“Senior Brother, are we really doing the right thing?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it.”

In the bedroom, a man and a woman were covered by a small quilt, chatting under the covers.

“Have you ever read that serialized novel?”

“What serialized novel?” the girl asked shyly.

⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

“The Water Margin that’s popular in Daxia. There are two characters in it I think suit us perfectly.”

“Who?”

“Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing. Conveniently, my surname is Ximen, and yours is Pan. Maybe our ancestors had some connection.”

“Annoying~ But what if the sect finds out about us? The sect doesn’t allow private, intimate contact between men and women unless reported.”

The man raised his hand. “I swear, if I weren’t afraid my senior brother would beat me to death, I would definitely report it to the sect.”

“Knock knock knock!!”

At that moment, a hurried knocking sounded at the door.

“Who… who is it?” the woman timidly asked. “It’s so late, what’s the matter?”

“We’re from the Mount Shushan Law Enforcement Hall. Open up! Checking for Dao heart.”

“...........”

Li Xuanxiao looked at the small booklet in his hand.

Some trivial matters had already been dealt with.

Next, it was time to handle the big stuff.

The booklet listed the various forces in Zhongzhou.

Among the top forces in Zhongzhou, Mount Shushan stood alone at the top.

It suppressed everything;

all other forces combined couldn’t match Mount Shushan.

About eighty percent of the powerful cultivators at the Tribulation Transcension stage in Zhongzhou were in Mount Shushan.

A sect with even one Tribulation Transcension stage member was considered first-rate.

If it had one or two more at the Tribulation Transcension stage, it could rank near the top among first-rate forces.

A typical example was Wushang City, where Shangguan Suiyun had one Tribulation Transcension member plus three Tribulation Transcension subordinates.

The famous Tian Sha Hall had only two Tribulation Transcension powerhouses, including Di Nü Feng.

The Great Sui faction had only one Tribulation Transcension powerhouse as its chief patron.

But Mount Shushan alone possessed twenty-seven Tribulation Transcension powerhouses.

It also had things like the Mount Shushan Sword Formation, an ultra-large sword formation with enormous destructive power.

And then there was Lingxu, the Mount Shushan Sect Leader, rumored to be at the Great Ascension stage.

No one knew Lingxu’s true strength;

his signature techniques were Lingxu Finger (one finger, two fingers, three fingers...)

And Lingxu Flying Kick.

Extremely terrifying.

Why were Lingxu Finger and Lingxu Flying Kick considered his signature moves?

Because Lingxu rarely used any other techniques.

Ordinary people couldn’t even withstand a single Lingxu Finger.

Therefore, Li Xuanxiao devoted about eighty percent of his effort to Mount Shushan.

Besides Mount Shushan, there were four other great sects.

Counting Mount Shushan, that made five great sects.

The five great sects jointly maintained the peace of Zhongzhou.

They were the Xuantian Sword Sect, guarded by two Tribulation Transcension powerhouses;

the Profound Sword Sect, also guarded by two Tribulation Transcension powerhouses

(Years ago, the Profound Sword Sect branched off due to inheritance disputes, with the departing ancestor founding the Profound Sword Sect);

the Tiandao Alliance, guarded by three Tribulation Transcension powerhouses;

and the Qingyun Sect, guarded by four Tribulation Transcension powerhouses.

Besides the five great sects, there were Confucianism’s seventy-two academies and Buddhism’s thirty-six treasure temples...

Because of Mount Shushan’s rules, they didn’t restrict different sects from preaching, except for demonic cults.

Thus, powerful masters from various sects came here to teach and resolve doubts.

This created a hundred schools of thought flourishing across Zhongzhou.

There were countless cultivation paths, not limited to one.

Giving more cultivators a chance to attain the Dao.

However, to Li Xuanxiao, it felt like Mount Shushan was constantly in opposition with various sects and factions.

Many sects were incompatible and even considered each other mortal enemies.

Only because Mount Shushan was so strong did they reluctantly hold back.

Moreover, there were various royal dynasties.

When the old emperor was alive, naturally Daxia was supreme.

But now, Daxia’s fortune declined;

only its foundation remained.

Still, it was among the strong nations.

Besides, the current Daxia emperor was once a direct disciple of the Mount Shushan Sect Leader.

No one wanted to offend him unnecessarily.

Opposite the righteous path stood the demonic cults.

The number one demonic cult in Zhongzhou was undoubtedly Tian Sha Hall.

But recently, the deputy leader of Tian Sha Hall was brutally killed, and the Four Guardian Vajras sparked an internal war.

Though Di Nü Feng quelled the chaos, two escaping Guardian Vajras took their disciples to join the Xuan Yin Cult.

After the Shura Hall under Liu Qiushui was destroyed, the Xuan Yin Cult replaced Shura Hall as one of the four great demonic cults.

