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To unexpectedly hear Zhang Xuan's name from Tao Qingyuan's mouth again.

"I wonder, sir, do you have any news of Master Zhang?" Chen Yuan asked, his gaze fixed on Tao Qingyuan. Since Zhang Xuan's departure, Chen Yuan and the others, including Yue Shan, had lost all contact with him.

They couldn't reach him even if they wanted to.

"As far as this official knows, Zhang Xuan has been in seclusion for over a month. Perhaps he will return soon. This official knows your temperament; you are not one to endure grievances.

But in the current situation, the higher-ups are seeking stability."

Tao Qingyuan subtly raised a finger, pointing in a vague direction for Chen Yuan's benefit.

Chen Yuan actually understood this point. Not only the higher-ups, but also officials like Tao Qingyuan and the Prefect, all held a "seek no merit, but seek no fault" mentality.

"This subordinate understands." Chen Yuan nodded solemnly, whether he took it to heart was another matter entirely.

Chen Yuan's personality was indeed as Tao Qingyuan described. He was not one to suffer a blow and silently endure it. If someone punched him, he would have to return a stab.

And it had to be a stab right into the heart.

"Good that you understand."

In Tao Qingyuan's view, Chen Yuan was indeed a reasonable person. Except for the incident of killing Bei Le, he wasn't the type to actively provoke trouble.

Afterward, Chen Yuan chatted with Tao Qingyuan for a while and received much guidance. At the same time, Chen Yuan also inquired about some issues regarding Celestial Dipper cultivation.

Although Tao Qingyuan was a bit curious, he still patiently imparted much experience. Perhaps, in his view, Chen Yuan was not far from the Celestial Dipper realm, and it was necessary to know some things in advance.

Even, when he got excited, Tao Qingyuan even spoke about some issues regarding Profound Connection realm cultivation.

It was precisely in Tao Qingyuan's teaching that Chen Yuan gained a deeper understanding of Celestial Dipper Qi.

From Qi Absorption to Astral Condensation, from Astral Condensation to Celestial Dipper Condensation, the essence was a deeper level of utilization of the world's spiritual energy to enhance one's own strength.

For example, when first entering Qi Absorption, one could only slowly temper the internal organs with True Qi, allowing them to adapt to Astral Qi. At that time... the increase in one's own strength from True Qi was limited, and it could not be released externally.

When reaching the Astral Condensation level, True Qi could break out of the body, greatly enhancing one's own combat power.

And when reaching the Celestial Dipper realm, it was an initial utilization of the world's spiritual energy. By combining one's own Celestial Dipper Qi with the world's spiritual energy, one could use Celestial Dipper Qi to protect the body, becoming impervious to water and fire, and difficult to harm with ordinary blades and swords.

The world's spiritual energy was violent and had to be adapted to step by step, used step by step. The world's spiritual energy that was initially absorbed into the body was refined to eliminate its violent intent and turn it into True Qi.

Upon reaching the Celestial Dipper realm, this was no longer necessary. After the tempering and transformation of Astral Qi, the body was already able to merge and directly utilize it... This was also the reason why Celestial Dipper martial artists' combat power increased significantly.

Celestial Dipper Qi, whether it was the spiritual energy borrowed from Celestial Dipper transformation spiritual objects or the Yang Celestial Dipper Qi at noon, was essentially a type of world's spiritual energy.

Using Astral Qi to transform into Celestial Dipper Qi was a gradual process of controlling the world's spiritual energy and adapting to it with one's physical body and spirit.

It was rumored that in ancient times, cultivators at that time did not cultivate the physical body, but only inhaled and exhaled the world's spiritual energy. They were called Qi Refiners. Later, after development, Martial Dao began to flourish.

Tao Qingyuan said a sentence that Chen Yuan kept in mind: Martial artists' cultivation, comprehending the heart of heaven, was a process of controlling the world's spiritual energy.

Controlling all things is the essence of Martial Dao!

Chen Yuan asked him who said these words, and Tao Qingyuan's answer was that it was a statement left by the Martial Emperor who divided the six realms of Martial Dao in legends.

Tao Qingyuan's guidance was of great help to Chen Yuan. It was a re-organization of the cultivation of the Celestial Dipper realm in another way for Chen Yuan. Although he had given him guidance before, he had never spoken as much as he did today.

For Chen Yuan, Tao Qingyuan valued him quite a bit. Perhaps it was due to Zhang Xuan's influence, but Chen Yuan still remembered this kindness of guidance and protection.

Compared to others, Chen Yuan's superior was already very good.

After leaving the Sky Patrol Hall, Chen Yuan met Nie Qiyun head-on. The two brushed past each other in silence. However, Chen Yuan still saw a trace of fear and jealousy in Nie Qiyun's fleeting gaze.

As Chen Yuan's status and strength increased, it would inevitably affect him.

He originally thought that after Zhang Xuan left, he was the strongest in the Sky Patrol Division besides Tao Qingyuan. But Chen Yuan suddenly appeared, stealing his limelight.

Putting himself in Nie Qiyun's shoes, Chen Yuan wouldn't be very magnanimous either.

Afterward, Chen Yuan went straight to his official office. Before he even arrived at the door, he heard Yue Shan's rough voice, seemingly talking about something with Mo Donghe and the others.

After Chen Yuan appeared, Yue Shan congratulated him again and again.

The higher Chen Yuan's achievements, the happier he became.

And not long after Chen Yuan returned to the Prefecture City, Tang Qian, who was closely watching him, received the news. His face was extremely gloomy, and the killing intent on his body was almost impossible to suppress.

He originally thought that with a master like the Blood Demon Old Man taking action, Chen Yuan would definitely die. At that time, he would not only be able to avenge his adopted son, Lin Beihan, but also give Shi Yunlong and Tao Qingyuan a warning.

