The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 967 The Sword Dao Treasure Scroll, Luan Ming's Invitation

This promotion ceremony was of extremely high standard and magnificent in scale.

Besides the celestial beings sent by various forces, there were also some well-known figures who came because of their reputation.

For example, there are Xuanling Chongcheng, with whom I had previously interacted, the number one alchemist, Hua Danshi, and rogue cultivators like the red-haired old man.

Back in Xuanling City, Chen Ping'an had participated in a bamboo forest transaction with Gu Qingchan and had a brief encounter with her. At that time, although he was a brilliant genius, he had become a marginalized figure.

Even after that, when he was highly regarded, he only appeared in public under a pseudonym.

But today, the situation has completely changed.

Hua Danshi, the once high and mighty number one alchemist of Xuanling, presented his congratulatory gifts with a warm expression and humble words.

However, the only pity is that Master Gu, who had previously crossed paths with Yunshan in the past and acted as guarantor for Cangjian, did not appear at this promotion ceremony.

It's unclear whether it was out of consideration for the integrity afforded by his status as an alchemist, or because of the current situation with the Guyue clan.

Besides the various independent cultivators, renowned experts, and local forces, representatives from forces with close ties to the North Sea, such as Lei Xiaotian, also presented congratulatory gifts for Chen Ping'an's advancement.

Invitations were sent out for this promotion ceremony, extending to all parties. Although this allowed for some time to spare, Beihai was ultimately too far away and did not have enough time to prepare. As a result, no representatives were actually sent from Beihai.

Otherwise, this promotion ceremony would have been much more lively.

Even so, this promotion ceremony can be said to be the most lively and prosperous event in the Bicang region recently.

The promotion ceremony proceeded without the twists and turns Chen Ping'an had anticipated, nor were there any unexpected events or external influences.

The promotion ceremony, overseen by He Shuangdao and He Xinchen, proceeded smoothly amidst the noise and pleasantries.

At the celebration, powerful figures from all sides gathered, and there were many topics to discuss. Among them, the exchanges were naturally commensurate with their respective status.

There are the previously well-known Netherworld Secret Realm, as well as the recently announced Merchant Alliance's search for a son-in-law, and all sorts of other anecdotes and interesting stories, which are casually discussed in the circle of friends during the leisure time of the celebration.

To outsiders, each piece of such news would be an incredibly shocking secret. But here, it's mentioned casually, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

Chen Ping'an, sitting high in the center, observed the casual conversations, and also paid attention to them through his spiritual perception.

However, because He Xinchen was present, he didn't dare to be too obvious in anything he did. He only paid slight attention to some things that interested him.

Examples include the Netherworld Secret Realm and the Merchant Alliance's Son-in-Law Recruitment.

According to past practice, the Netherworld Secret Realm should have opened around this time. However, there has been no sign of any activity from the Netherworld Secret Realm lately, and there has been no trace of the Netherworld Valley.

According to previous reports, the Netherworld Secret Realm expedition may be delayed.

"The Netherworld Secret Realm is delayed."

Chen Pingan listened quietly.

Chen Ping'an wasn't particularly interested in the North Sea Merchant Alliance, the Twin Lords of Cloud and Thunder, or the matter of finding a son-in-law. However, he was quite interested in all the related matters that arose from this.

According to the announcement made by the Merchant Alliance, Princess Xingyue's dowry, including rare spiritual items taken from the secret treasury of the North Sea Merchant Alliance, is worth over ten million.

It contains top-tier treasures from the seas, rare and mysterious items, and secret manuals.

What truly caught Chen Ping'an's attention, however, was a scroll of sword techniques among the many rare items he possessed.

Aurora Blade Technique!

The aurora is a celestial blade.

One strike ignites the dawn, two strikes bring forth rosy clouds, three strikes shatter the clouds and frost, illuminating mountains and rivers!

