170

Outside of Tieshan County, at Changqing Pavilion, the lights were brightly lit.

A huge tiger arrived under the cover of night, without alerting anyone outside Changqing Pavilion.

Li Xuan and his group entered the inner domain. Although they didn't conceal themselves, they also didn't make a big fuss, making it unknown to others that they came from the borderlands.

Xu Junhe, Kou Ruo Zhi, and others were already waiting.

The Crimson Cat entered the manor and didn't stop, heading straight to the innermost courtyard, which was quiet and elegant, built specifically for Li Xuan.

"Do whatever needs to be done."

Li Xuan dismounted from the Crimson Cat's back, moved chairs and tables into the courtyard under a large tree, and gestured.

"Yes, Master!"

Suling Xiu began arranging matters for Changqing Pavilion, such as how to sell elixirs and maximize profits, and so on, all waiting for her attention.

"Master, my junior brother and I are going out."

Xu Yan respectfully said to his master.

"Go, with me here, those so-called Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters are just ants!"

Li Xuan nodded.

This time Xu Yan and Meng Chong were going out to kill a Great Grandmaster again. He could also receive feedback from his "golden finger". Moreover, Xu Yan's adventures in the martial world would further aid his enlightenment and strength improvement.

"And beneficial for his strength improvement."

"Thank you, Master!"

Xu Yan couldn't wait. That place contained fifth-grade spirit medicines; indeed, killing the black-clothed individuals would make him wealthy!

Apart from the place where the black-clothed individuals were, there was also the arrogant Fire Butcher Demon Lord on Canglan Island. He needed to be dealt with as well, daring to boast like that; he must be tired of living.

"Senior brother, should we go to Canglan Island to kill the Demon Lord or head to the black-clothed people's hideout first?"

After leaving Changqing Pavilion, Meng Chong asked.

"Canglan Island can wait. Let's first go to the black-clothed people's hideout and see if it's really their lair. We might be able to make a fortune there."

"As for Canglan Island, let the Fire Butcher Demon Lord live a few more days. Besides, as one of the Nine Demon Lords of the Demon Sect, he must be wealthy, right? I can't just kill him for nothing. Let him prepare a million spirit crystals before going to kill him!"

Xu Yan grinned.

For his appearance, the Fire Butcher Demon Lord would certainly produce a million spirit crystals, and there might not only be him on Canglan Island.

The more eager one is to kill him, the more willing they are to pay.

"I wonder if the Fire Butcher Demon Lord has a storage bag."

Xu Yan asked curiously.

As one of the Nine Demon Lords of the Demon Sect, he was renowned and influential. Perhaps he had a storage bag?

"Before we make a move, let him put down everything, so we don't accidentally destroy it with excessive force."

Meng Chong said excitedly.

He had long coveted a storage bag.

In a small courtyard in Tieshan County, Meng Shushu was extremely excited. After refining the Heaven Essence Pill, he found that his talent had improved.

The family's secret techniques that he hadn't comprehended before had now suddenly become clear.

"So, this is the effect of elixirs!"

A Heaven Essence Pill caused his talent and comprehension to soar. Even if he consumed the entire Heaven Drip Marrow, it wouldn't have the same effect.

As a scion of a family specialized in exploring spirit medicines, he naturally understood the effects of the Heaven Drip Marrow.

"Are there any elixirs for cultivation? If there are, wouldn't I soon break through to Grandmaster?"

Meng Shushu was excited.

"Looking for spirit medicines requires unremitting effort. I must strive and search for spirit medicines; the more, the better!"

At this moment, Meng Shushu was like he had been injected with chicken blood.

"Family, we can set out now."

Meng Chong's voice came from outside the house.

"Coming, coming!"

Meng Shushu was excited, hastily opening the door and walking out.

"Senior brother Xu, Meng brother, are there elixirs for cultivation?"

Seeing Meng Shushu's excited and enthusiastic expression, Meng Chong grinned and tossed a bottle to him, saying, "There are Qi-Condensing Pills inside, aiding cultivation. From now on, you must work hard in your tasks. The more you accomplish, the more elixirs you'll receive. You should know, these kinds of elixirs are hard to refine."

He began painting a rosy picture for Meng Shushu, who listened eagerly, wanting to immediately search for spirit medicines without taking a moment's rest!

Xu Yan patted Meng Shushu's shoulder and said, "Refining elixirs isn't easy, it consumes a lot of spirit medicines. The higher the grade of spirit medicine, the scarcer it is. So you must work harder. The more sixth-grade or fifth-grade spirit medicines, the better."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Xu. From now on, Meng Shushu will never slack off. I will work day and night, never disappointing your expectations!"

Meng Shushu fervently declared.

"Well, your fighting spirit is commendable. I'm pleased."

Xu Yan nodded in satisfaction and added, "Here's a special offer for you: exchange one Qi-Condensing Pill for a sixth-grade spirit medicine, and three Qi-Condensing Pills for a pill of the same grade as the Heaven Essence Pill!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu!"

Meng Shushu was ecstatic.

"Let's go. Where's the treasure land? Let's set off now."

Xu Yan waved his hand.

