"Very well."
"We shall arrange for several Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmasters to go to the Secret Realm!"
Even if Grandmaster Lu Yuan had not brought this up, the Old Emperor, Yang Yu, would have made such arrangements.
With Martial Saints tied to guarding their Imperial Dynasties and Holy Lands, Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmasters represented the strongest available combat power.
If a Martial Saint appeared in the Secret Realm, it would signify that a major battle was imminent.
It was just like the time when the Grand Ancestor of Great Zhou, Yang Sheng, and the ancestor of the Jin Meng Empire, Wulan Tianjue, appeared on the borderlands. They had immediately engaged in a great battle. Although both had their own ulterior motives, they also fully intended to kill each other.
A National Guardian Martial Saint’s flesh and blood could only be nurtured with Top Level Spirit Medicines. Even in death, their remains were extraordinary. Their bodies, having been tempered to the absolute limit, were far tougher than ordinary weapons, and the essence blood that could be extracted from within them was of immense value.
One could say that a National Guardian Martial Saint was a treasure trove from head to toe. This was because throughout their rise to power, they consumed all sorts of rare Spirit Medicines and Elixirs. It was the essence of these elixirs that ultimately cultivated a National Guardian Martial Saint.
Furthermore, Yang Yu’s cultivation and very life were currently tied to the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s Destiny Golden Dragon, so it was even more out of the question for him to leave White Jade City.
Although he suspected that the entity that had appeared in Yu State might be a so-called Dragon Slayer, possibly a being from the Dragon Race, he couldn’t forget that the Emperor of the Rising Sun Empire was also a Dragon Slayer. Currently, the Rising Sun Empire was in utter chaos with the help of numerous other nations, leaving the Dragon Slayer, Ouyang Qingtian, overwhelmed. But this didn’t mean Ouyang Qingtian had no chance of launching a sneak attack on him.
Back when Ouyang Qingtian had attacked the Grand Ancestor of Great Zhou, Yang Sheng, he had intended to use the opportunity to destroy the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. If Yang Yu left White Jade City, he would be handing Ouyang Qingtian that same opportunity.
Within White Jade City, he could at least join forces with the Destiny Golden Dragon, making his combat power much greater. Besides, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s deep-rooted foundations, the people it had nurtured, and its armies were all measures to protect him. Naturally, there was no need to take the risk and go himself.
Yang Yu guessed that the Celestial Wind Imperial Dynasty’s situation was much the same. Since neither of the two great Imperial Dynasties was sending a Martial Saint, the other factions would most likely not send their Martial Saints into the Secret Realm either. Instead, they would send Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmasters to seek opportunities within.
In truth, this was a kind of tacit understanding.
"Grandmaster, you will also go. If there is any news, send word back at the first opportunity!"
Yang Yu continued to give his orders.
A matter on the borderlands involved clashes between Imperial Dynasties. At a time like this, someone of sufficient status was naturally needed to step forward, and Grandmaster Lu Yuan was certainly qualified.
"This subject accepts the command!"
Grandmaster Lu Yuan was not surprised to hear this. He had already suspected as much before coming.
If the Old Emperor, Yang Yu, had planned to send someone else, Lu Yuan would not have been the only one in Taihe Hall right now; other ministers would have been present as well.
Only an arrangement to send him would be handled this way.
As a First Grade Minister of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, he was qualified to face anyone.
"Inside the Secret Realm, let the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmasters handle things. Everything outside the Secret Realm, We entrust entirely to you, Grandmaster!"
The authority the Old Emperor Yang Yu granted to Grandmaster Lu Yuan was not insignificant, a clear sign of how much he valued him.
When a large-scale Secret Realm emerged, the contention was not just for the opportunities within. There were also the dealings between the groups of people waiting outside.
Whether to form alliances or treat them as enemies—all of this was left to Lu Yuan.
"This subject will not disappoint Your Majesty!"
Lu Yuan bowed, his expression solemn as he spoke.