So Tian Sha Hall was temporarily facing a shortage of top-level combat power.

However, Tian Sha Hall’s foundation was deep and couldn’t be compared to the Xuan Yin Cult.

Xuan Yin Cult!

Li Xuanxiao drew a red cross.

The Xuan Yin Cult had been acting outrageously lately, and he predicted a battle was inevitable.

The Xuan Yin Cult would definitely clash with Tian Sha Hall!!

“..........”

Zhongzhou’s number one astrologer.

Known to understand the past eight thousand years and the last five thousand years.

When asked his name, he simply said to call him the Astrologer.

It sounded mysterious, but his real name was Goushengzi.

His parents gave him that name early on because it was easy to survive with.

Later, Goushengzi was recognized by his master and chose the path of the Astrologer.

Goushengzi once wanted to change his name, but his master said their Astrologer lineage must not change names lightly;

changing a name meant changing one’s fate.

What would happen after that, no one knew.

So he could only be called Goushengzi.

Goushengzi looked about sixty or seventy years old but obviously maintained this appearance himself, wearing a coarse cloth robe.

Nothing he wore or carried was worth showing off.

As Zhongzhou’s number one Astrologer, Goushengzi certainly was not lacking treasures.

Regarding this, Goushengzi had his reasons.

“These aren’t things meant for me. The Astrologer already spies on the Heavenly Dao;

naturally, I must not bring misfortune upon myself.”

Goushengzi did not live deep in the mountains but in the bustling city.

His home was only a street away from the Yihong Courtesan House.

After finishing a cup of tea, his disciple prepared clothes for him.

Every day at this time, the master would go out.

But today, Goushengzi acted unusually and asked his disciple to prepare another cup of tea.

The disciple was puzzled but soon understood.

Someone knocked on the door.

“A distinguished guest has arrived. Quickly go open the door,” Goushengzi said calmly.

The disciple opened the door and saw a somewhat shabby old man outside, munching on a sweet potato.

“Um... is your master home?” the old man asked bluntly.

The disciple was stunned and nodded.

“Who are you?”

“Qingming, this is Lingxu, the Mount Shushan Sect Leader, show him proper respect.”

Mount Shushan Sect Leader!?

The disciple was shocked.

This was the famous Lingxu!!!

But... he looked completely different from his portrait.

Lingxu strode inside.

Goushengzi cupped his fists in greeting, “Sect Leader, long time no see.”

Lingxu casually patted Goushengzi’s shoulder, “Gousheng, you’re getting fatter.”

The disciple glanced secretly.

To dare call his master by name like that in Zhongzhou was rare.

It was clear this was truly the Mount Shushan Sect Leader.

Lingxu took a big sip of tea.

Goushengzi waved his hand, signaling the disciple to leave.

“Sect Leader, why the sudden visit?”

Lingxu scratched his head, “Passing by... purely passing by, thought I’d come see you.”

Goushengzi sipped his tea without exposing him.

“Sect Leader, since that’s the case, I must at least show some hospitality.”

Lingxu chuckled, “I won’t hide it, I do have business to discuss today.”

“Speak freely.”

Lingxu’s eyes narrowed, and his voice deepened.

“Mount Shushan is not peaceful, or rather Zhongzhou is not peaceful. I have an uneasy feeling.

Over the years, you know what’s happened at Mount Shushan. I fear someone is secretly plotting something.”

Goushengzi stroked his beard, “Who dares? Although other lands are unstable recently, Zhongzhou wouldn’t be affected.

Besides, the five great sects supposedly hold Zhongzhou, but Mount Shushan is the backbone.

With Mount Shushan here, with you here, who dares cause trouble?

Even if trouble enters Zhongzhou, it would surely be sensed by Mount Shushan.”

Lingxu fell silent for a moment.

“I hope I’m just overthinking, old age brings many worries. Still, please divine it for me.”

As he spoke, Lingxu placed a storage ring on the table.

Goushengzi glanced at the storage ring and said, “Sect Leader, what is our relationship? Besides, Mount Shushan protects Zhongzhou.

If Mount Shushan falls, none of us can escape. This is my duty.”

“Keep it.”

Lingxu stood up.

“I know your rules. When divining the heavens, others must stay away.

Mount Shushan has many matters;

I won’t disturb you. Thank you for your effort.”

“You’re too polite.”

Lingxu took his leave.

“.........”

After Lingxu left, Goushengzi sat down again, drumming his fingers on the table.

He clicked his tongue, studying the storage ring Lingxu left behind while sighing.

“The most frightening thing in this world is someone who’s confident and comfortable, thinking their position is secure.

But when danger comes, they are unaware.

Mount Shushan isn’t that foolish yet.

Looks like we have to be cautious;

one small mistake could mean endless calamity.”

Heh!!

Goushengzi smiled and put away the storage ring.

“........”