Chapter 628: Chapter 608: Protection

The grandmasters who came to assist the Sixteen Families cursed inwardly.

The efficiency of the Demon City Army is truly low!

Even if they had dispatched the order two hours earlier, it wouldn’t have been like this.

The people from the Sixteen Families saw this and completely extinguished any other thoughts.

If it gets publicized that the grandmasters of the Sixteen Families were slaughtered by Zhou Leng, their reputation would surely suffer even more.

One can’t predict what dreadful things netizens might say out of spite.

The innate clicked on the comments, causing everyone to lose their composure.

Because someone had already posted the news of the life-and-death battle, and it had been pushed to the forefront.

“Just got the news, Zhou Leng slaughtered the grandmasters of the Sixteen Families at the Shuizhou Demon City Base.”

Among the replied comments, several with the highest likes were at the top.

“After killing the demon grandmasters, what’s wrong with casually killing some Demon Worship Sect grandmasters!”

“The grandmasters of the Sixteen Families have become so capable that they can now enjoy the same treatment as the demon grandmasters, something they would never have dared in the past.”

“Slandering will surely lead to a bad end.”

The person hastily closed the projection.

The people of the Sixteen Families looked down at the ground, a few of the elders clutching their hearts.

At the Shuizhou Base, Zhou Leng exchanged contact information with numerous grandmasters, first heading to the Ancient River Research Bureau, then boarded the lookout U8L provided by the top, arriving at Ruda.

The management of Ruda convened an emergency meeting to welcome Grandmaster Zhou Leng’s inspection.

As a multiple ambassador between two worlds, Zhou Leng had been appointed by the Supreme Court as the fifth minister of the United Front Department, a candidate for the Grand Assembly, enjoying the treatment of a Grand Assembly member, and his actual status was higher than that of Ruda’s president.

Zhou Leng had no time for pleasantries and stated his purpose clearly.

He wanted Xu Qingjin to go to the Ancient River Research Bureau for protection.

All courses were to be conducted online.

The management of Ruda agreed on the spot, promising full cooperation and ensuring the resolution of all on-campus issues for the two.

Subsequently, the president, on behalf of the school, put forward some suggestions for cooperation, such as having Zhou Leng represent the school in some events.

Zhou Leng did not decline and said he would certainly participate if he had the time.

After the meeting, Zhou Leng picked up Xu Qingjin and took her mother to the Ancient River Research Bureau.

The past cutoff in martial arts posed no further threat, so enemies had no need to take extra measures.

But now, with the promotion to grandmaster, hostile forces might panic and take risks.

Bringing Xu Qingjin to the Ancient River Sect was the safest option.

Upon reaching the Ancient River Research Bureau, Zhou Leng inquired of Li Yuanhe: “Is Uncle Li coming?”

Li Yuanhe sighed helplessly: “You know his temper well, stubborn as a mule. I’ve already told him, it’s for his protection, but he says he’s not afraid, all his comrades are with him, there’s nothing to fear.”

Zhou Leng contacted Li Linhan, but he still refused, unwilling to be confined in the Ancient River Research Bureau.

Zhou Leng had to give a wooden jade talisman to Li Yuanhe, asking him to find the time to give it to Li Linhan, and then handed another wooden jade talisman to Xu Qingjin.

There was also a wooden jade talisman for cultivation, which was no longer needed with the spiritual mist jade, so it was given to Li Yuanhe.

Li Yuanhe understood that Zhou Leng was entrusting him to take care of Xu Qingjin and her mother, and accepted it gladly.

“By the way, this time the recruitment for the Ancient River Sect disciples will increase to a hundred thousand across all levels, ages, and realms, if possible.”

“So many, won’t it be dangerous?” Li Yuanhe asked.

“No problem.”

Zhou Leng smiled faintly, no longer just the senior brother of the Ancient River Sect he once was.

In the ancient river ruins in the sea, Sect Leader Shen Yunxian formally appointed Zhou Leng as an elder of the Ancient River Sect.

As an elder, his authority had further expanded, and there were many things he dared not do before, things he couldn’t do, now he had no scruples.

