Dong Fangrong nodded slightly, her gaze passing over Ji Xuan’s shoulder to observe those inside the hall.

Simultaneously, Nalan Tianlu’s voice echoed in her mind:

“Those eight people are strange—their qi feels as if from one person, seeming transcendent yet not transcendent.”

Dong Fangrong quickly determined which “eight people” Nalan Tianlu meant, as they were all wrapped in identical black robes.

Such beautiful twins… Liu Hongmian examined the sister pair, surprise flickering in her eyes.

She considered herself an exceptional beauty, standing out even in Wanhua Tower, a sect known for its beautiful women.

Neither of these sisters alone would have surprised Liu Hongmian, but together, the twins created a qualitative change.

Especially since one was alluring while the other was cool and aloof, complementing each other perfectly.

Everyone in the hall shared Liu Hongmian’s reaction, momentarily stunned by the twin sisters.

This included the stern youth Xu Yuanhuai, the Southern Borders’ poison master Qihuan Danxiang, and the beast clan’s White Tiger.

Dong Fangrong looked at Ji Xuan, smiling coyly: “And you are?”

“I am Ji Xuan, son of Hidden Dragon City’s City Lord.”

Ji Xuan bowed.

Dong Fangrong already knew about Hidden Dragon City from her teacher Nalan Tianlu, and nodded slightly.

She led the East Ocean Dragon Palace followers into the courtyard, having them line up there while she and her sister Dong Fangqing entered the hall.

“We pay our respects to the two Vajra.”

The sisters bowed respectfully.

“Little Masters, we meet again.”

Dong Fangrong greeted Jingxin and Jingyuan with a smile.

After all parties had exchanged greetings, Ji Xuan took control of the conversation:

“The general situation has been clearly explained in the secret letter from Tianji Palace’s spy. Do the two Palace Masters have any questions?”

Dong Fangqing remained silent while her sister Dong Fangrong asked:

“Why did two dragon energies appear in the Martial Alliance?”

It was strange that two of the Nine Dragons appeared simultaneously in the Martial Alliance.

Jingxin pressed his palms together, speculating: “Perhaps it’s due to dragon energies’ mutual attraction.”

Dong Fangrong frowned, clearly unsatisfied with this answer.

At this point, Xu Yuanshuang spoke coolly:

“It’s not due to mutual attraction. Dragon energy is a form of destiny that possesses self-awareness—not consciousness as we understand it, but more like a natural law.”

“Destiny is formed from the people’s will, so dragon energy instinctively seeks to inhabit those with excellent reputations or revered objects.”

“The Sword Province’s Martial Alliance has an excellent reputation and maintains order. Adding the old Alliance Leader’s background, if there was no interference from outside forces during Central Plains chaos, which force would you think has the best chance of competing for control?”

Without a doubt, it would be the Martial Alliance.

Dong Fangqing asked: “That’s not right. In my process of collecting dragon energy, I’ve encountered many treacherous individuals.”

Xu Yuanshuang considered this, then said:

“First, human nature is complex—even a gambling addict might possess imperial qualities. Second, throughout history, how many emperors were truly honest and kind?”

“If Dragon Energy chose its host based on personal character, then looking through history, not a single founding emperor would have qualified.”

Dong Fangqing fell silent, but Liu Hongmian frowned:

“Then why didn’t the dragon energy choose to inhabit Xu Qi’an when it dispersed? In terms of reputation, he surpasses anyone in the Martial Alliance.”

Xu Yuanshuang replied coolly:

“Because it was scattered to begin with. Dragon energy is formed from Central Plains’ destiny, so when scattered, it naturally returns to the Central Plains.”

Dong Fangrong nodded, somewhat satisfied with her answer. She examined the cool young woman and asked:

“You’re a practitioner?”

Xu Yuanshuang remained silent, tacitly agreeing.

Dong Fangrong scanned the Hidden Dragon City group, then asked:

“After success, how will the dragon energy be distributed?”

Ji Xuan responded: “One for each.”

Seeing Dong Fangrong didn’t object, he continued:

“How much do the Palace Masters know about the Martial Alliance?”

