"Why? Of course it's to scare the monkeys!" Zuo Le said with a wry smile, "You should have heard about the Yu family being besieged and fleeing to Chenglin County, right?"
"Yeah." Qin Ziling nodded.
"It is said that the Yu family was found to be in collusion with the rebel Wang Lang of Nanding Prefecture and the Corpse Demon Sect. The Pang family joined forces with the Lin family and used this as an excuse to seize Yu Hongshan's position as the county lieutenant and led troops to besiege the Yu family.
Originally, the Xiao family, the Lu family and the Yu family were allies who shared weal and woe, but this matter involved rebellion and collusion with the Demon Sect, and it was said that the evidence was irrefutable, so the Xiao family and the Lu family did not dare to step forward, otherwise the Pang family and the Lin family would not dare to besiege the Yu family.
But the Yu family is, after all, the second largest family in Fangqiao City after the Pang family in strength, and Yu Hongshan is the county lieutenant in charge of the military. It is unknown how many people and children of the Yu family there are in the city.
So in this battle, although the Pang family and the Lin family defeated the Yu family as they wished and uprooted the Yu family from the city, in the end many direct descendants of the Yu family broke through the siege and fled to Chenglin County.
Chenglin County is where the Yu family started out. Zhoujiazhuang, one of the five major forces outside the city, is located in Chenglin County. It is actually a force secretly supported by the Yu family.
The Yu family fled to Chenglin County, relying on the county city and Zhoujiazhuang outside the county city to form a mutual support. Pang Qiwei led his troops to attack for a while, suffering heavy casualties. In addition, he was worried that the Xiao family and the Lu family would cause chaos, so he had to give up and return to the county city to make other plans.
The Yu family had been operating in Fangqiao City for generations, and was involved in many industries in the city, a large part of which was grain. Food was the primary need of the people, and when the Yu family left, they burned the grain stored in the warehouse. Now the rice supply in Fangqiao City had become a problem, and of course there were many other problems.
It can be said that the departure of the Yu family left behind a devastated and messy Fangqiao City. The Xiao and Lu families naturally stood by and watched, and it was impossible for them to help the Pang and Lin families clean up the mess.
The Pang family and the Lin family had just dealt with the Yu family, so they didn't dare to touch the Xiao family and the Lu family, otherwise they would really shake the foundation of Fangqiao City.
A turbulent and chaotic Fangqiao City is definitely not what the Pang and Lin families want. But the Pang and Lin families have finally uprooted the Yu family. Without the constraints of the largest force, they will naturally not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity to subdue the forces of all parties.
The Xiao family and the Lu family are temporarily unable to make any moves, so they have set their sights on martial artists like us.
I had previously expelled Nangong Yue from the family, which was equivalent to a slap in the face of the Lin family. Now that he is a Hua Jin martial artist, he is on the rise. Naturally, the Pang family would like to use me as a scapegoat to intimidate everyone.
Originally, this was nothing. I am a Huajin martial artist, and Pang Qiwei is the county governor. He and people of the same generation as are definitely not suitable for fighting. On the Lin family side, the second-generation figures Lin Tianjun and Lin Tianrui are both lieutenants of the garrison, with high positions and power. Moreover, they are about the same age as me and at the same level. First, they cannot lower their status to fight me, and second, they are not sure they can defeat me.
Therefore, even if the Pang and Lin families wanted to use me as a target, they had no suitable candidate. But it just so happened that Pang Tianpeng, the son of Pang Qiwei, returned to Fangqiao City from Jinliemen after studying martial arts.
Pang Tianpeng's seniority is the same as the third generation of the Lin family, and he has no official position. He came to me in the name of learning from me, which is justified. Even if I knew his intention, I would not refuse unless I was willing to submit and submit to the Pang family.
Pang Tianpeng was really amazing. He had already reached the bone refining realm at the age of 28. It was said that he, like his father, also used the iron skin of his arms as a foundation to condense his strength. He learned the family's unique skill Tongbei Iron Arm Fist from his father since he was young, and also learned the Vajra Flame Palm from the elder Long Xiaotian of Jinlie Sect.
His palm technique is like a knife, his iron arm is like a spear or a stick, his force is extremely powerful and has the attribute of scorching heat. Once it penetrates the body, it is like fire drilling into the body, causing it to burn in flames, which is very severe.
I only exchanged two moves with him when he hit me in the chest with a palm. If I hadn't practiced the Cold Iron Force, which was icy and hard and could have dissipated some of his force, I would have been seriously injured on the spot.
Pang Tianpeng still had to consider his reputation and influence after all, so he didn't kill me after the palm strike. Of course, he also believed that this palm strike had seriously injured the foundation of my strength. At my age, my blood and energy would be exhausted in a few years, and I would eventually become an ordinary martial artist.
After this incident, I closed all the boxing schools in the city, moved them all to Shuiyue Mountain Villa, and strengthened the scope. Seeing that I was severely injured by Pang Tianpeng in just two or three moves, some of the boxing schools in the city were afraid of succumbing to the tyranny of the Pang family and became guests or family generals of the Pang family. Some of them who had their own bases in the towns outside the city were unwilling to succumb to the Pang family, so they withdrew from the county city and relied on the towns to form their own forces.
However, this is not a long-term solution. The Pang and Lin families now have to clean up the mess left by the Yu family, and also guard against the Yu family's counterattack. Of course, the Xiao and Lu families are also eyeing us covetously, so for the time being, they are unable to completely subdue forces outside the city like us.
