「Capital of Hua Country. Imperial Palace.」

Di Xuanji removed the luxurious yellow robe from her body, revealing skin as tender as mutton-fat white jade. She stepped forward with bare feet, slowly walking into the steam-filled bath ahead.

"Jiao Jiao, I will lead the charge to Danlong Ancient Mountain tomorrow. In my absence, you will manage the affairs of the palace," she said.

Lu Nianjiao, already soaking in the bath, looked at her with deep concern.

"Big Sister, as the ruler of a nation and someone of your noble birth, you shouldn't have to enter the fray yourself. Why must you confront such a powerful enemy in person? It's not as if Hua Country lacks strong warriors to dispatch," she said.

Di Xuanji smiled softly and replied, "But the ruler I envision is not just a noble figurehead, but a sharp sword at the forefront of the battle!"

"That is why this time, I must lead the expedition myself!"

"With a formidable enemy at our gates, I, as the sovereign of this nation, must be the first to charge!"

"You're being too hasty," Lu Nianjiao sighed. "Are you afraid that Little Mule will come into contact with the Holy Boi Religion, so you want to resolve this as soon as possible?"

Di Xuanji didn't answer the question. Instead, she said, "Rest assured, with Lin Jianlong and the Ghost Tiger Corps accompanying me, and with the Dragon Qi of imperial fate protecting me so long as I am within Hua Country's borders, no one can harm me."

"Even if I can't slay the Holy Boi Religion Ancestor in this campaign, I can at least trap him in the Danlong Ancient Mountain."

Feeling helpless, Lu Nianjiao conceded, "Fine. I can't change your mind once it's made up."

Di Xuanji continued, "Also, after I leave, you must hurry and organize the World Martial Way Competition."

"As long as Hua Country wins the championship, we will become the Primary Alliance Country of Martial Arts and subsequently have absolute authority in the world of martial artists. We can then invite warriors from various nations to join this war, forming a Martial Combatants Coalition to resist the Holy Boi heretic cult together."

"This war concerns the entire world; it is not a fight for Hua Country alone!"

Lu Nianjiao nodded. "I understand. You can go without any worries."

...

「Shanhai Territory. Thunder Swamp. Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm.」

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile had noticed Kuang Pi's towering presence from afar. Not daring to continue flying, he quickly landed and proceeded on foot.

However, the three brothers didn't dare to truly enter the domain of the Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm, only lingering on the outskirts.

"Haha, Grandpa Kuang Pi, we three brothers have come to see you!"

"Long time no see! How has your health been?"

Kuang Pi glanced at the three brothers, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. After a moment, he recalled they were the three bandit demons from the Three Dragon Black Pool. However, with his status, he naturally disdained interacting with such minor demons.

"Hey, Big Bro, look! Those three are here too, and they're all still alive."

"Hehe, it seems fortune favors the persistent!"

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile's greedy gaze fell upon Luo Xiu and his companions. He smiled slyly, as if they were already a feast laid out on his table.

"Grandpa Kuang Pi, we actually came here for these three!" The King of the Poisonous Crocodile stared at Su Shenyun, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. "I know you've never deigned to devour others, Grandpa Kuang Pi. If you hand these three over to me, I am willing to offer you these treasures!"

With that, he placed a large wooden chest on the ground and threw it open. A dazzling spirit light flared out, nearly blinding them. To monopolize Su Shenyun before Zhu Hui arrived, the three brothers had spared no expense, bringing out all the rare treasures they had collected over the years.

Kuang Pi's fierce eyes glared at the wooden chest, and he snorted disdainfully. The Ancient Warship he lived in was filled with treasures; why would he ever be tempted by a box of rubbish?

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile, skilled at reading expressions, saw Kuang Pi's disdain and added cautiously, "Grandpa Kuang Pi, they trespassed on your treasured land, yet you didn't kill them. Could it be that out of immense compassion, you have taken them as War Slaves to serve you?"

Kuang Pi replied coldly, "Are you done with your nonsense?"

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile broke into a cold sweat and said hurriedly, "Grandpa Kuang Pi, among our treasures is an item from the Ancient God Ruins. Trading it for a mere three War Slaves wouldn't be a loss for you, would it?"

Hearing the words "Ancient God Ruins," Kuang Pi fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, the King of the Poisonous Crocodile's eyes lit up, thinking he had a chance. He suddenly pointed at Luo Xiu.

"You, boy! Bring those two beauties over to this great king! I'm going to eat them!"

"Impudence!" Kuang Pi suddenly roared, swiping out with his massive bear paw.

CRACK! A deafening sound tore through the void as three bolts of lightning ripped through the air toward the three brothers. Though greatly alarmed, the brothers were prepared and immediately turned to flee.

