"Demonic Weapon..." At this moment, Zhang Rongfang finally understood why Yue Shi always told him not to mind Hard Skill, and that by worshiping the Divine Spirit General, he could completely surpass all the martial artists under the heavens.

Now it seems....

It was truly not an exaggeration.

Even when he unleashed the Blood Lotus, with a massive power capable of crushing worshipping Grandmasters, he still couldn't harm the Spirit General.

And this was only a half-crippled, sleeping Spirit General.

The Spirit General stood still, allowing him to strike, yet he couldn't inflict any damage.

"Your power has long exceeded the limits of ordinary people by a vast margin. But even so, you can't handle him. This is the terrifying change brought by worshiping the gods."

Emperor Jiang spoke slowly.

"We have struggled and cultivated for decades, requiring talent, luck, and effort, yet in the end, we cannot even break their skin...?"

"Do you think this is fair?"

Zhang Rongfang fell silent.

"Not fair."

"No, it's fair." Emperor Jiang replied.

He looked at the sleeping Spirit General.

"Look at him now, what does it matter becoming a Spirit General? What can he do? Perhaps he can't even think? That's the cost."

He slowly walked forward.

Hiss!

In an instant, a flash of white light, and his Demon Saber, Affection, suddenly pierced through the opponent's shoulder.

But bizarrely, no blood flowed from the wound.

It felt like stabbing a metal doll.

"Let's go." He withdrew the Demon Weapon and turned to leave.

"Senior? Where to?" Zhang Rongfang, for a while, still couldn't find a suitable method for himself.

How to deal with mysterious fogs and clouds?

Should he go and snatch a Demon Weapon?

But he didn't even know where the Demon Weapons were.

"Going to buy groceries." Emperor Jiang didn't look back, slowly fading into the dense mist.

Zhang Rongfang hastily followed.

"Senior, do you know where to find the Demon Weapon?"

No matter what, get one to use first.

"I don't know."

In an instant, the mist dispersed, and the two returned to the ruined temple, as if they had never moved at all.

Still standing in the center.

And Emperor Jiang had long disappeared without a trace.

"Spirit General...." Zhang Rongfang looked at the broken statue, finally gaining a clear understanding of what a Spirit General was.

The core of confronting Spirit Generals for those in the Extreme Realm was Demon Weapons and some other special methods.

Otherwise, they might not even pierce the defenses of a Spirit General, let alone engage them in battle.

The Righteous Alliance has existed for so many years, not being destroyed, indicating that there truly is something extraordinary behind it.

'Demonic Weapon.... it seems that before mastering a way to break through a Spirit General's defenses, finding a Demon Weapon is essential.

If it doesn't work, he might as well forge one himself.'

Thinking of this, Zhang Rongfang turned and walked out of the temple.

Outside, Ran Xinyue was waiting, a peaceful expression on her face, her gaze carrying an indescribable nuance.

"Alright, it's time to go back, my lord." She smiled.

The sheep must return to the pen.

"...Why are you acting oddly?" Zhang Rongfang faintly felt that this person seemed to be thinking about something impolite.

"Nowhere, I'm very normal, thank you for your concern," Ran Xinyue replied.

"...."

Zhang Rongfang shook his head inwardly, wondering if being around a lunatic for too long had affected her as well?

*

*

*

Upper Capital.

Upper Capital is renowned as the most prosperous place of Great Spirit.

Here, temples are everywhere, and Buddha statues fill every district.

Even in parks and squares where the public strolls, you can see statues of Arhats and Bodhisattvas in various postures.

In some parks, the stone path on the ground is inscribed with Buddhist verses.

Apart from that, all buildings in Upper Capital are covered with layers of pale gold powder.

From a distance, the entire city looks like a magnificent and vast Buddhist temple.

At this moment, inside the Spiritual Sage Institute of Upper Capital.

In a heavily guarded, secluded secret chamber.

A calm-faced middle-aged man with a long beard was gently plucking the zither strings, leisurely singing along with the melody.

"In spring, the fragrance of pear blossoms fall, in summer, the brocade of lotus blooms, in autumn, the frost and dew adorn the yellow flowers, in winter...."

"Husband, why not rest for a while?"

A pair of white, jade-like arms gently embraced his body from behind.

The music paused, and the middle-aged man smiled slightly.

"Do you think after the severe cold, there will still be plum blossoms?"

"Whether there are or not, what difference does it make? We have already withdrawn from the grand scheme, just waiting for the winds of change,"

The woman behind slowly sat beside the man, revealing a mysterious face adorned with a pure gold mask.

If any members of the Sensing Sect were present, they would immediately recognize the identity — the Moon Empress!

"What about Sheng Tianyi? If we're to perform this drama, the roles must be complete. Wasn't he supposed to be severely injured by you and flee in disgrace?"

The middle-aged man lifted his head, and the face he revealed was none other than Prince Yan Shun, who was supposed to have been captured and sent to the Snow Rainbow Pavilion long ago!

"Not sure, but he should have his own plans. These days, I'm already struggling to deal with Yue Dewen. I have no time to concern myself with him," said the Moon Queen, a bit annoyed.

"He should have his own plans, but it doesn't matter...let's exit early, watch them fight among themselves, and preserve our strength. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"The Righteous Alliance group...seems to be getting close to Fengtian. They seem to be plotting something," Prince Yan Shun said softly.

"Let them plot as they wish. Anyway, with Dongping backed by Yue Dewen holding the forefront, no matter who wins or loses in the end, as long as we endure..." The Moon Queen placed her hand on the back of Prince Yan Shun's hand.

"This world will eventually be ours!"