Once the Pang and Lin families have sorted out the mess left by the Yu family, reorganized their troops and captured Chenglin County, and suppressed the Xiao and Lu families so that they dare not move, I'm afraid it will be time to deal with us one by one."
Speaking of this, Zuo Le's face showed anger and worry.
“Since the Yu family was able to escape from the county town and occupy Chenglin County, they obviously still have some strength. They can’t just sit there and wait for the Pang family and the Lin family to attack and destroy them.
And didn't you say that the Yu family colluded with the Wang family of Nandingzhou and the Corpse Demon Sect? In the past, they had to hide it and didn't dare to rely too much on those forces, but now they must let go and borrow this external force.
Therefore, it is definitely not that easy for the Pang family and the Lin family to attack and destroy them."
When Qin Ziling saw Zuo Le's worried look and mentioned the Pang family's attack on Chenglin County, he suddenly thought of the ambush he encountered on the mountain path outside the city at four o'clock in the morning.
The other party mistook him for a member of the Yu family.
"You are right. I heard some rumors recently that the Yu family sent a lot of expert assassins to kill the children of the Pang family and the Lin family. As a result, the Pang family and the Lin family lost a lot of good men." Zuo Le said.
"That's right. The Yu family is a local family. Their open power has been uprooted, but there must be some hidden players left in the city. With them as insiders, it is easy to get some intelligence or sneak in some assassins. Hehe, of course, the Xiao family and the Lu family will definitely be happy to help." Qin Ziling understood completely why he was ambushed when he heard this.
“That’s true, but once the Yu family leaves, the Pang family and the Lin family will have an absolute advantage in Fangqiao City. Moreover, Pang Tianpeng has now broken through to become a great bone refining martial artist, and behind him is Long Xiaotian, the elder of the Jinlie Sect, one of the three major martial arts sects in Xiyunzhou. His influence is at its peak.
The Xiao family and the Lu family can no longer shake their power and prestige, and sooner or later they will have to succumb to them." Zuo Le said pessimistically.
"The three major martial arts sects in Xiyun Province?" Qin Ziling asked with a questioning look on his face.
Since his rebirth, he has been concentrating on practicing martial arts. Except for the major forces in Luo County, he is not very clear about the forces in other places.
"Xiyunzhou has eight counties under its jurisdiction, and there are many martial arts sects, but only three of them have martial arts masters: Jinlie Sect, Hunyuan Sect, and Feixing Sect. Jinlie Sect is located in Jinyan Mountain outside the state capital. The sect master, Bai Yu Lieyang, is a master of the Lianzang realm, and his strength is unfathomable.
Hunyuan Sect is located in Yunrui County. Its leader is Mu Ziqing, a martial arts master at the level of refining zang organs. Feixing Sect is located in Qinghe County. Its leader is Donnie Yen, also a martial arts master at the level of refining zang organs.
"Donnie Yen?" Qin Ziling's expression suddenly became subtle when he heard this.
In his world, he is a world-famous martial arts superstar!
"Is there any problem?" Zuo Le looked at Qin Ziling with some surprise.
"No, I just think this name is good." Qin Ziling said nonsense.
"Really?" Zuo Le muttered, and then continued: "These three are the three most recognized martial arts masters in our Xiyunzhou. They are powerful and have a transcendent status. Pang Tianpeng's master, the elder of Jinlie Sect, Long Xiaotian, is said to be a great martial artist in the late bone refining stage."
"A great martial artist in the late stage of bone refining?" Qin Ziling's face changed slightly.
"Yes, a great martial artist in the late stage of bone refining, although his strength is not as good as that of a martial arts master, he is definitely a pillar that supports the sky for us!" Zuo Le looked worried again.
"Long Xiaotian is Long Xiaotian, and Pang Tianpeng is Pang Tianpeng. I think that as the elders of the three major martial arts sects in Xiyunzhou, under normal circumstances, they should not easily interfere in the affairs of our Fangliao County. The court must have regulations in this regard." Qin Ziling said.
"That's for sure. Every family has its own rules, every country has its own laws. After all, warriors are just commoners, so how can they interfere in the affairs of the court and the country? However, the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, and the court's control and suppression of martial arts sects has become increasingly weak.
Even if Long Xiaotian took into account the court regulations and the constraints of various forces and was unable to take action, he could still send his disciples to help the Pang family.
This time, two of Long Xiaotian’s favorite disciples came to Fangliao County with Pang Tianpeng. One was named Qin Gen and the other was named Sui Wufang. Both were young men in their twenties, but had already reached the Hua Jin realm.
These two nominally followed Pang Tianpeng down the mountain to gain experience, but in fact they came to help the Pang family." Zuo Le said.
"Having a prominent family background in a state capital is different, but the Yu family has the Nandingzhou Wang family and the Corpse Demon Sect behind them. The Xiao family and the Lu family are not pushovers either, so they must have some backers behind them, so it's too early to draw a conclusion now.
But no matter what the future holds, our top priority now is to strengthen our own strength. Only with stronger strength can we have greater say and self-protection capabilities in the unknown future. "Qin Ziling said seriously.
He knew that the facts were before him and it would be difficult to completely dispel Zuo Le's pessimistic mentality.
Unless he tells Zuo Le that he has a bigger trump card in his hand, and Xiao Qing of the Xiao family is already a Hua Jin martial artist, once she breaks through, even Pang Tianpeng will be inferior to her.
After all, Zuo Le was a martial artist who had experienced many storms, and his expression gradually became stern when he heard this.
