337: In the name of Taifu, I collect rare treasures from all over the world!

Chapter 335: In the Name of the Grand Tutor, Gather the World's Rare Treasures!

Inside Yuji Hall, overturned incense burners and court boards were scattered across the gilded floor tiles.

"Get out, all of you!"

Emperor Qianxi's roar exploded in the hall, and most of the court officials scattered in a panic as if granted amnesty, their official robes fluttering.

Only then did the entire court realize that what they considered an ironclad case was merely a lie that could be shattered with a single poke in the face of true power.

What evidence, what laws, in the eyes of this Supreme Grandmaster, were merely ants that could be crushed at will!

In the blink of an eye, only a handful of people remained in the vast hall!

Zhao Xian's body trembled slightly beneath his purple robe, Sun Lingyuan's golden armor was covered in dust, while Zhang Zhaoran slumped to the ground, his official hat askew.

"Commander Sun!"

Zhao Xian suddenly turned, his voice terrifyingly low, "Ningxue... what exactly happened?"

Sun Lingyuan's Adam's apple bobbed. His cultivation at the mid-Grandmaster stage seemed so insignificant under Zhao Xian's pressure.

Only then did he realize that the Prime Minister, the head of the civil officials before him, was actually surging with the terrifying aura of a Grandmaster at Major Accomplishment!

"De... dead..." Sun Lingyuan squeezed out the two words with difficulty.

Surprisingly, Zhao Xian did not erupt in rage.

He slowly closed his eyes, the wrinkles on his face seemingly deepening.

When he opened his eyes again, only chilling calmness remained in those turbid old eyes.

"Good... very good..."

Zhao Xian murmured softly, his fingertips having dug into his palm at some point, blood dripping down the cuff of his purple robe.

"Lu Xuan, that old scoundrel... you forced my hand..."

Emperor Qianxi watched this scene, suddenly feeling a bone-chilling coldness—

Only then did he realize that perhaps... he had never truly understood this old official who had accompanied him for decades.

Gradually, Emperor Qianxi slowly closed his eyes, his knuckles digging deep indentations into the gilded dragon chair, veins bulging savagely on the back of his hands.

"Beloved Minister Zhao... please accept my condolences."

This low whisper seemed to come from the netherworld, carrying a chilling calmness.

The Emperor suddenly opened his bloodshot eyes again, a surging undercurrent of madness in his pupils.

"Trouble Beloved Minister Zhao to tell those two... their conditions."

"I agree."

Every word from Emperor Qianxi seemed squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with deep-seated hatred.

"If that's not enough—"

Emperor Qianxi suddenly ripped off the dragon pendant from his waist and smashed it on the ground, "The six northern commanderies, I will cede them to the Wan Chu Dynasty!"

"The price is to have that National Preceptor of the Wan Chu Dynasty take action and kill Lu Xuan for me!"

The sound of shattering jade exploded in the hall, and the few important officials remaining in the hall were struck as if by lightning.

Zhang Zhaoran, Chen Jiequan, and others directly slumped to the ground, Sun Lingyuan's body beneath his golden armor trembling violently.

Your Majesty is going to shake the foundation of the nation!

"I want nothing now, only one outcome—"

Emperor Qianxi suddenly erupted, his dragon robe billowing like a raging dragon gone mad, "Lu Xuan must die!"

The mad roar echoed within Yuji Hall, and the imperial desk was overturned in response.

Under the sunlight, only the bloodshot eyes on the dragon chair gleamed with terrifying red light.

The gilded pillars in the hall reflected Emperor Qianxi's ferocious face.

The "those two" he spoke of!

They were precisely the other two Supreme Grandmasters of the Great Qian Dynasty—Abbot Huanmie of Baoxiang Temple and True Person Xuyang of Qingyang Sect.

Although these two were not in the imperial court, they were like two great mountains weighing on Emperor Qianxi's heart.

Baoxiang Temple stood on Mount Yunyin, a hundred miles east of Qianning City, its golden roof shining brightly under the morning sun.

