Translator: CinderTL
"Jiang Jianzi..."
Jiang Yuqiu looked at Li Chunjun, trying to phrase her words delicately.
But considering that he might soon receive a similar transfer order...
Though, it wasn't exactly a transfer order.
To provide the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy with better opportunities for growth, it was only natural for him to go to the main sect to receive the best training.
Thus, she could only sigh and speak the truth: "It's a bit of both."
But it was more the latter.
The reason for the transfer...
The existence of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy had already disrupted the balance among the Nine Immortal Sects and undermined the unity within the Immortal Alliance.
But...
"Is it worth it?" Li Chunjun asked.
"The Taixu Sword Sect is strong, but in the face of those powerful alien races that can rival the entire human race, it's still not enough! For better development opportunities and to avoid facing the alien invasion alone, joining the Immortal Alliance is a more advantageous choice for the sect's higher-ups," Jiang Yuqiu explained.
After hearing this, Li Chunjun remained silent.
He knew.
Whether it was Peak Lord Jiang or Sect Leader Huan Ming, they weren't the real decision-makers.
Even if they knew he had been wronged and wanted to seek justice for him...
Faced with the demands for "unity" and "stability" from above, they couldn't break the rules set by the higher-ups and let the Taixu Sword Sect go to war with the Chiyang Sword Sect.
In a feudal country, the lower-class people, living in poverty and uncertainty, might hate their country.
But the ruling class, enjoying a life of ease and countless privileges, with no constraints on their actions, would naturally do everything to maintain their country and protect their interests.
Different people have different standpoints, that's all.
At this moment, Jiang Yuqiu suddenly said, "I'll go to the Sect Master. This matter can't just be left like this!"
"No need," Li Chunjun said calmly. "The rule that Nascent Soul cultivators are not allowed to take action must be followed, right?"
Jiang Yuqiu immediately understood what he was planning and said, "I know you're powerful, but to prevent you, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, from running rampant in the Blue Star Minor Realm, I suspect they'll distribute a large number of fourth-tier, even fifth-tier Talismans to the True Inheritors to ensure relative deterrence."
"Fifth-tier Talismans?" Li Chunjun glanced at her. "Will the sect give me some fifth-tier Talismans?"
"I'll apply for them immediately," Jiang Yuqiu said. "Although these Talismans are precious, the sect can easily spare ten or eight of them."
"Alright," Li Chunjun responded.
"You've successfully achieved Nirvana. Come back to the sect with me," Jiang Yuqiu said, glancing around. "Although the Great Shang capital's formation has been repaired, it was ruled by the Chiyang Sword Sect for the past few decades. Who knows what hidden traps might be in these formations?"
"No worries," Li Chunjun said directly. "I'm not afraid of the Chiyang Sword Sect coming; I'm afraid they'll hide in their sect and not dare to come out."
He added, "Among the Nine Immortal Sects, every Nascent Soul cultivator is accounted for. The Taixu Sword Sect wouldn't be unaware if a Nascent Soul cultivator sneaked in, right?"
"Of course not!" Jiang Yuqiu said firmly.
"Then it's settled. No matter how many Core Formation cultivators come, they're just here to die," Li Chunjun said.
Jiang Yuqiu knew he had the confidence to say this.
The dozens of Core Formation cultivators buried in the land of Great Shang were the best proof.
And...
Li Chunjun's decision not to return to the Taixu Sword Sect was, in itself, an expression of dissatisfaction towards Sect Leader Huan Ming and others.
Even as the Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak, she could not force him.
"Then be careful. I've already discussed with the Peak Lord, and ten Core Formation cultivators will be stationed in the Great Shang from the East Province, Southeast Province, and Northeast Province respectively. The sect will also dispatch twenty Core Formation cultivators to assist you," Jiang Yuqiu said.
In fact, the sect would also secretly send a Nascent Soul True Lord to protect Li Chunjun, just in case.
However, since it was a covert operation, she naturally wouldn't mention it.