"Don't worry about that. Since I said that I will obey your orders from now on, I will spare no effort no matter what difficulties you encounter. And I believe that you are not an easy target. I just need to give you time." Zuo Le said in a deep voice.
"Yes, time!" Qin Ziling nodded with emotion, and then said, "By the way, Master Zuo, since it's convenient, please tell me about the Qi Refining Sect in Xiyunzhou."
“Compared to martial arts sects, Qi-refining sects are much more mysterious, and we in the martial arts world rarely talk about them. In addition, Fangqiao County is located in a remote corner, with poor mountains and bad water, and there is no Qi-refining sect here, so what I know is very limited. I only know that the most powerful Qi-refining sect in Xiyunzhou should be the Biyun Sect in Taihuang Mountain in Qinghe County, and the Xuanwu Valley in the state capital.
In addition to these two sects, there are many Qi-refining sects and families in Xiyunzhou. But if you want to know their specific strengths and powerful figures, you may have to ask people in the Qi-refining world or I can ask Lu Taiqiang's father Lu Jiancang one day.
After all, the Lu family is one of the five major families in Fangqiao City, and they have business dealings all over Xiyunzhou. The people they come into contact with and the sources of information must be much wider than mine." Zuo Le said.
"That's not necessary. I just asked casually." Qin Ziling waved his hand, then stood up and said, "I'm going to the city to check the situation now, and I'll bring you something good to heal your injuries later."
"What kind of good stuff is this?" Zuo Le's heart was shocked and he couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Hehe, Master Zuo will know then." Qin Ziling said mysteriously.
"You guy, you are still keeping me in suspense!" Zuo Le seemed to be infected by Qin Ziling's mysterious look, and his originally heavy mood suddenly became much lighter.
…
After leaving Shuiyue Villa, Qin Ziling strode towards Fangqiao City.
On a summer morning, the city should have been bustling with people coming and going, but Qin Ziling felt a bit of the bleakness and loneliness of winter, with few people walking on the streets.
Many houses in the city were smashed, burned down, and deserted, showing signs of being in a state of disrepair.
"The Yu family's foundation is indeed not to be underestimated. Although the Pang family may have driven the Yu family away, this city is their foundation. Now that it has been messed up like this, it has actually shaken their own foundation.
In the past, the Pang family had never really touched the Yu family, the Xiao family, and the Lu family. In addition to considering their strength, it should also have a lot to do with the fear of destroying Fangqiao City and shaking his own foundation. But why is he so determined this time? Is it really just because the Yu family is colluding with the Wang family and the Corpse Demon Sect in Nandingzhou?
In today's world, as long as these collusions are not exposed, what does it matter? Don't the Pang family in the state capital have the ambition to raise troops and become kings? Who knows, one day they will rebel against the emperor of Daqi like the governor of Nandingzhou.
Pang Qiwei must know something about the secret affairs of the Yu family. Why did he suddenly take action against the Yu family? "Qin Ziling looked at the changes around him, thinking secretly in his heart, and unknowingly walked to the "Huayun" powder and rouge shop.
Yun Lan was still as charming as ever, a white dress perfectly outlining her graceful and tall figure.
Especially the surprised expression on Yun Lan's face when she first saw Qin Ziling, the beautiful blush on her elegant swan-like white neck, and the uncontrollable rise and fall of her plump breasts, which still made Qin Ziling stunned and a little complacent.
In another world, no beautiful woman would even glance at him when he walked down the street. But here, his mere presence could make a fair, rich and beautiful woman so excited!
Qin Ziling casually asked about the situation of the "Hua Yun" powder and rouge shop and learned that the business was still okay, but the newly opened shop in South City was affected by the Yu family incident and was not doing well.
"Business matters are not urgent. Fangqiao City is just a small place, and it is a bit chaotic now. It is not a place for long-term development. Just maintain it." Qin Ziling said lightly after learning the situation, and then changed the subject, "How is your progress in cultivation?"
He has bigger business plans in mind, but now is not the right time. This time he came to the "Hua Yun" powder and rouge shop mainly to find out Yun Lan's training progress.
"I have completed the work of clearing the meridians with food and qi two days ago. Now I am trying to remove the dross and retain the essence." Yun Lan replied in a low voice.
"What?" Qin Ziling could hardly believe his ears.
The art of Qi training is extremely advanced and difficult to get started with.
Like the Taoist priest Wuhe, who practiced hard for five full years before he completed the art of unblocking the meridians through food and qi.
As a result, he taught this art to three women and one man.
Zuo Cong completed the process of opening up the meridians through food and qi in about two months, and he had a single spiritual root of the gold type.
My mother, Mrs. Cui, was already past the age for practicing cultivation, but with various nourishing methods, she was able to partially complete the process of opening up the meridians through food and qi in just six months.
As for Yin Ranyue, it was even more exaggerated. It was said that he had an extremely rare thunder-type spiritual root, and before he could complete the process of eating qi and opening up his meridians, he was forcibly taken away by a master and became an immortal.
Now, Yunlan has only been in the early two months and has completed the process of unblocking the meridians with food and qi.
This is too exaggerated.
"Mr. Qin, is there a problem?" Yun Lan couldn't help but look uneasy when he saw this.
"No problem, I'll take your pulse." Qin Ziling said.
"Thank you, Mr. Qin." Yun Lan stretched out his arm and placed it on the table.
Qin Ziling tapped his fingers on her fair wrist.
