A delicate little fox with a tiny leather pouch hanging around its neck appeared.

It could speak? A fox spirit… and it knew his true identity… Xu Qi’an almost unleashed a “Great Heavenly Dragon” palm technique on it. He glanced around outside the window and said, “Come inside to talk.”

The little fox giggled and leaped from the windowsill into the room with its four short legs.

Xu Qi’an’s gaze followed the small fox spirit as it walked elegantly to the table on its four limbs. It made a vigorous leap but failed to reach the tabletop, its little belly hitting the edge instead.

“Ouch!” it cried out in pain, its hind legs flailing until it finally scrambled onto the table. It crouched down, its black pearl-like eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement as it observed Xu Qi’an.

Too weak… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.

“The Queen sent me here…” the little fox said in a silvery, childlike voice.

As expected! Xu Qi’an thought silently. A fox spirit that knew his identity was most likely from the Monster Realm, which is why he had resisted the urge to eliminate it earlier.

“And?” he stood at the table, looking down at the adorable, fluffy little fox.

“You sneaked in here. Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?”

The little fox chuckled, “Speed and stealth are my specialties. Why else would the Queen send me? Sister Ye Ji said that Constable Xu is prophetic and perceptive, so how come he can’t understand such a simple logic?”

“Because reasoning requires sufficient clues and understanding of things. For instance, I don’t know you, so I can’t judge whether you’re a reckless little fox spirit or not. Also, given your young age, I would suspect that your abilities might not be great and that you might not be careful enough,” Xu Qi’an replied casually.

The little fox had a sudden realization, its eyes shining like black pearls. It raised its paw and tapped the table, saying in a sweet voice, “I see! As expected of Constable Xu, your words are so reasonable and well-organized.”

“Who is this Sister Ye Ji you mentioned? Does she know me?” Xu Qi’an sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

“Quick, pour one for me too,” the little fox urged, tapping the table again.

Amid the soft sound of pouring water, Xu Qi’an filled a cup for her. The little fox approached with its pink nose and started lapping with its small tongue.

“You can’t transform?” Xu Qi’an asked, surprised.

“Not yet,” the little fox replied sweetly.

I was wrong, you’re not just weak, you’re embarrassingly weak. Why did the Monster Queen send you here… Xu Qi’an criticized internally.

After a few sips, the little fox said, “Sister Ye Ji is my third sister. She’s incredibly powerful and was born 376 years before me.”

So who exactly is your Sister Ye Ji?

“She was on a mission in the capital before and just returned recently. She told me many stories about you. Constable Xu is amazing~”

Floating… Floating Fragrance… Xu Qi’an’s expression froze, unsure whether he felt joy, melancholy, or anger. His emotions were very complex.

Joy came from receiving news about his old flame, melancholy from the prospect of their reunion being distant, and anger because the dignified Imperial Guard of Great Sui had been reduced to a living corpse by her.

She’s Floating Fragrance’s sister, so Floating Fragrance’s real name is Ye Ji… Xu Qi’an’s expression softened slightly, and he asked, “What did your Queen send me here for?”

“To deliver a message,” the little fox said happily.

Well, deliver it then… After waiting for a while and seeing her still gazing at him admiringly without speaking, Xu Qi’an had to prompt, “The message?”

“The Queen asked me to tell you about the situation with the Buddhist sect,” the little fox said, its eyes darting to the osmanthus cakes on the table, which it had been eyeing several times already.

“If you want to eat, go ahead,” Xu Qi’an sighed.

The little fox let out a joyful cry, grabbed an osmanthus cake, and began nibbling on it.

A weakling, childish, very reserved, with an air of nobility, feels like it would cry for a long time if hit… Xu Qi’an made his assessment internally.

Patiently waiting for her to finish eating, Xu Qi’an asked, “Do you want more?”

“Yes, yes, thank you, Constable Xu.”

“…How about you finish delivering the Queen’s message first?”

Greedy! Xu Qi’an added another label to his mind, though it wasn’t surprising for a child to be fond of food.

The little fox reluctantly tore its gaze away from the cakes and sat obediently, saying:

“Starting from the highest rank, the most powerful in the Buddhist sect are the Transcendent-level Buddhas, followed by the Four Great Bodhisattvas. Currently, there are four Bodhisattvas: Bodhisattva Jialoshu, who controls the ‘Vajra Dharma Form’ and the ‘Immovable Wisdom King Form’; Bodhisattva Guangxian, who controls the ‘Great Reincarnation Form’ and the ‘Great Compassion Form’; Bodhisattva Faji, who controls the ‘Great Wisdom Form’ and the ‘Medicine Buddha Form’; and Bodhisattva Liuli, who controls the ‘Practitioner Form’ and the ‘Colorless Lapis Lazuli Form’.

