Xunfeng Holy City.
In front of an inn that appeared ordinary.
The street was bustling with traffic, and countless martial artists surrounded the inn, layer upon layer, yet everything remained surprisingly orderly—an almost inconceivable scene for these fierce northern men who thrived on danger and bloodshed.
Yet they all shared one common trait: their faces were filled with anxious anticipation, eyes fixed intently on the small courtyard behind the inn, as if eagerly awaiting something.
Inside the inn, the innkeeper and his assistant wore expressions of both worry and joy.
The joy stemmed from the fact that ever since that martial lord took up residence, business had exploded, bringing in immense profits day after day.
Their worry, however, was that if these martial lords were to start fighting, even a stray strike could cost them their lives.
Their hearts were filled with complex emotions, difficult to express in words.
“Golden Dragon Gate, you’ve gone too far! It was clearly I who arrived first!”
A sudden outburst arose from the crowd.
“Cough… cough… The descent of a celestial immortal is a great opportunity for all of us… cough… It was clearly stated that whoever presents something that pleases the immortal may receive a chance to ask for medical treatment or martial cultivation advice… What treasures does your Yukan lineage possess that could possibly impress such a celestial immortal?”
The speaker was the head of the Golden Dragon Gate, the “Sick Scholar” Bai Bingsheng. Though his voice was weak, and he appeared frail and sickly, not a single person dared to underestimate him.
After all, he was a high-ranking figure on the Heroes’ List, a renowned martial expert of the north.
“Silence!”
At that moment, a seated martial artist spoke out, “Such loud shouting, what kind of decorum is this? If you disturb the celestial immortal, you will be making enemies of all martial artists in this city!”
“Hmm? It’s Master Zhu Junzi!”
Bai Bingsheng’s expression changed instantly as he quickly bowed, “Didn’t know the senior was here. My apologies!”
No wonder his attitude shifted so suddenly—Zhu Junzi was a famed martial hero ranked among the top ten of the Earth Yuan List!
“Step aside. Since we are all here, we must respect the order of arrival!”
With a wave of his hand, Zhu Junzi dismissed him. Bai Bingsheng, without the slightest protest, retreated into the crowd.
“He’s out! He’s out!”
Just then, the courtyard gate opened, and a martial artist was respectfully escorted out by Lin Xinlan.
“Isn’t this the previous Master of Kunpeng Sect? He was wounded by Ku Lang, his meridians completely severed. The Immortal Healer declared he would forever rely on crutches. Yet now he walks so nimbly, and even seems to have retained most of his martial prowess?”
“What’s that compared to? Just three days ago, the young master of the Li family received a single pill from the celestial immortal and achieved the union of dragon and tiger, breaking through to the Earth Yuan Realm. It’s simply unbelievable…”
“Pity the celestial immortal has such high standards. I wonder if the gifts we carefully prepared will even be deemed worthy…”
…
“Master… there are more and more people outside now!”
Lin Xinlan returned to the courtyard and immediately complained to Wu Ming.
“Let them follow the rules. I’ve already made myself clear—I will only see three people a day, and only those who bring me gifts or information that I find satisfactory…”
Wu Ming lay back in his chair, smiling faintly.
Over the past few days, he had truly become a bringer of fortune. Whether it was casually concocting spirit pills, healing the sick, or offering martial cultivation advice, all these actions came at little cost to him, yet they caused a sensation throughout the martial world.
If not for the limited time, not only the entire Northern Wind Region, but even martial artists from the Central Plains would have flocked here.
Unfortunately, even so, the useful information he had obtained remained scarce.
“Still, the intelligence from the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower is the most comprehensive. After several rounds of investigation, the suspects have already been narrowed down to a few locations…”
Wu Ming murmured to himself before summoning Li Fengyu.
“What does Master command?”
After seeing Wu Ming’s abilities in these past few days, Li Fengyu had become even more devoted. After all, with just the martial artists outside seeking Wu Ming’s help, they could have destroyed Pingling City several times over.
“I will pass on to you a cultivation method—the introductory chapter of the Xuan Ming True Cultivation. Memorize it well. Once Sima Che turns eight, you may begin teaching it to him.”
Upon hearing this, Li Fengyu did not show joy but instead fell into deep anxiety: “Master, are you leaving already?”
“Correct. You are indeed perceptive!”
Wu Ming chuckled. “Before I leave, I will naturally make proper arrangements for the two of you. And once Che comes of age, you may send him to find Xinlan for further cultivation techniques.”
He had no interest in dragging along a burden. Even if the boy was a chosen one with great fortune, a few favors would suffice to settle the matter.
“Thank you, Master!”
Li Fengyu bowed deeply.
He naturally understood that the Xuan Ming True Cultivation practiced by Lin Xinlan was a technique that rivaled the most prestigious teachings of the Eight Holy Sects. For his young master to learn it, and even for himself to benefit, was a rare blessing indeed.
Although it was a great pity that he could not accompany Wu Ming, there was nothing he could do about it. Besides, the infant needed a stable environment to grow.
“Master, someone outside requests an audience. She claims to be Yu Linglong of the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower!”
“Invite her in!”
Wu Ming’s reply was concise. Soon after, Yu Linglong entered, her charm undiminished.
“Greetings, celestial immortal!”
Yu Linglong bowed first. “Please forgive this humble servant for failing to recognize you before!”
“No worries…”
Wu Ming waved his hand, signaling her to rise.