Such swordsmanship is unparalleled even within the most profound martial arts manuals, enough to make any celestial cultivator who practices the swordsmanship envious. Even for a martial arts master, it possesses considerable allure.

Furthermore, according to the Merchant Alliance's public announcement, the Cloud and Thunder Duo will also take out many rare items from their private collections for this son-in-law recruitment, including one item specifically designed to complement the sect's Sword Dao Treasure Scroll.

Top-tier treasure: Aurora Ruyi Blade!

In addition, there are countless rare resources, the value of which surpasses even the treasury of the Merchant Alliance.

With such a valuable asset, marrying Princess Xingyue and becoming the son-in-law of both rulers would be like ascending to heaven in one step!

Even if that's not the case, as long as you stand out in this Merchant Alliance's son-in-law recruitment and trial competition, the rewards will be equally abundant.

Mobilized by this news, countless outstanding talents and geniuses from all corners of the dynasty and its vast territory were moved and flocked to the capital one after another.

Martial arts masters are like immortals, enjoying a lifespan of a thousand years.

Those within three hundred years can be considered part of the younger generation. Not to mention, the age restrictions for this merchant alliance's son-in-law selection are extremely lenient. There are only certain preferential treatments for prodigies under one hundred years old, but this does not mean that those over one hundred years old have no hope of standing out in this son-in-law selection.

Against this backdrop, the most talented and outstanding individuals from all sides of the dynasty naturally began to stir.

Some were thinking of themselves, while others were considering the interests of their families, powerful sects, and other influential figures behind them.

The Twin Lords of Cloud and Thunder hold a transcendent position within the North Sea Merchant Alliance. To become their son-in-law and marry Princess Star and Moon would elevate one's status and prestige immensely.

Their influence within their respective family spheres is also growing day by day.

"The Dao of the Sword Scroll, a top-tier treasure, is it really such a coincidence?"

Chen Ping'an pondered this in his heart, marveling at it.

Other spiritual resources were alright, but these two items were of extraordinary significance to him. Not only could they perfectly complement his visible cultivation level, but they could also help him advance further and experience even greater heights.

Besides, the resources and spiritual items that have been revealed so far are only a part of Princess Xingyue's dowry; a considerable portion of the resources have not yet been truly disclosed.

Furthermore, according to the rules of this Merchant Alliance's son-in-law recruitment, even if one does not ultimately win the heart of the beauty, one can still use the trial points to exchange for appropriate items to expand the influence and encourage more outstanding individuals to participate in this son-in-law recruitment trial.

In the conversation, besides these matters, they also talked about recent local news. Some small-circle channels had privately exchanged messages, subtly mentioning the power struggles among various forces.

and also

The recent power struggle within the Bicang Prince's Mansion!

"The Prince is critically ill and on the verge of death!"

Chen Ping'an's eyes shone brightly as he heard a seemingly plausible but ultimately ambiguous statement from the layers of transmitted sound.

Although the words were veiled, the implied meaning was extremely clear.

However, the other party only speculated based on general trends and had no precise basis.

Chen Ping'an raised his eyes slightly and saw the old man below.

In the arena, Aoki Fusuke remained calm and composed, showing no signs of anything amiss.

This is normal, though; at this level, it's rare for people to let their inner emotions show on the surface.

"Lord Chen, a man of exceptional talent and ability, guarding the Northern Mountain, I toast you with this cup of wine." An elderly celestial being, holding a bottle of spirit wine, approached with a smile.

Chen Ping'an did not refuse, but returned the greeting with a smile and gently accepted.

The room was filled with clinking glasses and frequent congratulations, creating a lively and boisterous atmosphere.

As the true protagonist of this promotion ceremony, Chen Ping'an naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.

Shen Linyuan was lost in thought, gazing at Chen Ping'an, who was surrounded by the crowd in the arena, a hint of indescribable unease welling up in his eyes.

He had experienced this situation just a few months ago.