“Throughout Buddhist history, there have been nine Bodhisattvas. Five hundred years ago, there were seven; after the Jiazi Monster Extermination, there were five; and when Emperor Wu usurped the throne, the first Imperial Overseer killed one, leaving only four now.

“Then there are the Nine Arhats, of which only two remain: Srotāpanna Fruit Position Du Qing and Arhat Du E. The Queen says that once a Fruit Position is condensed, it cannot be changed. Therefore, over the long course of time, many Arhats chose to reincarnate and re-cultivate the Buddhist path.

“However, Arhats experience confusion in the womb, and Bodhisattvas have gaps in memory between lives. Most Arhats have vanished in the cycle of reincarnation. In Buddhist history, there were eighteen Arhats. Some of these Arhats have reincarnated, while others perished during the Jiazi Monster Extermination.

“Lastly, there are the Dharma-Protecting Vajras, with only two remaining: Vajra Du Nan and Vajra Du Fan. The Queen didn’t count how many Vajras there were at the peak of Buddhism. She said that during the Jiazi Monster Extermination, even Third-Grade Vajras were mere cannon fodder.”

Xu Qi’an’s mouth gaped wide enough to fit an egg, his entire body frozen like a statue.

At its peak, nine Bodhisattvas, eighteen Arhats, and numerous Dharma-Protecting Vajras… This is simply outrageous…

No, I shouldn’t think like that. It’s just the accumulation of history. If we count all the dynasties in the Central Plains, the number of Third, Second, and First-Grade experts would also be considerable…

But still, four remaining Bodhisattvas, two Arhats, and two Vajras are quite extraordinary…

However, if Great Sui hadn’t suffered the calamity of Emperor Yuanjing and Xu Pingfeng’s draining of national fortune, there would be more than just the Marquis of Zhen Bei as a Third-Grade expert. At the very least, Duke Wei would be a top-tier Second-Grade, and other powerful figures might have emerged as well.

In contrast, after the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the Buddhist sect flourished to a terrifying degree.

The little fox continued, “The one leading the group to San Hua Temple this time is Vajra Du Nan, accompanied by two Fourth-Grade monks, Dharma named Jing Xin and Jing Yuan. Jing Xin is a Chan master, while Jing Yuan is a warrior monk. You should mainly pay attention to these two.”

“Oh, right…” She crouched and reached into the small leather pouch hanging around her neck. “The Queen asked me to give you this.”

Her paw pulled out a bracelet with six rusty copper bells attached to it, looking quite aged.

“A bracelet?” Xu Qi’an asked.

The little fox corrected him, “The Queen said it’s an anklet.”

Xu Qi’an took the anklet and asked, “What’s your name?”

The little fox replied, “Why don’t you guess?”

“I can’t guess.”

“Hmph, you’re useless. I’ll give you a hint: my name is the opposite of Sister Ye Ji’s.”

“Ri Ji?” (Note: ‘Ri’ means ‘day’ or ‘sun’ in Chinese, opposite to ‘Ye’ which means ‘night’)

“No, it’s Bai Ji!” The little fox raised its front paw and slapped the table forcefully, showing its anger.

“One last thing, the Queen said she hopes you can keep your promise and search for the remains of Great Master Shenshu. For this purpose, she sent me to monitor you. Let me tell you, I’m very fast and can travel thousands of miles in a day. I’m also good at stealth, so I’m very useful.”

The little fox stood up on its hind legs, paws on its hips, looking very proud.

“Thousands of miles in a day…” Xu Qi’an’s eyes lit up, and he asked, “Can you carry people then?”

The little fox was stunned. It looked at its small body, then at Xu Qi’an’s large frame, and hesitantly said, “I… I suppose so…”

Xu Qi’an happily picked up the little fox, put it on the ground, and sat on it.

The little fox was dumbfounded.

…

“Hey, hey, stop crying. You said you could do it yourself,” Xu Qi’an sat on the bed, looking at the fluffy fox lying on the pillow, whimpering.

The little fox rolled out tear drops as big as beans: “I’m going to tell the Queen you bullied me, wah wah wah… My waist hurts so much, wah, hic…”

She had never been bullied like this in her entire life.

Xu Qi’an was skilled at comforting women, and comforting foxes… well, he was quite good at that too. With a mix of coaxing and trickery, he managed to pacify the little fox, who tearfully forgave him.

Indeed, one punch could lead to a long time of consoling. Xu Qi’an blew out the candle and said, “Well then, shall we sleep?”

The little fox got up, eyeing him warily in the darkness: “No, Sister Ye Ji said you’re a pervert. I can’t sleep with you.”

Xu Qi’an looked at the tiny fox’s body and silently covered his face.

That’s not necessary…

…

In Wen Ren Qian Rou’s boudoir, the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect twirled his wine cup, standing by the window, and said:

“Elder Xu and Madam are not staying in the same room?”

