Advance the future and become a martial saint on earth!

In the heart of Cangdu, the gates of feudal lords stand!
Qin Baisheng, the patriarch of the Qin clan, strode confidently, radiating a terrifying aura. Before he even stepped inside, he heard Xu Longxiang's arrogant words, and his chest immediately swelled with anger, almost unable to contain it!

Just now.

He hurried along the road from where the Prince of Yan had stayed to the 'Prince's Residence' in the state, and when he passed by the 'Qin Clan' on the street of high-ranking officials.
Suddenly, the magnificent, dragon-and-phoenix-inspired hanging plaque was smashed to pieces by something, and the character "Qin," originally written by a master and full of spiritual charm, was now shattered into pieces and unrecognizable.

The entire mansion's entrance, from the guardian beasts to the dark staircase, was ravaged by flying rocks, as if it had suffered a great calamity.

Combined with a 'funeral letter' delivered to him, meant to settle old scores, containing an arrogant and inexplicably defiant message...
One thing after another, each incident gradually filled Qin Baisheng's originally calculating mind with anger!
In particular, when Qin Baisheng arrived at the mansion of this lord with the intention of 'punishing the lord,' he opened his mouth and shouted.

When he saw with his own eyes that a divine light suddenly burst forth from the top of the boy's forehead, shining brightly as if it could illuminate the void, it created an invisible 'momentum' and 'thought'.
Qin Baisheng's heart was filled with turbulent waves, almost to the point of being out of control.

Even though he was the head of the Qin clan, and had experienced ups and downs for decades or even centuries, he had seen countless power struggles and schemes, and had witnessed many extraordinary young talents.
Even now, it still feels somewhat unbelievable.

His martial arts eyes were of immense power; with just a light glance, he could clearly deduce the boy's bone age through his muscles, bones, skin, and the twenty-four major vertebrae of his spine.

He was only seventeen years old, the age of dancing elephants, and not yet twenty!
What does this even mean?!

It should be noted that although each generation of the Young Dragon Stele bears the honorary title of "Young Martial Saint," it is mostly just a compliment.

In fact, a young martial saint in his early twenties is already a rare find, one that is hard to come by in a century.

Those who achieve such mastery before the age of thirty are often hailed as 'young martial arts saints'.

But look at this child again.
Qin Baisheng had previously caught a fleeting glimpse of this young man surnamed Ji when Chen Xuanque projected his image onto Jiangyin Prefecture, due to the matter of the 'Three-Five Slaying Evil God's Mansion'.

At that time, I hadn't paid much attention to him.

Judging from his appearance, he is nothing more than an ordinary person. He has not yet reached the four limits and has not yet forged a martial arts body. Although he appears young, he is just a promising talent.

But how much time has passed since then?!
Looking at it now, Qin Baisheng felt a chill in his heart and finally realized what it meant to "look at a scholar with new eyes after three days of separation".

"At such a young age, he has broken through the four limits and achieved perfection. Moreover, looking at his taut muscles, which radiate a hidden precious light, he appears to have undergone several transformations. He has clearly experienced more than one metamorphosis!"

"If that were all, it would be fine."

"The more outstanding young generation of various clans in Cangzhou are already all exceptional, having broken through the sixth stage of transformation and reached the fifth major limit, wielding the power of dragons and tigers. They are not necessarily weaker than him, but..."

"Just now, this child actually showed signs of developing the rudiments of the 'True Intent of a Martial Saint'!"

"It's that ability to influence the surrounding energy using one's own 'martial arts divine sense'!"

"If he truly manages to vent his anger, he will achieve great success, cultivate an invincible mindset, and ascend to the rank of Martial Saint."

Qin Baisheng dared not even think about it.

As someone who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts mastery, he understands.

Once this child obtains the true 'Heavenly Technique of the Title' and fully cultivates it, the nascent 'Martial Arts Divine Sense' he is currently developing will be sufficient to carry true meaning!
At that time, the title of Martial Saint will be right before our eyes; it will truly be a natural outcome!

