Chapter 209: Enlightenment in a Dream, Blade Technique Halfway Through

Wind and clouds changed, the dragon appeared suddenly.

The scene in the dream was pulled by Li Rui's thoughts, and a dragon a hundred zhang long crouched on the cloud platform.

The next instant.

Li Rui suddenly opened his eyes.

"Blade, come."

In an instant, his right hand was wrapped in clouds, and the long blade "Hidden Edge" manifested in his hand.

His body was like a dragon, and the blade light of Hidden Edge was unstoppable.

The hundred-zhang dragon was no longer just lying on the cloud platform as before; the dragon head lifted slightly, as if it wanted to spread its wings and fly high.

"Dragon Wandering Six Slashes, second move, Dragon Seen in the Field!"

Li Rui shouted lightly.

The blade light splashed wantonly like water, no longer focusing on defense like the first move, Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act; every move was overbearing, and the sharpness was fully revealed.

He had only created the first move not long ago.

As a result, with one enlightenment, he directly created the second move.

The progress accelerated by a large chunk in one breath.

But the Hidden Edge in Li Rui's hand didn't mean to stop at all; the blade momentum turned, and in an instant, it changed from the exquisite moves and fully revealed sharpness just now to being open and close, every move full of craftsmanship.

"Third move, Diligent All Day!"

The gentleman is diligent all day.

This move of Li Rui's was taken from the meaning of self-improvement; the moves didn't need to be exquisite, just simple chopping, and practicing well could still make one a master.

Don't look at the moves as ordinary, but they contained terrifying power, lifting up large pieces of clouds and mist, like wind sweeping away clouds.

"Done!"

Li Rui couldn't help but roar at the sky.

Comprehending two moves in one breath, he only felt refreshed.

The Dragon Wandering Six Slashes had just completed three moves like this, and the progress was already halfway through.

This efficiency far exceeded Li Rui's expectations.

Li Rui looked at the blade in his hand, his eyes full of surprise:

"Can one also have enlightenment in a dream?"

Such a situation could be said to be unheard of; at least it had never been recorded in the ancient books he had read.

An unexpected joy!

This was probably the additional effect of the "Great Dream Wandering Immortal."

In the dream, not only did he not have to worry about the accidental injury of enlightenment, but the effect was more than seventy percent stronger than in the real world.

The effect was terrifyingly strong.

If it were according to the normal progress, Li Rui would need at least four or five years to polish the three moves of the Dragon Wandering Six Slashes to perfection.

But now.

He completed it in the time of a dream.

Saving a full four or five years of bitter struggle.

In fact, creating martial arts by oneself was an extremely long process.

There had always been a saying in the Jianghu.

"Ten years is not long, a hundred years is a snap of the fingers."

This referred to the process of creating cultivation techniques; there were countless senior masters who spent ten years studying one move, and some even spent a hundred years for just one move—for example, the predecessor who created the White Ape Blade Technique of the Huaqing Sect; according to the records in his book, he watched monkeys in a Daoist temple for a full thirty years before creating this blade technique.

Without careful carving, how could it become a cultivation technique passed down to future generations?

By comparison, Li Rui couldn't even be called fast.

It should be light speed.

Although the Dragon Wandering Six Slashes had a huge gap compared to top-tier cultivation techniques, its rank was already not low; placed in the Sixth Rank realm, it was already a very top-tier blade technique.

Li Rui wouldn't be arrogant enough to think that with good comprehension and the assistance of the Great Dream Wandering Immortal, he could create a blade technique comparable to the First Rank in the Sixth Rank.

The realm gap was too large, leading to knowledge completely not on the same level.

It couldn't be compared at all.

But there was no need to belittle himself; after all, among those great powers, there couldn't be many who could create cultivation techniques like Li Rui when they were in the Sixth Rank.

And it won in being self-created, with huge potential.

As long as Li Rui continued to deduce and improve, it might not be impossible to become a martial art that amazed the world.

In this regard, he had great confidence.

Who told him to walk the path of being the world's number one.

General's Mansion, backyard.

Pavilions and towers, winding water and flowing cups.

In the center, a large water pool of five mu, with a raised platform in the center, where more than ten beautiful women danced gracefully.

Cao Wei sat on one side of the stone platform, smiling and holding a plump and round woman.

"Elder Shi, I'll trouble you with the trade matter."

Divine Weapon Shanzhuang Elder Shi Zhou laughed heartily: "General Cao, this matter, just leave it to me."

The curve of Cao Wei's mouth increased.

He was drinking with Shi Zhou today, of course, for the mutual trade between the two countries.

This was a top priority.

As a Lieutenant General of the Anning Guard and a member of the Fifth Prince's faction, he of course knew about the news of the mutual trade between the two countries long ago, or rather, it should be said that the Fifth Prince sent him to the Anning Guard to plan this matter in advance.

Mutual trade between two countries represented silver.

It was endless silver.

Wealth, companions, law, and land—wealth comes first; even a prince, or even the Emperor, couldn't refuse the temptation of gold and silver.

If the silver in the national treasury was sufficient, directly raising a million heavy armored troops, the Northwest Border Army could directly crush them; where would there be a need to worry about the Northwest war again?

As the first big sect to station in Qinghe, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang's advantage would of course not be small.

After several days of consultation.

Shi Zhou had reached an agreement with Cao Wei.

The two sides wanted to monopolize the weapon business between Qinghe and the Witch Kingdom.

Casting weapons was originally a profiteering industry, not to mention that the Witch Kingdom's domestic situation was just settled, and the flames of war were everywhere; it was exactly when weapons were needed.

When mutual trade happened, the price would be whatever they wanted to open.

I believe that as long as the new Emperor could stabilize the throne, he would be willing to give any price.

