363: It can't hold on any longer?

“These words are truly enlightening, surpassing years of my arduous Cultivation. I toast you!”

After a long while, Gui Bufan awoke from his shock, countless principles flooding his mind. These were areas where his understanding of his own Martial Dao had been unclear before.

Now, they were completely resolved, and he had even gained insights he hadn't anticipated.

A clear future was thus presented before him.

Qin Zhanfeng also nodded, saying, “Brother Li’s comprehension of the Dao is unique. Even our Masters have not reached such a level, which truly makes us envious.”

“However, I, Qin, am extremely grateful for Brother Li’s guidance today!”

Each of the Three Departments ministers was wholeheartedly convinced. No wonder Li Tongshen could thrive in the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty, and even the Chief of the Three Departments regarded him as an equal.

This was Li Tongshen’s foundation—truly formidable!

Li Tongshen enjoyed the praise of the crowd immensely, a surge of turbid Qi emanating from his chest, his mood joyful.

“Just kidding. This is the Lord’s comprehension of the Dao. If you fellows can’t even handle this, then what?”

Li Tongshen now held Shen Tianxing in deep reverence, from the inside out, admiring him even more.

It wasn’t just because of his formidable Cultivation, but also because of his mentorship, which was truly unreserved. His rapid rise in strength was all due to Shen Tianxing’s guidance.

“Oh, the meat is ready! Hurry and eat. The medicinal properties of this Tortoise Dragon meat have been activated. It can enhance your Qi and blood, clear your Meridians, and make your future Cultivation smoother!”

Above the bonfire, the sizzling, oily Tortoise Dragon meat suddenly emitted a strange fragrance. Li Tongshen quickly stepped forward and took down a large piece of roasted meat.

“I'll take some!”

“I want some too! Give me a big piece! Where’s the wine? Bring out the wine, quick!”

A group of important figures from the Three Departments, just like common folk on the street, picked up their wine gourds and knives, cut off large chunks of meat, and began to feast, squatting or sitting.

Such enjoyment was rare, and it was the flesh and blood of a Soul Palace Realm Yao Beast—even rarer!

Li Tongshen was very satisfied, cutting off small pieces for himself to eat.

“Such demonic flesh and blood are abundant in the Outer Sea. If you are willing to venture out in the future, I think it’s best to go out and see.”

“Currently, the Outer Sea of the Sea of Buried Demons has been penetrated by the Lord. I have seen many Cultivators from other Imperial Dynasties already setting foot there, and no Demons dare to act recklessly.”

“This will be beneficial to you.”

He had brought this up more than once, even mentioning it to the Empress, but the Empress had not said much.

Great Qi faced both internal and external troubles, so allowing these pillars of society to leave for a while was certainly unrealistic.

But Li Tongshen still felt that he should persuade them more. If Shen Tianxing knew, he would surely agree.

It would not be a good thing if Great Qi remained content in its corner.

Without the Lord’s intervention, a single Holy Heaven Demon Sect could perhaps instantly destroy this seemingly prosperous nation.

“Lord, you must have received the news by now. How will you choose?”

Li Tongshen missed Shen Tianxing a little. At least by his side, every step Shen Tianxing took had deep meaning and achieved his goals.

Even when facing the Holy Heaven Demon Sect, he would not be helpless, unlike himself, who had no other way to help the Empress.

“Brother Li, you have been with Minister of Justice Shen for so long. To what extent has Minister of Justice Shen’s strength reached now?”

Qin Zhanfeng spoke.

Although Shen Tianxing had left, his position in the Department of Punishments and Prisons had not been canceled. Strictly speaking, he was still part of the Department of Punishments and Prisons.

However, after the Empress granted him the title of Grand Minister of Justice, Shen Tianxing’s power had actually reached the Chief Director level. He might not even value a mere Department of Punishments and Prisons.

Qin Zhanfeng was also a smart man. He could no longer view Shen Tianxing with his old perspective. Back then, he was Shen Tianxing’s superior; now, he was nothing.

At the mention of Shen Tianxing, the others became even more interested.

Especially since all of them had participated in the Nanyuan Domain battle. At that time, Shen Tianxing was already terrifyingly strong; now, he must be even more extraordinary.

Upon hearing this, Li Tongshen smiled and said, “To be honest, I don’t know the Lord’s Cultivation level either, but before I returned, he was already a Heavenly Phenomenon Realm expert!”

“He swept across all major top forces in the Outer Sea, and no one dared to challenge him. He didn’t even put the Saint of the Inner Sea’s top forces in his eyes, killing him as he pleased!”

“Now, he should be no weaker than the Empress!”

How strong was the Empress?

No one knew. She was the stabilizing force of the entire Great Qi. No matter what difficulties arose, as long as the Empress acted, they could be resolved.

This included the several times the experts sent by the Holy Heaven Demon Sect failed to stop her!

Minister of Justice Shen’s strength could actually rival the Empress’s?