In this modern era, how many pseudo-martial saints are trapped at the "Dragon and Tiger Limit"? They lack this unwavering belief in themselves, the single-minded pursuit of courageous and diligent progress, and the willingness to die a hundred times without regret. As a result, they remain secluded for decades without making any progress.

In the end, he had no choice but to rely on the martial arts divine sense of his predecessors to seek a pseudo-martial saint's cultivation level, but he could never advance any further in his life.

But this is like an insurmountable chasm, the most difficult and insurmountable obstacle, a barrier that drives countless pseudo-martial saints mad.
If this child were to see through it without even realizing it...
Qin Baisheng's eyes flickered.

The feud has been formed.

Moreover, judging from the demeanor of this dragon and elephant grandfather and grandson, it seems that they intend to make their century-old clan's foundation the starting point for their grand-disciple's rise to martial sainthood.

Having witnessed all of this, Qin Baisheng almost didn't think twice. His sleeves suddenly billowed, as if the true essence of martial arts was condensing and suddenly applied to his body.

In an instant, all ten thumbs moved like swimming dragons!
The ultimate martial art of the Martial Saint—the Mysterious Finger of the Soaring Dragon Divine Sword!
With each tremor, the void shook like waves!
In the blink of an eye, one moves like a blur, and it's time to strike first!

"Do you want to first solidify the embryonic form and achieve the true essence of martial arts?"

"laugh!"

"If you really succeed, won't Cangdu experience a major earthquake and a complete reshuffle in the next few decades?"

A cold glint and calculation flashed in Qin Baisheng's eyes. He had already figured out the gains and losses of his sudden move as his thoughts flickered.

This young man has gained the favor of the Qishan Jiang Lord, but that is only because of the 'Royal Power Blade'. This blade will surely be coveted by the two supreme forces in Xiqi who are dividing up the Great Snow Mountain's heritage.

Furthermore, the Jiang clan of Qishan is far away in Xiqi, and their influence is too great to be of immediate help. So what if they've offended them? He's already taken action; the Dugu and Yuwen clans, and even the Zhouzhenfu Division that was sent to deliver the imperial edict back then...
Layer upon layer, through every step, who can escape involvement?!
Everyone has to get on this ship!
With the combined pressure from all the powerful factions, Xu Longxiang, who had just become a powerful figure, was weak and isolated. Although Chen Xuanque represented the legitimate succession of the Xuan Court, the various factions were local strongmen who had been around for hundreds of years. If they were truly determined to unite as one, they would be a formidable force.
He couldn't stop him!
As long as this brat is captured and killed, he will be reduced to ashes in an instant.

When people die, everything is over, and all consequences will disappear.

Although it would certainly be embarrassing for the clan to spread this news, it was something that had to be done for the sake of the clan's long-term stability!

After the matter is over, once public opinion is under control, and after another ten years or so of management, everything will naturally disappear without a trace. Great scholars will defend me, and I will act as if it never happened!

Seeing the murderous intent blazing in his eyes, the thunderous roar from his mouth, and the inner energy coursing through his fingers like dragons, unleashing the sharpness of a sword, striking Ji Xiu with lightning speed, Xu Longxiang was instantly enraged:

"You shameless scoundrel!?"

Qin Baisheng took the initiative to leap up and attack the young man in white robes who had just undergone a transformation of his divine sense. Xu Longxiang, who was standing right next to him, naturally objected to this.

He already harbored resentment towards the Qin clan, being one of the accomplices in the massacre of his apprentice years ago.

Now that their enemies have met, they are filled with intense hatred, and he even wants to harm his grand-disciple.
Xu Longxiang was not about to give up. He took a step forward and immediately raised both arms, seemingly possessing the ability to "capture dragons and subdue elephants." Rolling blood energy surged like smoke, boiling the sky and melting gold and iron! The ultimate martial art of the Martial Saint—Capturing Dragons and Subduing Elephants!
With a loud 'bang,' it collided with the killing technique unleashed by the Qin Clan Chief's finger sword!
Ji Xiu, who was being protected by Xu Longxiang, felt his eardrums buzzing.

