“Sister Yuanshuang, do you know what destiny energy is?”

Thousands of zhang high in the sky, Ji Xuan stood proudly at the bow, looking down at the vast earth below.

Howling winds were blocked three zhang away by the qi barrier he maintained.

Xu Yuanshuang, also within the qi barrier’s range, withdrew her downward gaze. The beautiful young woman glanced at her cousin, slightly frowning:

“You called me out just to ask this?”

The qi barrier confined their conversation to a three-zhang radius.

Ji Xuan narrowed his eyes, wearing his usual gentle smile:

“I’m not entirely at ease, so I wanted to confirm once more.”

Xu Yuanshuang’s fine brows furrowed, not understanding his words. After consideration, she said:

“All things in the world have their fate energy, each different. Humans, beasts, plants, and trees, noble and common—these factors determine the quantity of fate energy.”

“Dynasties also have fate energy, though practitioners call it destiny energy.”

Ji Xuan’s smile faded as he gazed into the distance. After a long while, he suddenly asked:

“Seventh Brother wants to know if destiny energy and fate energy are the same?”

Xu Yuanshuang nodded: “They’re essentially the same, but an individual’s fate energy compared to national destiny is like a drop in the ocean.”

Ji Xuan fell silent, looking into the distance, then smiled:

“There’s Quanrong Mountain!”

…

Xiao Yuenu swept her gaze across, seeing the flourishing sects like Divine Fist Sect and Ink Chamber, as well as some second-tier sects.

Some groups numbered dozens, others less than ten, all now looking toward the sound.

The jianghu heroes gathered in the square had bright eyes, their gazes fixed on the Wanhua Tower women.

Most of the observing gazes were focused on Xiao Yuenu.

As Sword Province’s premier beauty, Xiao Yuenu was undisputedly the center of attention wherever she went.

If it were pure beauty, it would only invite men’s covetousness and disrespect, but Xiao Yuenu was also a fourth-rank martial artist.

In terms of individual combat power, none of the assembled sect and gang leaders dared claim they could defeat her.

With powerful cultivation as the foundation and matchless beauty as an ornament, she became the dream woman of Sword Province’s heroes.

“Why are you all waiting here?”

Xiao Yuenu’s bright eyes moved as her alluring, magnetic voice drifted from behind her veil.

“Alliance Leader Cao went to the back mountain.”

“The Alliance Leader isn’t in the mansion, has been gone for over half an hour.”

“Tower Master Xiao, did you encounter anything unusual on your journey?”

The Martial Alliance heroes opened up, speaking all at once.

On another side, in the Ink Chamber group, Liu Young Master’s master glanced at his disciple, following his gaze to find this unworthy disciple staring entranced at the peerlessly beautiful Xiao Yuenu.

Instantly angered, he raged:

“You should at least look more at Miss Rongrong. Then I’d have an excuse to go to Wanhua Tower to propose marriage, bring you back a wife.”

A teacher for a day is a father for life—being a father, he naturally worried about his disciple’s marriage.

But this unworthy disciple was utterly infatuated with Xiao Yuenu, not realizing that she was far beyond his reach.

Liu Young Master said softly:

“Master, you haven’t married yourself. Better find me a master-mother first.”

Liu Young Master’s master replied:

“Your master is a swordsman. A sword is enough. Only by being single-minded toward it will it truly reciprocate.”

“On the long road, only the sword accompanies you, understand?”

As he spoke, he lovingly stroked the sword at his waist.

This sword was compensated to them by the Astronomical Bureau on behalf of Inspector Xu.

Liu Young Master protested quietly:

“Master, that sword is mine.”

“Didn’t your master say? When I die, then I’ll pass this sword to you.”

The middle-aged swordsman glared, saying earnestly: “You must treat it with true sincerity.”

“I’ll treat it like a wife, just like the master does.” Liu Young Master licked his lips.

After speaking, the master and disciple felt something seemed off about these words. They exchanged glances and both fell silent.

At this moment, a middle-aged man walked out from the Alliance Leader’s mansion, refined and genial, with somewhat of a scholar’s air.

He wore a black robe embroidered with gold and silver thread, wearing a gold crown, and dressed very elegantly and meticulously.

Martial Alliance Vice Leader, Wen Chengbi.

The Martial Alliance’s internal system completely followed the military system of the original old Alliance Leader, just adjusting position names.

Grand General became “Alliance Leader.”

Deputy General and Military Advisor became “Vice Leader.”

Throughout generations, the Martial Alliance’s vice leaders were mainly scholars, emphasizing wisdom and talent rather than martial might.

“Alliance Leader Cao has returned. Everyone, please follow me inside.”

Wen Chengbi stood at the mansion entrance, bowing.

