Before the dilapidated temple, the cross-legged Master Shen Shu paused briefly, pressed his palms together, and said with an unchanged expression:

“What gave the benefactor the misconception that this humble monk knows how to advance to First Rank?”

…Xu Qi’an fell silent before letting out a soft sigh.

Indeed, seeking answers from a fragmentary soul was too much to ask. After some thought, he said:

“I’ve fulfilled my original promise and gathered all your body parts except the head. If you’re willing, Master, I can help you reunite with them.”

Shen Shu smiled:

“Many thanks, benefactor!”

Among all of Shen Shu’s body parts, this one possessed the strongest Buddhist nature… Xu Qi’an nodded and voluntarily withdrew from Shen Shu’s consciousness realm.

What the right arm didn’t know didn’t mean the torso wouldn’t know. When all parts except the head were gathered, quantity could transform into quality, allowing Shen Shu to remember more.

Shen Shu was a half-step martial god, and warrior monks’ paths closely resembled those of martial artists. If anyone in the world could become Xu Qi’an’s teacher, it would be Shen Shu.

Additionally, the former Queen of Myriad Beasts was also a First Rank expert—the Nine-Tailed Fox must know how to advance to First Rank.

So the next objective was clear—head to the Southern Borderlands!

—

In the capital, at Lingbao Temple.

Luo Yuhen descended from the azure sky riding auspicious clouds, floating into Lingbao Temple.

Seeing the Dao Leader’s return, temple disciples immediately came to the secluded courtyard and respectfully said:

“Dao Leader, a word from the palace says that in one month, Constable Xu and Princess Lin’an will wed. They earnestly request your attendance at the ceremony.”

Upon hearing this news, Luo Yuhen instinctively reached out to summon her flying sword.

Then she suddenly remembered she’d left her ancestral divine weapon in Xu Qi’an’s mind. That scoundrel’s head was full of nonsense that needed a good cleaning by the divine sword.

Wedding in a month… Luo Yuhen frowned in contemplation, unconsciously glancing toward the palace.

Huh, that woman wants to use me as a pawn to disrupt the wedding? If you’re not anxious, why should I be?

She decided to remain patient and not respond.

But thinking further, she realized she should be anxious. The Empress and Xu Qi’an had maintained their distance until now.

Yet she had practiced dual cultivation with Xu multiple times. No matter how much she denied it verbally, she knew in her heart that she had feelings for him.

How could the noble Dao Leader’s dual cultivation partner marry another?

So Luo Yuhen said:

“Go to the Bureau of Astronomy and find Xu Qi’an’s woman there. Tell her Xu Qi’an and Princess Lin’an will wed in one month.”

Though she couldn’t intervene directly, she could use the Flower Goddess as her proxy. The Flower Goddess was foolish and simple-minded, perfect for manipulation.

Most importantly, the Flower Goddess was beautiful—no man could ignore her unreasonable demands.

The Lingbao Temple disciple didn’t question it and nodded:

“Disciple understands.”

—

Following the Dao Leader’s orders, the disciple didn’t dare delay and immediately went to the Bureau of Astronomy, but found no one there.

Meanwhile, an ordinary-looking carriage stopped at the Xu residence. A plain-featured woman lifted her skirts as she descended, walking gracefully to the gate.

A pair of heavily armed guards blocked her way.

The Xu residence’s status was now far different from before, with expert guards stationed inside and out, and Night Watchers lurking nearby as sentries.

“I am an old friend of Xu Qi’an,” Mu Nanchi said to the guards. “He invited me to stay at his residence briefly.”

This morning, palace messengers had come saying Xu Qi’an had asked the Emperor to relay a message—he hoped she would move from the Bureau of Astronomy to stay at the Xu residence.

In Mu Nanchi’s view, this was Xu’s way of indirectly courting her favor. The Bureau of Astronomy, however nice, was still someone else’s territory.

The Xu residence was his home.

The two guards exchanged glances, and the left one said:

“Please wait a moment.”

He hurried inside to report.

Shortly after, he returned and invited Mu Nanchi in.

Following the guard through the outer courtyard and winding corridors, Mu Nanchi met Aunt Xu in the inner hall, who was wearing fine clothes and possessed striking beauty.

Aunt Xu also saw the woman the guard had brought in, thinking something wasn’t right—how could her nephew be interested in such a woman?

When she’d heard a woman was coming, claiming to be personally invited by her unfortunate nephew, her first thought was that he’d gotten himself into some romantic entanglement that couldn’t be refused, so she’d allowed the visitor entry.

