The former headquarters of the Golden Wing Pavilion is now renamed as Songhe Temple.

Zhang Rongfang and Ding Yu are staring at each other in confrontation.

One person is wearing armor, with custom-made metal gloves on his hands.

The other is in casual clothes, standing casually.

"Make a move against me; let's see how much you've progressed now," Zhang Rongfang is quite curious about Ding Yu.

Previously, he didn't understand how strong Ding Yu's talent really was.

But after consecutive encounters with Grandmasters, he realized just how terrifying Ding Yu's talent was, with his thousand-pound strength even before entering the Super Grade.

Even if he couldn't reach higher levels in the future, he could still secure a place among Super Grade experts relying on his strength alone.

"Master... be careful." Ding Yu solemnly clasped his hands and focused on spotting Zhang Rongfang's flaws.

Clearly, Zhang Rongfang intentionally exposed a flaw directly in front of him, inviting him to make an all-out frontal strike.

Ding Yu took a deep breath, holding it in, as the muscles in his legs twisted and contracted.

Entering the Extreme State rapidly, his veins slightly popped out beneath his skin.

Boom!

In the blink of an eye, he charged over ten meters, his right fist gathering all his strength.

The Limit-Breaking Skill Double Mountain erupted, doubling his power.

His fist swung towards Zhang Rongfang's chest.

Bang!!

His fist landed in a rough palm that was a size larger than his own.

As fist met palm, Zhang Rongfang's single hand slightly withdrew, easily neutralizing all the force as if he were a spring.

'Pure strength is already comparable to some of the weaker internal skills...' Zhang Rongfang calculated in his mind.

"Again!"

He uttered in a low voice.

Ding Yu steadied his heart, launching consecutive punches with both fists.

His arms were like cannons, each punch generating a muffled boom.

His fists tore through the air, scattering faint gray dust when they landed on Zhang Rongfang's hands.

That was the light debris from their clothes, shattered by the immense force.

Ding Yu executed a whole set of Mountain-shaped Talisman moves, continuous and powerful, like an unending torrential downpour.

The moves, which should have been steady and harmonious, were executed with turbulence and ferocity, like a mudslide.

After dozens of moves, Zhang Rongfang's single hand shook, forcing Ding Yu back several steps.

"That's enough."

Ding Yu, panting heavily, looked at Zhang Rongfang, who remained unperturbed, and felt a chill in his heart.

When he wasn't yet in the Super Grade, he couldn't perceive the strength of Zhang Rongfang and the Sea Dragon Super Grade.

Now that he was in the Super Grade, he could understand the previous levels.

He thought he was close to the master now.

But.....

"Master, is my strength enough to take on your mission?"

Suppressing his thoughts, he followed up with the question.

What mattered now wasn't those thoughts, but whether he could get this mission.

Zhang Rongfang frowned and looked at Qingsu.

He was hesitating.

"Master, Qingsu can't leave here. She's responsible for managing almost everything in Wushan Prefecture, and without her, the entire prefecture would be paralyzed." Ding Yu quickly explained.

"This mission could be very dangerous. Are you prepared?" Zhang Rongfang asked in a deep voice.

"Master, I'm not afraid to die!" Ding Yu said seriously.

"Good!" Zhang Rongfang nodded, stopping there without further words.

He gestured for everyone around to leave.

Qingsu gave him a glance and left as well.

Once everyone had gone.

Only Ding Yu was left.

Zhang Rongfang slowly exhaled.

"I want you to go to Dan Province and secretly investigate the Five Cauldrons Sect for me. Find out the whereabouts of Mi Rhino Horn, Three Sects Enchanting Fragrance, and Blood Coagulation Grass—these three precious herbs!"

"Just finding herbs? That's easy! I will surely complete the mission!" Ding Yu assuredly thumped his chest.

"Your safety is the priority. Remember, you just need to gather information. Once you're certain, send me a direct message," Zhang Rongfang instructed.

The Five Cauldrons Sect has now joined the Celestial Lock Teaching.

And even though the Celestial Lock Teaching is not among the top three Sects, it ranks just after the Black Ten Sect as a Great Spirit nationwide sect.

And Dan Province, where the Five Cauldrons Sect is located, is the stronghold of the Celestial Lock Teaching.

Its power and influence are equivalent to the Great Dao Teaching's Ze Province.

"Just finding information, there's absolutely no problem!" Ding Yu said with full confidence.

"Don't make bold claims. First, look over the information before speaking. Also, take three thousand taels for your expenses," Zhang Rongfang directed.

"Yes!"

"I'll stay at Wushan Prefecture for a while, waiting for your news. Don't disappoint me!" Zhang Rongfang approached, patting him on the shoulder.

"Yes!" Ding Yu responded firmly and loudly.

Zhang Rongfang sighed slightly.

He had just returned to Wushan and, at least, needed to accompany his sister and brother-in-law for some time before leaving.

With the Five Cauldrons Sect and Celestial Lock Teaching shrouded in mystery, any dangers and threats are unknown, a capable person must be sent to investigate.

Given his current identity, strength, and position, if he went directly, it's likely that his location would be leaked even before arrival.

There is also another reason.

Zhang Rongfang casually guided Ding Yu on exerting his moves and the points to note thereafter.

He recalled a point he ultimately had to face.

That is, since Yue Shi was fine, then, if his Cultivation of Literature were to be noticed again now...

The Cultivation of Literature had always been a hurdle he could not bypass.

Now that he had accumulated a few more attribute points, Zhang Rongfang thought that since he was already exceeding the standard, he might as well continue to improve them.