By tacit agreement, the assembled sect and gang leaders stepped forward, walking into the mansion shoulder to shoulder.

The disciples remained outside.

Xiao Yuenu entered the Alliance Leader’s mansion with the other sect leaders, arriving at the council hall.

Cao Qingyang, with his square face and serious demeanor, wore a light cyan robe as he sat in the great chair, watching the arriving crowd.

After everyone was seated, he said gravely:

“Everyone, the Martial Alliance faces an imminent crisis.”

The assembled sect leaders exchanged silent glances at these words, seeming somewhat prepared, not too surprised.

The leaders of small and medium sects didn’t dare speak, maintaining silence.

On such occasions, everyone only needed to stay silent, waiting for Fu Jingmen to open the discussion.

Among the nine major affiliated sect leaders, Fu Jingmen, wearing deep cyan martial clothes, spoke loudly:

“Who’s foolish enough to provoke our Martial Alliance? Just fight them—we’re not afraid even of the court’s army.”

Seeing the topic opened, Xiao Yuenu said softly:

“I doubt it’s the court.”

Fu Jingmen frowned: “What makes you say that?”

A fat middle-aged man sitting diagonally opposite him sneered, pointing at his head:

“Use that brain of yours that only knows fighting. With the cold disaster raging, the court is busy stabilizing various situations and pacifying the people. How could they trouble us at such a critical time?”

The fat man was the head of the Sword Province Merchant Association, called Qiao Weng.

The military garrison at Quanrong Mountain’s foot was largely funded by the Sword Province Merchant Association.

The Thunder Province Merchant Association was Quanrong Mountain’s purse.

Fu Jingmen immediately looked at Cao Qingyang, who nodded, again surveying everyone before saying:

“This is a long story…”

He then detailed the dragon energy matter to all present.

The dragon vein spirits collapse, transforming into dragon energy scattered across the Central Plains…

Dragon energy concerning national destiny, concerning the Central Plains’ safety…

Buddhist Vajra, Witch God Cult experts, and an unheard-of Tianji Palace, all coveting the dragon energy…

The hall fell silent. After hearing Cao Qingyang’s words, the sect leaders struggled to digest the concept of dragon energy, to digest this astounding news.

Especially regarding the coming enemies—just the word “Vajra” stripped all arrogance from the assembled martial artists.

Ink Chamber Master Yang Cuixue sighed:

“Dragon energy’s dispersion led to endless natural and human disasters, countless commoners freezing to death.”

“Foreign powers eye us greedily, attempting to interfere in the Central Plains. Has our Great Feng fallen to such a state?”

The Ink Chamber’s founder was a scholar who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. In anger, he abandoned civil pursuits for martial arts, establishing his sect in Sword Province.

The sect’s disciples maintained the tradition of studying and writing. They usually dressed like scholars, just replacing the scholars’ favorite folding fans with three-foot green swords.

Yang Cuixue now showed something of a scholar’s world-weary indignation.

Everyone fell silent, the hall’s atmosphere seeming to freeze.

Cao Qingyang’s voice was steady and powerful, neither hurried nor slow:

“This concerns the court’s survival, but if we resist, we must first worry about the Martial Alliance’s survival.”

“I cannot bear to see our ancestral foundation destroyed in an instant, but even more cannot tolerate foreigners interfering in the Central Plains. I invite you all to jointly resist this great enemy.”

“Alliance Leader!” As a merchant, Qiao Weng first weighed the advantages and disadvantages:

“This subordinate feels it’s not a question of whether we can bear it, but whether we can withstand it.”

The impulsive Fu Jingmen raged at these words:

“What can’t we withstand?”

“The court’s incompetence doesn’t mean we Central Plains people are incompetent. Western Region’s baldies and Witch God Cult mongrels want to snatch dragon energy, interfere in the Central Plains, bullying us at our doorstep.”

“Do they think the Central Plains has no one? Damn Vajra, let them come, I dare to fight.”

Thousand Mechanisms Sect’s Master Han Xie said sinisterly:

“Fu Jingmen is still as brainless as ever, but I agree with his view. What of Buddhist forces? Can Vajra freely plunder our Great Feng’s dragon energy in the Central Plains?”

Ink Chamber Master Yang Cuixue lightly tapped the table, asking:

“What is the Astronomical Bureau’s stance?”

Cao Qingyang said: “The Astronomical Bureau will provide some assistance. The Bureau Chief’s second disciple Sun Xuanji is now in Sword Province, a Third Rank practitioner.”

Through painful verbal communication with Sun Xuanji, he had already familiarized himself with the other’s background and rank.

“What about the old Alliance Leader?”

The speaker was a middle-aged Daoist, the master of White Crane Temple among the Martial Alliance’s nine major affiliated forces.

