Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

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The majestic gates of the marquis's residence stood tall and imposing,

entirely crimson with copper nails arranged seven by seven for a total of forty-nine, symbolic of a marquis's authority, remaining unfaded despite three hundred years.

A plaque above bestowed by the founding emperor read 'Zhendonghou Mansion,' and on each side of the gate stood seven armored soldiers wielding halberds, too noble for words.

An old man in a black robe handed over his visiting card, and before long someone led him inside.

This man was none other than 'Brother Chou,' who had intervened in the battle at Menghu Stockaded Village. Seeing the situation turn sour, he had immediately fled for his life, only returning to the mansion after recently confirming his safety.

The man in the black robe followed the steward through twists and turns, passing guards in black armor along the way. The leaders of squads seemed to be at least at Internal Qi Realm, and the soldiers were also remarkably strong, having reached a certain level of body refinement.

Shortly, he arrived at a heavily guarded secret location and entered on his own.

Someone was already there.

Upon entering, his attention was instantly drawn to a middle-aged man whose presence was like that of a dragon in motion and a tiger looking around, and an eagle watching its prey - a man in his forties wearing a simple brocade robe, enveloping him with an invisible charm that made one involuntarily listen to his words and subconsciously obey.

Chou Di's eyes flickered slightly.

The sect's physiognomy master had predicted that this Zhendong Marquis possessed 'Dragon Qi,' inheriting ancestral depth and potentially being worthy of the throne.

Chou Di was skeptical of this assertion.

The cult had given so much support: providing troops, provisions, and people, even dedicating years of 'Black Blood Pill' to training elite soldiers.

With such resources, one could even claim that a pig had Dragon Qi, and who would dare to refute?

However, truth be told, the man's appearance was indeed extraordinary.

"I pay my respects to the marquis!"

Chou Di bowed reverently, with utmost respect.

"There's no need for such formality, Elder Chou. Please take a seat," Duke Town Dover Tong Wang said with a warm voice.

The old man in the black robe settled into his seat comfortably.

"Elder Chou, a mere youngster, and yet you were so frightened that you didn't dare return to the city for more than ten days. Truly shameful for a member of the Wolf God Cult and a betrayal of the Wolf Lord's trust," Chen Chen mocked, showing little fear of the Internal Qi Perfection black-robed elder.

"I am indeed that much of a coward,"

Chou Di replied unperturbed, lifting an eyelid: "This is also the reason why I, unlike my contemporaries, am still alive and well. I would hope that you, Chen Custodian, don't meet the same fate as those old friends of mine."

"As for the Wolf Lord, that Blood Pool of his is nearly dried up. Being rendered useless doesn't matter much; it won't hinder any significant plans."

Chen Chen snorted coldly: "I'll thank you not to worry."

'Black Flame Blade' Hei Jin, having just finished reading Jiang Ding's report, was also shocked, his face revealing a fighting spirit: "I wonder how his sword compares to my Black Knife?"

Chen Chen laughed, "Mister Jin, why bother with the bravado typical of Jianghu ruffians? If needed, we can inform the marquis and have our elite troops surround him, ensuring he has no chance of escape, and capture him with ease."

The men engaged in idle chatter for a while.

Suddenly, a bustling steward hurried in, half-kneeling as he saluted: "Marquis, Qixuan School's Young Sect Leader Gong Caiyu has injured the young master, accusing him of ill intentions. Her sect has already been surrounded by armored royal guards. Please instruct us, Marquis."

"Worthless!"

Zhendong Marquis Tong Wang frowned.

He had been a hero all his life, but his son was an unremarkable prodigy, who barely stepped into the Internal Qi Realm after consuming vast quantities of precious treasures. He was hardly different from other nobles' offspring.

Thus, he brought in the gifted bloodline of the Dragon and Phoenix List's prodigies, pinning his hopes on the next generation to produce some talents.

The room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Marquis, after all, a woman from Jianghu is rough and unrefined, unfit to bear the responsibilities of a future empress or to serve as a motherly example to the country!" Chen Chen stood up from his seat and then spoke.

He spoke for a faction that was dissatisfied with rewarding such significant benefits to the much weaker Qixuan School.

"Order Qixuan School to have the girl reflect on her actions behind closed doors,"

ordered Zhendong Marquis Tong Wang.

He was aware of his subordinates' sentiments. However, compared to winning over generals and ministers, the potential of his family's descendants was also of utmost importance. Without adequate strength, there wouldn't be any loyal followers.

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Moreover, every power that has lasted for a thousand years has a reason for its endurance, and the Qixuan School is no exception.

"Yes, my lord."

