Zhanzhou Prefecture is located in the eastern part of the Northern Border, bordering multiple state prefectures. It has well-developed land routes, frequented by cultivators and commoners for trade. It has always been a prosperous land.

Compared to the desolate neighboring Qingzhou Prefecture, this stark contrast feels somewhat absurd.

When Han Yu and others entered, the sun had just risen, but the city was already bustling. Vendors called out along the streets, and shops were opening one after another.

"These Palace Guards are quite unique."

A group of Palace Guards, armed with blade and sword, were leaving the city just as Han Yu noticed them, exclaiming in surprise.

The reason was simple: the Palace Guards were all cultivators. Even if their cultivation was low, it was still a rare sight.

It was understandable for cultivators to seek experience by aligning with the Imperial Court, but to serve as minor officials? What for?

Could it be that the life in the mountains is too leisurely? Are they looking for hardship?

Ou Mingdong, however, was not surprised by such a scene and merely smiled upon hearing Han Yu's words.

"Those are cultivators trained by the Imperial Court itself, not sect cultivators; they should be called court cultivators."

Han Yu had always thought that the Imperial Court represented only mundane power, and this was the first time he heard of court cultivators.

He had never considered that there would naturally be a reason for the court to suppress most sects in many aspects.

The other two also seemed unsurprised.

"Did you think the power of the Imperial Court only relied on those mortal armies?"

Ou Mingdong asked in astonishment. These things are something every disciple of the Nine Great Sects should know, how could Han Yu not know?

Indeed, he suspected Han Yu was also a disciple of the Nine Great Sects, perhaps one of those few disciples heavily cultivated by the Upper Three Sects.

At this moment, the more Ou Mingdong looked at Han Yu, the stranger he felt about him. Which sect cultivated such an extraordinary disciple without teaching him any common sense?

Nanli Sword Studio? Impossible, they only accept female disciples.

Galan Temple? That place is full of grand monks, and Han Yu, being neither bald nor mundane, would surely ruin Galan Temple's reputation!

After thinking over, Piaomiao City seemed the most likely. They were known for producing extraordinary cultivators, and most of the talents in the Cultivator Realm came from there. Although Piaomiao City never admitted it, who among the remaining Eight Sects didn't acknowledge it as the strongest? If Han Yu was from Piaomiao City, everything would make sense.

On the other side, Huangfu Liang took over the conversation, speaking eloquently.

"Over a hundred years ago, the court intended to select suitable individuals from the military for cultivation. Although its influence is not as great as the Major Sects now, it's enough to deter those middle and small sects."

"However, currently, the court's cultivators are still relatively weak and generally only used in relatively important state prefectures. For the rest, they still rely on sect disciples to guard."

Han Yu suddenly realized that the court had such dealings with the Cultivator Realm.

Truly unexpected.

You Li, listening to their heated discussion, interjected as well.

"In recent years, it's said that the court has been closely connected with the Nine Great Sects, likely plotting something. I've heard the court gave Unparalleled Tower a vein, is it true?"

Ou Mingdong immediately felt embarrassed, such words weren't easy to respond to. How could he talk about sect secrets so openly? Can this really be discussed publicly?

Then suddenly, he realized, how did she know that?

Just as Ou Mingdong didn't know how to respond, You Li started to speak again.

"It's said that the court granted a prefecture's land near Langya Mountain as a dojo, and the area within a hundred miles of Langya Mountain has actually been given away."

Now it was Huangfu Liang's turn to feel awkward. This wasn't easy to reply to either. Then he, too, felt immensely puzzled. These matters hadn't been publicized, yet she seemed to know them without any concealment.

He exchanged a glance with Ou Mingdong, both displaying expressions of disbelief in their eyes.

"Tch! How could these things possibly stay hidden? Mo Family got a promise, while Dragon and Phoenix Palace received a princess for an alliance through marriage."

"Star Moon Pavilion wants to borrow a year's fortune, while Qinglan Sect seeks a Divine Weapon Four Imperial Swords from a previous dynasty."

You Li could elaborately reveal the secrets of six sects, astonishing everyone present.

"What did the Upper Three Sects get?"

Ou Mingdong and Huangfu Liang both asked simultaneously. Since they're revealing secrets, they shouldn't leave out the three sects. Why not just spill everything?

This feeling of probing into the secrets of the Upper Three Sects was indeed a bit thrilling.

You Li smiled, raising her eyebrows cheerfully and spoke casually.

"For this, you two better trade secrets for information. I only know what the six sects received, but I do not yet know what the six sects have to give in return."

The two immediately silenced themselves, smiling awkwardly and waving their hands.

They stopped asking, realizing this curiosity was unwarranted.

"Do you think someone of my level could know such crucial matters in the sect? You're giving me too much credit."

Huangfu Liang said with a wry smile.

Ou Mingdong also shook his head at You Li, indeed considering them too highly. If not for the sect's high ranks, who would be privy to such matters?

Han Yu marveled in disbelief, never expecting the ties between the court and the Cultivator Realm to run so deep.

He always thought the court was the court, and the Cultivator Realm was the Cultivator Realm.

Yet, with so many overlapping interests, the relationship between the two is indeed very delicate.

Both sides exchange benefits, surely each has much they aim for in the other.

——

Though Liu Yaoyao did not know the extent of Yan Bing's ambitions, she knew the Dragon Blood Stone would undoubtedly move him.

When she hurried back, travel-weary, she immediately headed into the sect and inquired straight away, quickly heading towards a rockery.

Amidst the pavilion and towers, peach blossoms flourished everywhere. Beneath the small bridges, artificial streams flowed gently, accompanied by laughter and the sound of splashing water.

After passing the rockery, Liu Yaoyao found someone under a giant peach tree.

By the stream, a handsome and elegant man lay with his head resting on the stream bank, his lower body submerged in the water, attended by several beautiful women.

One carefully lifted his head to rest on her soft thigh, while another fed him grapes with her mouth.

Beneath the water, several women, clothed in mere gauze, frolicked in the stream. As the water splashed onto their sheer garments, their elusive silhouettes became visible.

"Se…senior brother."

Liu Yaoyao called hesitantly, inherently fearful of this senior brother.

Despite seeing him having fun with many women, it wouldn't take a month before these women were likely to end up as corpses in the wilderness.

Yan Bing had a habit that the women he played with never lasted more than a month, after which they all had to die.

Within the sect, which junior sisters weren't afraid of him?

But still, this senior brother was never short of women.

Hearing a sound, Yan Bing slightly raised his head, squinting his eyes in her direction.

A chill immediately emanated, a feeling stemming not only from cultivation but from a hunter's gaze fixed on its prey.

Yan Bing did remember Liu Yaoyao somewhat.

After all, the nickname Four Gentlemen of the Evil Path was most amusing. Honestly, Yan Bing admired Liu Yaoyao quite a bit.

Targeting fellow cultivators of the Evil Path was indeed interesting.

In fact, what he did was no different. Weren't these ever-changing women also people of the Evil Path? With a slight tease, they all flocked to him.

The difference between him and Liu Yaoyao was that those who suffered a loss dared to curse her, but never dared to gossip about him.

Liu Yaoyao felt uneasy under his gaze, but at the thought of the Dragon Blood Stone, she could only steel herself and speak slowly.

"I have a business proposition that I would like your help with, senior brother."

"Not interested!"

Before Liu Yaoyao could finish, Yan Bing immediately waved her off and continued resting his head on a thigh, closing his eyes.

After a moment, Liu Yaoyao still stood there.

"Still not leaving?"

"I guarantee you'll be interested, senior brother."

Liu Yaoyao looked up at him and spoke earnestly.

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