Great Xia: At the start, summon the Net of Heaven to suppress the martial arts world.

"Sect Leader Ji, you don't mind if I kill a few people in your sect, do you?"

Gu Xiu turned to look at Ji Jian, a chilling smirk playing on his lips.

His eyes revealed a cold and ruthless killing intent.

Upon hearing this, Ji Jian's face instantly turned ashen, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead. He hurriedly stepped forward, lowered his head, and said obsequiously:

"Not at all, Lord Gu. If you need it, I'm happy to do it for you. I've long been disgusted by these reckless fools. They dare to try and sow discord between our Spirit Sword Sect and the imperial court. They are utterly wicked and deserve to die!"

After speaking, Ji Jian glared fiercely at the sect members, his eyes filled with anger and disdain.

However, the people from other sects were plunged into extreme panic. They never expected the imperial court to be so ruthless and decisive, wanting to exterminate them all.

Faced with this situation, I felt utterly hopeless and my heart was filled with fear.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiu's face revealed a faint smile, but this smile sent a chill down one's spine. He gently waved his hand, indicating to Ji Jian that he didn't need to.

He said calmly, "There's no need for Sect Master Ji to take action. They're just mere ants!" After saying that, he turned to look at the elite Zhenwu Division behind him, a cold glint in his eyes.

Then, he calmly gave the order:

"Let's do it! Leave no one alive!"

These words were like a death sentence, making everyone present feel the breath of death.

As the order was given, the elite soldiers of the Zhenwu Division drew their weapons and charged towards the sect members. Instantly, shouts of battle filled the air, and blood stained the ground.

Gu Xiu stood quietly to the side, coldly watching the carnage unfold, his expression utterly unmoved. Such scenes were nothing more than commonplace for him. In his eyes, these people were nothing but ants, not worth his personal attention.

Indeed, that's the case. Judging from the intelligence of these people who don't know their own mortality, how high could their martial arts skills be? Otherwise, they wouldn't have come to the Spirit Sword Sect for protection.

The overwhelming victory of the Zhenwu Division made Ji Jian tremble all over.

Several grandmasters, and dozens more at the innate and acquired levels—such formidable strength filled Ji Jian with dread. Was this the power of the imperial court? Or was it the so-called power of His Highness Prince Xuan?

One step off, and the people in front of them would have suffered the same fate as the Spirit Sword Sect.

In no time, the Zhenwu Division ended the battle with overwhelming force, leaving limbs and blood flowing everywhere. None of the dozen or so high-ranking members of the sects survived.

The elite troops of the Zhenwu Division, having finished their battle, stood with their swords drawn, coldly surveying the scene of corpses strewn across the land, like killing machines.

"We will need to trouble Sect Leader Ji to arrange some people to clean up the scene. Please forgive us for the indiscriminate killing in your sect!"

Gu Xiu looked at Ji Jian with a half-smile, and feigned apology:

The members of the Spirit Sword Sect were still in shock when they arrived, and had not yet reacted. Fear unconsciously showed in their eyes as they stood there dumbfounded.

"No problem, no problem. You all have worked hard to rid Changde Prefecture of wicked people."

Ji Jian is a wonderful person; Gu Xiu couldn't find a single fault with him.

. . .

Inside the Changde Prefectural Government Office, Qiang Ri sat upright in the main seat, his gaze stern as his subordinates reported on their work progress one by one.

As each report was presented and listened to, his tense expression gradually relaxed, as if the heavy weight on his heart was being lifted little by little.

Just then, a series of hurried and powerful footsteps approached, and Gu Xiu led a group of his men to arrive. Upon entering the hall, he immediately bowed to Qiang Ri with both hands clasped in a salute.

Then, Gu Xiu bowed and reported loudly:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the remaining fifty-nine traitors and the high-ranking members of their respective sects attempted to unite and openly oppose the imperial court, but they have all been subdued and killed by us!"

At this point, Gu Xiu paused slightly, then continued, "However, there is one more thing to report to you, sir. The sect leader of the Spirit Sword Sect is currently outside the door requesting an audience with you."

Upon hearing this, Qiang Ri frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He looked directly at Gu Xiu and asked in a slightly questioning tone:

"You still have survivors? Why not wipe them all out and eliminate them completely?"

Faced with the questioning about stealing the sun, Gu Xiu's heart skipped a beat, but he still forced himself to remain calm and explained:

"Your Excellency, this man is named Ji Jian, and he is an extremely pragmatic person."

"When his subordinates arrived, they found that he was being held up by more than a dozen sects, so he was unable to reach the government office before noon."

"After careful consideration, I believe that this man has worked diligently in Changde Prefecture for many years and must be very familiar with all kinds of local affairs. If we can bring him under our command and have him serve our Zhenwu Division branch, he will surely become a great asset."

"Therefore, I have taken the liberty of sparing his life and bringing him to see you, sir. I leave everything to your discretion and hope you will forgive me!"

After speaking, Gu Xiu bowed deeply once again, awaiting the response to the challenge of seizing the sun.

Upon hearing this, Qiang Ri showed neither joy nor sorrow, looking at Gu Xiu with a blank expression, and did not get angry at him for taking matters into his own hands.

To him, a grandmaster was nothing more than a master; whether he lived or died didn't matter, as long as he could complete Xia Taige's task on time.

"Show him in."

Upon hearing this, a member of the Zhenwu Division bowed and withdrew.

Outside the Changde Prefectural Government Office, Ji Jian waited anxiously, his life hanging in the balance.

Just then, a man dressed in brocade robes walked out of the government office and was watching him.

"The Director has summoned me. Please come with me."

The newcomer uttered a single sentence and turned to walk inside. Ji Jian hurriedly followed.

Ji Jian felt a complex mix of emotions towards the rumored Director, a deep sense of awe mixed with an overwhelming curiosity.

The elite soldiers of the Zhenwu Division, who were usually so imposing in public, all spoke of this mysterious director with utmost respect. This made Ji Jian secretly wonder if this person was not just an ordinary Grandmaster-level expert.

The more Ji Jian thought about it, the more unfathomable this Director seemed, and he became increasingly cautious in his actions. After all, since he began cultivating, he had never encountered such a powerful and mysterious figure.

As they approached the main hall, Ji Jian could see from afar a person dressed in white brocade sitting upright in the main seat.

The man exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger; even from a distance, one could still feel his powerful presence.

Gu Xiu and the other commanders and centurions stood solemnly on both sides, with no one beside them. Therefore, it was easy to recognize who the remarkable Director of the Zhenwu Division was at a glance.

With a heart full of trepidation, Ji Jian stepped into the main hall and knelt down without hesitation, then bowed deeply and kowtowed, shouting: