Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Luoshui Lake.

On the unnamed desolate island.

Yellow Heaven Taoist looked at the White Chi before him.

The White Chi, originally with a fierce gaze, became noticeably calmer upon the arrival of Yellow Heaven Taoist, and its eyes turned gentle.

The next moment.

Yellow Heaven Taoist stepped forward, instantly appearing in front of the White Chi.

Then his palm landed on the White Chi's head.

Seeing this, the young man beside him suddenly felt a bit nervous.

He knew what he and his master were doing.

It was an endeavor that could overthrow the Great Xia Dynasty.

Once this deed was done, they would be facing life-threatening consequences.

So far, he still did not know whether what he and his master planned was right or wrong.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind; distractions grew and his mood became lost, completely disordered.

At this moment.

"Xiao Wuque!!" Yellow Heaven Taoist slowly uttered a name.

Upon hearing these three words, the young man beside him snapped back to reality.

"Xiao Wuque?" He asked, surprised.

Yellow Heaven Taoist nodded: "Yes, him!"

"Master, what should we do next?" The young man was somewhat anxious.

"Being discovered by Xiao Wuque without taking action is quite troublesome!" Yellow Heaven Taoist murmured, reflecting pensively.

"Indeed!" The young man carrying the Eight Diagrams Long Sword nodded and continued, "I've heard Xiao Wuque is the most gifted among the Martial Saint's disciples, with the highest potential to become the next Martial Saint."

Hearing what his disciple said, Yellow Heaven Taoist couldn't help but smile.

"Many in this world have the potential to become the next Martial Saint, even I, but over the millennium, only one has achieved that title."

Then, he spoke: "Go and inform Huang Tianhua and gather them all together. Since we've been discovered by Xiao Wuque, schedule it at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter."

Upon hearing this.

The young man's heart suddenly tightened.

"Master, do you think what we are doing is truly right?"

"Once war breaks out, millions of followers will follow us into fire and water, leading to devastation and ruin, life will become unbearable, and peace will vanish."

Hearing these words from his chosen successor, Yellow Heaven Taoist glanced at him.

"Let the merits and faults be judged by future generations."

"Among the Thirty-six Prefectures of the Nine Provinces today, how many ordinary people do you see living well?"

"Great Xia has been ailing for over eight hundred years."

"The harm from prolonged suffering far outweighs a short agony for the people."

"This world ultimately belongs not to the dynasty, but to the immortals; even the Martial Saint is nearing the end of his lifespan, unable to maintain peace in this world."

"Unless he could live another five hundred years to impose his will for peace, otherwise, under the manipulation of those immortals, the day of the dynasty's downfall is inevitable."

"Given this, why not let me send off Great Xia?"

At this moment, Yellow Heaven Taoist, seeing the bewilderment in his disciple's heart, offered some explanation.

"Master, I understand!" The young man nodded.

"Jing'er, if there's a chance in the future, you may choose a strong leader to serve." Yellow Heaven Taoist continued, "The Great Xia set the world order for eight hundred years, its system deeply rooted in people's hearts. Even if some future powers stand behind the Grotto Heaven immortals, ultimately the Nine States will unify, establishing a new dynasty, which is the will of the people and cannot be defied."

"Master, I will keep it in mind!" The young man nodded again.

"Hmm!" Yellow Heaven Taoist showed a moment of gratification and then said, "When you join the new dynasty, with your natural immortal bone, you may serve as State Preceptor, fulfilling your aspirations and establishing a more perfect system, allowing this world to achieve true lasting peace and prosperity."

"Master, I will do my utmost!" The young man nodded emphatically, a determined light flashing in his eyes as he clenched his fist.

...

Dongling City.

When Jiang Ning returned to Dongling City once again, it was already evening.

The afterglow of the sunset cast a golden hue on the ancient city walls, bathing the old city in a layer of golden twilight.

Standing at the city gate, Jiang Ning paused.

He saw many pale and thin refugees in front of the city, some with families, some in groups of three or five.

But uniformly, their bodies were emaciated, with faces sallow.

Not far away.

A squad of soldiers wielding knives shouted loudly.

"Line up one by one, and head to the shelter area after entering the city. The Prefectural Governor said each can receive a bowl of porridge, but starting tomorrow, you must start working!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised.

He knew exactly whom the soldiers were referring to as the Prefectural Governor.

His semi-father-in-law, Wang Shouyi, the Prefectural Governor of Dongling County.

At this moment, he understood that Wang Shouyi surely knew about these matters and had made arrangements.

Stabilizing people's hearts with food and then labor in exchange for relief, there was no problem with this method.

But he was puzzled; where did the disaster victims in Dongling County come from?

He knew Luoshui County very well, bordered by the Luoshui River, with abundant water resources. Even in a drought lasting three years, it would hardly affect Luoshui County significantly.

Originally, Shishan County was supposed to be the most difficult.

Shishan County, located in barren mountains with sparse vegetation, faced severe food shortages months ago.

But fortunately, the Xu and Mu Families purchased a large batch of grain from elsewhere and had stockpiled grain early on.

After he found that batch of grain, it would not be difficult for Shishan County to withstand this year.

Therefore, Shishan County likely couldn't produce these refugees either.

As for Baisha County, he wasn't particularly familiar with it, but he knew Baisha County was named after the Baisha River.

And Baisha River connects to the Luoshui River, with ample water resources; thus, it shouldn't experience a major famine either.