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The Hidden Tower is shrouded in mystery, and its master is even more enigmatic.

Even a powerful figure like Bai Yunkong had only ever caught a distant glimpse of the Tower Master, an old man of advanced age.

According to available information, the Hidden Tower Master has always appeared as an elderly figure, and those who know of him secretly call him the "Undying Old Man."

"The Hidden Tower Master should not be underestimated. I'm not looking down on you, my young friend, but with your current strength, you may not be his match," Bai Yunkong said solemnly.

"No problem. Even if I'm not his match now, it's impossible for him to kill me. In less than a month, I'll be able to kill him," Xu Yan said confidently.

Bai Yunkong's mouth twitched. In less than a month, Xu Yan could kill the Hidden Tower Master? Did that mean he could also kill Bai Yunkong himself in a month? Where did this confidence come from?

However, Bai Yunkong didn't think Xu Yan was arrogant. Facts had proven that Xu Yan was never boastful; everything he said was true.

The more this was the case, the more uncomfortable Bai Yunkong felt. He felt that his decades of cultivation amounted to nothing.

Look at Xu Yan—his strength increased as easily as eating and drinking. The first time he came to the Seven Star Academy, he couldn't even defeat an entry-level Grandmaster. But a few days later, he had already defeated a Grandmaster on the spot! 

How long had it been since then? He had killed several peak Grandmasters. And in another month, even Bai Yunkong wouldn't be his match!

What a prodigy!

"Bai Palace Master, do you know the purpose of the Hidden Tower?" Xu Yan asked curiously.

The Hidden Tower was determined to capture his junior sister. What was their motive? Was it a deep-seated grudge? Related to his junior sister's background?

"I don't know. The Hidden Tower has always been mysterious. This is the first time they've acted so openly," Bai Yunkong shook his head.

Just then, a flying kite landed.

Bai Yunkong took the letter from it and said, "Leng Qiu, a disciple of Sword Sovereign Cliff, is anxiously looking for you outside the academy. Do you want to meet him?"

Xu Yan was taken aback. If it weren't for something urgent, Leng Qiu wouldn't be so anxious to see him. He stood up and said, "I'll take my leave first. Have those martial scholars find an opportunity to go to Canglan Island and wait for me."

"Alright," Bai Yunkong nodded.

Outside the Seven Star Academy, Xu Yan met Leng Qiu. Since Xu Yan's guidance last time, Leng Qiu's swordsmanship had greatly improved.

"What urgent matter do you have?" Xu Yan asked.

Leng Qiu handed him a letter and said, "Senior Brother Xie asked me to deliver this to you."

Xu Yan opened the letter, and his expression immediately turned cold. The Da Yue Kingdom was truly arrogant. Although the Tianbao Pavilion had not taken any action, they were waiting for the right moment. They seemed to be waiting for the Evergreen Pavilion to ask for help.

"Thank you," Xu Yan cupped his fists in gratitude.

He had to return to Tieshan County to handle the imminent crisis. Since the Tianyi Guards of Da Yue Kingdom had arrived, other forces would soon become aware of the Evergreen Pavilion's location.

Although the Tianyi Guards were annihilated, the Da Yue Kingdom would not give up easily.

As one of the three major countries in the inner domain, Da Yue Kingdom had formidable strength and resources.

Xu Yan went to the archive to find Meng Chong, and the two set off for Tieshan County immediately.

…

In the capital of Da Yue Kingdom, the emperor's face was gloomy in the imperial study.

The Tianyi Guards sent out were completely wiped out, with no survivors. According to known information, apart from Hu Hai of Sword Sovereign Cliff, who killed a Grandmaster, the other martial artists were all killed by the strongmen of the Evergreen Pavilion.

"Sword Sovereign Cliff!" The emperor's expression was grim.

"Do you really think my Da Yue Kingdom is easy to bully?"

Although Sword Sovereign Cliff was incredibly powerful, Da Yue Kingdom was not weak either. Besides, Sword Sovereign Cliff had many forces to contend with and wouldn't rashly go to war with Da Yue Kingdom.