But upon seeing the woman’s appearance, Aunt Xu felt something was amiss.

Given her nephew’s flirtatious and lustful nature, any woman he fancied would surely be sixteen or eighteen, beautiful as a flower.

Yet the woman before her was plain-featured and ordinary-looking, with no notable qualities except an impressive bosom and child-bearing hips.

She appeared to be about the same age as herself.

Her eldest nephew would never be interested in such a woman.

“Oh…” Aunt Xu scrutinized her and said: “I remember now, you’re the one who rode in our carriage to watch the Buddhist confrontation at the Bureau of Astronomy back then.”

And the one who slandered Ling Yin as some relative’s daughter… the grudge-holding Aunt Xu grumbled internally.

“You remember me!” Mu Nanchi nodded, somewhat surprised by Aunt Xu’s memory. She glanced around the inner hall, quickly being drawn to the Nine-Star Orchid on the display shelf.

Aunt Xu sized her up and asked:

“Ning Yan invited you here?”

“You think I came on my own?”

The princess was used to being spoiled and huffed: “If he hadn’t persistently invited me, I wouldn’t have come at all.”

Unexpectedly, Aunt Xu was equally proud, and hearing this made her unhappy.

“You’re not taking good care of this orchid—it’s thirsty. Look how wilted it is,” Mu Nanchi walked to the shelf, fiddling with the Nine-Star Orchid.

“Hey, who said you could touch it!” Aunt Xu’s eyebrows immediately shot up.

This Nine-Star Orchid was her precious treasure. The flower was extremely cold-resistant, blooming only in winter with nine flowers, each a different color, brilliantly beautiful—hence the name Nine-Star Orchid.

Such flowers were highly prized by the nobility for their ornamental value, reportedly first spreading from the Northern Garrison King’s mansion.

Moreover, its most precious quality was its difficulty to cultivate, making it extremely rare.

This Nine-Star Orchid was a gift from the former Prime Minister’s daughter Wang Simu, trying to curry favor with her future mother-in-law.

Not just Mu Nanchi—nobody in the household was allowed to touch it. Even Aunt Xu’s beloved youngest daughter Xu Ling Yin would get smacked every time she tried.

Aunt Xu had been caring for it well, but for some unknown reason, half a month ago, the flowers suddenly withered and hadn’t bloomed since.

“It’s thirsty,” Mu Nanchi repeated.

“How would you know it’s thirsty? Did it tell you?” Aunt Xu snorted:

“Nine-Star Orchids are very cold-resistant. They don’t need much water—once every five days is enough.”

“Then why is it wilting?” Mu Nanchi pointed out bluntly.

Aunt Xu faltered before explaining:

“Because it’s delicate, of course.”

Mu Nanchi pointed at the beast-head charcoal brazier in the hall and said irritably:

“You keep burning charcoal, making the room hot, so of course it’s thirsty. Yet you still try to care for it as if it were growing outside. You’ve ruined a perfectly good flower.”

Aunt Xu flew into a rage, feeling humiliated in her area of expertise, and shouted:

“What do you know about flowers? What do you know!”

“More than you!” Mu Nanchi countered:

“I can make it bloom right now.”

“Well then, make it bloom!” Aunt Xu sneered with hands on her hips.

Mu Nanchi’s eyes rolled thoughtfully before saying:

“If I make it bloom, you have to call me Elder Sister.”

Aunt Xu humphed: “Deal!”

Mu Nanchi gently blew a breath toward the Nine-Star Orchid, and a miracle occurred—the orchid quickly formed buds, then gradually blossomed, nine colorful flowers dotting the green foliage, a gorgeous sight.

Aunt Xu’s mouth formed an “O,” her expression frozen.

Mu Nanchi said coolly:

“Call me Elder Sister.”

From now on, I’ll be Xu Ning Yan’s elder. If he dares touch me again, it would be a grave transgression.

—

Southern Borderlands, Southern Dharma Temple.

In the plaza outside the Sealing Tower, a flash of clear light revealed figures in cyan and white robes, along with a white ape wearing a wooden cangue, handcuffs, and shackles.

“Who goes there?”

The patrolling beast soldiers discovered them and approached with weapons raised, shouting.

As they got closer and saw the visitors’ appearances, the beast soldiers’ attitudes changed dramatically as they bowed:

“Greetings, Constable Xu.”

Xu Qi’an nodded slightly and released his aura. Moments later, the Nine-Tailed Fox arrived on the wind, appearing in the plaza.