Three thousand warrior monks trained day and night, their staff shadows like a forest.

A hundred thousand believers prostrated themselves in worship, the sound of chanting scriptures never ceasing throughout the day.

The stone tablet inscribed "Pure Land of the Buddha Kingdom" in front of the mountain gate had long been polished smooth and shiny by countless pilgrims.

And in the Qingming mountain range, a hundred and eighty miles west of the city, the Qingyang Sect's Chengxiao Palace was built along the mountain, with seventy-two Taoist temples scattered throughout.

Every day at the Chen hour, the sound waves from tens of thousands of green-robed Taoists chanting the "Qingyang Sutra" together could disperse the morning mist in the mountains.

In the market at the foot of the mountain, believers wearing yin-yang fish talismans could be seen everywhere, and even government runners had to show deference to the sect's deacons.

The power of these two factions was like giant pythons coiled on either side of the royal domain, the sounds of temple bells and Taoist chimes faintly audible.

"They want commandery land?"

"They want believers?"

Emperor Qianxi suddenly let out a sinister laugh.

"I will give it to them!"

Hearing this, a sharp light burst forth in Zhao Xian's turbid eyes.

He knew better than anyone what this meant—allowing the two major sects to claim territory and govern themselves was tantamount to burying two sharp knives in the heartland of the Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, think thrice!" Sun Lingyuan couldn't help but speak up, "The late Emperor was afraid of..."

"The late Emperor?"

Emperor Qianxi interrupted sharply, the golden thread python pattern on the cuff of his dragon robe trembling violently, "Did the late Emperor ever think that one day my imperial decree would not be able to leave this Qianning City?"

Dead silence filled the hall.

Everyone understood that Emperor Qianxi was planning to drink poison to quench his thirst.

But now, the sharp sword hanging over their heads, Lu Xuan and the Lu Family's Mighty Tiger Army, made them more restless than the threat of those two hundreds of miles away.

"Draft the decree."

Emperor Qianxi spoke word by word, "Dongyang Commandery is granted to Baoxiang Temple, and Xishan Commandery is given to Qingyang Sect."

"Furthermore, it is granted... that the two sects may collect taxes and recruit soldiers themselves."

This last sentence made even Zhao Xian gasp—this was giving away the lifeblood of the Dynasty!

But looking at the Emperor on the dragon chair, who was acting like a madman, who dared to say another word?

At this moment, Emperor Qianxi was like a gambler who had lost his mind, willing to pawn the nation just to put Lu Xuan to death!

Lu Family.

The secret chamber, which was empty yesterday, was now piled high with radiant and colorful rare treasures—

Those heavenly materials and earthly treasures, only heard of in legends, were now piled casually like ordinary items.

Most striking was the pile of oddly shaped metal blocks in the corner.

Some gleamed with a faint blue cold light, while others were covered in mysterious patterns, their colors changing on their own under the illumination of the firelight.

On the other side, thousand-year-old spirit ganoderma were piled up like mountains, the one at the very top even having taken on a human form, its rootlets hanging down like white hair.

"Jinyun."

A voice made the dazed Lu Jinyun suddenly snap back to attention.

He saw Lu Xuan casually toss over a golden token, which drew a dazzling golden streak through the air.

"Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces Command Token?"

Lu Jinyun caught it in a flurry, the icy touch in his palm making him tremble all over.

This golden token, capable of mobilizing a million troops, was now casually thrown to him like an ordinary token.

"From today onwards, you will be in charge of the Lu Family."

Lu Xuan walked towards the depths of the secret chamber without looking back, the hem of his purple robe sweeping across those priceless treasures.

"Remember—"

"On behalf of Father, gather the world's strange weapons and rare artifacts, as well as these great tonics."

"If anyone obstructs you, kill without mercy!"

Lu Xuan suddenly stopped, a piece of strange, entirely crimson iron slipping from his sleeve.

The moment that iron block landed, the temperature in the entire secret vault suddenly rose.

"These are the real treasures."

