Human Clan Defender

"Within the fifth level of the Jade Wall, countless Grandmasters' True Intent is contained. These True Intents vary in strength. Once your Divine Sense enters, it battles with the True Intent of others. If you can prevail, you'll be able to draw upon the power of True Intent to nourish yourself.

However, the Jade Wall is ultimately an external object and cannot elevate a Grandmaster to the peak of the Spiritual System.

Once you reach a certain point, if there's no further progress to be made within yourself, you must venture out for experience. This is why there are some Grandmasters in the Martial Hall, but not many stay here for long," Zhong Ning said in a grave voice.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have said so much.

Shen Changqing, whom he had persuaded with great effort and personally brought in, indeed possessed notable talent.

If he could maintain this talent until the end, then there would be a small chance for him to break through human limits and ascend to another realm.

Upon hearing Zhong Ning's words, Shen Changqing had a moment of realization.

"So the secret chamber is what one uses when first entering the Spiritual System. As for the Jade Wall, it's used after True Intent Manifestation in the Spiritual System. Both are foundational treasures, yet whether one can reach the peak ultimately depends on the individual."

"Exactly." Zhong Ning showed an expression indicating Shen Changqing was a teachable pupil.

"If Grandmasters at the peak of the Spiritual System were so easy to cultivate, there wouldn't be so few powerful individuals at that level in the world."

"How many powerful individuals at that level are there in the world?"

"I'm not sure about other places, but as for Great Qin, there are probably just a few Pavilion Masters at the peak of the Spiritual System."

"What about the Defender Envoy?"

"The path the Defender Envoy takes is different from ours." Zhong Ning shook his head, his expression then turning to one of interest as he looked at Shen Changqing.

"You seem quite interested in the Defender Envoy. Well, it's understandable. The Defender Envoy is renowned throughout Great Qin as a true protector. Consider this matter when you reach the second realm of the Spiritual System. For now, you don't need to think too much about it."

He didn't want to discuss this topic further.

Seeing this, Shen Changqing didn't press further.

Both Dongfang Zhao and Zhong Ning maintained a secretive stance regarding the Defender Envoy.

The more mysterious they were, the more curious he became.

But with Zhong Ning remaining silent, he had no way to inquire further.

Shen Changqing then took out two pale-gold Demon-Subduing Coins from his bosom.

At the sight of the Demon-Subduing Coins, Zhong Ning abruptly sat up from his reclining chair, his eyes shining, nearly reaching out to snatch them.

But remembering his status, he forcibly suppressed the urge.

He cleared his throat. The Martial Pavilion Elder squeezed out an enthusiastic smile.

"Do you plan to continue using the secret chamber?"

"According to Elder Zhong, it's one hundred Merit Points to use the secret chamber for three days, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's right! If you give two hundred Merit Points, you can use the secret chamber for six days straight," Zhong Ning quickly replied.

As Shen Changqing handed over the Demon-Subduing Coins, Zhong Ning snatched them away with lightning speed.

It was so fast that Shen Changqing nearly missed the movement.

After securing the Demon-Subduing Coins, Zhong Ning coughed and said seriously, "You can go in now. I'll notify you when it's time to come out."

"Much appreciated."

Shen Changqing nodded. Just as he was about to return to the secret chamber, Zhong Ning suddenly stopped him.

"Wait."

"Is there something else, Elder Zhong?"

"Use secret chamber number thirteen on your right. That chamber hasn't been used for a long time, so the Spiritual Energy accumulated inside is much stronger than in the other chambers."

"Ah, thank you for the guidance, Elder!"

Shen Changqing bowed in thanks and then, following Zhong Ning's directions, opened the stone door of chamber number thirteen.

Indeed, as soon as a small crack appeared in the stone door, a massive amount of Spiritual Energy surged forth.

The force of the Spiritual Energy was so strong it almost pushed the stone door closed again.

Seeing this, he forcefully pushed the stone door open. Before much Spiritual Energy could leak out, he quickly slipped inside, and the stone door slammed shut with a thunderous sound.

As Shen Changqing entered, Zhong Ning took out the two Demon-Subduing Coins from his pocket, his face still beaming.

Tsk, two hundred Merit Points! This lad is wealthy indeed. Of course, anyone who can afford Enlightenment Tea on their own doesn't seem short on money. If he's wealthy enough to rent the secret chamber indefinitely, that would be very comfortable.

The two hundred Merit Points put him in a very good mood.

However, Zhong Ning understood it was a miracle that Shen Changqing had been able to offer two hundred Merit Points; there was little chance of him offering more.

After stowing the Demon-Subduing Coins safely, he lay back down.

「 」

After the morning rain, the uneven road was riddled with puddles. A horse galloped swiftly, splashing muddy water everywhere.

"HYAH!"

"HYAH!!"

A bloodied rider held the reins in one hand, continuously whipping his mount with the other, urging the horse into a mad dash.

Before long, a majestic city came into view.

Suddenly, the horse's front legs gave out, and it collapsed. The rider tumbled from its back due to the sudden fall.

