Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Qiu Chengde sat upright in the high hall, dressed in the azure official robes of the Commander of the Censorate.

It is embroidered with a pattern of a qilin stepping on auspicious clouds, displaying its majesty.

There was not a trace of the humility one would expect from a butler.

He clearly embodies the image of a high-ranking official who wields power.

He smiled slightly, but his gaze was deep and unfathomable as he stared at Zhou Qingfeng, who stood respectfully below. His words were tinged with amusement: "Disciple, there are many things you don't know."

Zhou Qingfeng responded respectfully, "Master is unfathomable, your disciple admires you."

After speaking, seeing Qiu Chengde stand up, he hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully took Qiu's arm, bowed his head to show respect, and expressed his deep awe and filial piety towards his master.

"Master, have you received the small gift I presented?" Zhou Qingfeng asked solicitously.

Qiu Chengde nodded slightly, his smile wide: "I received them. They are all rare and precious items. You are very thoughtful."

He has always been fond of Zhou Qingfeng. No matter in the past or now, Zhou Qingfeng has never shown any disrespect to Qiu Chengde because of the change in his status. In fact, he would take every opportunity to be filial to his master.

Who wouldn't cherish such a respectful disciple?

Zhou Qingfeng smiled modestly: "I'm glad you're satisfied. This is all I should do as your disciple."

At this moment, Qiu Chengde strode into the inner hall, gesturing for Zhou Qingfeng to follow.

Zhou Qingfeng followed closely behind, asking as they walked, "Master, I'm new here. What area of ​​affairs do you intend for me to be in charge of?"

Qiu Chengde did not say anything, but walked straight into the inner hall, sat upright in the chair, his robes fluttering slightly, showing his solemn demeanor.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately turned to the side table, skillfully poured tea and water for his master, and stood respectfully, waiting for a reply.

Qiu Chengde examined the tea in his cup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Sit down."

Zhou Qingfeng sat down as instructed and waited quietly for his master's instructions.

Qiu Chengde's expression was calm, and his tone was slow: "In the past six months, you have been busy searching for treasures, which has delayed your cultivation. Your wife is very concerned about this and has specifically instructed me to make sure you keep an eye on your cultivation."

"To prevent your cultivation from being hindered by official duties, your work at the Censorate will be put on hold for now. Your official position will remain temporarily suspended. You can focus on cultivation from now on, and you can officially take up your post when you reach the Devouring Fiend Realm."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng knew that his master meant well. Power was important, and for someone as weak as him, it was an invaluable asset. However, one could not always rely on power for protection; individual strength was equally important.

After all, the power cultivated is ultimately one's own. Even if one no longer needs to do many things personally, the saying still applies: power may not be used, but it cannot be without.

"Yes, disciple will follow your teachings and will certainly cultivate diligently." Zhou Qingfeng stood up and bowed respectfully.

Seeing Zhou Qingfeng's resolute attitude, Qiu Chengde nodded in satisfaction, gesturing for him to sit down again, and then said, "Very good, sit down. I have one more question for you."

"The Triennial Battle of the Prodigies will be held on September 30th this year. At that time, all the prodigies in the Sword Tower will gather at the competition venue, and many prodigies from outside the Sword Tower will also participate."

"Your age and cultivation level are both suitable. Have you considered participating in the Heavenly Pride Tournament?"

Zhou Qingfeng's expression turned solemn as he asked, "Master, is this your intention, or Mother's?"

Qiu Chengde smiled faintly: "That's what Madam means."

Zhou Qingfeng lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.

Participating in the Heavenly Pride Tournament would not cause me any loss; on the contrary, I could benefit from it.

Firstly, sparring with peers of exceptional skill can enhance one's practical combat ability, allow one to assess one's own worth, and confirm one's position among such peers.

Secondly, as the first competition to be held, the champion's prize must be a rare and precious item.

Thirdly, he will be able to stand out in this competition, and he will be honored and gain a lot of prestige. In the future, the Sword Tower will know about Zhou Qingfeng's existence, and then know about the Zhou family.