This was also an opportunity for Lu Yuan. He would have access to the opportunities within this new, large-scale Secret Realm. The opportunity he sought to break through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm might just be found within it.
Moreover, if he handled this matter well, the reward from the Old Emperor Yang Yu would surely be substantial. Previously, another minister had broken through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm with Yang Yu’s help.
***
「Cyan Yuan Sect.」
「Medicine Hall, Yuanqing Courtyard.」
’The Peng Demon Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture is much harder to cultivate. The Peng Demon True Intent is more savage, and the Peng Demon Martial Seal is also far more difficult to practice!’
After his Martial Arts Cultivation broke through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm, Yang Chan began practicing the Peng Demon Martial Seal. Under its enhancement, his combat power would increase terrifyingly, multiplying from its original base.
As his Martial Arts Cultivation had improved, the enhancement effect from his previous Martial Seal had become increasingly ordinary. This was because his body was already tempered to a very high degree, and his combat power was already formidable. Therefore, to continue increasing his strength, he naturally needed to practice the Visualization Image for the Peng Demon Martial Seal.
The Martial Seal within it was that of a Peng Demon tearing through the void, soaring between heaven and earth. Its aura was exceptionally savage, even more powerful than that of the Flood Dragon Demon.
When Yang Chan first looked at the Visualization Image, he could feel its violent aura, which inspired a sense of apprehension. The difficulty of visualizing it was also considerable.
Even with Yang Chan’s extraordinary talent, it had taken him quite some time to succeed in his initial practice. After the Peng Demon Martial Seal appeared on his panel, Yang Chan used Potential Points to upgrade it, and only now had it reached Tier One, Initial Glimpse.
Although this was partly because Yang Chan had spent most of his Potential Points on the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill, it also indirectly proved how difficult the Peng Demon Martial Seal was to advance.
Yang Chan estimated that to actually use the Peng Demon Martial Seal’s enhancement, he would need to raise it to at least Tier Two, or perhaps even Tier Three.
This was despite his already powerful Spiritual Power from having condensed his Soul Body. However, the benefits of success were obvious. His combat power would rise significantly, which was something Yang Chan greatly anticipated.
That was why he was spending more time on the Peng Demon Martial Seal. Besides, in the early stages of cultivating a technique, the results from one’s efforts were quickest, and the time required was the shortest.
As a Cultivation Technique advanced to higher levels, the time required for each improvement grew longer and longer. Therefore, Yang Chan spent a large portion of his day on the Peng Demon Martial Seal, but his progress was still pitifully slow.
However, Yang Chan still had no intention of spending a large number of Potential Points on the Peng Demon Martial Seal for the time being. Staying safely in the Cyan Yuan Sect to focus on Alchemy, he was in no hurry to boost his combat power.
In contrast, advancing his Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill would have very significant effects. His body might even undergo a metamorphosis, which was what Yang Chan was most looking forward to right now.
Therefore, Yang Chan stuck to his original plan.
’After the Peng Demon Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture, there’s the Demon Dragon Blood Exchange Technique, which Blood Exchange Martial Saints from the Merak Sacred Land cultivate. After mastering all of them, I’ll be able to comprehend the Five Demons True Intent.’
’According to Lü Zhenghai, if I can achieve the Five Demons Fusion, it might not be impossible to break through beyond the Martial Saint Realm. He even said it’s a wide, open path with a visible future!’
’Although Lü Zhenghai might have been exaggerating, the upper limit of these complementary Cultivation Techniques is still quite high. At least among the techniques for the Body Tempering Stage, it should be more than adequate!’
’It’s also the most suitable Cultivation Technique path that I have access to right now!’
From the very beginning of his cultivation journey, Yang Chan had started with the Ox Demon’s Mighty Fist, and the subsequent techniques were all part of the same set. Now that this path could lead all the way to the Martial Saint Realm, he naturally had no thoughts of switching techniques, especially since its potential was considerable.
Princess Lan Yue had switched her Cultivation Technique because the upper limit of her original one was low. Furthermore, she was driven by a deep-seated blood feud!