The energy in the meridians is turbid, with no distinction between high and low, strong and weak.
Qin Ziling was inevitably disappointed to find that Yun Lan, like himself, had mixed spiritual roots of the five elements, but he was inexplicably relieved.
When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong!
If he met someone randomly who was a Qi-refining genius, Qin Ziling would feel a little uneasy.
Now it is relatively normal.
"How is Mr. Qin?" Yun Lan saw that Qin Ziling was obviously relieved, and her uneasy mood also relaxed, and she asked with a smile.
"Without spiritual roots, one can only cultivate to the stage of eliminating the dross and retaining the essence." Qin Ziling answered truthfully.
Yun Lan was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and a hint of disappointment flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile: "Thank you, Mr. Qin. In that case, please take back the scroll. I have already memorized the method of discarding the dross and retaining the essence."
Yun Lan turned around, took out the "Canglang Jue" which he had kept close to him and handed it back to Qin Ziling.
"Okay." Qin Ziling put the scroll away, and looked at Yun Lan with an expression of admiration and respect involuntarily. In his heart, he had already guessed why she was able to complete the process of opening up the meridians through food and qi so quickly.
At the critical moment of life and death in Sanyuan Mountain, he faced it calmly and calmly.
Now, when faced with such important gains and losses in cultivation, after knowing the outcome, I can still face it with an open mind and calmness.
How many people can have this state of mind?
"The soul is about the state of mind. She might be a potential candidate for cultivating the soul!" A thought suddenly popped up in Qin Ziling's mind.
But he quickly suppressed this thought.
The Way of the Spirit and the Corpse-Raising Ring are his biggest secrets.
Even if Yun Lan really has the talent to cultivate the soul, he will never teach it to her at this time. At least he should wait until he has the ability to avert the crisis even if the secret is exposed, and then he can consider teaching Yun Lan the way of the soul.
Then, the two chatted for a few more sentences, and Qin Ziling got up and left.
…
In the summer, the backyard of the simple residence in the mountains is lush and green, and there are fish swimming in the pond under the rockery, bringing a touch of coolness.
Qin Ziling was sitting alone in the pavilion sipping tea. Outside the pavilion, there were two large sacks, emitting a strong smell of wild blood.
Suddenly, a tall figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.
Dressed in white, with long and straight legs, clear facial lines, a high nose bridge, and a hint of heroism and competence, who else could it be but Xiao Qing?
Xiao Qing's eyes fell on the familiar figure in the pavilion. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and her toes touched the ground. She soared into the air like a big bird. When she was about to approach the pavilion, her body drew a graceful arc in the air, and then flew lightly into the pavilion.
"Brother!" Xiao Qing stared at Qin Ziling with his eyes slightly red.
"Girls need to be more reserved sometimes!" Qin Ziling stood up with a smile and opened his arms.
Seeing this, Xiao Qing hesitated for a moment, but still gently threw herself into his arms.
"Didn't I tell girls to behave more reservedly? Why don't you listen to your brother?" Qin Ziling hugged Xiao Qing gently, then let go.
"You..." Xiao Qing, a female master at the Huajin realm, finally couldn't help but look at Qin Ziling like all the little women. She raised her pink fist and gently hit Qin Ziling's shoulder, blushing and saying, "Brother, if you continue to be so frivolous, I, I will ignore you!"
"I'm reminding girls to be reserved. What's wrong with that?" Qin Ziling asked back.
"You still have something to say!" Xiao Qing couldn't help but give Qin Ziling two more pink fists, and her agile and well-built body swayed along with it, which was very pleasing to the eye.
"This..." The maid Xia Yan, who arrived shortly afterwards, stood at the entrance of the courtyard and covered her mouth in shock, as if she had seen a scene that was not suitable for children.
Is this the cold and aloof young lady in her family?
She is a master of Hua Jin and the great elder of the Xiao family!
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything. Miss Xia Yan is here. If she sees me, she'll think I'm bullying her daughter!" Qin Ziling smiled and dodged when he saw Xia Yan arriving.
"You've been bullying me!" Xiao Qing flushed as she smoothed down some of her hair that had fallen down, gave Qin Ziling a cold look, and then she couldn't help but smile.
Qin Ziling also laughed, then pointed to a place in the pavilion and motioned Xiao Qing to sit down, as if he was the owner of the place.
"Brother, why did it take you so long to come back this time?" Xiao Qing asked after sitting down.
"Aren't I going to prepare things for you and Miss Xia Yan?" Qin Ziling replied casually.
"Brother, you're here again?" Xiao Qing gave Qin Ziling a cold look.
Qin Ziling smiled and pointed to two large sacks outside the pavilion.
Xiao Qing and Xia Yan followed the direction of Qin Ziling's finger and looked at the two large sacks, revealing a hint of doubt.
After all, Xiao Qing was an expert in Hua Jin whose strength was comparable to that of an ordinary bone refining martial artist. His pretty nose twitched slightly for a few times, and soon his expression changed abruptly. He stood up abruptly, and then with a shake of his body, he appeared next to two large sacks.
Xiao Qing waved his hand, and a force as sharp as a knife cut through the air, and the ropes tied to the bag broke and fell down one after another.
What was sticking out of the bag was a bloody ordinary wild animal.
Xiao Qing grabbed in the air, and air swirled from his palm, forming a virtual claw that grabbed the bloody ordinary wild animal and placed it on the ground aside.
Suddenly, a strong smell rushed out as if a seal had been opened.