“Master Wu’s divine techniques are truly admirable, and your benevolence toward the world is even more inspiring. I can’t help but feel inferior…”
Yu Linglong spoke with flattery and a hint of appeasement.
After all, aside from the intimidation factor of a Heaven Manifestation expert, Wu Ming’s abilities to resurrect the dying, heal the gravely wounded, and concoct pills that enhanced martial power were enough to earn respect anywhere.
Without formidable martial prowess, one might even become the target of greed, with the Eight Holy Sects harboring dark intentions.
“What brings you here this time?”
Wu Ming asked directly, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Previously, she had tried to entice him with top-tier intelligence, but he had remained unmoved. Now, sitting calmly, he had completely reversed the situation and seized the initiative.
“Truth be told, this humble servant comes seeking help!”
Yu Linglong gave a bitter smile and glanced around.
“All present are trustworthy. And outside the courtyard, I guarantee no one can eavesdrop. Are you asking that Heaven Manifestation expert to appear?”
Wu Ming asked calmly.
“Indeed, nothing can escape the celestial immortal’s notice!”
A shadow flickered outside, and a black-clad martial artist appeared. He looked to be in his thirties, with a ruddy complexion, yet his eyes carried the weight of countless years.
“Yan Cangxuan pays respects to the celestial immortal!”
“Truly, the martial world is filled with hidden masters. You are also a Heaven Manifestation expert, yet why do you not appear on the rankings?”
Wu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled.
“How many extraordinary talents exist in this world? With the likes of Young Master Ao and the celestial immortal already shining brightly, someone like me is better off staying in the shadows, avoiding embarrassment…”
Yan Cangxuan replied with a bitter smile.
“You were also the one in the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower that day… Now that you’ve come in person, what is it that you seek?”
Wu Ming cut straight to the point.
At this, Yan Cangxuan’s face briefly showed embarrassment before it vanished. He took a deep breath: “My previous rudeness was due to unavoidable circumstances. Only recently, upon learning of the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden’s news, did I realize that Master is actually on our side, and thus I dared to appear before you!”
“Oh?”
Wu Ming pulled out the token gifted by the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden: “You mean this…”
“Exactly!”
Yan Cangxuan said, “Master, do you know why our Heaven’s Mechanism Tower has received strong support from the Xuan Shui, Qing Lei, and Li Huo Holy Sects, allowing our intelligence network to spread across the world?”
Without waiting for Wu Ming’s reply, he continued: “On the surface, the tower is a business enterprise, but in reality, it is a secret society, established to counter a hidden organization…”
“The Heaven’s Alliance?”
Wu Ming murmured lightly, immediately noticing Yan Cangxuan’s expression shift: “So the Master already knows…”
I only know that even if Solitary傲 were a peerless genius, he could not have established a secret organization with global influence in such a short time…
“Correct!”
Yan Cangxuan clenched his teeth: “The Heaven’s Alliance was secretly established by the Tian Yuan Holy Sect centuries ago. Over hundreds of years, it has grown and infiltrated other holy sects, aiming to dominate the world. Our Tian Feng Sect’s ancestors, foreseeing this threat, specially established the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower to counter the Heaven’s Alliance, with secret support from other sects. The Mad Monk of old was the previous head of our Heaven’s Mechanism Tower!”
Unfortunately, in this generation, the Tian Yuan Sect produced a peerless genius—Solitary Ao. The Heaven’s Alliance has continued to expand, while the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower has suffered continuous setbacks… He unified the Tian Yuan, Di Ji, and Qian Shan sects, and even the Azure Lotus Sect could not escape his grasp… The remaining four sects, including ours, have been infiltrated, riddled with traitors, and are now powerless to resist…
Lin Xinlan and Li Fengyu, standing nearby, were completely stunned upon hearing this.
They had never imagined that beneath the surface of the martial world, hidden beneath the glory of the Eight Holy Sects, such undercurrents existed.
If Yan Cangxuan, a Heaven Manifestation expert, had not personally revealed this, they would have thought they were dreaming.
“Then why have you come to me?”
Wu Ming asked again.
“For my master, the Tian Feng Sect’s venerable elder!”
A shadow of sorrow passed over Yan Cangxuan’s face: “Years ago, my master was defeated in a single move by Solitary Ao, suffering a hidden injury. Recently, while cultivating, he suffered a severe backlash, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak, like a stroke victim. The elders within the sect who were controlled by Solitary Ao seized the opportunity to take over…”
“The other three sects are not faring much better than ours, and we cannot seek aid from them…”
“I had already decided to seek out the Immortal Healer, but now that the celestial immortal has arrived, with medical skills surpassing even the Immortal Healer, I specially came to beg for your help. I implore you, Master, do not refuse! Once this matter is resolved, the entire Tian Feng Sect will be forever grateful and ready to serve you!”
Yan Cangxuan bowed deeply, his expression sincere.
“You seem so desperate—could it be that the Heaven’s Alliance has made another move?”
Wu Ming’s eyes shifted, asking about something else.
“Correct!”
Yan Cangxuan was momentarily stunned but still replied, “I just received a message through the Heavenly Mechanism Tower network—Solitary Pride has emerged from seclusion. His martial arts have advanced tremendously, almost reaching a divine and demonic level. He has formally proposed marriage to the Azure Lotus Sect, seeking the hand of the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden! Under pressure, the leader of the Azure Lotus Sect has already agreed and set the wedding date for one month from now!”
“The Azure Lotus Holy Maiden, unable to bear it, sought help through the Heaven’s Mechanism Tower, which is how she revealed your existence to me…”
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