"You just saw it too. His brilliance is too dazzling, attracting too much attention. On his first return to the city, he encountered an assassination attempt. Even the Martial Saint, who hadn’t appeared for years, intervened and showed his divine might because of him!" Wang Shouyi paused for a moment and continued, "The Martial Saint acted on his behalf. It shows how much he is valued. If he can survive, his future is limitless. No one in this world can surpass him."

"But the premise is that he can survive!" Wang Shouyi went on, "He has attracted the attention of the world’s strong, becoming the biggest vortex in the world. Even getting close to him will envelop you in a shroud of death!"

"If that Martial Saint can still live for a long time, with his protection, this Dongling Marquis might have the chance to grow to that day!"

"But the Martial Saint, invincible for over eight hundred years, has little time left. Even if those people don’t dare to provoke the invincible strong man now, once the Martial Saint dies, their actions will be as swift as thunder."

"By that time, the situation the Dongling Marquis faces will be no less dangerous than that faced by the former Martial Saint. How can he survive?"

"If you get entangled with him again and are affected, there is only a path to death."

"You might not even last until that day!"

"If your relationship with him gets out, do you think people won’t use you to threaten him?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qintan remained silent.

She knew her father’s words were not untrue.

From today onward, the world’s eyes are on Jiang Ning.

Wherever Jiang Ning is, that’s where the vortex is.

She also admitted that if that day truly came, it would be difficult for Jiang Ning to get through it.

No one in this world wants to see another person rise to be invincible as the Martial Saint was for nearly a thousand years.

No one wants to go through hibernation for a thousand years again.

Once the Martial Saint passes away, those with the potential might all be targeted.

Thinking of these things made her eyes even more resolute.

"Tan’er, do you understand?" Wang Shouyi asked.

"Father, I have my own ideas," Wang Qintan replied.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouyi looked into her eyes.

"Sigh—" he suddenly let out a sigh, then shook his head, "You and your mother have the same temperament!"

"Father, some paths should be chosen by ourselves!" Wang Qintan’s eyes were determined.

Wang Shouyi sighed again, then shook his head, "I was right. More has happened between you and him than I imagined."

...

On the other side.

After sending off Wang Shouyi, Shen Wenyan, and others, Jiang Ning called for Lv Yi and instructed her to go out and find Xie Xiaojiu and the others.

He is about to leave Dongling City, and the city must have reliable confidants left behind.

Xie Xiaojiu and these people have followed him for a long time, loyal and trustworthy, and with his careful cultivation, they are now capable of holding their own in Dongling City.

After this period of sedimentation, their foundation must be deeper, making it an opportune time for further nurturing.

Now, he himself has undergone nine blood transfusions, and is a Second Grade Great Grandmaster.

Contained within his flesh is extraordinary energy.

Even the power contained in just a single drop of blood, if fully unleashed, is enough to evaporate an entire pond.

And if his Divine Skill of Heart Tribulation Fire is fully released, it can propel him into higher realms, unleashing earth-shattering power.

...

Moments later.

Zhou Xing, Xie Xiaojiu, and Feng Jiuge appeared simultaneously at the front gate of Jiang Ning’s residence.

Looking at the building ahead, Zhou Xing couldn’t help but clench his hands tightly in secret.

Incredibly excited.

Excited for the choice he made long ago.

To this day, he has realized how correct his choice was back then.

Since the founding of Great Xia, the youngest Martial Champion, the most monstrous genius, Dongling Marquis, Zeshan State Patrol Envoy, a person favored by the Martial Saint.

Each of these titles represents unparalleled glory.

And now, all of these converge on one person.

He originally thought that now that Jiang Ning had come this far, he wouldn’t give a second look to their former subordinates.

Unexpectedly, he was called over by a maid from Jiang Ning’s residence.

Walking all the way here, he thought about a lot.

A decision he had already made in his heart.

Danger?

To climb to the peak of life, to traverse new worlds, how could there be no danger?

Now following in Jiang Ning’s footsteps, although there is danger.

But he also knows, this is equally an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He has watched Jiang Ning’s rise step by step.

The shock from the intelligence does not compare to the intense impact from witnessing it step by step.

He knows, as long as Jiang Ning ultimately succeeds, he too can rise to the skies, no longer just a minor owner of Zhou’s Pharmacy in Luoshui County.

The future’s Grandmaster seat, there’s no telling his place might be vacant for him.