"This, this is the Eight Desolate Black Python, and this, this is the Four-Eyed Green Toad! Brother, you, you really..." Xiao Qing's eyes suddenly widened, and then quickly, she turned around abruptly, staring at him with her beautiful eyes, with crystal tears rolling in them.
"No, no, I was just kidding. I haven't been back for such a long time, I was just concentrating on practicing in seclusion, and then I was lucky enough to capture these two big guys, and brought them back for you to taste." Qin Ziling was shocked to see that Xiao Qing, a proud woman who was comparable to a great bone-refining martial artist, had tears in her eyes, and he quickly stood up and rubbed his hands.
But Xiao Qing found it hard to believe what Qin Ziling said.
Both the Eight Desolate Black Python and the Four-Eyed Green Toad are third-grade exotic beasts, generally living deep in the Wuyang Mountain. To be able to catch and kill one, you can say that you are lucky, as you may occasionally encounter one in the outskirts.
But if two third-grade exotic beasts were captured and killed, they must have been in the depths of Wuyang Mountain.
Even with Xiao Qing's current cultivation level, she would definitely not enter the depths of Wuyang Mountain unless she had no choice.
But Qin Ziling went in, and after risking his life to capture two third-grade exotic beasts, he not only brought some to her immediately, but also had a joking and relaxed look on his face.
How could Xiao Qing not be moved by this?
Xia Yan also had tears in her eyes.
Not only was she moved by the friendship between Qin Ziling and her young lady, but also because Qin Ziling had just mentioned that he would take her with him. Even if it was just out of politeness, Xia Yan was flattered and deeply touched.
In the Xiao family, even though she has broken through to become a powerful martial artist, how many of the real upper echelons of the Xiao family, apart from Xiao Qing, truly respect her?
"Puchi!" Seeing Qin Ziling's nervous look, Xiao Qing suddenly laughed out loud, but tears rolled down at this time.
"I told you that girls should be more reserved, why didn't you listen? You were laughing and crying at the same time!" Qin Ziling breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, and quickly handed over a handkerchief and said.
"It's all your fault!" Xiao Qing rolled her eyes at Qin Ziling in a very feminine way again, and then said, "You should take these back. I am the eldest elder of the Xiao family now, and Xia Yan and I are not short of resources for nourishment."
“But we are definitely short of a third-grade exotic beast. Furthermore, these two third-grade exotic beasts, one wood and one water, are perfect for your Azure Dragon Mysterious Wood Skill. I must have brought them back for you because they are not short of anything.
If you want to enter the Bone Refining Realm, the more solid your foundation is, the greater your hope of breakthrough will be. The stronger you are, the stronger I am.
Xia Yan is your person, but actually she is also my person! Ahem, I mean my own people!" Qin Ziling corrected quickly.
"It's okay, Mr. Qin." Xia Yan said with a slightly red face.
Although she is older than Xiao Qing, she is still a virgin. If Xiao Qing gets married in the future, she, as a maid, will definitely follow her.
It would have been fine if Xia Yan didn't answer, but this answer made Qin Ziling's heart tremble.
What does this mean?
Xiao Qing glanced at Xia Yan, then said to Qin Ziling with a serious face: "Since big brother said so, I won't be polite with you. The situation in Fangqiao City is quite urgent now. Xia Yan and I really need to improve our strength as soon as possible, and I plan to take the family secret medicine to break through during this period of time."
"There's no need to be so anxious!" Qin Ziling frowned.
"Yes!" Xiao Qing nodded seriously and said, "The Yu family was driven out of Fangqiao City. The Pang family is now the only one in power. Together with the Lin family, they have already made the Xiao family and the Lu family breathless. Recently, Pang Tianpeng returned from studying at the Jinlie Sect and brought two Huajin disciples with him.
As soon as Pang Tianpeng came back, he injured Master Zuo first, and forced the martial artists in Fangqiao City to leave or join the Pang family. Not only that, Pang Tianpeng also visited the Xiao and Lu families under the pretext of asking for advice. My uncle and Lu Jianhui were forced to admit defeat with a smile, and they didn't dare to fight at all.
It can be said that the Pang family is now in full swing. If it continues to develop at this rate, I am afraid that in a few years, the Xiao family and the Lu family will gradually decline without the Pang family having to take ruthless action.
Therefore, the Xiao and Lu families must produce someone who can compete with the genius Pang Tianpeng and suppress the momentum of the Pang family. "
Qin Ziling frowned when he heard this and said, "I heard that Pang Tianpeng used the iron skin of his arms as the foundation to condense his strength, and he has the best of both worlds. Even if you take secret medicine and break through to the bone refining realm, you may not be able to defeat him.
And don't forget how your grandfather died! Pang Qiwei will not allow the Xiao family to have a second leader. Even if you can compete with Pang Tianpeng, they will definitely find a way to get rid of you. Unless your strength has reached a level that is difficult for them to kill.
So, I think you should just keep holding back, watch the fight between the Pang and Yu families, and wait for the right time. The Pang family can bring down the Yu family in the name of the Yu family colluding with the rebels and the demon cult, and in the future, you, the Xiao family, may be able to bring down the Pang family in the same name."
Xiao Qing was such a smart person that his expression changed slightly when he heard this: "Brother, did you find something?"
"When I came back yesterday, I was ambushed. They thought I was from the Yu family. Those people had a cold and strange aura and could hide their figures under the cover of night, making it very difficult to guard against them." Qin Ziling replied.