Dong Fangrong said: “We were just about to ask Young Master Ji to explain.”

The East Ocean Dragon Palace wasn’t within Great Feng’s borders, so for the sisters, the Martial Alliance was a Central Plains organization with no conflicts of interest—they’d only heard of it in passing.

Liu Hongmian acted as narrator, explaining the Martial Alliance’s situation in detail.

The Eastern sisters frowned repeatedly as they listened.

Ji Xuan said:

“The Martial Alliance is powerful, so we need careful planning. This is why I invited the Palace Masters for a face-to-face discussion.”

“Let’s do some analysis.”

“First, there’s Cao Qingyang, who’s half-step to Transcendent. The Azure Dragon Seven Stars could handle him easily. But considering the number of mid to high-level martial artists in Sword Province’s jianghu, if they allied with Cao Qingyang, would it be an even match?”

He looked toward the Azure Dragon Seven Stars.

A hoarse voice came from Azure Dragon’s hood: “Can’t estimate accurately, but our chances of victory are very high.”

The combat strength was difficult to calculate. If the Azure Dragon Seven Stars were genuine Third Rank martial artists, then even Cao Qingyang allied with all Fourth Rank experts in Sword Province couldn’t shake them.

But their side also took an unorthodox path, having Third Rank combat power without corresponding defense or flesh regeneration abilities.

This meant a very low margin for error.

Moreover, they couldn’t judge if the Martial Alliance had formation techniques for support.

Therefore, the actual situation would only be known in battle.

Ji Xuan nodded, saying:

“Then there’s the military garrison below Quanrong Mountain. An army of twenty thousand is enough to wear down Fourth Rank experts—in the Shanhai Pass battle, many Fourth Rank martial artists died from exhaustion.”

White Tiger pondered: “If we choose Quanrong Mountain as the battlefield, we can effectively suppress the cavalry’s advantage. Moreover, fighting in the mountains lets us use the terrain, creating rockslides that would be devastating to mortal soldiers.”

Qihuan Danxiang added:

“I can control poisonous insects to ravage and poison soldiers and ordinary sect members. However, with just a few Fourth Rank experts, even with many techniques, we’re still not enough.”

How could a jianghu force that had dominated Sword Province for six hundred years be handled by merely a few Fourth Rank experts?

“We’re not the main force, of course.”

Ji Xuan smiled, saying:

“The Martial Alliance’s old leader has been in seclusion for years. I have reliable information that his condition is extremely poor—he’s no longer a concern. But we must guard against another person.”

“An opponent who makes people tremble.”

Except for the two Vajra, everyone present showed different reactions.

Ji Xuan’s team showed mainly fear; Jingxin and Jingyuan’s expressions darkened slightly; the Eastern sisters’ faces were filled with resentment.

It was that person who had taken their man.

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Ji Xuan knew he didn’t need to explain, and continued gravely:

“Xu Qi’an himself is in the Transcendent realm, but no longer at his peak. His combat power can be estimated to some degree—the strength he showed outside Yong Province should be no weaker than Cao Qingyang.”

“After capturing the Wisdom Arhat, his seal should have been further released. Conservatively estimating, he’s barely at Third Rank.”

“Such cultivation wouldn’t be concerning—one Vajra could suppress him. But the figures potentially behind him are extremely troublesome. For example, Luo Yuheng, or the Heavenly Sect.”

Xu Yuanhuai frowned: “My father’s secret letter said Luo Yuheng likely won’t intervene. As for the Heavenly Sect’s two Yang Spirit experts, their whereabouts are unpredictable.”

Liu Hongmian looked at the Eastern sisters, smiling meaningfully:

“What trump cards do the sisters have?”

Above Dong Fangrong’s head appeared an elderly man with white hair and a beard, calmly looking down at everyone in the hall, saying gently:

“If the Heavenly Sect’s Yang Spirit experts appear, I’ll handle them.”

Nalan Tianlu… Jingxin and Jingyuan’s hearts trembled, while the two Vajra behind them exchanged glances, their expressions growing heavy.