Perhaps new changes might appear.

Anyway, improving the Cultivation of Literature now could still enhance and save some life attribute points.

As for being discovered, it was best to delay as long as possible.

*

*

*

The signboard of the Celestial Treasure Palace was replaced again.

Groups of Daoists who had been driven away before were now moving back in.

This time, among the returning Daoists, apart from those who remained loyal from the beginning, there were also a group of experts sent by Jade Void Palace.

In the largest Main Divine Hall within the palace.

Jin Yuyan quietly looked up, gazing at the magnificent tall divine statue.

Celestial Venerable Yujing's demeanor remained calm and composed, as if everything happening now was nothing but fleeting clouds.

This composure subtly infected her, gradually calming the emotions that had arisen in her heart earlier.

"The Western Sect has admitted defeat. Zhenyi has temporarily withdrawn. We have won this round!" Yue Dewen slowly changed back into his original Daoist robe. Apart from the Moon King mask he still wore, his attire was the same as before.

"Your acting skills are impressive as well," Jin Yuyan turned, dressed in a white skirt cinched with a gold belt, resembling a pure, flawless flower.

"What acting skills? I was showing true emotions!" Yue Dewen laughed. "If I hadn't stabilized the situation in the Great Capital, would they have let us secretly develop for so many years?"

"The Moon King really died unjustly back then... You took advantage of the situation," Jin Yuyan was at a loss for words.

"That's not how you should put it. I was doing it for his own good. Instead of being completely annihilated, why not join us in collusion... and revive the past glory." Yue Dewen smiled.

Jin Yuyan shook her head internally.

This move by Xiaoyue was truly a masterstroke, grasping the essence of the false and the real.

He had long since worshiped the gods and achieved the status of a Spirit General, yet he was willing to humble himself, using secret methods to control a flesh and blood pseudobody in the Great Capital, maintaining the overall situation.

Afterwards, clear rumors were spread that he had killed the previous Moon King, yet now he emerged as the Moon King himself.

Perhaps, aside from himself, no one knew exactly whether he was the Moon King or the Moon King was him.

The only certainty for everyone now was that Yue Dewen had been worshiping the gods for many years...

Of course, Jin Yuyan personally leaned more towards the belief that Yue Dewen killed the former Moon King and usurped the supreme position of the Sensing Sect.

Because she had seen the current Moon King back then, and although he wore a mask, his words and actions were different from now.

"Next, with the two sects retreating, we need to deal with the most troublesome issue," Yue Dewen said solemnly, his expression turning serious.

"You mean the Spirit Emperor?" Jin Yuyan frowned. "That's your business, not mine."

"Naturally, His Majesty is almost out of patience. I must quickly complete all arrangements," Yue Dewen said seriously.

"Everyone's fear of the Spirit Court and acceptance of imperial power is the greatest source of the Spirit Flying Church! After so many years, isn't your arrangement enough?" Jin Yuyan asked.

"His Majesty's consciousness fluctuates, the effects do exist but are getting worse. We need even bigger moves!" Yue Dewen said calmly, "Last time, my disciple was directly dispatched to the palace and almost got into trouble. Fortunately, I was keeping an eye on things there."

"Such a tough problem?" Jin Yuyan's expression changed slightly.

In this world, there are very few things that could make people of their level change their expressions.

But at this moment, there was indeed such an issue laid out before the two of them.

"Yesterday, I went to the palace, and while His Majesty was lucid, he entrusted me with some matters. I must complete them quickly, or there may be serious trouble," Yue Dewen replied.

"How bad could it be? What serious trouble could there be except for exaggerated alarms, just...

Dong....

Dong....

Dong...

Suddenly, from the distance, muffled and enormous bell tolls began wafting over from the direction of the palace.

The bell's sound was filled with heaviness and sorrow, as if countless people were weeping and wailing in lamentation.

"Mourning Bell!!?" Yue Dewen stood up abruptly, his previously confident expression instantly wiped away.

"This is bad!" He turned and stepped out, disappearing from the interior of the divine hall.

Only to leave Jin Yuyan slightly startled, as she walked out of the main hall to gaze at the distant palace.

Listening to the countless screams of panic in the distance, interspersed with cries, wails, both real and fake sounds.

The entire Great Capital, at this moment, was plunged into immense terror.

Countless people and horses, like streams, quickly gathered in the direction of the palace.

"Is this world... finally... about to descend into chaos?"

Jin Yuyan unconsciously lifted a lock of hair, gently twisting it around her fingertips.

*

*

*

Early November 1188.

The Spirit Court's Emperor Boer Zhijin·Oduci passed away at nine in the morning.

He was ninety-seven years old.

Days later, the mourning procession of kings gathered at the Great Capital,

The five kings (Prince Yan Shun, King Fengtian, King Dongping, King of Martial Arts, King Mu Li) each issued proclamations and visited external divine generals, wooing forces, and gathering connections.

"The overturning of Great Dao Teaching shattered the grand scheme, unexpectedly being pulled out by the roots. This time, the world is truly about to descend into chaos..."

In Wushan Prefecture.

Zhang Rongfang returned to the courtyard he previously lived in, looking at the letter that had just been delivered, with a slight sense of sentiment.

His previous understanding of Great Dao Teaching was considerably biased due to several of his masters.

It wasn't until he went to Qingchuan Prefecture, in charge of revitalizing Qingchuan Port, actually holding the position at Zhuming Port, that he clearly realized.

The fundamental core of Great Dao Teaching, in essence, was still the vested interest aristocratic families of the Great Spirit.