At that time, he had just become a Celestial Being, full of vigor and ambition. At the Celestial Being Ceremony, he displayed his sword intent and defeated the Supreme Elder of Hengshan Sect, making him the absolute focus of attention.

But times have changed, circumstances have shifted, and things have turned out the way they are today.

But what truly troubled him was not this emotion, but a rumor he had recently overheard.

Gu Qingchan, an elder of the Gu family, came from Canglong and paid a visit to Mangdao's residence, where she stayed overnight!

Although Gu Zhengnan, the newly promoted Celestial Being of the Gu family, was accompanying them, this matter...

However, it has been the subject of much discussion and criticism.

Shen Linyuan's eyes were filled with turmoil, his mind uneasy. He raised the cup of spiritual wine and drank it all in one gulp. He prided himself on being an unparalleled genius, but in front of Chen Ping'an, he felt a profound gap between them.

It was not just a suppression of talent, but a suppression that was presented in every aspect.

Shen Linyuan's thoughts surged, and the image of that peerless figure in an ice-blue palace dress floated into his mind.

Because of the presence of a Celestial Master, neither the Wine Gourd Daoist of the Green Wood Sect nor Jiang Ruotong of the Luanming Sect made any significant moves and remained extremely low-key.

Occasionally, there would be moments of interaction between heaven and man, but these were only met with a few casual words of response.

If the Wine Gourd Taoist was like this, then Jiang Ruotong was even more so.

Wearing a white dress and with her black hair flowing in the wind, she looked even more elegant and graceful.

Aside from the initial two words of congratulations, Jiang Ruotong did not exchange pleasantries or interact with Chen Ping'an at all during the entire event.

However, the Daoist with the wine gourd raised his cup in celebration midway through the journey, which was quite a show of respect for Chen Ping'an.

Or perhaps it was to save face for He Xinchen, who was stationed there.

During this time, someone mentioned the body-forging master who had recently appeared in the Black Nether Mountains, which piqued their interest.

Chen Ping'an nodded slightly in response, without saying anything more.

Amidst this bustling, celebratory, and peaceful atmosphere, the renowned promotion ceremony came to a close.

The celebration came to a close, leaving behind a dazzling display of lights and splendor.

The powerful Celestial Beings from all sides departed one after another. Some Celestial Beings moved on to other venues, participating in more smaller meetings and seeking cooperation for mutual benefit. Others sought private visits, hoping for more interaction.

Regardless of the circumstances, all the celestial beings bid farewell to Chen Ping'an before their departure.

"Lord Chen, this gathering has been very pleasant. We should visit each other more often in the future."

The Taoist priest with the wine gourd had a smiling face and an endearingly simple demeanor.

"That's only right," Chen Ping'an replied with a smile.

After exchanging a few words, the Taoist with the wine gourd casually tossed the gourd in his hand, and it transformed into the size of a house, carrying Taoist Guan away.

He Xinchen had already left before the celebration ended. This time, he didn't need to be as reserved as before. Before parting, he exchanged a few words with Jiang Ruotong of the Luanming Sect, and then his figure disappeared into the sky.

Having reached the halfway point of the Great Cultivation Realm, he was already a powerful figure nearing the peak in the surrounding area. In this setting, there were only a handful of people present who were worthy of his attention.

"Jiang Xianzi".

"Thank you for your guidance, Fairy Jiang. I am extremely grateful."

"."

Amidst the cheers and applause, the figure in the white dress landed in front of Chen Ping'an.

Jiang Ruotong's eyes were gentle and her expression was refined.

"Lord Chen, Ruotong has been a great bother today. I am deeply grateful for your magnanimity. If you have the time in the future, please come to Yunxia. My Luanming is surrounded by magnificent mountains and rivers, with unique scenery. I believe you will like it."

Although she disliked Chen Ping'an's previous flirtatious behavior, she still needed to cultivate the necessary relationships, whether for her senior sister or for the sect.

"Invite Luanming?"