"Okay, follow me. The treasure land is still far from here, close to the borders of Yan Kingdom..."

"Meng Shushu said gravely.

The three of them left Tieshan County and headed straight for the treasure land occupied by the black-clothed individuals.

...

Borderlands, Kingdom of Qi.

As Li Xuan entered the inner domain, the Xu family also moved in. The martial practitioners of the borderlands knew that their land, though desolate, was now infused with martial arts. They increasingly appreciated the martial arts masters of the borderlands. These venerable figures had brought martial arts to the borderlands, allowing its people to stand tall.

Although Xu Junhe had entered the inner domain, the Xu family was not without guardians. As a sacred land of martial arts in the borderlands, it still required martial practitioners to oversee and guide those cultivating martial arts, as well as to consolidate the martial spirit of the borderlands.

In the capital city of the Kingdom of Qi, in the imperial study of the palace.

The Qi Emperor had been practicing martial arts, but progress was slow. Despite being nourished by precious medicines, he still felt the difficulties of martial arts, especially during the initial stages of bone refinement. The itching pain was unbearable for those with weak wills. Martial arts were not something everyone could cultivate. However, after enduring numerous setbacks, the Qi Emperor's will had become much firmer, allowing him to persevere.

He had begun bone refinement.

His progress was considered slow.

Among the princes, the eldest prince unexpectedly had the firmest will and was most suitable for martial arts cultivation. He easily endured the pain of bone refinement. The third prince lagged behind significantly, unable to endure the pain for long, resulting in slow progress in bone refinement.

Now, the eldest prince had successfully tempered his bronze bones and had already reached perfection, beginning the refinement of his organs. Having suffered numerous hardships, the eldest prince's pain tolerance had surpassed that of other pampered princes.

In the imperial study, Guo Rongshan arrived, holding a box.

"Brother Guo, it's late. What brings you here?"

The Qi Emperor asked curiously.

Guo Rongshan placed the box on the table and opened it, revealing three jade bottles inside.

"Your Majesty, these are the elixirs needed for cultivation: Bone-Refining Pills, Organ-Refining Pills, and Qi-Blood Pills."

The Qi Emperor looked at him puzzled. He was aware of the matter regarding the Guo family's elixirs, which belonged to the Guo family, and no one dared to covet them. Yet today, they were being given to him?

"Brother Guo, whatever it is, you can decide. I won't oppose."

The Qi Emperor spoke cautiously.

However, Guo Rongshan remained calm, slowly stating, "People outside all call me a virtuous man. With such a clean reputation, I feel doubly pressured. I constantly desire to do something practical for the people of the borderlands, to enrich our borderlands..."

The Qi Emperor's expression turned serious.

Guo Rongshan was referring not to the Kingdom of Qi, but to the borderlands!

This meant his vision extended beyond Qi and encompassed the entire borderlands!

Guo Rongshan continued, "The term 'borderlands' is a title given by those in the inner domain. The land we inhabit is barren and uncivilized, hence being called the borderlands. But can we continue to dwell in such desolation? My worthy son-in-law, Xu Junhe, has already entered the inner domain to develop and will carve out a place for himself there. Can we continue to languish in the borderlands?

"We people of the borderlands must unite to prosper our land in the inner domain. We must have faith in promoting the way of our martial ancestors and spread martial arts in the inner domain.

"Therefore, to unite the hearts of our borderland people, I propose that Qi and Wu merge into one. Our borderlands should be called 'Great Wilderness' instead of being seen as a remote and uncivilized land."

The Qi Emperor suddenly stood up, his face changing drastically, shocked as he exclaimed, "Brother Guo, are you trying to destroy my Kingdom of Qi?"

"Why cling to the Kingdom of Qi? It's just a small borderland state. Establishing a foothold in the inner domain is a great achievement for generations to come.

"Although the name of Qi may fade, Your Majesty will still be the sovereign."

Guo Rongshan looked calmly at the Qi Emperor.

The imperial study fell silent, the Qi Emperor's expression shifting as if contemplating something.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, "Would the Emperor of Wu agree?"

"He will agree."

Guo Rongshan said calmly.

"If there's neither the Kingdom of Qi nor the Kingdom of Wu, then who will be the ruler of Great Wilderness?"

The Qi Emperor said solemnly.

"With the establishment of Great Wilderness, the world will be divided into two emperors. Your Majesty will be the Northern Emperor, and the Emperor of Wu will be the Southern Emperor. We will establish the Great Wilderness Cabinet to coordinate and reconcile the North and South. I am willing to be the first Grand Elder of the Cabinet."

Guo Rongshan took out a memorial and placed it on the desk, gesturing for the Qi Emperor to have a look.

The Qi Emperor's expression became grave. Guo Rongshan was not beating around the bush. By directly assuming the position of Grand Elder of the Great Wilderness Cabinet, he would be mediating between the Northern and Southern Emperors, clearly positioning himself above the two emperors.

Would the Emperor of Wu, who was younger and ambitious, agree to this?

As the Qi Emperor looked at the memorial, he pondered whether he should secretly contact the Emperor of Wu. After closing the memorial, the Qi Emperor remained silent for a long time.