Hiss!!!

Everyone gasped, a sense of unimaginable shock rising from the bottom of their hearts.

“Minister of Justice Shen’s strength has actually become this formidable?”

“How is this possible? When he left, he was only at the Divine Profound Realm!”

From Divine Profound to Heavenly Phenomenon Realm in one year?

Incredible?

Unbelievable?

No words could describe his Prodigy-like nature!

Li Tongshen was actually uncertain, but considering the speed of Shen Tianxing’s Cultivation advancement, he felt that any change was possible.

“The Lord cannot be judged by common sense. By the way, after you’ve eaten the meat, hurry and find a place to go into seclusion for Cultivation. The medicinal properties, once activated, are quite terrifying!”

Li Tongshen suddenly changed the subject, remembering the intense medicinal properties of the Tortoise Dragon meat, and quickly reminded them.

As soon as his words fell, Qin Zhanfeng and the others, who had not yet recovered from the previous shock, suddenly changed their expressions.

“I feel a powerful surge of Qi within my body. It’s too hot! No... I’ll take my leave first!”

Ling Feiyang, who had eaten the most and had the lowest Cultivation among them, was the first to react.

He was drenched in sweat, his skin crimson, terrifyingly so!

As his words fell, he immediately dropped the remaining food and flashed away.

Immediately after, Qin Zhanfeng and Gui Bufan’s expressions also changed.

“I feel like I’m about to Breakthrough, Brother Li, let’s talk next time...”

Several ministers of the Three Departments couldn’t bear it anymore. The Tortoise Dragon flesh and blood, rich in essence and potent in medicinal properties, were of great help to them. Absorbing them now was the best option.

One by one, they all ran off, leaving only Li Tongshen, who still held his wine and meat, slowly chewing and eating.

“Tsk, you can’t handle this already?”

“However, you are lucky to have killed this Tortoise Dragon. At least your Cultivation can Breakthrough by one stage.”

“Sigh... The chaotic battle is about to begin again. Lord, what arrangements will you make?”

“This time, I, Old Li, am afraid I won’t be able to hold on!”

...In the Demon and Monster Division.

Three men in brocade robes sat in a private room. Outside the room, peach blossoms bloomed, their fragrance filling the air.

Inside, a small brazier was lit, with a pot on top, meat chunks bubbling within. The rich aroma of meat intertwined with the scent of wine on the table, filling the entire room.

These three men were renowned and highly meritorious throughout the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty!

One was Situ Kuanglei, one was Xie Tianjian, and the other was Xuanyuan Longcheng, who was in charge of the Eight Directions Dragon Suppressing Division and rarely returned to the Imperial City!

The three sat around the stove, drinking wine and eating meat heartily, completely at ease.

Compared to Li Tongshen and the others, they appeared more composed, not as unrestrained.

After all, they were Chief Directors of the Three Departments; an image had to be maintained.

“Marshal, you specifically returned from the Nanyuan Domain this time. Have you received any news? Have you met Your Majesty?”

Situ Kuanglei, while eating large chunks of meat, did not forget to ask about the current situation in the Nanyuan Domain.

After last year’s battle, with the resolution of Prince Pei, the biggest problem figure in the Nanyuan Domain, there should have been no more trouble.

However, the movements of the Southern Buddha Dynasty prompted the Empress to leave a contingency plan: the Eight Directions Dragon Suppressing Division, an Imperial Dynasty Sharp Weapon!

With the Eight Directions Dragon Suppressing Division there, the Nanyuan Domain could be suppressed, and the border would be secure.

Xuanyuan Longcheng shook his head, “Your Majesty is in seclusion and has not yet been able to grant an audience. It will probably be a few more days before she emerges.”

“The Nanyuan Domain currently has no major enemies, but Demons and ghost Cultivators are repeatedly invading, appearing with increasing frequency in the shadows. I fear that another period of turmoil is not far off.”

Situ Kuanglei and Xie Tianjian frowned upon hearing this.

That area was too vast, and it was actually very difficult to guard, not only because of its size but also because of the sheer lack of manpower.

The advantage was that, apart from the ancient road leading from the Nanyuan Domain to the Southern Buddha Dynasty, there wouldn't be too many Demons or ghost Cultivators appearing in other directions, and large-scale invasions by armies from other Imperial Dynasties were even less likely.

“In last year’s battle, the Southern Buddha Dynasty was already eyeing us covetously. If not for Your Majesty and Minister of Justice Shen defeating the strong and breaking the backbone of the Demon and ghost Cultivator Sects, they would have likely acted long ago.”

“Now it seems they truly have ulterior motives and are beginning to stir again!”

Xie Tianjian personally participated in that battle and knew how perilous it was.

If problems arose again in the Nanyuan Domain, it might lead to another great upheaval.