Wen Ren Qian Rou was combing her hair in front of the mirror and softly replied with an “Mm.”

She was wearing a white undergarment, her figure curvaceous with a slender waist and full breasts. From her appearance to her figure, she was an exceptionally stunning woman.

Why on earth are they in separate rooms… he muttered to himself, then said, “Qian Rou, remember to be respectful towards that Xu Qian.”

“I’ve already been treating him as my benefactor,” she replied.

Wen Ren Qian Rou looked aggrieved.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Li Lingsu paused for a few seconds and lowered his voice. “Xu Qian is an old monster, one who has lived for hundreds of years.”

“Third Grade?” Wen Ren Qian Rou’s heart tightened.

Li Lingsu shook his head with a wry smile:

“I used to think so too, but yesterday at San Hua Temple, a small incident changed my mind. Well, he gave me a pouch filled with cannons and crossbows, enough to arm an entire battalion. Your Lei Zhou Merchant Association racked your brains and spent countless resources just to exchange for some military crossbows and firearms from the government.

“But for him, these are just trivial toys.”

Wen Ren Qian Rou found it hard to believe: “Is he from the imperial court? Among the court’s Third Grade experts, are the Marquis of Zhen Bei before and Xu Qi’an after. Besides them, there are only the astronomers from the Imperial Observatory. Who is this Xu Qian?”

The Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect shook his head: “He’s probably not from the court. According to him, the cannons and crossbows were just small trinkets he won while playing chess with the Imperial Overseer. Heh, such a figure wouldn’t need to lie to me, right?”

Won while playing chess with the Imperial Overseer… Wen Ren Qian Rou’s breathing quickened.

The Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect glanced at his little lover from the corner of his eye, seeing her lost in deep shock. He immediately said, “Ah, my cultivation has been sealed. I should break the seal as soon as possible. Qian Rou, I’ll return to my room to cultivate.”

Wen Ren Qian Rou snapped back to her senses, her willow eyebrows knitting together as she grabbed a shawl from the table and flicked it out.

The long shawl coiled around Li Lingsu’s neck like a whip, pulling him back.

“Li Lang, you’ve been in Lei Zhou for two days but haven’t touched me. Have you grown tired of me already? Or is there someone else in your heart?”

“No, no, there isn’t.”

“Hmph, I don’t believe you.”

“There isn’t. I will always belong to Qian Rou.”

“Well, that depends on your performance tonight.”

…

The next day, early morning.

Xu Qi’an, carrying the little white fox and accompanied by the Princess Consort, arrived at the inner hall to find Li Lingsu sitting alone, enjoying breakfast.

“You seem to have aged considerably overnight.”

Xu Qi’an glanced at the table. The breakfast looked fine – white porridge, steamed buns, and delicate side dishes.

He sniffed and, before Li Lingsu could react, lifted the tea lid.

The teacup was full of wolfberries.

Pfft… Xu Qi’an almost burst out laughing.

“Ah, my cursed charm,” Li Lingsu sighed, then asked, “Elder, when shall we set out for San Hua Temple?”

“No rush. We should expect more visitors in the coming days. Continue your disguise as Li Miao Zhen and spread the news. By the way, you made a slip yesterday.”

“What slip?”

Xu Qi’an placed three steamed buns in front of him, tearing one of them into two halves and placing them together with the other two buns.

Then, he pointed at the buns and then at Li Lingsu’s chest.

He means the size of the buns I used yesterday wasn’t right. It should be one and a half buns on each side… Li Lingsu was stunned for a moment, then understood Xu Qian’s meaning.

“I understand.”

Li Lingsu lowered his head to drink the porridge and said, “Remember to keep this a secret. If my junior sister finds out, she’ll kill me.”

As he drank, he looked at the steamed buns, feeling something was off.

Just as he was about to think deeper, his attention was suddenly drawn to the little white fox. He asked in surprise, “Where did this little fox come from?”

“The sister of an old friend,” Xu Qi’an replied.

The sister of an old friend… Li Lingsu scrutinized him, seeming to think of something, and probed, “A fox spirit?”

“Mm!” The little white fox nodded herself, chirping, “That’s right.”

“It can talk?”

Mu Nan Zhi, who was nearby, was startled and became interested. She reached out to hold the little white fox but then withdrew her hand, asking cautiously, “Does it bite?”

“I do, and I’m super fierce. Don’t touch me,” the little white fox waved its paw threateningly.

She wasn’t a domesticated pet. Only pets like being touched; real wild animals are wary of human touch.

At this moment, the steward of the Wen Ren mansion hurriedly entered, saying with a slightly urgent tone:

“Daoist Li, the Commander-in-Chief has arrived and requests to see you.”