"It's them! The people from the Netherworld Cult! Yu Hongshan is in charge of military affairs and has trained a lot of direct troops over the years. Logically speaking, even if the Pang and Lin families joined forces, they couldn't be defeated so quickly.
At that time, we suspected that the Pang and Lin families must have invited external aid, but we didn't expect it to be from the Netherworld Cult!" Xiao Qing's eyes revealed deep hatred, and her upright breasts kept rising and falling.
"People from the Netherworld Cult!" Qin Ziling's heart moved slightly, and he thought of the evil place in the back mountain of Sanyuan, and the strong man who came rushing over later. Suddenly, many lines connected together, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up into a complicated bitter smile.
It turned out that I was the mastermind behind the Pang family's sudden attack on the Yu family!
"That's right. The people of the Netherworld Cult are best at assassination, and the skills they practice are very strange. Their strength contains cold death energy. Once it invades the body, it cannot be expelled in time. It is like a ulcer attached to the bone and is difficult to eradicate." At this point, Xiao Qing's face suddenly changed slightly, "Brother, are you okay?"
"Do I look like I'm in trouble?" Qin Ziling asked with a smile, then he pondered, "It seems that although the Yu family has been forced to flee Fangqiao City, they still pose a great threat to the Pang family, otherwise the people from the Netherworld Cult should have left instead of staying here.
After all, the members of the Netherworld Cult are not willing to be seen in public. If he is really accused of colluding with the Demon Cult, it may be difficult for Pang Qiwei to keep his position as the county governor."
Xiao Qing thought for a moment and said, "Your guess should be correct. According to the information we received, the Yu family has taken in many refugees who escaped from Jiugao County and Heya County in Chenglin County. It is also said that people from the Corpse Demon Sect have appeared in Chenglin County with zombies."
After hearing this, Qin Ziling suddenly felt an indescribable sense of urgency.
Heya County borders the vassal state of Luodian. Last year, Luodian rebelled against the Great Qi State and not only stopped paying tribute, but also repeatedly invaded Heya County.
Heya County and Fangliao County are adjacent to each other. Once Luodian State launches a large-scale invasion of Heya County and captures Heya County, it is very likely that it will then send troops to Fangliao County.
Jiugao County is separated from Nanding Prefecture by the Cangming River.
Jiugao County was originally considered a large county in Xiyunzhou, with a large city and strong military. However, due to natural disasters in recent years, the government not only refused to open the granary and distribute disaster relief supplies, but also continued to increase taxes, making the people miserable. Many places rose up in rebellion.
Once Wang Lang completely pacifies Nanding Prefecture and leads his troops across the river, who knows whether Jiugao County will be able to resist?
Once Wang Lang's army conquers Jiugao County and joins forces with the Yu family's troops stationed in Chenglin County...
"It seems we have to find a retreat in advance!" Qin Ziling sighed.
He certainly wouldn't be so arrogant as to think that he could train a strong team and grow them into peerless strongmen capable of turning the tide in just a few years.
"Brother, are you worried about Nandingzhou and Luodian Kingdom?" Seeing Qin Ziling suddenly mentioned the retreat, Xiao Qing's heart moved slightly and asked.
"Although the small Luodian Kingdom may not dare to launch a large-scale attack on the Great Qi Kingdom, Wang Lang may not be able to spare any effort so quickly, and Fangqiao County is just a small place with poor mountains and bad waters. But we must prepare for the worst in everything and be prepared for a rainy day."
Qin Ziling nodded, then changed the subject and said, "But there is no rush for this matter. You should seize the time to improve your strength. After a while, we will go to Qinghe County to try our luck and see what the situation is like there."
"Yeah, okay." Xiao Qing nodded.
Seeing Xiao Qing nod, Qin Ziling stood up.
"Brother, are you leaving?" Xiao Qing asked, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
"I probably won't be traveling far recently. If you have something to do, you can send a message to my master as Qingzhu. After I receive the message, I will come here to meet you the next day." Qin Ziling said.
"Is it a big deal if I want to have tea with you?" Xiao Qing asked.
"Girls should be reserved." Qin Ziling replied earnestly, and before Xiao Qing could get angry, he added, "Of course, drinking tea is an elegant thing, and it suits your status. It's okay to invite your beloved brother to drink it once in a while."
"Puchi!" Xiao Qing and Xia Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Let's go!" Qin Ziling smiled and waved, striding towards the door.
However, when walking through the courtyard, Qin Ziling suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"Your Xiao family should have a backer, right?"
"The Cui family is a prominent family in Qinghe County. My great-grandmother was once the legitimate daughter of the Cui family." Xiao Qing walked forward and replied.
"What?" Qin Ziling's face changed slightly.
"Is there a problem?" Xiao Qing was surprised to see that Qin Ziling, who was usually calm and composed, actually lost his composure.
"Nothing, I just feel a little surprised." Qin Ziling replied, secretly breathing a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, it was Grandmother Tian, ​​who was five generations away from her. She was not a close relative, not a close relative.
Tsk! Why am I thinking about all this? Am I really going to just lie down and let her support me?
"Really?" Xiao Qing looked at Qin Ziling with shining eyes.
"What else?" Qin Ziling asked back, and then said casually: "It seems that the Cui family is not strong enough, otherwise your Xiao family would not have been defeated to such an extent some time ago."
"The Cui family declined a few years ago and is no longer as glorious as it once was. Now it can hardly protect itself and it is difficult for it to take care of the Xiao family. But even so, the Cui family is still much stronger than the Xiao family. Every year we still have to pay a portion of our resources and money as tribute to them, barely maintaining the relationship between the two families." Xiao Qing said.