Aside from betraying the Ancient River Sect, even if he violated sect rules, he wouldn’t face any punishment.

Because only the Sect Leader and elders could punish an elder.

Now, Zhou Leng was the only elder of the Ancient River Sect still alive.

Zhou Leng had thought on the way, he would find an opportunity to conduct a grand elder selection for the Ancient River Sect.

He would be elected with a hundred percent vote rate.

Li Yuanhe asked others to leave, and walked with Zhou Leng to an empty space alone.

“Zhao Cong wanted to inspect the Ancient River Sect Research Institute, and I refused. At that time, his car was parked outside, and I declined to host him under the pretext of the Ancient River Sect being a confidential place of the Demon City Army.”

Zhou Leng nodded slightly, knowing well the courage it took within the Martial Mansion hierarchy to refuse someone who would soon ascend to the Supreme Court governor position.

Li Yuanhe continued: “Because I’ve heard that Zhao Cong wants to extend his influence into the Ancient River Sect and have colluded with certain martial generals of the Demon City Army. This aroused the discontent of other martial generals, so they secretly notified me.”

“You… be prepared. You’ve said before that you’d only be responsible for legacy, and the management would be left to the Martial Mansion. Unexpectedly, those hungry for power from major forces would gradually involve themselves. At that time, we also discussed, and you said you were mentally prepared.”

“Of course,” Zhou Leng replied.

Li Yuanhe was silent for a while, then said, “I have to obey the orders from above, but I’m also part of the Ancient River Sect. Most of the Demon City Army wants to maintain the independence of the Ancient River Sect. But… you know, some in the Martial Mansion have always guarded against the Demon City Army, against any force being independent. So, it’s expected that they will send people to the Ancient River Research Bureau to strengthen the construction, supervision, and other departments.”

Zhou Leng did not respond immediately, contemplating for a long time, then asked, “What do the brothers of the Ancient River Sect think?”

“Those wanting to enter the Ancient River Sect, regardless of their objectives, prefer to gain a pure cultivation environment. So, most disciples support you. But undoubtedly, some disciples still wish to use the Ancient River Sect as a stepping stone to achieve higher positions within the Martial Mansion.”

Zhou Leng had considered this matter before as well.

Involving a large scale of people inevitably brings various inconveniences.

Neither he nor the Ancient River Sect had the strength to oppose the Martial Mansion.

However, if I were just the Senior Brother, I would definitely guard strictly.

But having been promoted to Elder, holding greater decision-making power, I am not too concerned about so-called infiltration.

They do not understand the methods of the Starfield Sect.

The Ancient River Sect originates from a high-level civilization.

“As long as it benefits the development of the Ancient River Sect and the development of the Human Race, we can make concessions. But if anyone tries to hinder the development of the Ancient River Sect or the Human Race, attempting to selfishly seize the cultivation resources of Ancient River Sect disciples, then they cannot blame the Ancient River Sect for enforcing its rules. Relay these words without alteration.”

“Alright…” Li Yuanhe felt somewhat troubled, but considering that Zhou Leng was already a Grandmaster, he had the confidence and said no more.

“By the way, contact the Sea Suppression Army generals and tell them that when I was entering the Sea Race, I encountered descendants of the Azure Royal Family. They are willing to cooperate with the Human Race to overthrow the Blood of Tyranny, and I, as an intermediary, can trade ’Soft Gold’ to us.”

“Soft Gold?” Li Yuanhe whispered.

“Soft Gold.”

“Wait a moment, I’ll contact them immediately!”

The shortcoming in human weapon crafting is rare materials like Soft Gold.

That night, many generals of the Sea Suppression Army arrived and had deep discussions with Zhou Leng overnight, finally finalizing cooperation terms, entrusting Zhou Leng with full authority to negotiate with the Azure Sword.

Zhou Leng presented a batch of Soft Gold, and the generals were ecstatic.

The amount of Soft Gold that Zhou Leng produced in a day exceeded what humanity had collected in over a decade.