Chen Ping'an's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Thank you for the invitation, Fairy Jiang. I will definitely visit you when I have time. I have heard that Fairy Luan Yue is unparalleled in beauty and grace, and travels with phoenixes in her flowing robes. I have long admired her and hope that Fairy Jiang can introduce me to her."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruotong gave Chen Ping'an a deep look.

"Lord Chen is a young prodigy with brilliant talent. Our sect's chief cultivator cherishes outstanding individuals and will surely be delighted to meet you."

Chen Ping'an's emotions shifted, but his expression softened with a relieved smile.

"That's good."

Jiang Ruotong exchanged a few pleasantries, then changed the subject.

"Lord Chen, you have just assumed the throne and are very busy with many affairs. I'm sure you have a lot of troubles to attend to. I won't bother you any longer."

After speaking, Jiang Ruotong bowed gently, smiled sweetly, boarded the magnificent jade carriage, and departed under the gaze of all the cultivators.

"The first to cultivate the Luanming style is Xiao Luanyue."

Chen Ping'an remained calm as he watched the jade carriage depart, a slight ripple appearing beneath his deep eyes.

Legend has it that Xiao Luan Yue, the top cultivator of the Luanming Sect, is a master of music. Despite being a newly promoted Grand Cultivator, she fought to a draw against the top Grand Cultivator of the Ancient Moon Clan. Besides her exceptional talent, she relied on the sect's guardian spirit beast, the Azure Luan Bird.

Most high-level, long-established celestial and human forces have guardian spirit beasts or sect-protecting spirit beasts.

Spirit pets have long lifespans, enough to be passed down for a long time, and they continue to improve through generations of cultivation.

For a powerful and influential sect like the Luanming Sect, the guardian spirit beast passed down through generations is naturally extraordinary.

Legend has it that the Azure Phoenix possesses a top-tier Heavenly Grade bloodline, but even now, it has not yet reached the peak of its bloodline.

"Top-tier Heavenly Bloodline"

Chen Ping'an's gaze was distant, his thoughts drifting.

The fourth stage of the Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique—the true bloodline—is still nowhere to be found!

If he could have a bloodline to protect him, regardless of whether it was suitable or not, it would greatly alleviate his current situation.

Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered slightly, and he had already made up his mind.

"The North Sea Merchant Alliance, amidst clouds and the cries of phoenixes, resounds throughout the heavens and the netherworld."

Azure land, ancient land, cloud-shrouded land, verdant land.

As Chen Ping'an's perspective changed, his understanding of the situation and trends in the surrounding area became clearer, and all the information became more comprehensive.

Within the territory of Bicang, there is a struggle for the throne of the Bicang Prince's Mansion, involving factional infighting.

The surrounding territory implies dominance over the surrounding areas.

In the ancient territory, the Guyue clan has always been powerful. Now, in the Yunxia territory, the Luanming Sect has risen to prominence, especially with the emergence of Luanyue, the sect's first cultivator, which makes the Guyue clan feel even more threatened.

The methods employed are self-evident.

Jiang Ruotong's recent closeness and invitation likely contain other hidden meanings.

Even with the mediation of the Zhenfu Division and He Xinchen's statement, his killing of the young master of Guyue has inevitably created a rift with the Guyue clan.

Not to mention befriending them and forming alliances.

The enemy of my enemy can be my friend, so Chen Ping'an is naturally a good match for the Luanming Sect.

Under such circumstances, the Qingmu Sect, which seems to be indifferent to worldly affairs, probably has similar considerations.

After all, if one side dominates the surrounding area, then there's nothing left to do.

The space for maneuvering and maneuvering has probably been greatly reduced.

Previously, there might have been the Prince of Bicang's residence to keep things in check, but now that the old prince is critically ill, such a restraint is becoming increasingly weak.

Based on the various aspects of the celebration, although there were only a few movements, Chen Ping'an could already see the turbulent undercurrents and undercurrents within them.

"A time of great turmoil." (End of Chapter)