"Yeah!" Qin Ziling nodded, then waved again and left.
After leaving his home in the mountains, Qin Ziling did not go home, but went to Xisheng Mountain, which he had not visited for a long time.
Deep in Xisheng Mountain, the cave where he once practiced cultivation remained the same, with no signs that anyone had ever been there.
Qin Ziling revisited the old place and stood in the spacious cave. He recalled that at this time last year, he was still just a cowherd. He had to be cautious and make many calculations and arrangements even when dealing with a mere Yanluo Gang.
But now he has grown into a strong man who can kill masters of Hua Jin. Even if he takes out his trump card, even a great master of Bone Refining may be killed by him if he is not careful. He has many feelings in his heart.
After expressing his emotion, Qin Ziling took off all his clothes, then summoned Yuan Da from the corpse-raising ring and continued to strengthen his body.
In the past, when Qin Ziling was practicing, he had to summon four heads to guard the cave entrance, but now it is no longer necessary.
His soul has now touched the threshold of spiritual separation. In terms of Qi training, both the wood and water elements have reached the middle stage of true power. Even when he is tempering his body, he is extremely sensitive to changes in the external aura.
Unless one is a strong bone-refining expert who can hide his aura, it is impossible to escape his keen perception when approaching the cave entrance.
The possibility that a bone-refining expert would deliberately hide his aura and come to Xisheng Mountain is almost zero.
Temper your body to the limit, and then practice "The Evergreen Green Wood Technique" and "The Black Snake Mysterious Water Technique" at the same time.
Qin Ziling practiced martial arts and Qi training in turn until the sun set in the west, and then he left Xisheng Mountain.
At night, Qin Ziling took advantage of the darkness and the few people around to send Zuo Le a piece of Eight Desolate Black Python meat and a piece of Four-Eyed Green Toad meat, as well as some precious medicinal herbs he had picked from the mountains.
Zuo Le was naturally shocked and moved.
After returning from Shuiyue Villa, Qin Ziling chatted with Cui for a while, gave Liu Xiaoqiang some pointers on martial arts, and even occasionally pointed out some shortcomings when Shao E was practicing martial arts.
Qin Ziling, he practices the martial arts, the way of refining qi, and the way of spirit and soul. In particular, he has cultivated the way of spirit and soul to the level of distraction. He has a very mysterious sharp intuition that is difficult to describe in words.
Even though his martial arts skills were only at the Iron Plate level, he was able to keenly sense some subtle deficiencies and stagnation in the circulation of Shao E's Qi, blood and strength.
At the end of the hour of Xu, Qin Ziling returned to his room and concentrated on practicing the "Immortal Galaxy Visualization Method".
In the following days, Qin Ziling went to the cave in Xisheng Mountain during the day, and relied on the help of Ape Dayuan and Ape Er to temper his body, practice martial arts, and refine qi.
At night, he returned to his home in Anhe Village to accompany Cui and practice the "Eternal Galaxy Visualization Method". Occasionally, he also took time to guide Liu Xiaoqiang, Shao E, and Bao Yingjun and Yuntai from Shuiyue Villa.
Of course, the guidance given to Bao Yingjun and Yuntai was all in private.
Time goes by day by day.
I don’t know when it started, the hot summer passed quietly, and the green trees on Xisheng Mountain turned more yellow and red. A gust of wind blew, and the fallen leaves flew all over the sky.
Autumn is here.
This was a day three months after returning to Xisheng Mountain.
Qin Ziling walked leisurely along the mountain road, his feet making rustling sounds on the dead leaves on the ground.
Although it was only three months, it was these three months that allowed Qin Ziling, who had been forging ahead bravely since his rebirth, thinking about hunting every day and improving his cultivation as quickly as possible, to completely calm down.
His calm and resolute heart has a touch of roundness and naturalness.
When practicing martial arts and cultivating the Tao, what matters is the balance between relaxation and tension.
In the past, he was forced by the situation and his momentum of progress was strong, so he was determined to forge ahead and refused to stop.
But three months ago, Qin Ziling made slow progress even after eating the flesh and blood of third-grade exotic beasts. He realized that he should steady his steps and calm down.
So during these three months, apart from his normal practice, he spent the rest of his time in a relatively leisurely manner, having more contact and interaction with his family and the outside world, instead of practicing hard alone behind closed doors and not seeing anyone for more than two months.
During these three months, Zuo Le's injuries were completely healed, and he even gained two third-grade exotic beasts and precious medicinal herbs to nourish his body, which further improved his blood and skills. However, in front of outsiders, Zuo Le still looked like he was not well from his injuries, his face was pale with a sickly sallowness, and his hair had turned a lot whiter.
Compared with Zuo Le's "bad" condition, other aspects of Shuiyue Villa are thriving.
Qu Chenlong finally succeeded in condensing his strength and became the third strength martial artist in Shuiyue Villa.
After Zheng Xinghan got rid of his mental knot, he was determined to make progress. There was still a lot of medicinal power left in the Nine-Turn Blood Essence and Bone Strengthening Secret Pill, which was stimulated day by day. With the help of exotic beast meat, he broke through again in just about half a year and became a martial artist.
Now, Zheng Xinghan has become a representative figure of late bloomers in the Fangqiaocheng martial arts circle, inspiring many martial artists.