The exchange terms Zhou Leng put forth for Soft Gold were simple—resources needed for cultivation by Grandmasters or even Martial Saints.

Although the generals were puzzled by the Sea Siren’s demand for martial arts resources, they turned a blind eye for the sake of Soft Gold and mobilized resources for the trade.

The Dragon and Tiger Pills that Zhou Leng needed to exchange and purchase slowly before were delivered in a single batch a few days later.

Most pills for a normal Grandmaster have become ineffective for Zhou Leng.

Because he no longer needed Qi Blood Power.

However, Martial Saint’s medicinal resources were perfectly suitable for the current Zhou Leng.

Unfortunately, Martial Saint resources were extremely rare and not available for purchase at any price.

With Soft Gold and Sea Race resources, it was possible to exchange for a certain amount of Martial Saint resources.

In the following days, Zhou Leng stayed at the Ancient River Research Bureau to cultivate and spent the rest of his time with Xu Qingjin.

After being apart for so long, the two were inseparable, becoming the envy of everyone at the Ancient River Research Bureau.

The phrase “bringing his wife to cultivate” became a popular saying among Ancient River Sect disciples.

A few days later, sixteen new patriarchs came to Rucheng to visit Zhou Leng, offering a substantial amount of martial arts resources, companies, cash, and high-energy shells as compensation.

Zhou Leng accepted with a smile.

These new patriarchs all subtly indicated that they had already crippled the dantian and reproductive capabilities of some people, ensuring no future threats.

In his spare time, Zhou Leng used his authority to check the information on the Zhao Family.

Finally, he repeatedly reviewed the information on Gao Tianfeng.

On the day when sixteen Grandmasters were slaughtered, Gao Tianfeng fled Rucheng overnight, carrying local specialties, and went to Zhao Palace to present gifts.

After exhausting all her means, Zhao Hao, served comfortably, nodded and allowed her to stay in Xiong City, avoiding the quagmire of Rucheng.

“Uncle, can Big Cousin manage alone in Rucheng?” Gao Tianfeng said coyly.

“A sharp sword is forged through honing, he also needs to stand alone.” Zhao Hao looked out at the night sky.

Shuizhou Demon City, outlet of the Demon Spirit World.

A team of Ice Snow Divine Sect envoys headed to Blue Star, preparing to invite Zhou Leng and Aiden to attend the “Holy Ceremony.”

In the distance, the battlefield.

The battle had ended, and the demons retreated like a tide.

Among the Human Race army, countless martial artists and warriors cheered.

Many praised the wise command of Governor Zhao Cong, who annihilated the demon army at a minimal cost, totaling over a million, achieving a rare victory.

Only a few veterans noticed that the demons being annihilated seemed somewhat weak, but given their numbers, it did not attract more attention.

After the victory banquet, the army rested on the spot, ready to return to the Shuizhou Base the next day.

At night, Zhao Cong and Wang Boxiong walked one after the other to the edge of the deserted camp.

Both wore wartime camouflage uniforms, appearing tall and imposing.

During the past few days of fighting, Chen Shouhu and Wang Boxiong had officially advanced to Grandmaster.

Zhao Cong was also a Grandmaster.

The two stood side by side in the dark, a few meters apart, looking at the dense forest ahead.

Zhao Cong said, “Boxiong, our Zhao Family indeed made many mistakes. But it was only to survive. I am here to apologize and hope that from now on, we can resolve our conflicts peacefully. Even if we don’t cooperate, let’s not oppose each other. What do you think?”

Wang Boxiong thoughtfully pondered Zhao Cong’s words.

Being straightforward like this must have a deeper meaning.

No one believed Zhao Cong to be an open-hearted martial artist.

From start to finish, the Zhao Family had only one open-hearted person.

“I don’t understand what you mean.” Wang Boxiong gave his reply.

Zhao Cong fell into silence for a long time, sighed, acknowledging that Wang Boxiong’s answer was a refusal.

For the sake of entering the Supreme Court next year, the Zhao Family was determined to do whatever it took.

Wang Boxiong had been continuously investigating the Zhao Family.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep