Chapter 73

He said gravely: "From now on, Cangwu Mountain shall be the new base of my Jiang family!"

"If you walk abroad, you may also call yourselves the Cangwu Jiang family!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts trembled; they immediately bowed and chorused: "As ordered!"

Watching their reactions, Jiang Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction.

Then he waved his hand, declared the family meeting concluded, and dismissed everyone to rest.

The next day.

Wudan City.

A middle-aged man in blue robes suddenly visited the city governor's mansion.

Ding Xuan, who had been sitting in the courtyard admiring fish and drinking tea, froze when he recognized the visitor's face: "Xu Brother?"

He recognized the man as his old acquaintance, Xu Gu.

But after Xu Gu successfully joined Qingshan Sect, which was backed by a Moonwheel Realm Ancestor within Tiandou Prefecture, the two had rarely contacted each other.

Yet now, after many years, the man had come in person to see him.

"Ding Brother, long time no see. How have you been?"

Looking at his old friend, Xu Gu bowed slightly and smiled.

Ding Xuan immediately rose from his wooden chair: "Xu Brother, why did you arrive so suddenly without warning? I could have prepared a welcoming feast for you! But since you've finally come to Wudan City, let me fulfill my duty as host—tonight, we'll drink our fill, and not stop until we're drunk..."

Xu Gu shook his head: "Not warning you ahead of time was my fault. In the past, I would gladly share wine and talk with you, Ding Brother, but now I'm bound by sect duties—I cannot stay."

"Oh? What matter is it?"

Ding Xuan instantly realized his old friend had come for a serious purpose; he immediately sobered and asked gravely.

Xu Gu paused, then said: "I assume you're aware of the Hundred Sects Competition in three months?"

Ding Xuan's eyes flickered: "Of course I know."

The Hundred Sects Competition is supervised by the Tiandou Prefecture Lord and held across the entire Tiandou Prefecture!

Each sect must send young disciples no older than twenty to compete.

Those who place in the top ten gain eligibility to study at the Tiandou Academy, and their sects gain greater access to resources within Tiandou Prefecture.

Those who place in the top three gain even greater privilege: entry into the Black-and-White Academy in the Great Qin capital, with guidance from Starwheel, Moonwheel, or even Sunwheel cultivators.

Hearing Ding Xuan's reply, Xu Gu continued: "Since you understand the importance of this, I'll speak plainly—my sect has sent me to recruit talented seeds capable of competing in the Hundred Sects Competition."

"After searching for dozens of days without success, I recently heard rumors in another city about the Jiang family's Twin Stars. After careful inquiry, I learned their home lies within your jurisdiction, Ding Brother—that's why I've come here specifically. Please introduce me to them."

As he finished, Ding Xuan froze, his expression turning peculiar.

He hadn't expected that after all this, his old friend had come for that damned Jiang family.

Seeing Ding Xuan fall silent, Xu Gu frowned and added: "Ding Brother, we've been friends for so long—if you truly help me introduce them, I'll owe you a favor."

"If those Jiang Twin Stars place in the top ten of the Hundred Sects Competition, the sect may reward you handsomely for your contribution..."

Hearing this, Ding Xuan's heart stirred.

Qingshan Sect was a powerful force backed by a Moonwheel Realm cultivator.

If he could obtain an opportunity from Xu Gu, it would be a tremendous blessing.

Thinking of this, he deliberately forgot the unpleasant encounter he'd had at the Jiang mansion.

But remembering Jiang Daoxuan's arrogant demeanor, Ding Xuan warned: "I can introduce you, but the Jiang patriarch is arrogant and domineering—not someone to provoke lightly. Be careful when you go."

Xu Gu's eyes flickered: "The Jiang patriarch? Is that Jiang Jianzong? I've heard rumors about him lately—what's his cultivation level?"

Recalling how the man had mastered Sword Intent while still at Purple Mansion, Xu Gu, despite his own Ninth Layer Purple Mansion cultivation base, couldn't help but admire him.

Such a person, even within Qingshan Sect, would qualify as a True Disciple!

Hearing Xu Gu's question, Ding Xuan recalled his humiliating experience with Jiang Daoxuan. To save face before his old friend, he said nothing of it, only spoke with cryptic depth: "Beyond comprehension."

Xu Gu was surprised, but waved it off casually: "No matter. I'm here to secure a bright future for the Jiang family's disciples, not to harass them—why fear? Would he kill me over a word?"