In an instant, the prince's mansion was filled with smoke and dust, and sand and stones flew everywhere, almost causing an earthquake and shaking half of the surrounding noble street!

Meanwhile, outside, the sharp-eyed and keen-eared warriors were all astonished, listening intently to the commotion, seemingly unaware of what had happened that could cause such a scene to erupt in the dignified and solemn mansion of the Great Xuan, representing the legitimate dynasty!

Only among them.

The leaders of the Dugu and Yuwen clans arrived shortly after.
Seeing Qin Baisheng start a fight without saying a word, and glancing at Xu Longxiang and Ji Xiushi beside him, his eyes flashed, and he immediately knew what Qin Baisheng was thinking!
So he joined the battle without saying a word, his purpose was obvious: to suppress the situation with lightning speed and make it a fait accompli!

As for the other major clans and orthodox groups that were not directly related to the Dragon and Elephant lineage, they all remained on the sidelines, each with a different expression, but none of them showed any sign of taking action.

The orthodox lineage originally consisted of a monk and a Taoist priest, who were respectively the "Golden-bodied Arhat" Guanhai Arhat from the Mahayana Wuliang Temple in the "Guiding Heaven";
And Li Qianyuan, the "Crimson Origin Palace Master" who came from the ancient Taoist lineage of "Zhengfa Tian" and established a branch here, mostly turned their gazes toward Ji Xiu.

Among them, the Arhat Guanhai of the Mahayana Wuliang Temple stared intently at Ji Xiu.

Or perhaps he was more focused on the 'Vajra' hanging from Ji Xiu's waist, seemingly trying to determine its origin by examining the mysterious patterns within it.

As for Li Qianyuan, who resides in Cangdu and is the "Master of the Crimson Origin Hall" of the Southern Bright Mountain of the True Dharma Heaven, responsible for imparting the true skills of Taoism...
Then, his divine sense rose up, and he was observing the young man who, in order to withstand the overwhelming pressure of the giant, opened his Purple Mansion and radiated divine light to protect his thoughts from being corrupted. His eyes flickered for a moment.

This Taoist priest was highly skilled, comparable to a powerful local lord.

Through the hazy, ethereal Purple Palace of the Great Dao, one could almost see the 'Divine Talisman Fire' Dao Seed, imprinted upon it, flickering and burning eternally.
But before the monk and the Taoist could even begin to argue, they were caught off guard.

Chen Xuanque took the first step, his face ashen, and summoned a mysterious seal with the words "[Princes of Cangdu]" engraved on it. In an instant, a powerful aura suddenly pressed down on the entire mansion!

"Rebellion! Rebellion!"

"They've all rebelled!"

"Do any of you even know where you are? What kind of place is this?!"

"This place is the capital of the Great Xuancang, the central hub of one of the thirty-six regional vassal states, and the residence of the princes of Beicang!"

"You are wreaking havoc here, disregarding the law and openly relying on martial arts to attempt to capture and kill the Xuan Official listed in the 'Great Xuan Register'."

Do you really think I, this lord, am made of clay?!

Chen Xuanque was genuinely furious. He wondered if his peaceful and amiable demeanor over the past hundred years had made the powerful clans and titles of Beicang think he had no temper.

Who is Ji Xiu?

He was appointed by the Jiang family, who had been granted the title of Xuanlu, and was a great hero who had rendered meritorious service in protecting the emperor and serving the king.

Chen Xuanque had heard some of the grudges and feuds between the Dragon Elephant True Sect and the various clans, which fueled his anger even more.

The first generation of the Dragon Elephant Daoist, once he entered the 'Sun and Moon Pavilion,' was like an emperor descending to a lower rank, serving as a guard of the Jade Capital. He was even more valued than those in the Zhenfu Division or the Black Ice Platform!
At its peak, the people of the Great Xuan Kingdom only knew of the Emperor's tours of various places, and only the attendants of the 'Sun and Moon Pavilion' wearing robes embroidered with the sun and moon, but they knew nothing of the Xuan officials of the Northern Garrison and the Black Ice Platform.