She had silvery fine hair, with a pair of furry fox ears atop her head, and wore a veil concealing her kingdom-toppling beauty.

Her upper body was clothed in a perfectly fitted chest wrap, while below she wore a beast-hide short skirt and a fur wrap around her waist that resembled a front-split dress.

Behind her, nine fox tails moved as if alive, sometimes spreading like a peacock’s fan, sometimes swaying in different directions—an enchanting sight.

“What’s with the sword on your head?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s gaze fixed firmly on the sword hilt protruding from Xu Qi’an’s crown.

“Domestic violence…”

He waved his hand, indicating he didn’t want to discuss it further.

“Are you here to recruit help? I don’t have the energy to run to the Central Plains to fight for you.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox blinked her beautiful eyes, asking with a playful smile.

Her voice was sensual and magnetic, carrying a flirtatious irreverence.

“Your news is outdated. I just advanced to Second Rank and fought with Xu Pingfeng,” Xu Qi’an smiled.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox paused, examining Xu Qi’an before giggling:

“Not bad.”

This is too calm, how am I supposed to show off… Xu Qi’an complained internally before saying:

“I’m here to return Master Shen Shu’s right arm… Are you injured?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox explained calmly:

“I just fought with Guangxian and Liu Li and took some injuries. Fortunately, Liu Li was severely wounded by the Supervisor, damaging her original force, so she couldn’t fight at full strength. Otherwise, my injuries would be worse.”

Seems the Southern Borderlands aren’t peaceful either… Xu Qi’an’s gaze fell on the Sealing Tower:

“Is Master Shen Shu alright?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox pursed her lips and rolled her eyes at him:

“Without a Beyond-Rank expert appearing, who could truly harm him? You’ve come at the right time—Shen Shu’s evil thoughts and innate bellicosity are too difficult to control. The right arm contains his Buddhist nature; after merging with the soul within it, Shen Shu will become more gentle.”

As she spoke, the doors of the Sealing Tower “boomed” open, and Shen Shu walked out wearing only black trousers, his upper body bare.

His body was completely black, muscles rippling like a sculpture, his neck empty.

As soon as Shen Shu’s body appeared, the right arm within Xu Qi’an began to stir. His chest bulged with the outline of a right arm, gradually rising and separating from his flesh, trying to emerge from within.

This hurts a bit… Xu Qi’an frowned, clearly feeling the pain of flesh separating.

Shen Shu’s right arm had laid dormant in his body for years, long since merging with his flesh. Its separation felt like having a limb forcibly torn away.

Shortly after, a black right arm “burst forth,” flying toward Shen Shu’s body.

“No, I don’t want to see this hypocrite!”

Suddenly, Shen Shu’s left hand protested loudly, slapping the right arm away.

The Qi explosion sent the right arm soaring into the clouds.

Xu Qi’an stood stunned, wondering what was happening.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a streak of light whistled back—the right arm had returned, launching a sky-piercing strike at the left hand, accompanied by the right arm’s soul’s voice:

“You don’t have a choice!”

At this moment, Shen Shu’s left leg flew up, accurately striking the incoming right arm, and kicking it away again.

“I hate this hypocrite too,” the left leg announced loudly.

“You two don’t know what’s good for you.”

Shen Shu’s torso detached itself from the left arm and legs, condensing qi into arms and legs, saying deeply:

“Then let’s fight.”

The torso, like the right arm, had a gentler personality. The left arm was full of malice, while the legs were proud and combative.

Thus, the torso, right hand, left hand, and legs began fighting, creating an extremely brutal scene.

The Nine-Tailed Fox pressed her lush, bright lips together to keep from twitching, took a deep breath, and said without much emotion:

“Let them fight. They’ll be harmonious after fighting. Heh, everyone has times of disagreement. Let’s talk while we wait.”

Everyone has times of disagreement. For how during my sage time I hate my recent lustful self for not taking care of my body… Xu Qi’an nodded, roughly understanding Shen Shu’s current state.

“I have something to consult Your Majesty about.”

They left the Sealing Tower and came to a magnificent palace south of the Southern Dharma Temple.

The hall was brightly lit, laid with exquisitely embroidered carpets, decorated with potted plants and gold-silver-jade artifacts, its pillars wrapped in gold leaf and jade pieces.

Scantily clad fox spirit beauties stood in attendance throughout the hall, each alluring and enchanting.

Xu Qi’an also saw Qingji, whose temperament was as cool and refined as a noble lady. She sat at a desk, reviewing documents and handling Myriad Beast Nation affairs.