"Besides, though he's mastered Sword Intent, he's only recently attained Purple Mansion—his strength alone is far from enough against me..."

His confident words carried a faint surge of powerful aura.

Ding Xuan's eyes lit up: "Xu Brother, you've broken through to Ninth Layer Purple Mansion? You're on the verge of Yuanhai Realm—congratulations!"

Seeing this, his unease finally eased.

Though Jiang Daoxuan had mastered Sword Intent and could fight across several sub-realm gaps,

he was no match for Xu Gu, a Ninth Layer Purple Mansion cultivator.

Not to mention Xu Gu was from Qingshan Sect, wielding numerous Gao Jie cultivation arts—his combat power far surpassed ordinary Ninth Layer Purple Mansion cultivators, let alone a self-taught Jiang Daoxuan!

"I merely received a sect reward and broke through recently. Are you reassured now?"

"Reassured, reassured—I'll lead you there."

"Good."

Not long after.

Ding Xuan led Xu Gu as they flew to the front of Cangwu Mountain.

Since they were here to recruit disciples, they did not force entry.

Instead, they landed at the Shanmen.

The Jiang family's mountain guards immediately sent someone inside to report.

Learning the city governor had returned, a Xiantian Realm Elder stepped out and escorted the two to the reception hall.

"We'll notify the patriarch—please wait a moment."

The Xiantian Realm Elder spoke as he gestured for young clan members to bring hot tea.

At this moment, Ding Xuan had no desire to drink tea; he sat quietly, waiting for the main figure to arrive.

Xu Gu, meanwhile, quietly observed his surroundings.

He felt the strength of these clan members.

Xu Gu's lips curled slightly, revealing a sneer.

It seems the Jiang family's depth is far weaker than I imagined.

Can a family like this really produce a Purple Mansion cultivator who has comprehended Sword Intent? Truly, their ancestors' graves must be smoking blue smoke—unbelievable.

But then again, this is better.

I'm afraid that by then, merely mentioning the name of the Azure Mountain Sect will be enough to make the other party ecstatic, eagerly—perhaps even desperately—rushing to deliver their clansmen into my hands.

Thinking of this, his smile deepened.

Not long after.

When Jiang Daoxuan entered the hall.

A sharp, piercing Sword Intent surged forth, filling the surrounding space and causing Xu Gu to blink in surprise.

Immediately, Xu Gu snapped his head up, gazing at the elegant, otherworldly man before him—like a celestial being descended—and his heart lurched.

Ding Xuan kept his head lowered, daring not to meet Jiang Daoxuan's gaze.

Clearly, his previous experience had left him with deep trauma.

Even though Xu Gu stood beside him, he could not suppress feelings of fear and unease.

Jiang Daoxuan cast a casual glance at the two.

Under the powerful effect of his Insight Eye, he instantly perceived Xu Gu's realm.

Purple Mansion Ninth Layer.

Upon learning this, he paid it no mind.

He immediately withdrew his gaze, stepped forward, and sat upon the high-backed chair at the head of the hall, casually addressing Ding Xuan: "Governor, it's been many days. You still look as distinguished as ever. But why have you brought this outsider with you?"

Ding Xuan dared not reply, only giving Xu Gu a glance.

At this point, sensing the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the hall, even Xu Gu could see that the two clearly had some history.

Knowing his old friend was unreliable, Xu Gu stepped in: "Jiang Jianzong, I've long heard of your name. They say hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once—and now that I've seen you, it's true. Your presence surpasses even the rumors by many times."

Jiang Daoxuan gave no reply, coldly saying: "Save the flattery. I have no interest in listening."

Xu Gu's eyebrows rose, instantly feeling displeased—but remembering his purpose, he suppressed his emotion and forced a awkward laugh: "Hahaha, Jiang Jianzong, you're refreshingly direct. I won't beat around the bush."

"I am Xu Gu, an official of Qingshan Sect. I've heard of the extraordinary talents of your Jiang family's twin stars, and out of admiration, I've come to invite them into our sect. Would Jiang Jianzong agree?"

"If Jiang Jianzong consents, to verify these rumors, please summon Jiang Yan and Jiang Chen so I may test their innate aptitude and bone structure in advance."

"If they pass the test and prove the rumors true, I cannot promise much—but their chances of becoming True Disciples of our sect are high. Should both ascend to True Disciples, hah, your Jiang family will leap over the dragon's gate, escape this remote land, and venture into a far greater world..."