It was precisely because of this that when Xuanjun Jiang Li was in decline, suffered setbacks in his campaigns against the heavens, and encountered a great calamity and was betrayed by others, these two families also turned against him immediately and joined the regent 'vassal king' in massacring the disciples of the Sun and Moon Pavilion throughout the world!
Although Chen Xuanque, far away in the Northeast, did not get involved in this turmoil and remained silent, he could not avert the disaster, but that did not mean he condoned such behavior.

In his mind, this behavior, even if it couldn't be called 'rebellion,' was pretty close!

In particular, these powerful clan leaders were also accomplices in the execution of the 'Sun and Moon Pavilion' disciples by order of the regency. To Chen Xuanque, this was a complete distortion of the truth!
Now that Xu Longxiang has become a powerful figure, he wants to settle old scores and make it clear that the other party is in the right.

Although some plaques were smashed, some gates were destroyed, and the reputation of various clans was lost, what they lost was a life that had been lost decades ago!

They don't even vent their anger, yet they're still running wild in their own 'prince's mansion'.
hum!
By wielding the Great Xuan Lord Seal, Chen Xuanque drew upon the aura of a powerful clan throughout the state, which gathered around his body. He was enveloped in golden light, as if he had condensed a body of aura, and his aura surged up rapidly, as if he had reached the pinnacle of power!

His eyes were sharp as he stood alone in front of the Dugu and Yuwen clan leaders. He raised his arms from his long sleeves, drawing his true intent and raising his Dharma form to strike the two giants!
These actions brought the two powerful clan leaders, Dugu and Yuwen, to their senses. Their eyes immediately showed fear, and they stopped themselves from rushing out to assist Qin Baisheng.

They really didn't expect that.
Why would Chen Xuanque, the lord who had dominated Beicang for a hundred years, go to such great lengths and risk a complete falling out to protect the Dragon and Elephant family from such a disaster?
After all, he was a powerful local lord who held sway over Cangdu, so he deserved some respect.

However, Qin Baisheng shared weal and woe with them. Regarding the matter of the 'Dragon Elephant True Sect,' they were all allies, advancing and retreating together. Their previously agreed-upon goal was singular—

We simply won't let this dragon and elephant become the legitimate successors and enter Cangdu!

Just as the two were at a loss, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Seeing that Xu Longxiang and Qin Baisheng were truly enraged, they each unleashed their titled ultimate techniques and martial saint skills, seemingly about to overturn the entire 'Prince's Mansion'.
"enough."

A man dressed in a five-clawed python robe, with a calm face, a gentle tone, and noble features, walked out from outside.

Beside and behind him followed a group of young, proud men from various clans and orthodox families, speechless with awe at the sight before them.

As soon as King Yan Jiang Shentong appeared and saw this scene, his spine stood straight as an ancient mountain, and his internal energy channels crisscrossed. When his eyes opened wide, they shot out divine light!

The entire 'Prince's Mansion's' great celestial energy flowed back into it!

"Two giants, cease hostilities!"

"Listen to my words!"

In an instant, Jiang Shentong's words were like thunder in spring, like raging waves, startling Xu Longxiang and Qin Baisheng. They both took three steps back, broke free, and truly stopped fighting for a moment!
"I am acting on the orders of Baiyujing to suppress the White Mountains and Black Waters. The threat of the Northern Cang Corpse Puppet Cult still exists. It is an ancient demon from the late Fan and early Xuan periods, and it is no small matter."

"If we were to make a comeback, we would need the assistance of all the great masters and martial saints to firmly establish our dominance over Cangdu!"

"So, you two."

"Why don't you heed my words? It's better to resolve conflicts than to perpetuate them. Let's both stop fighting, and I'll host a banquet to turn hostility into friendship. What do you say?" (End of Chapter)