His Green Flood Dragon Gang's people were not so easy to kill.

He was not afraid of Tao Qingyuan turning against him. The Blood Demon Old Man was the killer, what did it have to do with Tang Qian? Without evidence, like taking down a major force in Nanling Prefecture, Tao Qingyuan didn't have the ability or courage.

Unfortunately, he never expected Chen Yuan's strength to be so strong that he actually reversed killed the Blood Demon Old Man with Astral Condensation cultivation and even made it onto the Hidden Dragon List!

Tang Qian knew very well what this ranking meant. As long as he didn't fall, he could at least break through to the Profound Connection realm.

He didn't want to have such an opponent. Judging from Chen Yuan's growth rate, it wouldn't be long before he could break through to the Celestial Dipper realm. He couldn't wait any longer...

The best way to deal with a genius was to nip him in the bud and never let him grow.

He felt that Chen Yuan even knew that he was the one who instigated the Blood Demon Old Man to kill him. Since the feud had been formed, it had to be settled!

After staying in the Green Flood Dragon Gang's headquarters for some time, Tang Qian immediately got up and went to a mansion in the city.

That was...

The residence of Xu Lingtian, the Sect Master of the Dragon Tiger Sect, and also the extension of the Dragon Tiger Sect's power in Nanling Prefecture City.

Among the five major forces in Nanling Prefecture, the Jinshan Temple was aloof and stable as Mount Tai. The Divine Firmament Hall was the second strongest, but it had been declining in recent years. The Dragon Tiger Sect was showing its ambition and wanted to replace the Divine Firmament Hall.

The Green Flood Dragon Gang and the Everlasting Joy Gang controlled the three major districts of Nanling Prefecture City. Except for the eastern part of the city, because of the government's power, they did not dare to reach out. The northern, western, and southern districts were firmly occupied by the Everlasting Joy Gang and the Green Flood Dragon Gang.

Although there were often disputes, as long as other forces dared to extend their influence into Nanling Prefecture City, they would face the tacit and unified front of the two.

But that was in the past. Now, due to the Green Flood Dragon Gang's weakening, Tang Qian decided after repeated consideration to introduce the Dragon Tiger Sect into Nanling Prefecture City. It was precisely this reason that allowed him to get Xu Lingtian to agree to form an alliance with him to jointly resist the pressure from the Everlasting Joy Gang and the Sky Patrol Division behind it.

When Tang Qian arrived at the Xu mansion, Xu Lingtian was drinking tea and listening to music in the backyard, looking leisurely and carefree. Xu Lingtian had a square face and a majestic appearance. A pair of phoenix eyes looked extremely energetic.

The beard under his jaw was about an inch long, groomed smoothly and brightly. Seeing Tang Qian's arrival, he stroked his beard and smiled faintly:

"Brother Tang is here."

Tang Qian narrowed his eyes, nodded slightly, and slowly swept his gaze over the dancing women in front of him, his expression self-evident.

Xu Lingtian understood and waved for them to withdraw.

"Brother Xu!"

Tang Qian cupped his hands and slowly sat down next to Xu Lingtian.

"What brings Brother Tang here?" Xu Lingtian curved his lips, looking at Tang Qian with a strange smile.

"It is said that Brother Xu has extraordinary wisdom. Why not take a guess?"

"Alright, what is Brother Tang willing to bet?" Xu Lingtian sat up straight, showing some interest.

"Hmm... how about a piece of Obsidian Stone?"

This was a relatively rare ore for forging weapons. A piece of Obsidian Stone could be considered quite valuable. If Chen Yuan was here, he would be able to recognize this thing. Back when he was competing with Wu Yushan for the position of constable in Pingan County, his weapon was mixed with some Obsidian Stone, making it extremely strong.

"Good." Xu Lingtian nodded, carefully looked at Tang Qian, and smiled mysteriously: "If I'm not mistaken, Brother Tang is here because of a young man."

"Continue."

Tang Qian's expression remained unchanged as he poured himself a cup of fine tea.

"This young man is very extraordinary. At a young age, he made it onto the Hidden Dragon List and killed Brother Tang's adopted son, Lin Beihan. His name is Chen Yuan, correct?"

Xu Lingtian smiled faintly.

"Brother Xu is indeed extraordinary, guessing it in one try. Then why not guess why Tang is here?"

"Brother Tang wants to nip this person in the bud, but it is not convenient for you to take action yourself, so you want me to do it... am I right?" Xu Lingtian chuckled, his eyes fixed on Tang Qian.

At this point, Tang Qian's expression became serious, and he solemnly nodded:

"That's right. As long as Brother Xu can eliminate this hidden danger for Tang, and the Dragon Tiger Sect gains a foothold in Nanling Prefecture City, I will definitely help with all my strength. What does Brother Xu think?"

Xu Lingtian slowly shook his head:

"Not appropriate."

"Hmm?"

"Brother Tang thinks this person is troublesome, and so do I. Making it onto the Hidden Dragon List, this Chen Yuan's name must have already entered the eyes of the Azure Province Governor and the Azure Province Sky Patrol Envoy and is being fully valued by Tao Qingyuan.

If the Dragon Tiger Sect kills such a valued genius, it will only antagonize the imperial court. I know I don't have the ability to resist the imperial court."

Xu Lingtian directly refused.

"Brother Xu is the Sect Master of the Dragon Tiger Sect, a Profound Connection master, are you also afraid of a genius who has not yet grown up?" Tang Qian said in a muffled voice.

"It's not fear, but it's not worth it. If Brother Tang offers a condition that I can't refuse, then I might agree..." Xu Lingtian smiled.

Tang Qian only offered a promise and wanted him to take action? Impossible.

"Moreover, what is the difference between me taking action and Brother Tang taking action?"