Jade Void Palace Secret Grounds · Shangguan Family.

Shangguan Feihua gently stroked a red jade food box in the bedroom.

The food box had three tiers, each surface carved with special beast patterns.

However, these patterns were not traditionally ethereal and rough like in Daoist temples, but rather charmingly naive, round and plump, quite adorable.

The sunlight outside the window was dazzling, falling on the surface of the food box, reflecting a thin red glow.

"Brother Shangguan still clings to the past like this? It's been so many years, can't you let it go?"

From outside the room, in the courtyard, a voice he found exceedingly familiar came in. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The voice was gentle and familiar, sounding like a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties.

This was the core area of the Shangguan family, where entry without permission was not allowed for ordinary people.

But Shangguan Feihua was accustomed to it.

All because the speaker was none other than his long-time close friend, Han Xinghe, head of the Han family.

"I was rebellious back then, ignoring my father's rules. Now Wan'Er is dead, and what she left behind should always remind me."

Shangguan Feihua said calmly.

The red jade food box was the most precious relic his wife left him.

He practiced martial cultivation every day at that time, and his wife used to bring him meals like this, changing the dishes every day.

"Weren't you outside? How come you suddenly have time to come back?"

Han Xinghe sighed lightly.

"Yue Dewen is dead, the Celestial Treasure Palace's major position is vacant now. Among the two Daoists, one is missing, the other far from ready; and the Celestial Treasure Palace has been removed from the Great Capital. The timing is just right now.

So, I came to introduce someone to you..."

"Who?" Shangguan Feihua replied calmly, as he placed the red jade food box to the side, got up, and pushed the door open.

In the spacious courtyard outside the door stood a tall, handsome man with a strand of white hair on his forehead.

This man was Han Xinghe, known for his outstanding looks as the head of the Han family within the Twelve Sect Mansions.

"I've brought the person to the door, my job is merely to introduce, what you discuss is completely up to you." Han Xinghe said.

Immediately he cupped his hands to Shangguan Feihua, turned around, and left.

Watching the departing figure, Shangguan Feihua squinted a little, sensing a distinct Qi and Blood fluctuation and an unusual expert outside the courtyard gate.

"Since Brother Han introduced you, you may come in." He said calmly. His voice was not loud, but the other party could definitely hear him.

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

Outside the courtyard gate, a woman dressed in red leather from head to toe, with a ponytail, walked in slowly.

Even her face was covered with a red mask. The thin leather clothing perfectly highlighted every inch of her figure and skin. If one had lustful intentions, one might think the clothing comparable to wearing nothing at all.

But if someone who recognized the significance saw it, the first thought would not be of lust, but of the powerful forces the attire represented.

"Ming Fei?" Shangguan Feihua immediately recognized the significance of this outfit.

"Ming Fei Heng Yu, greets the Sect Leader." The woman knelt on one knee and gave a deep bow to Shangguan Feihua, showing a respectful attitude.

"As Ming Fei, you dare come to my Jade Void Palace... and you even managed to secure Brother Han's introduction, interesting." Shangguan Feihua noticed something quickly amiss in his heart.

"What you may not know is that there are no eternal enemies and no everlasting friends. Does the Sect Leader know... that the Great Capital is already controlled by us and Zhenyi?" Ming Fei Heng Yu whispered.

"And then? What do you mean to say?" Shangguan Feihua responded noncommittally.

"On behalf of the elders of the sect, I come to make you a promise." Heng Yu maintained her composure and said calmly.

"A promise about what? Do I need your promises for my actions?" Shangguan Feihua's expression showed dissatisfaction.

"You misunderstand, Sect Leader. Perhaps you don't know, but the Great Capital is ours entirely, all seats of the Celestial Treasure Palace have long been displaced, and each province's positions will soon be cleared,"

Heng Yu continued eloquently, "Originally, we thought after excluding Celestial Treasure Palace, we could profit more, but unfortunately, Zhenyi aggressively, due to the same roots and Daoist connections, absorbed many of the Celestial Treasure Palace's high cultivation enterprises. Their forces have risen tremendously now. So..."

"So what?"

"So, we wish to reestablish the Celestial Treasure Palace!" Heng Yu's words were like thunder, involuntarily causing Shangguan Feihua's fingers to twitch, and his eyes flashed.

"Reestablish the Celestial Treasure Palace?! Who's idea is this from your side?"

"Direct promise from the headmaster." Heng Yu said solemnly.

"Then..." Shangguan Feihua's face showed no change, but there was already a mysterious glint in his eyes.

"Then, what do you mean by coming to me and telling me this?" He asked, despite a flicker of suspicion arising in his heart, only the other side's acknowledgment would make it meaningful.

"Since we wish to reestablish the Celestial Treasure Palace, currently the palace has no foundation or leadership. Among the two Daoists, one is missing, the other present but still inexperienced. After extensive discussions, it was concluded that no one but the Sect Leader is suitable for this position. In the current Great Dao Teaching, aside from Palace Master Yu Yan, you are second. Who else but you can hold this position steadily?

If the Sect Leader agrees, we can arrange for you to enter Jixian Institute immediately and assume an elder position. Moreover, the original site of the Celestial Treasure Palace can be returned and assistance provided to stabilize the situation for a period."

Heng Yu smiled and said: "The headmaster knows very well that the Sect Leader hopes to make a critical leap which has been prepared for many years, but with Palace Master Jin Yuyan present, replacing the position at Jade Void Palace before the latter's departure is nearly impossible.