Such opportunities, regardless of the risks, he must seize, must fight for.

In life, how many times do you get to take a gamble?

If successful, you’ll see a new horizon.

If failed, it’s just one life lost.

Zhou’s Pharmacy will still be Zhou’s Pharmacy.

There will just be one less Zhou Xing striving outside.

He believed that if this opportunity were presented, countless people would scramble for it.

And now this opportunity was right in front of him; how could he not seize it firmly?

In a lifetime, this was what he sought.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind as he followed Lv Yi to the slightly open mansion gate.

Sigh—

He let out a long breath gently.

"Miss Lv Yi, please lead the way!" Zhou Xing said respectfully.

"The three of you, please follow me; the Marquis should have been waiting for quite some time!" Lv Yi pushed open the slightly open mansion gate and then spoke.

A moment later.

The three of them passed through the front courtyard and the connecting corridors and courtyards until they stepped into the east courtyard, only to see Jiang Ning standing by the lakeside pavilion.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning, the three of them felt a chill in their hearts.

Jiang Ning was dressed in a purple python robe, with a marquis seal hanging from his waist, his long hair tied up, eyelids closed, and his whole body emitting a hazy white light.

This white light was very special, not visible to their eyes but seemed to manifest in their hearts.

Looking at Jiang Ning by the lakeside pavilion, with his purple python robe exuding nobility, Feng Jiuge immediately closed her eyes.

Within just one breath, she opened her eyes again, filled with intense fascination.

Zhou Xing also closed his eyes, and within half a breath, he opened them again.

"I wonder what kind of Divine Palace the Marquis is cultivating that reflects within the soul." He murmured softly.

"For the Marquis to reach this step, naturally, we can’t understand!" Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning with complex emotions and murmured softly.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes and glanced over the panel.

[Skill]: Spirit Platform Reflects True Self Technique (Great Success 3913/10000)

Then he closed the panel.

"Come over here, all of you!" he said.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge, and Zhou Xing crossed the bridge in the center of the lake and walked toward Jiang Ning.

"Marquis!"

"Greetings, Marquis!"

"We pay respects to the Marquis!"

The three of them came before Jiang Ning and all bowed to him.

"Each of you, have a drink." Jiang Ning pointed to the three wine cups on the table.

The three of them were immediately drawn to the three wine cups on the table.

The wine in the cups was calm, exhibiting a golden color.

At that moment, the wine aroma wafted to their noses, instantly stirring a desire within them.

This desire was like that of a thirsty traveler in a desert seeing a refreshing spring, like a beggar starving for three days and nights seeing a fragrant roasted chicken.

Gulp—

Xie Xiaojiu couldn’t help but swallow.

Then she stepped forward.

She picked up her wine cup and drank it all in one go.

Feng Jiuge and Zhou Xing followed closely behind.

In just a breath, Jiang Ning felt his control over the three of them increase significantly.

Their current achievements came mostly from his gifts.

With just a thought, he could strip them of the power he bestowed upon them.

And this deprivation could take away their lives in an instant.

After more than ten breaths, Xie Xiaojiu was the first to open her eyes, and the turmoil within her body calmed down.

Following closely, Zhou Xing and Feng Jiuge also opened their eyes.

"After you return, practice diligently! Once digested, it will be enough to help you complete the Fifth Grade accumulation!" Jiang Ning said.

"Thank you, Marquis!!" Zhou Xing immediately knelt on one knee to express his gratitude and submission.

Seeing this, Xie Xiaojiu and Feng Jiuge were about to kneel.

Jiang Ning moved his thoughts, fixing their movements.

"No need to kneel!"

"In a couple of days, I’ll leave Dongling City. The affairs of Dongling City, big and small, you must trim and organize, then report to me! When necessary, act decisively; you may act in my name."

With that, Jiang Ning took off the marquis seal from his waist and handed it to Xie Xiaojiu.

"Seeing the seal is akin to seeing me! I believe the people of Dongling City will give face to this."

Xie Xiaojiu immediately took the marquis seal handed by Jiang Ning, her demeanor respectful.

"Yes, Marquis!!"

Seeing this, Zhou Xing also discreetly retracted his gaze. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He didn’t feel envious.

He understood that in this regard, he neither needed nor had the right to compete with Xie Xiaojiu.

He also knew he needed to be compliant and follow orders.

Acting smartly would only lead to self-ruin!