"Go out."

After dismissing everyone, Lu Xuan skillfully checked the System panel!

Host: Red Dust Immortal Lu Xuan (First Life)

Realm: Supreme Grandmaster (Xiaocheng)

Cultivation Method: Tiger Split Blade Technique 9/9

Points: 1

Heaven and Earth spiritual energy detected, extract?

Extract!

The crimson iron block in Lu Xuan's hand instantly turned into gray, withered dust, scattering on the ground.

Host: Red Dust Immortal Lu Xuan (First Life)

Realm: Supreme Grandmaster (Xiaocheng)

Cultivation Method: Tiger Split Blade Technique 9/9 (Can be deduced)

Points: 501

Consume 300 System points to deduce Tiger Split Blade Technique?

Gained 500 System points.

Lu Xuan was not in a hurry to deduce the cultivation method, but instead locked his gaze onto the remaining items.

These were all things Lu Xuan had personally touched, all good things that could yield System points.

A month later, in the main hall of the Lu Family, a sense of oppression permeated the lingering sandalwood incense.

"Father has been in seclusion for a full month and hasn't come out..."

Lu Jinhua clenched the sword at his waist, the bright pearl on the sword tassel creaking as he squeezed it.

"Second Brother, do you think..."

"Third Brother, don't talk nonsense!"

Lu Jinyun slammed the table, causing the tea cup on it to jump.

The Grand Marshal's golden token hanging at his waist swayed along with it, casting a dazzling light and shadow in the morning sun.

"Father Prefect Hong is a Grandmaster of this era, how could he..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Jinwu suddenly interrupted, "Second Brother, but Uncle Li said that Father did show signs of cultivation deviation that day!"

The flame pattern on his Vermilion Bird battle robe moved without wind, "Didn't you notice?"

"Father's behavior nearly a month ago..."

The words stopped abruptly here.

The four looked at each other, all seeing the deep-seated fear in each other's eyes—

The Father who killed and chatted in the imperial court was like a different person from the strict Father in their memories who disciplined himself and adhered to rites.

Sudden hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Several guards stationed at the Lu Family's secret vault stumbled in, their aged faces full of panic.

"Family Head Prefect Hong, Third Master, Fourth Master, Fifth Master, the secret vault... the secret vault suddenly has an anomaly!"

Lu Jinyun and the others suddenly rose.

Through the carved window lattice, they saw dark clouds swirling above the back courtyard, with faint golden and red lights intertwining within the clouds.

Even more terrifying was the suffocating pressure, which made their blood surge even through several layers of courtyards.

The golden token in Lu Jinyun's hand suddenly became hot like a branding iron. He stared intently at the pillar of light that pierced the sky and earth, suddenly remembering Father's final instruction.

"Unless it is an emergency, do not enter!"

This terrifying anomaly instead made him feel a little relieved—at least it proved that Father was still cultivating, and not...

"It's fine."

Lu Jinyun said in a deep voice, his fingertips gently stroking the scorched mark on the golden token, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, the urgent matter is to continue collecting the heavenly and earthly wonders that Father needs."

Lu Jinhua rose abruptly, his Vermilion Bird battle robe flapping in the surge of True Qi, "Second Brother, rest assured, in the past month we have confiscated the secret Tibetan of seventy renowned families."

A cold light flickered in his eyes, "Especially the Li Family in Hulugu City, that 'Nine Nether Underworld Orchid', their Family Head actually dared to resist with his life..."

"Fifty thousand Black Tortoise Guards have leveled the Li Family ancestral home."

Lu Chang replied coldly, his Black Tortoise iron armor still bearing undried bloodstains, "Unfortunately, only half a stalk was found..."

Sudden hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A personal guard, covered in blood, rushed in, "Report!"

"Those bald donkeys from Baoxiang Temple robbed us of three carts of strange stones!"

"Crack!"

The green jade tea cup in Lu Jinyun's hand instantly shattered, the hot tea steaming into white mist from the Killing Intent erupting around him before it even hit the ground.

