Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Danxia chamber of commerce.

Reception Hall.

A unique tea fragrance wafted up, lingering in the air.

Su Mingchun sat opposite a middle-aged man of similar age, enjoying tea.

"Brother Cao, this is the Shang Junming, the genius Shang, I've been telling you about."

Seeing Jiang Shu arrive, Su Mingchun introduced with a smile, "Shang Junming, this is Lord Cao, a Chiliarch of the Sky Patrol Guard from Yongning County Seat. He's come with something to discuss with you."

"Greetings, Lord Cao," Jiang Shu said, neither servile nor overbearing, offering a cupped fist salute.

"There's no need for formality, Genius Shang, please sit. President Su and I have been good friends for many years; we share everything. I brought this Harmonious Qi Tea; it's a true Fourth Rank treasure medicine. Every leaf contains a certain amount of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. If taken over a long period, although it won't allow you to absorb Yuan Qi into your body like a martial artist in the Acupoint Passage Realm, these fine strands of Yuan Qi still nourish the body and help accelerate advancement to the Blood Exchange Realm," Lord Cao said with a smile, quite pleased with himself.

Not wearing official attire means this visit isn't about official business. Mentioning he's an old friend of President Su implies they're on the same side. Bringing the Harmonious Qi Tea probably means he's here to ask for something.

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Jiang Shu sat down and took a small sip of the Harmonious Qi Tea.

Being at the Dan Jin stage, he could feel the Yuan Qi within the tea leaves even more acutely. Holding the tea in his mouth, the subtle Yuan Qi gradually nourished his body.

A Chiliarch of the Sky Patrol Guard is a high-ranking position indeed. It seems my recent victory, while bringing fame and benefits, has also drawn the attention of many. However, since Lord Cao is meeting me here at the Danxia chamber of commerce, it probably isn't a bad thing.

"We Martial Artists practice Body Refinement, Qi Refinement, and Spirit Refinement. The higher one progresses, the rarer Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts become. County towns have prominent families, prefectural cities have great clans, and state cities have noble houses..." Lord Cao sipped his tea and said meaningfully, "But the Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts possessed by these families, clans, and houses are insignificant compared to what the Imperial Court possesses."

"The Imperial Court is the best destination for a Martial Artist. The Little Dragon Tiger List and the Dragon Tiger List are, in fact, established by the Imperial Court. The various combat records of geniuses are investigated, authenticated, and published by our Sky Patrol Guard."

"Every genius who makes it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List or the Dragon Tiger List is someone whose background we, the Sky Patrol Guard, must investigate. So..."

Lord Cao paused, then suddenly asked, "Genius Shang, should I address you as Shang Junming, or Jiang Shu?"

The Da Jing Dynasty was flourishing and prosperous.

The reigning Emperor held sole command over Qiankun.

The influence of the Sky Patrol Guard reached every corner of the dynasty.

No matter what alias Jiang Shu used, it was extremely easy to investigate. Starting with Zhang Ruo of the Zhang Family and the two disciples from the Qingfeng County Martial Arts Academy, they could quickly trace him back to Yongning County Seat. Then, using the records of Martial Artists uploaded by Hidden Guards from various locations, they could swiftly find Jiang Shu's real name and his martial arts history.

"My little tricks could hardly escape Lord Cao's discerning eyes," Jiang Shu nodded, his heart free of panic. The revelation of his name was only a matter of time. After all, he had used his real name when Elder Chou Hai sent him to deliver a message. As his fame in the County Seat grew, Zhao Yuanchang of the Zhao Family would naturally recognize that "Shang Junming" was his old friend's disciple.

If Lord Cao truly intended to make an issue of this, he would have arrived in official attire.

"Your master, Chou Hai, was someone I held in high regard. I'll take the liberty of calling you by your real name," Lord Cao said.

"To advance from an ordinary Martial Artist to the Blood Exchange Realm in less than three years is a testament to your exceptional Martial Arts talent. Such prowess would not only qualify you for the Little Dragon Tiger List but also give you a chance to make it onto the true Dragon Tiger List. However, a genius, before fully matured, should not make too many enemies."

"Regarding the Yao Family's matter, I've arranged for a bandit at the Refining Internal Realm to take the blame. Everything has been handled. After all, it was just a minor branch of the family; the Yao Family won't expend too much effort investigating."

"Your master, Chou Hai, also made considerable contributions. Soon, he'll be able to return to the County Seat and be promoted to a Centurion."

"As for your name, use whichever you prefer until you're on the Little Dragon Tiger List."