"Send orders to the four vassal kings, Pan, Zheng, Hong, and Ma, to jointly prevent the experts of Sword Sovereign Cliff from entering Lanping County, to show Da Yue Kingdom's stance.

"Order the commanders of the Tianyi Guards and Tianyu Guards to lead the elite forces to Lanping County immediately and await further orders.

"Command the Divine Halberd Army to head to Lanping County and blockade Tieshan County."

The emperor gave his orders angrily.

The Tianyi Guards and Tianyu Guards were the two elite guards of the royal family, extremely powerful.

The Divine Halberd Army was the national army of Da Yue Kingdom, with a minimum cultivation requirement of fifth rank.

The capital of Da Yue Kingdom was in turmoil. Many ministers were shocked. Why did the emperor suddenly mobilize the Divine Halberd Army and dispatch the elite Tianyi and Tianyu Guards?

Four of the five vassal kings were mobilized to show Sword Sovereign Cliff their position.

Soon, the news spread that the Evergreen Pavilion was in Tieshan County, Lanping County, and that the Tianyi Guards had failed to incorporate the Evergreen Pavilion during their first mission.

Major families in Da Yue Kingdom sent their experts to participate in this operation with the emperor's approval.

They understood what incorporating the Evergreen Pavilion meant. If successful, Da Yue Kingdom's strength would soar.

With just a few decades or a century of accumulation, they might have the power to unify the inner domain and conquer the other two countries!

As the elites of Da Yue Kingdom mobilized, the emperor personally visited the Tianbao Pavilion.

"Will your pavilion intervene this time?" the emperor asked directly.

The strong man from Tianbao Pavilion smiled slightly and said, "Our Tianbao Pavilion only does business. We do not intervene in the power struggles of the inner domain, just as we did not intervene when dynasties were established or collapsed."

"Are you really not going to intervene?" The Emperor of Da Yue stared directly at the other party.

The importance of the Qi-Enhancing Pill was self-evident. Would Tianbao Pavilion really not be tempted at all?

"Our Tianbao Pavilion has principles. Unless someone joins our pavilion and becomes one of us, we will not take action. The Emperor of Da Yue can rest assured." The strong man from Tianbao Pavilion still wore a full smile.

The Emperor of Da Yue stared at him intently. The meaning of Tianbao Pavilion was very clear. If Evergreen Pavilion could not hold on and sought refuge with Tianbao Pavilion, then they would become a part of Tianbao Pavilion. If Da Yue Kingdom continued to take action, it would be targeting Tianbao Pavilion, and Tianbao Pavilion would surely respond.

Of course, if Evergreen Pavilion never sought help and did not join Tianbao Pavilion, then Tianbao Pavilion would not take action.

However, since Tianbao Pavilion said this, they must be confident that Evergreen Pavilion would eventually seek help and join them.

"Tianbao Pavilion is too greedy. The Qi-Enhancing Pill cannot be controlled by one entity, not even Tianbao Pavilion," the Emperor of Da Yue said as he stood up and left.

He knew that in the struggle for the Qi-Enhancing Pill, Da Yue Kingdom alone could not contend with Tianbao Pavilion. Only by uniting the major forces could they balance Tianbao Pavilion.

They could no longer allow Tianbao Pavilion to monopolize the Qi-Enhancing Pill.

On this day, the top forces in the inner domain, under the coordination of Da Yue Kingdom, all joined this operation.

There was a mutual understanding: Tianbao Pavilion could no longer be allowed to monopolize the benefits of the Qi-Enhancing Pill!

The Seven Star Academy still showed no intention of getting involved in the conflict, maintaining their neutrality and their principle of teaching martial arts without interfering in the inner domain's martial conflicts.

"Storm clouds are gathering," Bai Yunkong sighed.

"Teacher, can Xu Yan hold his own?" Fu Yuntian asked curiously.

"I don't know, but he won't die. When he has the strength to kill the Hidden Tower Master in a month, the royal family of Da Yue Kingdom will be in danger. All the forces that take action will be in danger," Bai Yunkong shook his head. He was certain Xu Yan would not die, even if Evergreen Pavilion suffered heavy losses.