A bloody cold light flashed in the eyes of the four simultaneously—that was the fierce glint only seen when a wild beast is enraged.

"Good, very good."

Lu Jinyun slowly rose, "This Family Head hasn't gone to find them yet, and they've come to court death first."

A trace of apprehension flashed in Lu Jinhua's eyes, "Second Brother, that old bald donkey Huanmie from Baoxiang Temple, and that Xuyang old bull-nose from Qingyang Sect, after all, they are..."

"Third Brother, Father Prefect Hong instructed that anyone who dares to cause trouble shall be killed without mercy!"

"Order the Tiger Guards, muster a hundred thousand troops."

Lu Jinyun slowly rose, the sword at his waist unsheathing three inches on its own, "This Family Head will personally meet with this group of... bald donkeys who don't know death."

"Jinchang, quickly go report to Uncle Li!"

"Also, ask for instructions from Father Prefect Hong!"

Meanwhile, within the imperial court, undercurrents surged.

"The Lu Family is going to rebel!"

Chen Jiequan, the Minister of War, slammed the secret report heavily onto the table, making the teacups clatter.

"In just one month, they have plundered seventy renowned families, even ancient families like the Li Family..."

"Silence!" Zhao Xian shouted sharply, yet could not conceal the slightly trembling hands in his sleeves.

Fine beads of sweat had already seeped from the forehead of this Great Qian Prime Minister!

If the Lu Family truly succeeded in their rebellion, the first to be purged would definitely be him, the current Prime Minister.

He hasn't even avenged his daughter yet?

Inside Qiansheng Palace, Emperor Qianxi was pacing back and forth restlessly, his dragon boots making messy sounds on the golden bricks.

"Beloved Minister Zhao!"

Emperor Qianxi suddenly turned, his eyes bloodshot, "When exactly will those two esteemed Seniors arrive?"

"Could it be that my sincerity in ceding a commandery is still not enough?"

Zhao Xian hastily knelt, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold floor tiles, "Your Majesty is wise, this old official sent someone with the imperial decree a month ago."

"Master Huanmie of Baoxiang Temple is in seclusion, and True Person Xuyang of Qingyang Sect..." his Adam's apple bobbed, "It is said he is diligently comprehending the Great Dao."

A sudden cold wind rose outside the hall, withered yellow paulownia leaves slapping against the window lattice, making a rustling sound, like the whisper of death.

"Report!"

Several imperial guards rushed into the main hall in panic, "Lu Family Head Prefect Hong, Lu Jinyun, personally led a hundred thousand Tiger Guards towards Baoxiang Temple!"

Hearing this, the jade thumb ring in Emperor Qianxi's hand shattered into powder with a "crack".

Just at this critical moment—

"Amitabha."

"Boundless Heavenly Venerate."

Two figures appeared like phantoms at the hall entrance.

The old monk on the left, wearing a purple-gold kasaya, had invisible currents of energy surging beneath his feet with every step he took.

The Taoist on the right, with white hair like a crane and a youthful face, was surrounded by faint azure cloud energy.

"Two Seniors!"

Seeing this, Emperor Qianxi, disregarding his imperial dignity, stumbled forward to meet them, "I..."

Master Huanmie held up his palm with one hand, the prayer beads on his wrist moving without wind, "Your Majesty, do not worry."

"This old monk has already stationed monks on Mount Yunyin, just waiting for those juniors from the Lu Family to walk into the trap."

True Person Xuyang lightly swept his whisk, a sharp light bursting forth in his eyes, "Once Lu Jinyun and the four are captured, using them as bait..."

He made a strangling gesture, "Are you still afraid that Grand Tutor Lu won't fall for it?"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's eyes burst forth with terrifying sharp light, uttering several words in succession.

"If the two Seniors can slay this villain—"

"I will immediately issue a decree, conferring upon the two of you the title of National Protecting Sacred Masters of my Great Qian!"

"Enjoy the incense of ten thousand people, and receive offerings for a thousand years!"