As soon as he hit the ground, he skillfully rolled to his feet. Ignoring the mud caking his body, he sprinted towards the city.

Due to the night curfew, the Capital City's gates were closed after nightfall and wouldn't reopen until morning, permitting citizens to enter and leave.

At this time, the city gate had not yet opened. Outside, however, a multitude of civilians had already gathered. Some were pushing wooden carts, others carried baskets on their backs, all piled high with goods.

These were all local people, coming into the city daily to sell their wares and earn a living.

"Make way! Everyone, make way!"

A loud yell came from behind. Many civilians turned to see a man, his body covered in a mixture of mud and fresh blood, sprinting frantically towards them.

This scene made many instinctively step aside, creating a path through the crowd.

The man stood at the city gate, looked up at the soldiers on the city wall, and shouted hoarsely.

"I am a Lieutenant of the Flying Phoenix Army from Luo'an Prefecture! I have urgent news for His Majesty! Open the gates quickly!"

His voice reverberated across the gateway.

The soldiers on the city wall were immediately alerted.

Soon, a figure resembling a commander leaned over the wall, looked down, and bellowed.

"Do you have proof?"

"This is my Identity Token!"

The man took out a blood-stained token from his chest. It was adorned with a Phoenix spreading its wings, looking as if it were about to take flight from the token itself.

Upon spotting the token, the commander's expression changed dramatically. With a broad wave of his hand, he ordered.

"Open the city gate!"

Having said this, he turned and hurried down from the city walls.

The city gate opened, and a large number of soldiers poured out. They held back the civilians trying to enter and allowed the Lieutenant from the Flying Phoenix Army inside.

As soon as he was past the gateway, he encountered the same commander who had been on the city wall.

"I am Wang Hu, a Lieutenant of the City Guard. Please show your Identity Token!"

Looking at the blood-soaked man before him, Wang Hu had a bad feeling but did not forget the necessary procedures.

Showing the Identity Token earlier was only proof that the man was from the Flying Phoenix Army.

Now, it was time to verify his exact identity.

Upon hearing this, the man handed over his token.

Wang Hu took it and saw the inscribed contents:

Flying Phoenix Army, Lieutenant of the Fifth Battalion—Fang Shi.

Seeing this, he handed back the Identity Token and then asked in a grave voice, "What has happened in Luo'an Prefecture?"

"Seven days ago, Great Zhou launched a surprise attack on Luo'an Prefecture, and five cities fell!"

Fang Shi swiftly finished speaking, then turned and sprinted into the city.

Wang Hu remained where he stood, stunned as if struck by lightning, unable to regain his senses for a long while.

In his mind echoed the words Fang Shi had just spoken:

Great Zhou launched a surprise assault on Luo'an Prefecture!

Great Zhou has launched an assault on Luo'an Prefecture! How is this possible? How could this be— Wang Hu staggered. As a military commander, he clearly understood the gravity of the situation.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Hu barely calmed himself before turning to the equally shocked soldiers around him, his expression turning stern.

"This news must not be spread without the Imperial Court's permission! The consequences of disobedience are clear to all of you!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers all looked panicked.

"Rest assured, sir, we haven't heard anything."

"If you heard nothing, that's for the best. Otherwise, you'd bring calamity not only upon yourselves but possibly trouble for your families as well!"

Wang Hu snorted coldly, then turned back to the detained civilians.

"Let the people into the city!"

Quickly, the order was given, and the soldiers blocking the civilians stepped aside.

At the same time, a soldier loudly warned, "Don't crowd! Each person must show their travel permit to enter the city. Anyone who breaks the rule will face a few days in the dungeons!"

These words made the civilians careful not to crowd; instead, they queued in an orderly fashion, showing the travel permits they carried.

「Elsewhere.」

Wang Hu hurried off.

The surprise attack on Luo'an Prefecture by Great Zhou was too significant. He had to report it immediately.

How did it come to this!

Great Zhou has always been at peace with Great Qin. So why attack Luo'an Prefecture now?

No matter how hard Wang Hu racked his brain, he could not understand Great Zhou's reasons for attacking at this time.

If it had been at any other time, he wouldn't have been too concerned.

After all, Great Zhou was powerful, and Great Qin was not weak. The former might not be able to trouble the latter.

But now, it was during the Barbarian Clan's attack on Great Wilderness Prefecture. With Great Zhou also weighing in, the matter became far more serious.

Could it be—does Great Zhou's attack on Luo'an Prefecture have something to do with the Barbarian Clan?

The moment this thought surfaced in Wang Hu's mind, it startled him greatly.

He knew that if this was indeed related to the Barbarian Clan, the gravity of the situation was far more severe than he had imagined.

Not daring to linger, he disappeared from the city gates.

「Elsewhere.」

Six days had passed.

Zhong Ning's voice, signaling the end of his time, roused Shen Changqing from his secluded cultivation.

Time really does fly!

He shook his head slightly. Six days had passed without him even noticing the flow of time.

Glancing into his Sea of Consciousness again, he saw that the spectral second petal of the blood-red lotus had become much clearer.