Ji Xuan probed: “Rain Master Nalan?”

The old man smiled and nodded.

Ji Xuan let out a breath:

“Then this junior can rest assured.”

“The Heavenly Sect’s two Yang Spirit experts can’t always follow Xu Qi’an. Their last intervention was probably coincidental.”

He had guessed correctly.

“Moreover, Xu Qi’an might not be in Sword Province now, and might not know about the two dragon energies in the Martial Alliance. We’re just being cautious. Rather than crafting a perfect plan, I believe our primary task is swift action.”

Ji Xuan spoke eloquently, his thoughts clear: “Strike Quanrong Mountain with lightning speed, destroy the Martial Alliance. Then uproot their affiliated sects completely.”

…

At the Martial Alliance.

Cao Qingyang had been anxious and uneasy these past few days. After failing to see the Ancestor, the next day he sent people to the capital to confess the dragon energy matter to the Astronomical Bureau.

The reason was simple—dragon energy was a treasure with supernatural effects beyond mortal understanding.

And Wang You had already explained that before his capture, he had spread the information.

Therefore, the Astronomical Bureau would eventually come to demand answers and claim the dragon energy.

No matter how proud Cao Qingyang was, no matter how strong the Martial Alliance was, they didn’t have the confidence to defy the Astronomical Bureau.

In that case, it would be better to be forthright, leaving room for negotiation. For instance, extracting the dragon’s energy would endanger his children’s lives.

Meanwhile, he had his messenger deliver a secret letter to Xu Qi’an, hoping he could mediate.

…

Sun Xuanji returned to the Astronomical Bureau but didn’t go to the Eight Trigrams Platform to see his teacher, the Bureau Chief. Instead, he found Song Qing.

The alchemy fanatic was conducting research with his junior disciples, currently striving to forge a metal that was light, thin, and soft, yet had powerful defensive properties.

This could effectively reduce the burden on soldiers during marches, letting them sleep more soundly while remaining vigilant.

Eventually, it could even be made into vests, allowing cavalry to maintain high mobility while standing against heavy cavalry.

But Song Qing had failed, and the experiment’s only achievement was darkening his under-eye circles.

Song Qing felt a tap on his shoulder, set down his apparatus, and turned to find his second senior brother had returned.

“Senior Brother Sun, you’re back.”

Song Qing turned back, fiddling with metal chunks while saying:

“Yesterday, someone claiming to be from the Martial Alliance came to the Astronomical Bureau, saying they had dragon energy hosts. Remembering you were collecting dragon energy, I notified you through the voice conch.”

His tone was calm, speaking of dragon energy hosts as casually as discussing stray cats and dogs.

Sun Xuanji nodded, about to leave when Song Qing hurriedly called him back:

“Wait.”

“Before the Bureau Chief went soul-traveling, he gave me something to pass to you.”

He called out to the other alchemists in the dan room:

“Where’s the Nation-Stabilizing Sword? Where did you put it?”

The white-robed practitioners looked at each other, indicating they hadn’t seen it.

Sun Xuanji noticed one white-robed practitioner holding a brass sword, using it to poke at the charcoal in the dan furnace while shaking his head:

“Haven’t seen the Nation-Stabilizing Sword.”

Song Qing raged: “Xu Fu, isn’t that it in your hand? Using the divine Nation-Stabilizing Sword as a fire poker?!”

The white-robed practitioner looked down, startled:

“Ah, it’s been here so long, I forgot…”

“Senior Brother Song, didn’t you use the Bureau Chief’s Celestial Mechanism Plate to prop up a table leg? You’re one to talk.”

Sun Xuanji looked down and indeed saw the Bureau Chief’s Celestial Mechanism Plate wedged under a table leg.

The Celestial Mechanism Plate was a magical treasure but had no consciousness—it had never developed awareness. The Bureau Chief said items for divination and peering into heaven’s mechanisms could never develop consciousness.

So even if thrown into a latrine, the Celestial Mechanism Plate wouldn’t object.