Moreover, after she visited the Taixu Sword Sect and waited for Li Chunjun's anger to subside, she would likely come back to take him home.
She wouldn't be away for too long.
Wherever the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy was, she, the Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak, would naturally be there as well.
"Fifty Core Formation cultivators..."
The entire Taixu Sword Sect had only a little over four hundred Core Formation cultivators.
Having fifty Core Formation cultivators at his disposal was already a considerable force.
Moreover, in terms of the combat power they could unleash in a direct confrontation, fifty Core Formation cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect could likely rival a hundred from elsewhere.
"That's enough," Li Chunjun said.
"Next is the final matter," Jiang Yuqiu said as she handed him something.
"Myriad Spirits Divine Light."
Li Chunjun took it.
Even though the Taixu Sword Sect effectively controlled the Great Shang, they still agreed to the Inheritance Battle proposed by the Chiyang Sword Sect. On one hand, it was to maintain legitimacy, and on the other, it was because of the Myriad Spirits Divine Light that the Chiyang Sword Sect had offered.
Since this Myriad Spirits Divine Light was something he had earned, the Taixu Sword Sect naturally didn't hesitate to give it to him.
"I hope this Myriad Spirits Divine Light will help you achieve the Golden Core stage sooner," Jiang Yuqiu said with a smile.
"Mm," Li Chunjun acknowledged.
After that, Jiang Yuqiu went over some more details before bidding farewell and leaving.
Once she was gone, Li Chunjun summoned Jiang Yuxue and others to get an update on the situation in the Great Shang.
However, it seemed that the operation of the Great Shang didn't really depend on him, the Sword Prodigy.
He just needed to collect his annual income.
After understanding this, Li Chunjun delegated all major and minor matters to Jiang Yuxue and the others, while he himself returned to the cultivation chamber.
Such a treasure as the Myriad Spirits Divine Light should be refined as soon as possible. Drawing from his previous experience of using the Myriad Spirits Divine Light to control and master his own path to the True Core stage, Li Chunjun now found it effortless to optimize his flaws under the divine light's illumination.
The divine light's illumination lasted for half a month.
But Li Chunjun was in no rush to leave seclusion. Instead, he took advantage of the lingering sensation from the illumination and went into seclusion for another two months.
Only after he had elevated his self-optimization to a new level, with significant growth in his Essence, Energy, and Spirit, did he end his cultivation.
"The Myriad Spirits Divine Light truly lives up to its name—utterly miraculous. If I had another one, I might be able to directly enter the Golden Core stage!" Li Chunjun said with great enthusiasm. "However, even without the Myriad Spirits Divine Light, or even without relying on other secondary pills or heavenly treasures, I could still achieve the Golden Core stage within three to five years through my own cultivation, relying on my profound foundation, and take the first step towards immortality!"
Once the Golden Core is formed, one's lifespan extends to five hundred years.
Such a lifespan is long enough to witness the rise and fall of several dynasties.
However...
Three to five years is still too long.
"The Taixu Sword Sect may not have any more Myriad Spirits Divine Light, but other sects might not be in the same situation," Li Chunjun realized.
However...
Everyone had come to understand the terror of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, just as Jiang Yuqiu had said. It was inevitable that the precious fifth-order Talismans, which could even serve as killing moves for Nascent Soul True Lords, would be bestowed upon those True Inheritors at the Golden Core stage.
Although the Qi and Divine Sense of a Golden Core cultivator might not be sufficient to fully control a fifth-order Talisman, the deterrent power of such a Talisman was undeniable.
If struck, even for him, it would be a situation where a single touch could mean death or severe injury.
"I need to practice the Void Sword Flash diligently. If I master it, there's a high probability I can evade the attacks of fifth-order Talismans," Li Chunjun thought to himself.
Talismans, as external forces, were inherently difficult to control, especially when wielded by lower-level cultivators. While their power remained unchanged, higher-order Talismans in the hands of lower-level cultivators often lacked flexibility. If he truly mastered the Void Sword Flash, the probability of evading fifth-order attack Talismans would be at least ninety percent, if not a full certainty.