The others, including Mu Xuan, Lu Taiqiang, Yu Yan, Shen Xiujing and others, had personal instruction from the Hua Jin martial arts master, and they also had a large amount of resources to supplement themselves, even meat from wild exotic animals, so they all made rapid progress.
However, the ones who made the fastest progress were Bao Yingjun and Yuntai.
With Zuo Le's personal help in hammering, Bao Yingjun's fists had become as hard as iron and his arms as hard as cowhide.
Lame Yuntai tied Nangong Yue's record. It took only four months from the time he started practicing martial arts to reach a high level, which really surprised many people.
However, due to Zuo Le's instructions, the news was not allowed to be spread outside. Shuiyue Villa was located in Anhe Village, twelve miles outside the west city. The city had been in chaos recently, and the news had not spread. Especially the matter of Bao Yingjun training his arms. Even among the people in Shuiyue Villa, not many knew about it.
Otherwise, if it were in the past, when the Hantie Academy was still open in the city, whether it was Qu Chenlong becoming a powerful martial artist or Yuntai breaking through to the ruthless level in just four months, it would definitely cause quite a stir.
Now, everyone's attention is on the county town where assassinations happen from time to time, and on when the Pang family and the Lin family will gather a large army to attack Chenglin County again. No one notices that the strength of Shuiyue Villa, which is located twelve miles outside the city, is growing.
Compared with Shuiyue Villa, the Qin family actually has the biggest change in strength.
In three months, with the blood and flesh of third-grade exotic beasts that matched the skills of the martial arts, as well as the personal explanations and guidance of the Hua Jin master Zuo Le and the Xiao family genius Xiao Qing on the secrets of Hua Jin, Shao E, who was already extremely talented, naturally broke through and became a Hua Jin master.
Liu Xiaoqiang is only a little bit away from completing the iron plates on his arms. After training for a while, with his natural physique and Qin Ziling's generous training, if nothing goes wrong, he will be able to condense his strength next year.
This also means that next year, the Qin family will cultivate a double iron-armed strong martial artist, a skill that originally only wealthy families were qualified to cultivate!
During these three months, Qin Ziling took advantage of being at home to move the phantom lizard dragon raised in the backyard and the black-winged water stork raised in the Xiao family to the back mountain of Shuiyue Villa.
In this way, the Qin family, which looked very shabby from the outside, became even less conspicuous. No one could have imagined that in this dilapidated house, the guards were the Hua Jin martial artists and the martial arts apprentices whose arms were about to become iron sheets.
Otherwise, as the three-headed phantom lizard dragons grow up, it is difficult to guarantee that no accidents will occur.
"Time flies so fast, it's already autumn!" A man walked quietly on the mountain road, listening to the rustling sound of his feet on the dead leaves. Qin Ziling grabbed an unknown fruit that had fallen from a tree, with a yellow leaf on it. He put it to his nose and sniffed it. He smelled a hint of autumn's bleakness and the vitality hidden in the fruit.
"This is a harvest season!" Qin Ziling said to himself, then without looking back, he casually raised his hand, and the unknown fruit in his hand drew an arc in the air and fell into the tree hole of an ancient tree more than 20 meters away.
At the entrance of the tree hole, a fuzzy squirrel poked its head out, and its pair of small eyes like black pearls were staring at the fruit in Qin Ziling's hand. When he raised his hand, the fruit actually shot towards it. It was so scared that it quickly shrank back into the tree hole.
After Qin Ziling casually threw an unknown fruit to the squirrel, he raised his foot and was about to move forward. Suddenly, his raised foot hung in the air, and then he turned around suddenly with an incredible look on his face.
The squirrel stuck its head out of the tree hole again. When it saw Qin Ziling suddenly turn around, it was so scared that it shrank back into the tree hole.
But no matter how fast the squirrel was, it could not escape Qin Ziling's gaze.
Qin Ziling stared at the tree hole more than 20 meters away for a while, then slowly closed his eyes.
As soon as my eyelids closed, everything in front of me went dark.
But something very strange happened, and the scene outside appeared in his mind.
The morning sun, the mountains, the fallen leaves, the tree hole twenty meters away, and the little squirrel that poked its head out of the tree hole again, looking at Qin Ziling vigilantly with a pair of small eyes, all appeared in his mind one by one, as if he was seeing them with his eyes open instead of closing them.
"My spirit has not left my body. Logically, I can only feel the changes in the airflow and energy around me through my five keen senses, and then judge the location of the surrounding scenery and creatures, and outline a vague image in my mind. It is definitely not the same as what I would see directly with my eyes open.
Unless, unless I have reached the state of separation of spirit! My spirit and soul seem to have not left my body, but when I think about the outside scene, a wisp of my spirit and soul will separate out, so that it can be as if I saw it with my own eyes. "
Thinking of this, Qin Ziling suddenly opened his eyes, his face full of surprise.
He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Visualize the Eternal Milky Way every night.
Every time I feel like I’m about to step into the threshold of distraction, but there’s always that little bit missing.
As a result, Qin Ziling never dreamed that while he was walking quietly in the forest today, quietly feeling the bleakness of autumn and the vitality hidden in this bleakness, his soul would break through unknowingly.
If he hadn't just thrown a fruit to the squirrel behind him, and suddenly remembered that he didn't look back at all, why would the scene behind him appear so clearly in his mind, including the squirrel? He probably wouldn't have known that he had entered the realm of distraction.
"Autumn is indeed a season of harvest!" Qin Ziling curled up the corners of his mouth into a smile, tapped the ground lightly with his toes, and flew through the mountains and forests like a ghost.