carefree.

His laughter gradually subsided until it ceased, and in the fading light, he prepared to return home.

Looking back suddenly, I saw a young girl standing by the misty lake, her skirt fluttering in the wind, gazing at the horizon.

(End of this chapter)