Li Xuanji listened to the report from the soldiers and immediately sent scouts to investigate.

However, those who went never returned.

It turned out that Xu Tianzhi and others from the White Lotus Sect had taken control of the barracks and temporarily remained inactive.

If the scouts wanted to gather information, they had to go to the barracks of the Heaven-Breaking Army.

As soon as a scout sneaked into the barracks, they were immediately captured by the White Lotus Sect members.

Seeing that the scouts did not return, Li Xuanji frowned deeply and dispatched two Gang Condensation Realm martial artists to investigate again. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

...

After Xu Tianzhi and others from the White Lotus Sect gained control over several of Li Xuanji’s barracks,

other remnants of the White Lotus Sect also came one after another, gathering with Xu Tianzhi.

Xu Tianzhi continued southward with other White Lotus Sect members to take control of Li Xuanji’s barracks.

The method of control was simple: killing those who resisted the White Lotus Sect and crippling the strong ones, temporarily imprisoning them.

As for the rest, whether they truly submitted or were coerced into submission, they were left to serve the White Lotus Sect.

Xu Tianzhi didn’t care, just ensuring White Lotus Sect members kept watch over these soldiers to prevent them from sending messages.

Once he had Li Xuanji under his command,

most soldiers, upon seeing their revered commander joining the White Lotus Sect, inevitably developed a desire to follow him.

While taking over the Heaven-Breaking Army, Xu Tianzhi also sent people to preach in small towns and villages, attracting many commoners, especially children, to join the White Lotus Sect.

Only devout followers of the White Lotus Sect could possibly wield the Divine Power of Mother of Wusheng.

If they could indeed wield this power, their strength would significantly increase.

If some children, with sincere devotion, managed to utilize the divine power of Mother of Wusheng,

Xu Tianzhi would allocate many resources to them, training them to become formidable White Lotus Sect members.

The more members they had, the less likely the court soldiers would stand a chance against them.

...

In Jiannan Prefecture City, within the Heaven-Breaking Army Mansion.

Li Xuanji stayed up all night, waiting for news.

The two Gang Condensation Realm martial artists had not returned for a long time.

He did not know what had happened in Celestial River Prefecture.

Those capable of detaining two Gang Condensation Realm martial artists were definitely not weak.

Such individuals or forces were rare in the Liang Country Martial Arts world.

Suddenly, he thought of the long-missing White Lotus Sect Leader Xu Tianzhi, feeling suddenly alert.

"Could it really be the White Lotus Sect?!"

If it truly was Xu Tianzhi of the White Lotus Sect, even with capable martial artists under his command, there was no guarantee of defeating this sect leader.

Just as Li Xuanji was pondering, a scout returned:

"My lord, I discovered that in some towns and villages of Celestial River Prefecture, White Lotus Sect members are preaching."

"It is indeed the White Lotus Sect!"

Li Xuanji frowned and dismissed the scout.

’Indeed, the White Lotus Sect Leader Xu Tianzhi likely practices Extreme Yang Internal Power. The master might be interested.’

’Let me ask the master for help, hoping to overcome this crisis.’

With this in mind, Li Xuanji immediately called a trusted aide to leave a secret mark at the city gates.

...

That night, Su Que finished his cultivation in the Hidden Treasure Cave outside the city, swapped into his scholar’s robe, and returned to Jiannan Prefecture City.

He swept his gaze across the city gate and saw the hidden mark left by Li Xuanji.

’Could it be that someone practicing Extreme Yang Internal Power has been found?’

Su Que wondered as he turned around, using his lightweight skill to seemingly disappear on the spot.

He quickly went to the Hidden Treasure Cave, changed his attire, then used his lightweight skill again to swiftly return to Jiannan Prefecture City and entered the Heaven-Breaking Army Mansion.

"What is the matter?"

Su Que stopped in Li Xuanji’s study, directly asking.

Seeing Su Que dressed in a cloak with a fearsome demon mask, Li Xuanji respectfully saluted him.

Then he recounted the White Lotus Sect’s invasion of the Southern Domain.

Listening, Su Que immediately asked, "Where is Xu Tianzhi?"

Li Xuanji replied, "I really don’t know where his people are."

"However, the White Lotus Sect is preaching all over Celestial River Prefecture and controlling my Heaven-Breaking Army."

"By destroying the White Lotus Sect’s strongholds, we should be able to lure Xu Tianzhi out."

Su Que, hearing this, shook his head: "Even so, it’s not certain you’ll find him."

"Not to mention, even if I destroy the strongholds, for the message to reach Xu Tianzhi would take time."

"And even if he knows, it’s not certain he’ll show up."

"His actions aim to provoke you into a direct confrontation, thereby quickly seizing the Southern Domain."

"It’s better if you immediately raise an army and head to Celestial River Prefecture to confront Xu Tianzhi."

"Only this way can you draw Xu Tianzhi out."

After pondering for a moment, Li Xuanji said, "The master speaks truly."

Then, following Su Que’s advice, he communicated with various barracks, mobilizing troops toward Celestial River Prefecture.

Su Que, knowing Li Xuanji moved at a slow pace, returned to the Hidden Treasure Cave, changed into his scholar’s robe, and headed home.

Two days ago, Su Jing returned, having gained some opportunities from his experiences, and raised his strength to the Middle Stage of Five Blood.

Today, the siblings had planned to have dinner together at home.

Su Que could have dinner and join Li Xuanji’s army at night.

...

After dinner, Su Que heated water for a bath, then sat cross-legged on the bed, cultivating the Dao Heart Demon Planting Technique.

He concentrated on multiple tasks.

First, he activated the Dao Heart Demon Planting Technique, circulating True Qi through his meridians, the Demon Seed emanating a purple glow, illuminating the surrounding world.