As a Lieutenant General of the Anning Guard, Cao Wei naturally couldn't personally go down to do the business of reselling weapons; if he were caught by the hostile faction as a handle, he might lose his head. So it was most appropriate for the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang to do it.

On one hand, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang started by blacksmithing, so they were professionals in this matter; secondly, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang also had quite a few relationships in the military.

After the transaction was completed, both sides would split the profit fifty-fifty.

Of course, as a reward, Cao Wei would also open the back door for this matter.

The Anning Guard was responsible for guarding Qinghe City.

Closing one eye and opening one eye to let a few merchant teams go was simply too easy.

As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.

As a local force in Yunzhou, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang had never had a good relationship with the Huaqing Sect.

Twenty years ago, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang wanted to annex the Huaqing Sect, but Jiang Linxian appeared out of nowhere, and it failed.

The two sects formed a grudge.

So for the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang to find someone to cooperate with in the Anning Guard, Cao Wei naturally became the only choice.

=9+Shu_Ba

Shi Zhou laughed heartily and raised his wine cup: "Lord Cao, happy cooperation; as long as we can satisfy the Marquis, wealth and honor will definitely be endless."

Cao Wei narrowed his eyes:

"Elder Shi's words are reasonable."

That's right, the Divine Weapon Shanzhuang was a member of the Marquis Dingyuan faction.

The two belonged to the same party, and joining forces was almost inevitable; the Fifth Prince had also given instructions on this matter long ago.

'Marquis Dingyuan'

Cao Wei recited these three words in his heart.

Although he was valued by the Fifth Prince, no one would think they had too few backers.

If he performed well and gained the appreciation of Marquis Dingyuan, being transferred back to the Imperial City as an official would be something within reach.

Being able to be an official in the Imperial City, who would want to be an official outside?

He came out of the Ministry of War and wanted to use this as a springboard, not really wanting to weld himself to a tiny place like Qinghe.

If it weren't for Gao Zhen, perhaps he would have found an opportunity to be promoted back to the Imperial City.

"Must seize this opportunity."

"Chief Jiang, you're looking for me?"

Li Rui looked at Jiang Linxian who was drinking tea.

Early this morning.

He was originally watching the soldiers drill at the Benhu Cavalry, and then Jiang Yan came, saying Jiang Linxian had something to find him for.

Jiang Linxian slowly put down the teacup:

"Brother Li, I wonder if you've heard about the mutual trade between our dynasty and the Witch Kingdom."

Li Rui answered: "I've heard a little."

Jiang Linxian laughed: "This time, a Trade Office is established in five places, and our Qinghe is one of them."

The so-called Trade Office.

Was a department specifically managing foreign trade; if it were on the coast, it would be called the Shipping Office.

Mutual trade between the Yu Kingdom and the Witch Kingdom didn't mean that Witch Kingdom people could enter and exit the Yu Kingdom's territory at will.

Even if the Witch Kingdom was willing, the Yu Kingdom imperial court definitely wouldn't agree.

If it were opened like that, how many spies from the Witch Kingdom would appear in the Yu Kingdom?

So the Witch Kingdom merchant teams could only go as far as the place where the Trade Office was located, and then trade with the Yu Kingdom's merchant teams there, and the goods would then be transported to all corners of the world by the Yu Kingdom's merchant teams via the canal.

Anyone with eyes knew.

The place where the Trade Office was located would definitely be exceptionally prosperous.

Qinghe was blessed by misfortune this time, attracting the attention of those big figures.

And thus became a compromise choice under the game.

Li Rui's heart moved slightly.

He didn't expect that Jiang Linxian looking for him today was actually for the mutual trade between the two countries.

Jiang Linxian continued: "His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue to draft documents to establish a Trade Office in Qinghe; although our Anning Guard only needs to cooperate, we also need to send people to supervise the trade between the two countries, and this person needs to be careful. I observe the Anning Guard, and Brother Li is the most suitable to hold this position."

"Sixth-Rank Trade Captain."

Li Rui raised his eyebrows.

Proper Sixth Rank!

On the same level as the Anning Guard Garrison Commander.

Captain was a military rank, with no fixed system; some captains could even reach the Third Rank, with huge differences.

This Sixth-Rank Trade Captain was clearly a new official title added after the establishment of the Trade Office this time.

As long as Li Rui nodded.

He could logically be promoted and obtain achievement points.

But...

Li Rui was about to open his mouth.

Jiang Linxian said in advance: "If Brother Li is worried about exposing his strength and being coveted by others, I can come forward. With Brother Li's strength, if you continue to hide your clumsiness, it would be a pity."

Li Rui narrowed his eyes slightly.

That was what he was about to say.

An old man of seventy, in only six or seven years, broke through three ranks and directly crossed the Dragon Gate.

Even among young geniuses, this was an extremely rare situation.

Perhaps only princes and successors of big sects had this speed.

Originally, according to his plan, after three or five years of laying the groundwork, he would expose his strength, and everything would fall into place.

But if Jiang Linxian was willing to help him...

"Since Chief Jiang thinks highly of this old man, then I will respectfully obey."

The smile in Jiang Linxian's eyes increased.

Actually, if Li Rui had really agreed to his request for promotion at the very beginning, he wouldn't have given the Trade Captain position to Li Rui.

Unable to hold back from exposing his trump card for the sake of a mere Sixth-Rank official.

Not steady enough.

After becoming a Trade Captain, there would definitely be endless temptations.

Once a mistake was made, he would also be implicated.

So there was one point he hadn't said: holding this position required sufficient composure.

Clearly.

Li Rui had passed the assessment.

"Brother Li, you are in your prime!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 210 =====