Qingji raised her head to glance at the entering Xu Qi’an, Sun Xuanji, and Guardian Yuan, who seemed about to speak but stopped, then lowered her head to continue working.

At the end of the crimson carpet was a large beauty couch where the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox reclined languidly, her nine fluffy, beautiful tails swaying gently.

“Who removed your final Demon Sealing Nail?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox asked the question she’d been curious about for so long, having held back until now.

“Your brother!” Xu Qi’an smiled.

The fox’s flawless divine countenance froze as she asked in surprise:

“Asura?”

She was a clever fox, and after brief consideration, immediately connected this to Asura’s previous actions of holding back.

But she didn’t understand Asura’s purpose in doing so.

“Because Asura is Number Eight of the Earth Society,” Xu Qi’an pulled out the Earth Book fragment and waved it.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had heard some things about this secret organization, knowing it was established by Earth Sect Daoists using the Earth Book as their token.

Xu Qi’an briefly explained the circumstances. After the Nine-Tailed Fox nodded slightly to show understanding, he got straight to the point:

“Today I came here not only to fulfill my promise of returning Master Shen Shu’s right arm, but also for another purpose!”

“How to advance to First Rank?” The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox raised an eyebrow.

“Your Majesty is indeed clever,” Xu Qi’an smiled flatteringly.

“It’s not hard to guess. You want to turn the tide and save Great Feng, but Second Rank cultivation isn’t quite enough. The Bodhi Tree is among the best of First Rank, and the White Emperor has shown First Rank power. Just these two are enough to give you a headache.”

“Moreover, the White Emperor’s true form is an ancient god-demon descendant—Da Huang!”

“What it’s plotting in secret, we can hardly know. In any case, your current Second Rank power cannot resist Yun Province. Advancing to First Rank is your only way forward.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox sighed:

“But I can’t offer any advice.”

Hearing this, Xu Qi’an frowned deeply, asking in confusion:

“What does Your Majesty mean?”

He didn’t believe the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox didn’t understand how to advance to First Rank. Not to mention the previous Myriad Beast Nation ruler was First Rank.

The Nine-Tailed Fox before him was at mid or peak Second Rank, with advancing to First Rank as her next step.

Seeking advancement was an instinct of all living beings—the Nine-Tailed Fox must know the correct method to advance to First Rank.

“The beast race and warrior systems are very similar, except one cultivates innate divine abilities while the other cultivates ‘Intent.’ Besides this, there’s almost no difference. But the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox isn’t purely of the beast race.”

The silver-haired beauty sighed:

“We are descendants of gods and demons, which are different from today’s major systems. Put it this way—spiritual essence is the foundation of god-demon descendants. For me, as long as my spiritual essence fully awakens and merges with my physical body and primordial spirit, I can enter First Rank.”

“So if you must ask me how to enter First Rank, I can only tell you that having god-demon spiritual essence would do it.”

This is just like Mu Nanchi—she doesn’t need to cultivate, just wait for her spiritual essence to awaken and naturally return to her peak… Xu Qi’an felt disappointed.

“Then, does Master Shen Shu know how to advance to First Rank?”

Xu Qi’an asked, unwilling to give up.

“He might know, he might not,” the Nine-Tailed Fox smiled:

“Wait until they finish fighting, then you can ask.”

The hall fell silent.

Guardian Yuan looked at Xu Qi’an, then at the Nine-Tailed Fox, his face full of disappointment.

Because they were deliberately containing their thoughts, Guardian Yuan’s innate divine ability couldn’t forcibly peek into transcendent thoughts.

Seems I won’t be able to peek into Constable Xu’s inner thoughts anymore… Guardian Yuan thought with complex emotions.

The silver-haired beauty examined the white ape with surprise:

“Oh? This monkey isn’t dead yet? Your human race is quite tolerant.”

Xu Qi’an said flatly:

“He’s not far from death.”

Guardian Yuan symbolically lifted the wooden cangue around his neck.

Half an hour later, the violent qi fluctuations outside stopped, and everything became peaceful.

Everyone left the great hall together and came to the Sealing Tower.

In the plaza, the headless Shen Shu stood proudly, complete with arms and legs. It seemed that after some friction, they had chosen to compromise with themselves.

Xu Qi’an hurried forward, cupping his hands in greeting:

“Senior, this junior has something to ask.”

Shen Shu was silent for a moment before sighing:

“How long has it been since the Nine Provinces had a First Rank warrior? I know what you want to ask. Before I answer, please consider one question.”

“What is the biggest difference between me and other warriors?”