As long as Xu Yan lived, any force that took action against him would face retribution.

"Will Sword Sovereign Cliff intervene?" Fu Yuntian asked seriously.

"Xie Tianheng is in seclusion, and Xie Lingfeng is still young and cannot make decisions. But haven't they already acted? They are blocking many strong men," Bai Yunkong smiled.

"I admire Sword Sovereign Cliff for not taking advantage of the situation to divide the benefits," Fu Yuntian sighed.

Sword Sovereign Cliff had long been aware of the Qi-Enhancing Pill but had no ulterior motives. Besides Xie Lingfeng's close relationship with Xu Yan, the people of Sword Sovereign Cliff were much more honorable than those of other forces.

"A group of sword cultivators, especially under Xie Tianheng's leadership, are inherently proud. They wouldn't do something as low as stealing someone's treasure," Bai Yunkong laughed.

At the Hidden Tower.

Seven peak Grandmasters gathered on the top floor.

"Master, we found the person!"

The Hidden Tower Master's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Where?"

"In Da Yue Kingdom, Tieshan County, Lanping County, within Evergreen Pavilion. It seems Evergreen Pavilion was founded by her, and the Qi-Enhancing Pill was also researched by her," a peak Grandmaster reported respectfully.

"Good, good, good! She truly lives up to the Lingyu bloodline, extraordinary indeed!" the Hidden Tower Master praised.

"Master, various forces, including Da Yue Kingdom, are converging on Lanping County to divide Evergreen Pavilion and seize control of the Qi-Enhancing Pill, preventing Tianbao Pavilion from monopolizing it," the Grandmaster continued.

The Hidden Tower Master stood up and said, "Come with me to Tieshan County. Su Lingxiu must not fall into anyone else's hands. She belongs to our Hidden Tower."

As he walked out, he instructed, "Inform the Withered Absolute Demon Lord that we have found the person. If he wishes to enter the Lingyu Domain, he should join forces with us."

"Yes, Master!"

A peak Grandmaster responded respectfully.

The mountain where the Hidden Tower was located opened a portal, and eight figures emerged.

The elderly Hidden Tower Master surveyed the surroundings before soaring into the sky, leading seven peak Grandmasters towards Tieshan County in Lanping Prefecture.

At the same time, a carrier pigeon flew out from the Hidden Tower, heading to a certain location.

In a canyon shrouded in gray mist and miasma, a figure resembling a dried corpse sat cross-legged on a large stone.

Surrounding him were numerous skeletons, both human and beast, all dried up and withered.

The vegetation around was all wilted.

A green poisonous frog hopped closer, but as soon as it got within ten feet of the stone, it instantly shriveled up, becoming a dried-up dead frog.

A carrier pigeon descended from the sky, but before it could land, it plummeted and turned into a shriveled dead bird.

The figure on the stone, thin and gaunt like a desiccated corpse, opened his eyes and raised his hand to catch the message attached to the bird's leg.

"Lanping Prefecture, Tieshan County?"

The Withered Absolute Demon Lord's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaped into the sky, heading straight for Lanping Prefecture.

The winds of change swept through Da Yue Kingdom, drawing the eyes of numerous martial artists towards Lanping Prefecture and the impoverished Tieshan County.

The mighty Shenji Army marched in, sealing off the roads leading to Tieshan County.

They also blocked anyone from leaving Tieshan County.

In the City Lord's Mansion of Lanping Prefecture, a middle-aged man in a purple robe, with three strands of long beard and a resolute face, sat in the main seat.

"Our Da Yue Kingdom, joining hands with you all, is to prevent Tianbao Pavilion from monopolizing the Qi-Enhancing Pill. Otherwise, in the future, we would have to buy the Qi-Enhancing Pill from Tianbao Pavilion, and even the supply might not be guaranteed.