Chen Chen withdrew, feeling somewhat disappointed in his heart.

"At present, the Black Armored Guards from all the provinces have returned. A total of seventy-three Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists have been captured, and the corpses of more than thirty Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists have been recovered, bringing peace and order to all the provinces."

"In addition to the Black Blood Pills accumulated over the years."

With anticipation in his eyes, Tang Wang looked towards the old man in the black robe, "The King of Dharma of your esteemed cult, when will you grace this place and concoct the 'Xiantian's Black Blood Pill' for this marquis?"

People in Jianghu only know of Langzhu, and very few are aware that the Wolf God Cult has a position of the King of Dharma, whose status is vaguely higher than that of Langzhu, yet does not deal with worldly affairs.

Tang Wang declared solemnly, "This marquis swears on the ancestral lineage that if I break through to the Xiantian level, I will immediately raise an army, overthrow the unjust Yue court, establish a new dynasty, and proclaim the Wolf God Cult the state religion, sharing the nation's fortunes and tribulations!"

"If I break this oath, may I be struck down by the heavens and eradicated from the earth!"

All present straightened their demeanor.

"Langzhu previously instructed that the spiritual incense given by the King of Dharma can be lit at any time," Chou Di said with grave seriousness. "The King of Dharma will arrive in a matter of days or, at latest, within a month."

"The King of Dharma will only take action once."

"My lord must consider carefully; the success rate of concocting the Xiantian's Black Blood Pill is closely related to the number of Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists used as the main material, as well as their potential. Should it fail, you alone bear the consequences."

He confirmed.

"There's no rush, no rush," said Tang Wang, his expression easing into a smile.

Hei Jin, wielding the 'Black Flame Blade,' suddenly felt a chill in his body. Clasping the hilt of his blade, he frowned and directed his gaze towards the person at the head of the table.

...

Jiang Ding returned home. After the Cui Bird carried away the specimens and a Blue Luminous Butterfly, he flipped through his phone to deal with some messages in the class group chat and opened another one.

"Di Ting Appraisal Co. Ltd: The 'unknown blue gemstone' you submitted for appraisal has been assessed," the appraisal fees are 52 Spirit coins, 50,000 Mortal coins. The appraised item has been shipped, and the detailed report follows."

[Name: Cilan Spirit Tree Seed]

[Evergreen shrub, height 0.5-2.5 meters, irregularly branched; branches are fleshy, robust, young branches gray-yellow, short branching, dense. Leaves are alternate, with light blue stripes, absorbing solar energy during the day, storing it, and emitting a blue luminescent glow at night...]

Function: Contains a rich amount of the newly discovered substance 'Blue-Gold 2413,' its function may be related to this new component...]

"It's not jade, it's a seed?"

Jiang Ding was taken aback, then his face brightened with joy.

"After the Talisman Sword, the second stage—the Wooden Sword—has a direction."

After the Talisman Sword cultivation reaches a great achievement, it needs to be fused into a plant seed, left to germinate and root, ultimately growing naturally into the shape of a wooden sword, significantly enhancing the power of the Flying Sword.

Packing away his phone, Jiang Ding opened the four express delivery boxes already delivered, sent from Shu Province and from the southeast of his own province.

First was the box containing the First-order Wind Spiritual Spell Paper.

A blue spell paper entered his view, measuring thirty centimeters in length and width, extremely light, even a breath could make it tremble. It could amplify the power of first-order wind attribute magic and array diagrams by 20%-25%. Two sheets were included.

Closing the box, he opened the second express delivery.

A wave of heat assaulted him as golden and red light radiated within. It was a piece of talisman paper, about sixty centimeters in length and width, seemingly almost as solid as a metal plate.

First-order Gold Fire Talisman Paper, capable of enhancing the power of gold and fire attribute magic by 40%-50%. Pricy, it was nearly at the limit for first-order talisman papers.

He then opened the third box.

First-order Green Carp Talisman Ink, made with the blood of a first-order non-attribute Green Carp Spirit Beast, capable of perfectly carrying various attributes of materials and magic.

The fourth box contained the Ginseng Essence Qi-transforming Elixir, refined from a Centennial Spirit Ginseng, mild in medicinal nature, swiftly replenishing a martial artist's depleted vital energy and accelerating the birth of Inner Qi, with efficiency far exceeding ordinary elixirs by more than tenfold. Moreover, the mild spiritual power contained within was particularly beneficial to nurturing and tempering the meridians.

One bottle, with six elixirs inside.

After carefully checking the quality of the four items, Jiang Ding stored them away.

"All kinds of practices and preparations are in order. Tomorrow will be the time to craft the Talisman Sword."