Since Jade Void Palace is out of reach, why not change to a different path, the Celestial Treasure Palace is currently devoid of guidance and awaits a leader, isn't it the time for the Sect Leader, with your talent and ability, to expand?"

She paused for a moment and continued: "Or should those who merely occupy positions without results continue to rise, ruining the reputation of the Great Dao Teaching's Celestial Treasure Palace??"

She watched Shangguan Feihua's expression, vaguely discovering that he had fallen into contemplation.

"Does the Sect Leader truly have the confidence to surpass Palace Master Yu Yan in the long years to come, achieving the first in the Great Dao?

One path is full of thorns, and hope is slim.

The other path is a broad avenue, with our assistance on both sides.

With a limited body, we do limited things. As martial artists, even if we worship gods, the days we have will only extend by a few decades at most. Why should the Palace Master waste precious time on a futile place like Jade Void Palace?"

Shangguan Feihua fell silent.

He truly had no confidence facing Jin Yuyan.

Although he had challenged the Palace Master many times, to outsiders, he seemed very strong.

But likewise, having experienced it himself, he understood just how terrifying Jin Yuyan actually was.

After advancing to Grandmaster, one can maintain the Ultimate Form state at all times.

This state continuously strengthens the body's intensity, optimizes the power generation structure and the flesh and blood structure, making the body unconsciously change towards a direction more suitable for the Ultimate Form.

Therefore, after becoming a Grandmaster, the longer the time, the stronger the power. It is purely a state of seeing who is older, with a stronger body structure.

Only when the structure is most optimized does one worship a god, that is the maximum benefit.

This was originally the rule for everyone.

Until....

Until a prodigy like Jin Yuyan came along.

With the Half-Extreme Realm state, developing himself, even at the entry of the Grandmaster, he caught up to the likes of him, who had accumulated experience for many years as a veteran Grandmaster. Later, he further utilized the Half-Extreme Realm to excavate the Grandmaster potential.

Adding the worship of gods on top, achieving the Spirit General. Such an achievement is simply dreadful.

The condition for becoming a Spirit General in the Great Dao Teaching is the Cultivation of Literature.

Although Jin Yuyan's literary cultivation wasn't as good as Yue Dewen's, it still far surpassed others. He had already reached the Refining God.

The combination of the two....

Shangguan Feihua felt heavy in his heart.

He couldn't defeat Jin Yuyan many years ago, and now, he still couldn't.

Worshiping gods won't strengthen the body, but it can maximize the development and utilization of the power one already has.

At the same levels of power and speed, a well-trained martial artist is worlds apart from an ordinary person in combat strength.

And between him and Jin Yuyan, the biggest gap lies in the terrifying power that can be unleashed after excavating the Half-Extreme Realm and the Grandmaster body through the worship of gods.

The Extreme Realm is essentially about self-excavation and maximized utilization, rather than enhancing the essence.

"If the Palace Master makes a decision, we can fully support!" Heng Yu said again.

She could see that Shangguan Feihua was tempted.

This person has strength, ambition, and influence.

Similarly, the Shangguan family has powerful people like clouds. Once they settle in the Celestial Treasure Palace, they can quickly stabilize the situation and become an even closer major force to the Western Sect.

This is the direction they wanted to see.

"What do you want?" Shangguan Feihua was a realistic person, and he knew very well that the other side wouldn't offer so much help without expecting something in return.

"It's very simple." Heng Yu smiled, "We need a pledge of allegiance."

"A pledge of allegiance?"

"Yes, three points." Heng Yu smiled, "First, please cooperate in covering the withdrawal of our Grandmaster from Ze Province. It doesn't need to be too obvious, just provide a little intelligence cover."

"Second, the Palace Master has also arranged people and industries in the Great Capital, right? We need to insert our personnel into this part."

"Third, there's a Daoist in the Celestial Treasure Palace, the Palace Master needs to cooperate with us to deal with this person, as there is suspected to be other forces supporting him. In Citong, many of our senior disciples have fallen because of him. Even a newly advanced God-Worshiping Grandmaster mysteriously disappeared.

So... we hope the Palace Master can cooperate with us to find out what specific strength is supporting him, and at the same time avenge several true Buddha temple masters before."

"How about it? These three things may be as difficult as climbing to the sky for others, but for the Palace Master, they are effortless. With your foundational strength.... as long as you're willing..."

Heng Yu smiled.

"Everything is within reach."

"....." Shangguan Feihua hesitated...

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Outside Qingchuan Prefecture, within a desolate mountain forest.

Zhang Rongfang's figure swiftly sprinted through the forest, quickly reaching a clearing.

He rapidly took out a porcelain bottle from his waist pouch, opened the bottle stopper, and a distinctive fragrance wafted out slowly.

The surrounding forest sounds swayed, and the shadows of the trees loomed.

Threads of cold and chilly air were brushed away by the surging blood energy from Zhang Rongfang's body at this time.

Centered on him, at least a five-meter range around him, was like a warm stove, the temperature had risen several degrees.

After waiting for a while, finally, a figure swiftly dashed over from the distance.

It was a black-clad, masked man. After running close, he knelt on one knee.

"Subordinate greets the Crown Prince."

"Where is Uncle Zuo?" Zhang Rongfang asked. With a bizarre blood lotus growing on his back, his main thought now was to quickly find Zuo Han and secretly test a thing or two to see how much effect the blood lotus really had on him.

"There was an internal summons from the Sacred Gate; the Sect Leader went urgently and left a message for you saying he'll be back in a few days." The man replied.