"Well, official duties are pressing, so I shall take my leave."

"I wish President Su continued success with the Chamber of Commerce, and to you, Jiang Shu—or rather, Jiang Genius—may you soon ascend to the Little Dragon Tiger List. We shall meet again."

Having finished the last sip of tea, Lord Cao rose to leave without any intention of lingering.

"Safe travels, Lord Cao," Jiang Shu said, rising to his feet.

The sound of footsteps grew fainter.

「Reception Hall.」

Su Mingchun, who had remained seated, shook his head and smiled, explaining, "Old Cao is just like that. He likes to get things done first before letting people make their choices."

"Making it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List in the Da Jing Dynasty means one is already considered a true genius. Due to the monopoly on Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts, and all sorts of Cultivation Resources, these geniuses mostly come from powerful and noble families. Therefore, once a commoner from a humble background makes it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List, the noble families will extend an olive branch."

"You'll understand this when you reach the state city. Old Cao's visit this time was, firstly, a gesture of goodwill, and secondly, to give you a heads-up: the Imperial Court offers the best prospects. Don't join a noble family merely for short-term benefits."

"As for what you'll gain by joining the Imperial Court, representatives from the Court will naturally approach you once you're on the Little Dragon Tiger List. Generally, they will bestow a title of nobility or grant some extremely important Cultivation Resources."

Su Mingchun spoke slowly, as if giving Jiang Shu time to digest this information.

Compared to geniuses from large clans and noble families, Jiang Shu, hailing from a small county town, had significant gaps in his understanding of the wider world. At his age, Su Mingchun naturally understood that for most people, choice often outweighs effort. Joining the Imperial Court versus joining a noble family isn't inherently about right or wrong; they are simply two different paths.

The Imperial Court certainly offers the widest selection of Martial Arts resources. However, joining the Court naturally means opposing the noble families. When facing suppression, the Court might not necessarily defend a mere genius; it might even proactively sacrifice them for the sake of the 'greater good.' On the other hand, if one joins a noble family, their Martial Arts resources always flow first to the direct descendants. One can imagine the difficulty in obtaining a share. The olive branches and lavish promises initially offered by noble families are just that—initial offerings. Once truly within their fold, many things are no longer under one's own control. How will Jiang Shu choose in the future?

Lost in these thoughts, Su Mingchun waited quietly. After a while, once Jiang Shu had finished his tea and his gaze cleared, Su Mingchun continued, "Your feat of defeating Zhao Chengxuan in just two moves has already been reported to the headquarters in the state city."

"Our President's faction naturally must make a gesture."

"Everything is in the treasury. Come with me."

「...」

「Pingling County.」

「Sanling Town.」

After a fresh rain, the crisp air from the mountains and forests drifted with the wind.

Qi Yuan gazed at the great mountain that had always stood in his way, then at his master, Elder Chou Hai, whose back was no longer stooped, his mind filled with confusion.

Only yesterday had he suddenly learned that his master was a Martial Artist of the Refining Internal Realm. And his very familiar Junior Brother Jiang Shu had long since departed for the County Seat. The two people he was closest to among Martial Artists—it turned out he had never truly understood them.

"Master, what Realm do you think Junior Brother Jiang Shu has reached? He must be in the Refining Internal Realm by now, right?" Qi Yuan couldn't help but ask before they stepped into the mountains.

Over the past year or so, he too had broken through to the Bone Forging Realm. But Pingling County was too small, its resources limited, and progress in Martial Arts was exceedingly slow. The Elixirs his master had given him were almost gone. He had no idea how long it would take to advance to the Refining Internal Realm. Perhaps everything would improve once he reached the County Seat.

"Refining Internal Realm?"

Chou Hai looked at this disciple, who had spent his whole life in the county town and still didn't comprehend the vastness of the world. He shook his head, gazed at the sky, and said nothing.

To this day, he still didn't know what Jiang Shu had accomplished in the County Seat. But the Sky Patrol Guard investigating Jiang Shu's background, coupled with his own old case being reopened... In such a short time, not only had he been awarded a Great Cyclic Elixir, but a transfer order had also arrived, promoting him to Centurion. If all this had nothing to do with Jiang Shu, he simply wouldn't believe it. What ordinary Martial Artist of the Refining Internal Realm possessed such influence? He remembered when his disciple, facing two opponents, had still managed to press his saber to County Magistrate Nie's neck. Such Martial Arts talent... Could Jiang Shu have reached an even higher Realm?