Reputation, though seemingly elusive, is of paramount importance.

It is extremely precious and important to both individuals and families.

To put it simply, once a cultivator in the common people gains prestige, he will have supporters and followers. Everyone will respect him and treat him with courtesy. Everyone will be willing to befriend him, and he can easily gather a group of people to do great things.

To put it more grandly, if the crown prince has enough prestige to inherit the throne, he can command a hundred responses with a single wave of his arm, and who among the royal family or the city lords would dare to disobey him?

Needless to say, the royal family of the Python Sparrow clan was able to maintain its throne largely because of its prestige, which allowed all the city lords to submit to the royal family and obey its orders.

The Tower of Swords has thrived for millennia because of its great reputation, which attracts ambitious individuals and those seeking a bright future to settle there.

Today, although he possesses a fortune of hundreds of billions, he suffers from a lack of talent. If he can take advantage of this opportunity to enhance the prestige of the Zhou family, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to the future development of the fiefdom and the family.

So Zhou Qingfeng looked up at Qiu Chengde with a firm gaze and replied, "Master, I am willing to participate in this battle of the prodigies and strive to achieve excellent results in the competition, so as not to fail my master's kindness and my mother's wishes."

Qiu Chengde put down his teacup, waved his hand and smiled slightly: "The competition in the Battle of the Prodigies is fierce. You need to be fully prepared. Remember, during the competition, don't be arrogant when you win or discouraged when you lose. Treat every battle with a calm mind."

"Your disciple will remember your teachings."

The conversation between master and apprentice thus came to an end.

After returning to the Zhou residence, Zhou Qingfeng immediately planned to focus on cultivation to enhance his strength.

Before that, we need to go to our fiefdom and build up our base as soon as possible.

Then he prepared to enter the White Bone Foundation Building Tower for seclusion on a chosen day.

During the visit, the head of the Gu family personally presented a visiting card and gifts, saying that he had already settled down in Jianta, purchased a lot of real estate, and was preparing to do some business. Zhou Qingfeng did not ask any questions, but simply warmly entertained the head of the Gu family.

He made no mention of asking the Gu family to work for him.

This matter requires waiting for the right opportunity.

Outside Sword Tower City, a magnificent and imposing Cataclysmic Dragon chariot had been waiting for a long time, resembling a mobile castle floating between heaven and earth, poised to set off.

This magnificent chariot was pulled by a crimson dragon that was a thousand feet long and sixty feet wide. Its body was as fiery as flames, and its scales shimmered with dazzling light in the sunlight, resembling a burning sea of ​​fire that was awe-inspiring.

The magnificent, jewel-encrusted carriages followed closely behind, their scale resembling a palace in the sky.

The interior is well-organized, with bedrooms, kitchen, hall, dining room, and even outhouse.

The beds, tables, chairs, and tea sets are exquisite and luxurious.

Being there feels like stepping into a separate little world.

Wherever you travel, you can enjoy palatial comfort and prestige.

Upon closer inspection, the sheer size of this chariot, obscuring the sky and sun, is astonishing. It exudes an aura of calamity and overwhelming power, as if an ancient demon god has descended upon the mortal world, wielding boundless destructive force.

Its magnificent and imposing aura is like a manifestation of the laws of heaven and earth, awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring.

When people face it, they cannot help but feel a sense of reverence and worship.

Beside the carriage stood a dragon herder standing respectfully. He was Zhou Qingfeng's personal dragon herder, responsible for raising celestial dragons in Dragon Herder Valley. He was always on standby and would immediately ride his dragon to Zhou Qingfeng's aid should Zhou Qingfeng summon him.

At this moment, he holds the dragon-beating whip and the dragon-binding rope, ready to lead his master on his journey.

Zhou Qingfeng led everyone in the mansion onto the luxurious carriage one by one.

The dragon shepherd twitched his wrist slightly, and the dragon-binding rope in his hand trembled gently.