"Great Wilderness is consolidating its people's hearts, but the name of Borderlands has not yet spread. We should take this opportunity to widely spread the name of Great Wilderness. We are all people of Great Wilderness, and Great Wilderness is the origin of heaven and earth. Therefore, we are also the orthodox of heaven and earth!"

However, Guo Rongshan calmly said, "Your Majesty, this is the trend!"

The Qi Emperor sighed. He knew he couldn't refuse. The trend had already been set with the emergence of martial arts. Guo Rongshan, including Xu Junhe, had probably been pushing this forward in secret. He even suspected that the establishment of Great Wilderness was perhaps Xu Junhe's doing!

"With the establishment of Great Wilderness and the division of the North and South, how will the Emperors of Great Wilderness be established in the future? Will they continue to be divided into North and South?"

The Qi Emperor asked in a deep voice.

"The Emperors of Great Wilderness will be determined by competition between the original royal families of Qi and Wu. The one recognized by the people of Great Wilderness and supported by the Cabinet will become the Emperor of Great Wilderness!"

Guo Rongshan said calmly.

The Qi Emperor fell silent. In this way, although the Emperor of Great Wilderness would be nominally the ruler of Great Wilderness, he would be restricted by the Cabinet and unable to truly dominate the world.

It was a kind of balance.

Looking at Guo Rongshan's calm demeanor, the Qi Emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Guo, we are sworn brothers. You must take care of my Qi royal family more."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I lean towards Your Majesty."

Guo Rongshan nodded.

"As long as the Emperor of Wu does not oppose, I naturally will not oppose!"

The Qi Emperor said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the Emperor of Wu will not oppose."

Guo Rongshan smiled.

A few days later, a message swept through the borderlands.

The Emperor of Wu announced the abolition of the name of Wu and the merger with the Kingdom of Qi, establishing Great Wilderness!

The next day, the Qi Emperor also announced the abolition of the name of Qi and the merger with the Kingdom of Wu, establishing Great Wilderness.

At the same time, the Great Wilderness Cabinet was established, with Guo Rongshan as the Grand Elder of the Cabinet.

Several important ministers of the Kingdom of Wu also entered the Cabinet as members.

At the same time, the Qi Imperial Guards were renamed the Great Wilderness Imperial Guards, under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet, with the responsibility of guarding Great Wilderness.

Similarly, the original Wu Imperial Guards were renamed the Tianxuan Army, also under the Great Wilderness Cabinet, sharing the same responsibilities as the Imperial Guards.

Shortly after, the Great Wilderness Cabinet issued new laws. All martial practitioners of Great Wilderness must respect the martial arts masters and ancestors of Great Wilderness and regard promoting the glory of martial arts in Great Wilderness as their duty.

Several non-negotiable red lines were drawn for the martial arts world of Great Wilderness. In the name of strengthening the people of Great Wilderness, the martial ancestors propagated martial arts, and martial arts were to be practiced by everyone.

Martial arts techniques were widely spread throughout Great Wilderness.

Great Wilderness was divided into Northern and Southern Emperors, with the Qi Emperor still in the capital city of Qi and the Emperor of Wu still in the capital city of Wu. The two did not interfere with each other, and only the Great Wilderness Cabinet handled the affairs of both countries.

A new era had dawned in the borderlands!

Everyone embraced martial arts, everyone remembered the grace of the martial ancestors, and everyone fought for the rise of Great Wilderness!

Gradually, a saying spread throughout Great Wilderness: "The inner domain is not only the domain of the people in the inner domain but also of us people of Great Wilderness. We should have a place in Great Wilderness!"

"Great Wilderness is the origin of heaven and earth. We, the people of Great Wilderness, are also the orthodox of heaven and earth!"

In Tieshan County, Li Xuan walked out of Tianbao Pavilion, feeling amazed. Tianbao Pavilion was truly a big player in the inner domain, with immense capital.

Just as he returned to Changqing Pavilion and sat down on a chair, a golden light appeared: "You have propagated martial arts and are revered as the Martial Ancestor of Great Wilderness. You have gained the Heart of the Martial Ancestor + the Aspect of the Martial Ancestor."

Li Xuan was suddenly astonished. Looking up at the borderlands, he was shocked by the enormous changes that had occurred right after his departure.

Great Wilderness?

Had the borderlands been unified?

"The Heart of the Martial Ancestor?"

Li Xuan was thrilled. He vaguely understood why he had triggered the feedback of the golden finger.

Because of the martial arts he had spread, the borderlands had entered a new era, and martial arts had become something everyone aspired to. They now honored him as the Martial Ancestor of Great Wilderness.

The Heart of the Martial Ancestor possessed the ability to assimilate martial arts methods into one's body and enhance one's ability to create martial arts.

The higher one's realm, the more powerful the Heart of the Martial Ancestor could be.

As for the Aspect of the Martial Ancestor, it meant that anyone who practiced the martial arts he had created would deeply respect and admire him from the bottom of their hearts!

"I've really made a big impact. Am I really the Martial Ancestor now?"

Li Xuan felt a little shaken in his heart. The establishment of Great Wilderness seemed like Xu Junhe's doing?

(End of this chapter)