The Lei Zhou Commander-in-Chief was one of the three most powerful figures in the entire Lei Zhou.

Li Lingsu remained composed and said, “Please show him to the main hall. Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

He exchanged a glance with Xu Qi’an and smiled, “They’ve come.”

Jianghu figures were just a garnish. Within a single province, Fourth Grade experts in the Jianghu could be counted on one hand. How much of a threat could they pose to San Hua Temple?

What they were fishing for were the fourth-grade experts from the military.

And this Lei Zhou Commander-in-Chief was one of the top figures among them.

…

A quarter of an hour later, Yuan Yi, the Lei Zhou Commander-in-Chief, met the renowned Flying Swallow Heroine.

This famous Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect was indeed a rare beauty, spirited and with delicate features. She seemed to have suffered a not-so-light injury, her pretty face slightly pale, with bandages wrapped around her neck.

Yuan Yi, with his dark skin and burly build, nodded and said, “Daoist Li’s heroic name is known far and wide. It’s my honor to meet you today.”

Lei Zhou borders the Western Regions, with a garrison of 100,000 troops and military outposts everywhere. The local Commander-in-Chief, both in terms of position and combat power, is a grade higher than those of other provinces.

“Li Miao Zhen” spoke frankly, “Commander, have you come for the strange treasure in San Hua Temple?”

Yuan Yi didn’t nod. Holding his teacup, he said slowly, “How can Daoist Li be certain that this treasure can help a Fourth Grade break through to the Transcendent realm?”

He wasn’t entirely convinced by the rumors in Lei Zhou but considering Li Miao Zhen’s reputation and his desire for the Third Grade, he came with the attitude of “better believe it exists than not.”

Li Miao Zhen smiled, “The Commander has misunderstood. Breaking through to the Transcendent realm is just the most insignificant effect of that treasure.”

“What do you mean?” Yuan Yi asked.

“Commander, do you know the details of the Chu Province massacre?”

“It’s known worldwide that the Marquis of Zhen Bei massacred the city to refine blood pills.”

“Then it’s easy to explain. The Pagoda of Buddha imprisons the experts captured during the Battle of Shanhai Pass, all of Third Grade and above, including the former city lord of Jingshan City, Nalan Tian Lu, a Second Grade Rain Master.”

“…What are you implying, Daoist Li?”

“Now, those unparalleled experts have all been refined into blood pills and soul pills. That’s why San Hua Temple has closed its doors and forbidden anyone from entering the Pagoda of Buddha.”

Yuan Yi narrowed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

…

The next day, news of Yuan Yi visiting the Wen Ren mansion to inquire about the strange treasure spread through the Lei Zhou Merchant Association.

This further caused a sensation, stimulating those forces that were still on the fence.

At the Shuang Dao Sect of Lei Zhou.

Sect Master Tang Yuan Wu sat in the hall, with a long sword and a short sword standing quietly on his left and right sides.

The Shuang Dao Sect had been a major force in Lei Zhou’s Jianghu for many years. All previous sect masters were Fourth Grade experts, respected wherever they went. During the Heaven-Human Dispute earlier this year, Tang Yuan Wu led his disciples to participate in the “grand event” in the capital.

His disciple Liu Yun, relying on her beauty and strength, had made a name for herself in the capital, becoming one of the Four Beauties alongside Rong Rong of Wan Hua Lou.

Regarding the “strange treasure” of San Hua Temple, the elders of the Shuang Dao Sect had differing opinions. Some believed that the Buddhist sect was not to be trifled with and suggested observing from afar. Others thought this was a great opportunity for both the sect master and the Shuang Dao Sect.

As Jianghu people, they should pursue opportunities without fear.

He looked around at the elders and disciples below him and said in a deep voice:

“There’s no need to argue further. Whether this matter is true or false, it’s worth investigating. The Buddhist sect may be strong, but Lei Zhou’s Jianghu is full of talented individuals, and the military garrisons are teeming with experts. We may not necessarily lose in a contest with the Buddhist sect.

“Yun’er, lead thirty of our best fighters. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to San Hua Temple.”

The spirited Liu Yun, with dual swords on her back, stepped forward and saluted, “Yes, Sect Master.”

…

At a certain military garrison.

A single rider charged out of the camp, pursued by a group of soldiers.

The lone rider, far ahead, was a young man in armor, mounted on a jet-black steed.

Behind him, the pursuing soldiers shouted, “Marshal, leaving the camp without permission is a serious offense. Please return with us immediately and ask for forgiveness from the Commander-in-Chief.”

The armored young man laughed loudly:

“Ask for forgiveness my ass! If I can get that treasure, I’ll become a Third Grade warrior. Who would dare punish me then? If I fail, the worst-case scenario is I lose my position. As a Fourth Grade warrior, I can make a good living anywhere.”