The crimson dragon instantly sensed its master's will and let out a deafening roar. Then, a gale arose, clouds surged, and its massive body soared into the sky like a crimson lightning bolt ripped across the heavens.

In the blink of an eye, the Heavenly Dragon Chariot was soaring above the clouds, speeding towards the fiefdom, leaving a magnificent trail that demonstrated the Zhou family's formidable power and endless glory.

Zhou Qingfeng admired his vehicle from inside the carriage. The spacious and bright hall had a huge luminous pearl embedded in its ceiling, and soft white light filled every corner.

Step into the comfortable bedroom along the floor inlaid with emeralds and agates. Here, a carpet made of the finest snow fox fur is laid out, and stepping on it is soft, warm, and feels like walking on clouds.

The bed is crafted from millennia-old sandalwood and covered with a brocade mattress, which is delicate, smooth, and silky to the touch. It is also equipped with down-filled pillows and quilts, exuding luxury.

On either side of the bed, a pair of jade candlesticks stood quietly, their flickering candlelight adding a touch of warmth to the room.

Zhou Qingfeng lay on the bed, took a moment to feel the comfort, and couldn't help but relax: "Ah, this is so comfortable. From now on, when I travel for business, I can finally get a good night's sleep in the Tianlong car."

He patted the bed, stood up with satisfaction, and then moved to the dining room.

A magnificent oval dining table occupies the central position, with chairs crafted from rare purple nanmu wood and inlaid with pearls and coral, exuding grandeur.

On the dining table were sets of exquisite porcelain pieces, painted with lifelike depictions of landscapes, flowers, and birds.

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at it twice, then walked towards the kitchen without stopping. The kitchen area was fully equipped with all kinds of cooking utensils, all made of high-quality copper and iron, and gilded, making them shine.

The outhouse, though a private place, is not without its elegant style. The white marble floor is spotless, and the walls are inlaid with delicate celadon, interspersed with a few blooming lotus reliefs, creating a fresh and refined atmosphere.

The toilet is carved from white jade and edged with gold, exuding elegance. Next to it is an aromatherapy burner; the burning incense emits a subtle fragrance, dispelling odors and creating a tranquil and comfortable toilet environment.

This is the life of the nobility in this corrupt world, indulging in extravagance and pleasure, even their travels are a form of enjoyment.

After Zhou Qingfeng finished his viewing, he returned to the hall, took the head seat, and then glanced at Jin Wei, Master Chen, and Zhiqi. The remaining guards were standing guard around the four corners of the carriage.

"Jin Wei, this Tianlong car must take a lot of routine maintenance, right?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Yes, young master, the maintenance fee alone is at least 1.5 million magic coins a year. However, when you travel, you represent the Zhou family, so this money is well spent."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, not caring about the money, but just asking casually, "How long will it take to arrive?"

Jin Wei clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to the young master, one stick of incense."

"Hmm, I'll read for a while." Zhou Qingfeng casually patted his storage bag, took out a cup of bamboo tube milk tea, which contained lemon black tea mixed with ice cubes, and then took out "The Record of Gods, Ghosts and Demons" to broaden his knowledge.

The Ten Mile Fiefdom is located on the southernmost border, 1,600 miles from the main city, Sword Tower.

The entire Sword Tower is shaped like a long sword, with the main city facing south, running through a continuous mountain range. Two hundred miles to the north lies Tiger Might Ridge, and two hundred miles to the west lies Winter City.

If they were to march overland to their fiefdom, the journey would be arduous and would likely take another six months.

However, this time and that time.

With the Heavenly Dragon carriage, the travel speed is much faster.

However, there are also demons and monsters hiding in the clouds or hovering high in the sky, making it no less dangerous than the land.

The phrase "one incense stick's length" refers to low-altitude, constant-speed flight under safe conditions.

If flying at top speed, the speed of the Heavenly Dragon Chariot can be doubled.

However, in the event of an emergency, there will be no time to respond or avoid it, and it is highly likely that the person and the vehicle will die instantly.

In short, when you're in the wild, safety should always be your top priority.