But Sun Xuanji was curious about the Nation-Stabilizing Sword, which did have a spirit. How had the founding emperor’s sword, which had stabilized national fortune for six hundred years, become so mild-tempered?

“Oh, the Bureau Chief sealed it. Remember to unlock it later, but not in the Astronomical Bureau.”

Song Qing said.

Sun Xuanji took the Nation-Stabilizing Sword, immediately understanding Song Qing’s meaning.

The sword’s faint consciousness transmitted:

“Destroy… all…”

…

In the courtyard, Cao Qingyang stood with hands behind his back, watching Cao Chun practicing swordplay with vigor.

The seven-year-old child wielded the wooden sword with impressive force and grace. Anyone seeing this scene wouldn’t believe he had only started learning this sword technique yesterday.

Dragon energy truly is a treasure. If it could remain within Chun’er permanently, his achievements would surely surpass mine… Cao Qingyang quickly dismissed this thought.

As a father, rather than his son achieving greatness, he hoped for his child’s safety first.

He hoped the Astronomical Bureau wouldn’t be unreasonable, and hoped Xu Qi’an would come to the Martial Alliance after receiving the secret letter. He suddenly turned, looking behind him to find a white-robed figure had appeared there at some point.

A practitioner? From the Astronomical Bureau, no hostility… Cao Qingyang’s gaze flickered as he said:

“Chun’er, go inside.”

Cao Chun stopped, looking questioningly at his father: “Yes.”

He seemed not to notice the white-robed figure as he left.

Cao Qingyang bowed: “May I know your honored name?”

The white-robed practitioner stared at him steadily: “Sun…”

Half a quarter hour passed, and Cao Qingyang waited in vain for the rest.

His surname is Sun. Only giving his surname, not his given name—these Astronomical Bureau practitioners truly are arrogant… Cao Qingyang bowed:

“Master Sun, I already know about the dragon energy-matter. May I ask how Master Sun intends to handle it?”

After a long wait, what came was:

“Xuan… ji…”

The well-experienced Cao Qingyang’s mind was filled with question marks. Taking a deep breath, he said gravely:

“If the dragon veins are extracted, will my son’s life be in danger?”

“No!”

“Has Inspector Xu come as well?”

“No.”

Such a cold practitioner… Cao Qingyang felt he had formed an initial impression of the white-robed practitioner before him—extremely aloof, speaking only single words.

“Master Sun, could you tell me about the dragon energy matter?”

Cao Qingyang said: “Also, I wish to take my children to the capital to see Inspector Xu.”

In his heart, he thought there must be Xu Qi’an present to clarify the advantages and disadvantages.

Cao Qingyang didn’t trust this unfamiliar practitioner.

…

Half an hour later, in the study, Cao Qingyang watched the soft brush move smoothly across the paper, feeling an unexpected surge of satisfaction and happiness.

Sun Xuanji set down the brush, shook the paper, and handed it to Cao Qingyang.

Cao Qingyang took it, reading intently, his expression growing increasingly grave.

The full page briefly explained the origin of dragon energy, and Cao Qingyang finally understood why the dragon energy had chosen to inhabit his children.

After Emperor Yuanjing’s death, the dragon vein spirit collapsed, scattering across the Nine Provinces, and attaching to different hosts.

Furthermore, this practitioner Sun Xuanji indicated he couldn’t extract the dragon energy—only Xu Qi’an could do it.

This somewhat relieved Cao Qingyang. If Xu Qi’an were the one extracting the dragon’s energy, he would feel much more at ease.

The following content was what made Cao Qingyang’s expression grave.

Currently, the Witch God Cult, Tianji Palace, and Buddhism were also collecting dragon energy, these forces attempting to interfere in the Central Plains.

Now, they had likely set their sights on the Martial Alliance.

The Ancestor’s condition was poor, unconscious—how could they defend against enemies… Cao Qingyang’s heart grew heavy.

“Alliance Leader Cao, please prepare for battle.”

Sun Xuanji wrote these words, rose and bowed, clear light appearing beneath his feet as he vanished before Cao Qingyang’s eyes.

He was going to find Xu Qi’an.