Xuanyuan Longcheng waved his hand and said, “The Southern Buddha Dynasty is not the problem. The trouble lies with the alliance of more than a dozen Imperial Dynasty forces. Even if we repelled them a few times, they will not give up.”

“I estimate that after several months with no progress, the Holy Heaven Demon Sect people will not continue to wait.”

“Reinforcements are inevitable. Although our Great Qi is currently strong in military power and has deep Cultivator foundations, we cannot be unprepared.”

“If Minister of Justice Shen were here, he would surely have a good strategy. What a pity...”

At the thought of Shen Tianxing, Xuanyuan Longcheng’s mood instantly darkened by three points.

Entering the Outer Sea with Divine Profound Cultivation, experiencing life and death at every step, though he unbound the Blood Soul Demonic Seal, he had to enter the Inner Sea. Every experience made one admire him.

Xuanyuan Longcheng rarely admired anyone, and Shen Tianxing was one of the few young men who could make him feel respect.

“Didn’t that boy Li Tongshen say? The current Minister of Justice Shen is not what he used to be. His Cultivation is so strong that it surpasses all of us. There’s no point in us worrying about him; he has more ideas than we do.”

“It’s already not easy for him to send back an expert like Li Tongshen. I think he must be facing even greater difficulties in the Inner Sea than we are.”

Situ Kuanglei, this seemingly rough man, was not truly rough; he was actually meticulous!

In his opinion, Shen Tianxing’s arrangement for Li Tongshen to return was certainly to avoid disaster, having outwitted those top forces in the Inner Sea so they couldn’t find him.

Xie Tianjian, beside him, took a sip of wine and said quietly, “In my opinion, Marshal’s return this trip should be for defensive matters, right?”

“News has come that the Southern Buddha Dynasty invited more than a dozen Imperial Dynasty rulers a few days ago, and there should be movement very soon.”

“Exactly!”

Xuanyuan Longcheng was noncommittal, stirring the chopsticks in the hot pot, the boiling water rolling.

“The border situation is now like the soup in this pot. The soldiers and civilians there are living in dire straits. They face too many Demons and ghost Cultivators.”

“Coupled with the constant assaults from the armies of over ten Imperial Dynasties, people will always die tragically. We cannot sit idly by!”

“I, this old man, want to petition Your Majesty to prepare for a surprise attack at any time, to catch them off guard!”

As soon as these words were uttered, Xie Tianjian and Situ Kuanglei couldn't help but look at him, a hint of surprise in their eyes!

Ordinary thinking would certainly not conceive of an active offensive strategy, after all, the risk was too great!

It was already not easy for one Imperial Dynasty to repel more than a dozen Imperial Dynasties several times simultaneously.

This old fellow actually wanted to launch a surprise attack?

Once it failed, did he know what they would face?

It could very likely lead to the rapid collapse of the Great Qi army, and the entire Great Qi would plunge into war. The impact at that time would be something even they, the Chief Directors of the Three Departments, would be unable to remedy!

“Marshal, are you confident?”

“Imperial Dynasty military strength is not terrifying. What is terrifying are the Demons and ghost Cultivators hidden in the dark, as well as those mysterious experts who require Your Majesty’s personal intervention to deter!”

“Your Majesty is currently in seclusion. If there is even a slight mishap, none of us will be able to turn the tide!”

Xie Tianjian was very clear-headed. Although the moment he heard this news, he also felt extremely incredible.

But who was Xuanyuan Longcheng?

The Marshal of a nation, commanding the Eight Directions Dragon Suppressing Division, his military strategies were perfected. The fact that these dozen Imperial Dynasty forces were suppressed in one place, wasn't that his achievement?

If anyone else dared to suggest taking the initiative, they would certainly be ridiculed to death!

But when Xuanyuan Longcheng said it, no one would not take it seriously!

“I, this old man, have no other choice!”

Xuanyuan Longcheng put down his chopsticks, his gaze deep, and said, “If we don’t take the initiative to attack, we won’t be able to disrupt their arrangements, and it will be even more impossible to defeat them one by one.”

“We absolutely cannot continue to follow their rhythm!”

This was precisely what Xuanyuan Longcheng was worried about!

The longer the delay, the more disadvantageous it would be for the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty, with no benefits whatsoever.

Situ Kuanglei and Xie Tianjian both frowned deeply.

This drink today was about making a stand. Xuanyuan Longcheng specifically came to them, hoping to gain their support to jointly persuade the Empress.

Xuanyuan Longcheng’s idea was truly too bold!

Even they, upon hearing it, felt their hearts pounding.

If it succeeded, all was well. Once it failed, it would be utter damnation!

“Chief Director, Your Majesty has a decree, summoning the Chief Directors of the Three Departments and the Marshal to the palace for an audience!”

At this moment, a clear voice sounded from outside the private room. This voice belonged to the person Situ Kuanglei had left outside; any matter would first be reported to him before reaching Situ Kuanglei.

“Your Majesty has emerged from seclusion. Let’s go to the palace together!”