Time flies like an arrow; the time it takes for an incense stick to burn is gone in the blink of an eye.

When the Heavenly Dragon Carriage hovered above the '1,600-li Grain Estate,' it didn't mean the grain estate was that big, but rather that it was simply divided by distance, location, and industry for ease of management.

Immediately, dozens of guards from the Zhou family descended from the sky, guarding the high ground and entrances of the grain store.

Jin Wei stood in mid-air, sword in his arms, looking down at the group of people: "Listen up, the person standing in front of you is the fourth young master of the first family, the deputy governor of the Sword Tower, a member of the council chamber, the deputy commander of the Censorate, the head of the Zhou family, and a baron of the Sword Tower, Zhou Qingfeng!"

The hundreds of people in the grain store clasped their hands in fear and bowed respectfully, shouting, "We pay our respects to Your Excellency."

Zhou Qingfeng stood at the edge of the carriage, his expression calm, his black hair fluttering in the wind, like a towering demon god with boundless demonic flames. He said indifferently, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" The hundreds of people at the grain depot straightened up and lined up.

"Land," Zhou Qingfeng calmly instructed the dragon shepherd.

The dragon shepherd nodded in agreement, and slowly descended the Heavenly Dragon Chariot to the ground. He then handed a jade flute to Zhou Qingfeng: "Young Master, this is the Dragon Summoning Flute. Blow it once, and no matter how far away you are, I will come to pick you up immediately."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, casually tucked the jade flute into his belt, and stepped into the grain store.

The Dragon Shepherd once again piloted the Sky Dragon Chariot into the air, hovering and waiting amidst the clouds.

Zhou Qingfeng scanned the hundreds of people in the grain store and asked, "Who is the manager here?"

The grain store manager stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Your Excellency, I have been in charge of this place."

"Okay, tell me about the territory, in as much detail as possible." Zhou Qingfeng needed to have this information, because it would all be his private property in the future, including people and livestock.

The grain store manager immediately said, "Then please come inside and rest."

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "No need. You can show me around and give me an inspection."

Upon hearing this, the grain store manager respectfully led Zhou Qingfeng on an inspection tour of the fiefdom.

The guards of the Zhou family were on guard around the area to ensure that no demons or monsters would suddenly attack Zhou Qingfeng from the shadows.

After all, anything can happen in the wild.

The granary manager explained, “My lord, our granary has 418 registered members, 50 guards, 350 serfs, one manager, two deputy managers, and 15 stewards. There is not a single free man.”

"There are a total of 37,500 mu of registered farmland."

"Moreover, because the river is right next to it, most of the land is fertile, with abundant yields per mu, and a bumper harvest of grain every year."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly: "Not bad, it has potential for development."

Upon hearing this, the grain store manager hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at him and said calmly, "To tell you the truth, I don't blame you."

The grain store manager clasped his hands and said, “My lord, although this place is good, it is close to rivers and forests. Water ghosts often come to attack from the rivers, and demons often come to attack from the forests. Moreover, because it is located on the frontier, bandits are rampant.”

Zhou Qingfeng nodded: "These are minor issues. Master Chen, prepare the implements."

Since my mother has bestowed this fertile land upon me as my fiefdom.

That is, believing that you have the ability to handle these problems and troubles.

Master Chen and Zhiqi quickly caught up, clasped their hands in a salute, and asked, "What are your orders, young master?"

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "I hereby appoint you as governors, in charge of managing this place. I don't care how you do it. Just build a castle here for me. From now on, this will be the headquarters of my Zhou family."

"I will come to inspect in person after I finish my seclusion and cultivation."

"I don't expect you to do a great job, just make sure the basic framework is done well."

"We're short of people and supplies, ask Jin Wei for them."

With excitement, Zhiqi clasped his hands and said, "Your subordinate will do his utmost and will certainly not disappoint the young master."

Master Chen clasped his hands and smiled, saying, "Your subordinate thanks you for the young master's trust and will certainly live up to your expectations."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and nodded: "Keep it up, I believe in your abilities."