Moreover, how many fifth-order Talismans could a single sect possess? "But the Void Sword Flash is not easy to master," Li Chunjun pondered.
Then, he thought of the fusion of the Destruction Sword Intent and the Void Sword Intent into the Great Void Destruction Sword Intent! He had used this Sword Intent in his duel with Xiao Yan Zhi. Unlike the Destruction Sword Intent, which shocked the minds of others, this Sword Intent...
It reduced his presence in the perception of others? It was incredibly useful.
With this Sword Intent, in the chaos of battle, wouldn't it make everyone instinctively "ignore" his existence?
It would be equivalent to being untargetable.
If he couldn't be targeted, he naturally couldn't be attacked.
This was far more mystical than any evasion or defensive Talisman.
"Let's try it!"
The method to test it...
Naturally, was through actual combat.
Li Chunjun tidied himself up and concluded his cultivation.
As soon as he stepped out of the cultivation chamber, Qin Zhou, who had been waiting outside, immediately stood up.
"Sword Prodigy, you've emerged from seclusion."
"Yes," Li Chunjun nodded. "It's been two months. There shouldn't have been any major disturbances around Shangzhou, right?"
"None. Shangzhou has been peaceful. The Chiyang Sword Sect has been behaving themselves, and they've been working hard to reinforce the formations in the important cities of Great Chu and Great Li," Qin Zhou promptly replied.
"Reinforcing formations?" Li Chunjun chuckled. "They're quite bold. Do they really think they can hold onto the territories of Great Chu and Great Li with those fourth-order formations?"
"They've enlisted the help of a formation master from the Zhou Tian Sect to integrate those fourth-order formations together, and..." Qin Zhou hesitated for a moment before continuing, "They've deliberately spread the news that the True Inheritor of Great Chu, Chu Tiankuo, and Chang Baishan, who has taken over Xiao Yan Zhi's position in Great Li, now possess fifth-order Talismans, though the types are unknown."
Fifth-order Talismans.
He wasn't surprised.
But...
"The Zhou Tian Sect is quite lively," Li Chunjun remarked.
"The Zhou Tian Sect is also a neighboring force to our Taixu Sword Sect. They've always presented a united front with the Chiyang Sword Sect, acting as if they share a common fate. There have been frequent frictions along the border..." Qin Zhou explained.
"Summon Jiang Yuxue. I need intelligence on the Zhou Tian Sect's border," Li Chunjun ordered.
Qin Zhou was momentarily stunned.
Did the Sword Prodigy intend to target the Zhou Tian Sect first? However, he didn't hesitate for long and immediately responded, "Understood."
As he acknowledged the order, Li Chunjun made his way to the main hall of the palace complex.
By the time he arrived, several sword lights had already descended.
Jiang Yuxue and Jun Zhou were among them.
Seeing Li Chunjun enter, they all bowed in unison, "We pay our respects to the Sword Prodigy."
"True Disciple Zuo sent you to assist me in overseeing Star Province, which has been a tremendous help," Li Chunjun said to Jun Zhou.
"You flatter me, Sword Prodigy. It is my greatest honor to serve you," Jun Zhou replied respectfully.
Li Chunjun nodded, taking the prepared documents from her and carefully "reading" them.
After a moment, he remarked, "This piece of intelligence... a disciple from the Taixu Sword Sect entered the Zhou Tian Sect's Star Province and disappeared?"
Jiang Yuxue was momentarily stunned.
This...
It was just a trivial piece of news.
However, she quickly provided an accurate response: "Indeed, that is the case... It's possible that he has already been killed."
"Perhaps he was merely imprisoned and interrogated for the Taixu Sword Sect's secrets. We cannot stand idly by!" Li Chunjun declared decisively.
He immediately issued an order: "Gather our forces and follow me as we storm the Zhou Tian Sect! Demand they hand over the disciple! If they refuse, we will continue to fight until they comply!"
(End of the Chapter)
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