Kuang Pi suddenly rose onto his hind legs. "You can scram, but you're leaving that stuff for me!"

Hearing this, the King of the Poisonous Crocodile ran even faster, his face a mask of misery. "Grandpa Kuang Pi, this is a bit unethical of you!"

"Cut the crap! If I could leave this place, I'd exterminate you three vermin!"

A bolt of lightning condensed into a large hand. In an instant, it shot out and firmly grasped the King of the Poisonous Crocodile. He trembled violently as his flesh continuously ruptured, blood gushing from his wounds. The pain was unbearable.

"Grandpa Kuang Pi, spare me! Please, retract your Divine Skills! I'll give you the treasures!"

...

A short while later, Kuang Pi looked at the large chest on the ground and turned to Luo Xiu. "Xiao Luo, you can keep these things. Pay special attention to this item. Study it carefully later; you might comprehend something from it."

His gaze fell upon a dilapidated vase inside the chest. The vase was plain and simple, with no patterns on its surface. But if one were to probe it with their Divine Sense, they would discover the ancient charm of the Martial Way flowing across its surface, containing endless, profound principles.

"Nothing from the Ancient God Ruins is ever simple!" Kuang Pi remarked. "I really wonder where those three little thieves managed to scrounge this up."

"Xiao Luo, the next time you return, the Ancient God Ruins might be open again. When that happens, I'll take you inside for a proper exploration."

Luo Xiu didn't stand on ceremony and placed the chest directly into his Holy Lotus Jade Pendant.

"Brother Xiong, it's a deal then. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Kuang Pi sighed. "Ah, it's a pity I can only see you this far. I can't go outside." He then added a warning, "Xiao Luo, after you and your two companions leave, you must be wary of those three little thieves."

"The allure of a Pureblood Nine-tailed Fox is too fatal. They will stop at nothing to capture and devour her. If you face danger, you can bring your companions and flee to my Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm. As long as you are here, no one will dare to harm you!"

"Thank you, Brother Xiong. I will."

...

Meanwhile, the three bandits of Thunder Swamp were cursing furiously as they fled.

"That Grandpa Kuang Pi is a useless old fart! So damn overbearing!"

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile was pale and covered in blood. He sat weakly on the ground, wiping away sweat, his heart still pounding with fear. "Luckily, we were careful enough not to actually step into his territory. Otherwise, we'd really have been killed!"

Tian Bang ground his teeth. "That old fart went too far! He not only grievously injured Big Bro but also stole our treasure!"

As the three brothers complained and cursed, the sky ahead suddenly darkened with clouds, radiating a terrifying aura. Upon seeing it, however, the three brothers started to laugh.

The King of the Poisonous Crocodile chuckled. "That damn Zhu Hui is such a drama queen, always making a huge spectacle wherever he goes. You have to admit, it's quite intimidating. Anyone who didn't know better would think he's some incredibly powerful Great Demon."

From within the dark clouds, a dragon as large as a mountain range soared forth. It suddenly shone brightly, transforming into a giant over five meters tall before landing in front of them.

It was Zhu Hui.

Xia Chan, dressed in a white gown, sat gracefully on his shoulder.

Zhu Hui cupped his fists in salute and smiled. "Brothers, how did the task I asked for your help with go?"

"Ugh, don't even get me started! It's a story that brings tears to my eyes!" the King of the Poisonous Crocodile said, waving his hand dismissively with a look of utter frustration. "Those three have been taken as War Slaves by that old scoundrel Kuang Pi. They're in the Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm right now. If you think you're up to it, feel free to go stir things up."

Tian Bang also sighed repeatedly. "It hurts, it really hurts!"

Zhu Hui's brow furrowed as he observed the three brothers.

Sitting on Zhu Hui's broad shoulder, Xia Chan asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhu Hui gave a wry smile. "My Queen, if they are hiding in the Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm, then we have a problem. We can't afford to provoke the Mountain Sea Fierce Bear, Kuang Pi."

Just then, Tian Bang suddenly shouted, "This is fantastic! Fantastic!"

Everyone immediately turned to look at him.

Tian Bang waved the small messenger lizard in his hand so vigorously its eyes rolled back into its head. "My Scout Lizard just reported that the three of them have left the Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm! They're heading towards Mount Green Hills!"

Hearing this, the King of the Poisonous Crocodile clapped his hands together. "Now that's some damn good news!"

"Without that old scoundrel Kuang Pi in the way, those three aren't worth a damn!"

"Brother Zhu Hui, go after them now. I'm injured and need to recuperate, so I won't go with you. With the speed of your true form, you'll catch them quickly, even if you have to take a detour around the Burial Sword Tomb of the Thunderstorm."

Zhu Hui laughed heartily. "There's no time to waste. Let's move out immediately!"

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