"Since Evergreen Pavilion is within our Da Yue Kingdom, it should belong to our kingdom. We are willing to share the Qi-Enhancing Pill with the participants, but we need a distribution plan," the man in the purple robe said solemnly.

"Prince Ziyi, speak frankly," a strong voice responded.

Prince Ziyi, a renowned prince of the Da Yue royal family and a peak Grandmaster, held immense power as the commander of the Tianyu Guard.

To secure the Qi-Enhancing Pill from Evergreen Pavilion, Da Yue Kingdom dispatched elite forces from the Tianyi and Tianyu Guards, unmatched in strength by any other single force present.

However, to counter Tianbao Pavilion and prevent it from monopolizing the pill, Da Yue Kingdom had to ally with other major forces.

"Our Da Yue Kingdom will take fifty percent of the share, and the remaining fifty percent will be evenly divided among the rest of you," Prince Ziyi declared firmly.

The representatives of the major forces remained silent for a long time before nodding in agreement, accepting the distribution plan.

Of course, the final distribution would depend on controlling Evergreen Pavilion and acquiring the method to refine the Qi-Enhancing Pill.

Moreover, Tianbao Pavilion, a colossal entity, was still in the mix.

"Then follow me to seize control of Evergreen Pavilion," Prince Ziyi said, standing up.

The gathered experts were all Grandmasters, with a few peak Grandmasters among them.

And these were just the visible forces.

No force dared to underestimate Tianbao Pavilion. Otherwise, Da Yue Kingdom would not have shared the spoils and allied with others.

Rather than letting Tianbao Pavilion monopolize the benefits, it was better for everyone to have a share.

Tieshan County, a previously unknown and impoverished place within Da Yue Kingdom, suddenly became the center of attention, its name spreading throughout the kingdom and the inner domain.

Evergreen Pavilion was in Tieshan County.

And the Qi-Enhancing Pill was a cultivation pill researched by Evergreen Pavilion.

With the deployment of Da Yue's Tianyi Guard and Tianyu Guard, and the Shenji Army sealing off Tieshan County, the martial world's focus converged there.

Many top experts from major forces mobilized, eager to claim a share of the spoils.

This included experts from the Yan Kingdom and Ziyun Kingdom.

However, most forces outside Da Yue Kingdom were blocked by Sword Sovereign Cliff.

The prestige of Sword Sovereign Cliff was such that even experts from Yan and Ziyun Kingdoms had to retreat, though not all could be stopped.

The top forces dispatched peak Grandmasters, causing a gathering of peak Grandmasters in Lanping Prefecture, Da Yue Kingdom.

Not just ordinary Grandmasters, but even great Grandmasters now had to act cautiously, not daring to show any arrogance.

"Who would have thought that there were so many peak Grandmasters in the inner domain!"

"Indeed, this is the first time in a thousand years that so many peak Grandmasters have gathered. Even if Evergreen Pavilion is destroyed, it will become a legend."

"More than just a thousand years. Since the collapse of the dynasty, this is the first time so many peak Grandmasters have gathered for a single event!"

"The Qi-Enhancing Pill must truly be miraculous. No wonder these peak Grandmasters are all showing up. I've even heard that the two peak Grandmasters rumored to have fallen from Yizhu Mountain have also appeared."

"Is it really just about the Qi-Enhancing Pill? What if there are pills even more effective than the Qi-Enhancing Pill, suitable for Grandmasters? Such precious cultivation resources cannot be allowed to remain under Tianbao Pavilion's control."

A martial artist, with an expression that suggested he had seen through everything, spoke.

Tianbao Pavilion had infiltrated every aspect of the martial world. Although it did not interfere in the inner domain's conflicts, all the major forces had a thorn in their side because of it.

And the Qi-Enhancing Pill, such a valuable cultivation resource, if left in Tianbao Pavilion's hands, would make the inner domain entirely subject to its whims.

Hence, Da Yue Kingdom contacted various parties, and the major forces all tacitly joined forces. As for the distribution plan, it could be reassessed after taking down Evergreen Pavilion and acquiring the method to refine the Qi-Enhancing Pill.

(End of this chapter)