"Let's hope so." Prince Yan Shun shook his head slightly.

Ding-a-ling.

Suddenly, there was a faint ringing sound inside the secret chamber.

A hidden slot automatically opened on the wall, and a leather round ball rolled down into the slot.

The Moon Queen stepped forward, picked up the ball, and gently pressed the mechanism to open it.

Inside was a piece of pale yellow paper.

She unfolded it carefully and, with just one glance, her previously gentle eyes suddenly became serious.

"What a grand move!"

"What's the matter?" Prince Yan Shun stood up, walked to her side, and took the letter.

"This!?!" He only read the first half and his pupils contracted, "Has Mu Li gone mad!?"

"His chances of success are the lowest, with the least support. Looks like he's planning to win by a desperate gamble and surprise," the Moon Queen said.

"Since he has no sect support, he might as well flip the table directly...what audacity!" Prince Yan Shun sighed, "In that aspect, I'm not as bold as him."

"This matter is of great importance, we'll have to think about how to deal with it," the Moon Queen spoke up.

"It's not convenient for me to show my face, you will have to temporarily take charge of everything as the lady of the house, it might be tough on you during this period," Prince Yan Shun wrapped his arm around the Moon Queen.

"Being married to you for so many years, hearing gratitude from you is rare." The Moon Queen smiled.

"To marry is to marry a virtuous woman, it's just that many times I find it hard to express," Prince Yan Shun sighed.

"Now, I've come to understand it."

*

*

*

Qingchuan Prefecture.

Zhang Rongfang also stared silently at the bamboo slip he had just received.

The secrets within the three great hidden treasures...the information was completely leaked...and marked on this tiny piece of bamboo.

He was well aware of what impact this leaked news would have on various forces.

The three great hidden treasures, which had caused the remaining members of the Eastern Sect to be hunted by so many forces at the time, now they were finally becoming a real problem.

Zhang Yunqi, along with Zhang Zhenhai, stood beside him, looking at him somewhat anxiously.

"Sir, in this situation, we absolutely must not reveal our identities. Otherwise... the incident with the Eastern Sect back then might replay," Zhang Yunqi spoke up.

"One of the three imperial weapons mentioned in the hidden treasures, is it that world saber?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

"It should be," Zhang Yunqi nodded. "And I have already received information from informants that rumors about undead creatures existing in various major sects are spreading widely in many places. It is also said that no matter how hard ordinary people train in martial arts, they cannot compete with them."

"I've also received news." Zhang Zhenhai said solemnly, she was responsible for different intelligence regions than her father, so the information obtained was different.

"There are a large number of people spreading rumors that you, Xu Qingyou, You Shifei are all descendants of the Eastern Sect! It is also said that the combination of the three great hidden treasures holds the secret for ordinary people to rival the divine."

"!!" Zhang Rongfang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Impressive.... I am now the only Daoist of the Great Dao Teaching, destined to inherit the position of Sect Leader in the future.

If this secret is real, it is aimed at putting me and Yue Shi directly against the entire Great Spirit Sect...."

"Moreover, the backhand intelligence capabilities are extremely strong, it's very likely they've been in possession of this information for a long time and chose this time to release it." Zhang Yunqi analyzed, "Actually, the forces daring to openly oppose the Great Dao Teaching are just a few."

"The Five Kings?" Zhang Rongfang also thought of this point.

"It must be one of them. And the one who is not afraid of Sect Leader Yue is most likely backed by one of the three Divine Spirit Generals," Zhang Yunqi said.

"...Then according to Uncle Zhang's view, what should we do now?" Zhang Rongfang asked solemnly.

"If you intend to continue, openly admit your heritage, publicly disclose the location of the hidden treasures, and then cut off all ties with us! This would be the best strategy!" Zhang Yunqi decisively said.

..." Zhang Rongfang looked deeply at him.

He knew well that if he did that, he himself would be absolutely fine, at most just punished a bit by Yue Shi. If the pressure increased, Yue Shi would bear it, and no one would dare to touch him in this world.

But Zhang Yunqi...including all the Rebel Sect members, once the importance of the hidden treasures involved expands. They have always set their headquarters near the hidden treasures, which could be easily found out upon investigation.

As a result, the entire Rebel Sect would be purged.

They...would all die!

Faced with the religious forces of the entire world, let alone the Rebel Sect, even the Great Dao Teaching would be unable to withstand.

"Don't worry, my liege, everyone in the Rebel Sect was prepared for this when they joined back then. As long as you're safe, our hope remains!" Zhang Yunqi said calmly.

After witnessing Zhang Rongfang instantly kill high-ranking divine practitioners, he understood that their future hope, the hope of avenging their hatred, perhaps rests on Zhang Rongfang's shoulders.

Therefore, everyone could die, except the lord, he absolutely could not!

Not only must he not die, but the lord will also grow stronger in the future....grow stronger!!

He watched with his own eyes as Zhang Rongfang grew from an ordinary local expert to one with strength that commands respect in an entire province.

How many years has it been?

"You are willing to die for me. Have you asked for my opinion on that?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly said.

Zhang Yunqi and Zhang Zhenhai were slightly taken aback and looked up at him.

Only to see Zhang Rongfang's eyes at this moment were calm, deep, with a hint of persistence.

"I'm not a good person. But...."

He took a slow breath.

"You have not let me down, and I will not let you down either!"

"So...."

"Don't say such things again in the future." He reached out and wrapped his arm around Zhang Yunqi's back.

"We will win in the end!"

"I promise!"

Beside them, Zhang Zhenhai covered her mouth, unknowingly tears welled up in her eyes.