Cao Qingyang shook his head:

“The Ancestor is in seclusion. I just waited at the back mountain for a long time but couldn’t awaken the Ancestor.”

This… everyone’s hearts sank.

The old Alliance Leader was the entire Martial Alliance’s backbone. In peaceful times, he served more as a deterrent.

But now with strong enemies surrounding them, the old Alliance Leader couldn’t emerge from seclusion, meaning the Martial Alliance had lost its greatest trump card.

At this point, the previously silent Xiao Yuenu said softly:

“What about Inspector Xu?”

Everyone looked at Cao Qingyang in unison, their gazes carrying hope.

Cao Qingyang gave an affirmative response with a simple nod.

Whew… almost everyone let out a breath.

Learning that Inspector Xu would come to help, many originally anxious sect and gang leaders immediately felt more settled.

With the old Alliance Leader not emerging from seclusion, merely one Third Rank practitioner couldn’t reassure them.

Moreover, the white-robed practitioner was a stranger—how was his strength? His character? Would he flee when things turned unfavorable?

These were all possible concerns.

But with Inspector Xu, they had none of these worries.

Fu Jingmen laughed heartily, excited:

“That day fighting alongside Inspector Xu to kill that mysterious young man, now another chance to face strong enemies together—life’s great pleasures!”

Another who had helped Xu Qi’an was Yang Cuixue. He showed anticipation:

“Back then, Inspector Xu hadn’t even reached Fifth Rank, and still needed Alliance Leader Cao’s help to comprehend Energy Condensation.”

“Yet when slaying the deluded emperor, he was already a Transcendent martial artist. Wonder if his cultivation has progressed further. Truly anticipating.”

…

On a peak on Quanrong Mountain’s south side, Li Lingsu, his presence concealed by “Moving Stars Shifting Constellations,” stood atop a giant pine, gazing toward the arch at the mountain’s foot.

“The Martial Alliance’s affiliated sects have all arrived, and the military garrison is also ready for battle, prepared to meet the enemy.”

The Holy Son pondered: “But I feel these direct forces of the Martial Alliance will be completely useless.”

Miao Youfang stood beside him, also looking down, asking: “Why do you say that?”

Li Lingsu said:

“Sister Rong has an excellent magical treasure called the Wind-Riding Boat.”

“If I were Ji Xuan, I’d come riding the Wind-Riding Boat, heading straight for the back mountain’s secluded area, capturing the leader first.”

“After dealing with the Martial Alliance’s old man, they’d achieve great success. Afterward, whether the army or Martial Alliance fighters, all would be lambs for slaughter.”

“This is the most advantageous tactic, as that old expert’s condition is very poor.”

Speaking, he glanced at Xu Qi’an nearby, trying to get confirmation.

Not long ago, Xu Qi’an had suddenly told them about the Sword Province situation. The battle came so suddenly, catching Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang off guard.

Although battlefield situations change instantly, this changes too quickly.

Especially for Miao Youfang, one moment he was locked in a passionate battle with courtesans in bed, and the next moment Li Lingsu burst in saying no need to fight anymore, battle over!

Miao Youfang was completely dazed at the time.

Xu Qi’an closed his eyes, ignoring Li Lingsu’s probing.

After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes, looking toward the distant sky:

“They’re here!”

…

On the Wind-Riding Boat, three forces gathered at the bow. Eastern Dong Fangrong, the magical treasure’s owner, stood in the center, with Buddhism’s two Vajra on the left, and Ji Xuan’s team plus the Azure Dragon Seven Stars on the right.

Below was a magnificent mountain range stretching hundreds of li.

Quanrong Mountain—according to the “Great Feng Geographic Records,” in Sword Province, there was a mountain where a beast with a human face beast body, and six tails, was able to swallow the moon, called “Quanrong.”

Ji Xuan smiled as he swept his gaze over everyone:

“Unknown if Xu Qi’an is already in Quanrong. To be safe, let’s probe first.”

“The Quanrong beast is of divine demon bloodline. Though its bloodline is thin, it’s still not something ordinary Fourth Rank can handle. Who’ll go test it?”

Warrior monk Jingyuan stepped forward, saying flatly: “I’ll go.”

He had the Vajra Invincible Divine Skill, his defense far surpassing martial artists of the same rank.

Seeing his master Du Nan and Asura Vajra Du Fan didn’t object, Jingyuan raised his finger to tap his brow.

“Dong!”

In the clear bell-like sound, golden lacquer lit up from his brow, flowing like water to cover his entire body.

Jingyuan leaped down from the flying boat.

…

At the Alliance Leader’s mansion.

Cao Qingyang led the assembled sect and gang leaders rushing out of the great hall, looking up to see a golden light streak across the sky, falling toward the back mountain.