Daqian Martial Saint

The Profound Light Realm is where one condenses the Seed of Profound Light, gaining profound abilities. In battle, the Seed of Profound Light acts as a core to manipulate Profound Light, execute Martial Arts, and launch attacks.

The Profound Light Realm has three realms. The first realm is Spiritual Clarity’s First Illumination!

Spiritual Clarity’s First Illumination is also called the Initial Realm of Profound Light! But even the Initial Realm of Profound Light represents an absolutely immense level of martial power!

Even within Weishui County City, the number of masters in the Initial Realm of Profound Light is a crucial indicator of a faction’s rise or fall.

However, even those at the Initial Realm of Profound Light vary in strength. Disregarding proficiency in external Martial Arts and focusing solely on the Martial Arts Realm itself, Spiritual Clarity’s First Illumination is generally divided into early, middle, and late stages.

Of course, whether one is in the early or late stage, they are still all within the Initial Realm of Profound Light, with no significant difference between them. The gap can be completely bridged by factors such as external Martial Arts Techniques, combat experience, weaponry, and even the environment!

Chen Ping’an had just entered Spiritual Clarity’s First Illumination. His foundation was still shallow, so he was currently in the early stage of Spiritual Clarity’s First Illumination.

But as his Great Vajra Palm reached the Great Success Realm, the Seed of Profound Light between his brows began to flicker faintly.

Devouring Spirit and Refining Fiend, strengthening the Profound Light!

As he finished digesting the vast insights regarding the Great Vajra Palm, Chen Ping’an’s Martial Arts Realm advanced further. Although he had not yet reached the Middle Stage, the Profound Light between his brows had undergone a considerable change.

The aura from between his brows now resembled that of a Martial Arts Master who had been in the Profound Light Realm for several, or even more than ten, years.

This further increase in strength put Chen Ping’an in a rather pleasant mood.

However, with both his Flying Star Swordsmanship and Great Vajra Palm having reached the Great Success Realm, it was time to decide on the next cultivation technique he should learn.

According to the map, the Treasure Land recorded on the Treasure Map in Chen Ping’an’s possession was located in the Weishui Section of the Canglong Mountain Range, extremely close to White Stone City.

So, Chen Ping’an planned to make a trip there to try his luck and see if he might find something unexpected.

Come to think of it, the way he had obtained this Treasure Map was a real stroke of luck.

First, he had unintentionally bought one piece in the Black Market, and then he just so happened to acquire the other piece from Mai Xiongbo.

The two pieces combined to form a complete Treasure Map!

’Could I really be a Child of Fortune?’ Chen Ping’an wondered, unable to suppress a flicker of delight.

But in the next instant, he stamped out that flicker of delight.

’I don’t even know if the Treasure Map is real or fake. How can I be getting so complacent? If I’m not careful, this could all be for nothing.’ Chen Ping’an chuckled wryly and shook his head to himself.

Still, he really should make a trip to the place on the Treasure Map. Real or fake, at least it would settle the matter. Otherwise, it would just keep nagging at him, weighing on his mind.

Besides, he had now entered the Profound Light Realm, which offered a certain guarantee of safety.

A cultivator in the Profound Light Realm was a true Martial Arts Master, through and through. This was evident from the fact that there wasn’t a single person at this level in White Stone City. Even in the vast Weishui County City, no one from the Profound Light Realm held a position within the Outer City.

The Weishui County City Outer City’s Garrison Command was led by a famed master who was only at the Celestial Rain Descending Realm Perfection of the Third Stage of Inner Qi.

...

To everyone’s surprise, the annihilation of the Crocodile Gang and the Quicksand Gang was wrapped up with incredible speed. The three great families of White Stone City, the Commerce Alliance, and the other two major gangs made no move to retaliate.

Not only that, but a few days after the two gangs were wiped out, the major powers jointly invited the Garrison’s Deputy Commander, Chen Ping’an, to a banquet.

This news sent shockwaves through White Stone City. The many constables of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, in particular, were all full of admiration for Commander Chen’s methods!

"These families, gangs, and alliances—they’ve caved! They’ve all caved!"

"Commander Chen is incredible!"

"Hahaha... how satisfying! So satisfying!"

"The Quicksand Gang and the Crocodile Gang are history! With their example as a warning, who in White Stone City won’t be terrified of us from now on!?"

"Our Garrison Commandant’s Office can finally hold its head high!"

"..."

In an office at the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

"Well, look at them, being all cautious!" Chen Ping’an chuckled to himself, caressing the exquisitely decorated invitation in his hand. "All show and no go."

To be honest, Chen Ping’an was a little surprised by the major factions’ reactions. He had thought they would band together and cause some trouble for the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

’I didn’t expect them to be so weak. All show and no go.’

’Still, this is good too.’

’It saves me the trouble of making another move and exposing more of my strength.’

’Revealing a Martial Arts Realm at the Second Stage of Inner Qi, plus two superior cultivation methods—that’s more than enough for now.’

’It makes me threatening enough, but not so threatening I become everyone’s enemy. Perfect for my position as the Deputy Commander of the White Stone City Garrison.’

’As for...’

’Revealing more!?’

’I’m not the Commander-in-Chief, so why would I reveal that much!’

He had a rough idea of why the major factions reacted this way.

The aftershocks from the mysterious death of the previous Deputy Commander in White Stone City had not yet subsided. The Weishui Garrison was paying close attention to the matter, which put considerable pressure on the factions within White Stone City.

A measured reaction was acceptable, but if they wanted to mount a large-scale resistance, they must be tired of living!

At this critical juncture, faced with Chen Ping’an annihilating two gangs in a row, they ultimately chose forbearance and restraint.

The reaction of the major factions in White Stone City caused Chen Ping’an’s fame to skyrocket, allowing him to completely secure his position as Deputy Commander.

Many smaller factions trembled in fear at the very mention of Chen Ping’an’s name.

「Several days later.」

Chen Ping’an returned from the banquet in a good mood. The factions hadn’t been as perfunctory as they were when he first arrived. This time, the attendees were all true core figures from the major powers.

Each of the three great families sent a respected Clan Elder, someone from the family’s core circle who ranked among the top three.

The Commerce Alliance sent an important member at the Second Stage of Inner Qi, who was also ranked among the top three within the alliance.

The Blood Oath Alliance sent their Vice Alliance Leader, Lu Hongxian, and the Iron Fist Gang also sent a Vice Gang Leader.

While the banquet could hardly be called joyous, the overall atmosphere was decent enough.

Most importantly, Chen Ping’an received many tribute gifts at the banquet, several times more valuable than before!

’They’re sensible enough, I’ll give them that.’

Between factions, conflicts of interest and strategic maneuvering are the norm. Those who start fighting at the slightest disagreement are the minority. If a faction truly acted like that all the time, it probably wouldn’t last long.

Fighting and killing, using force to suppress others, is efficient and simple, but it leaves behind endless troubles!

If it weren’t for the Garrison Commandant’s Office holding the moral high ground, plus the fact that the other side had provoked him first, giving him a perfect reason, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t have acted this way.

The matter of the Quicksand Gang and the Crocodile Gang was now in its final stages. After a full inventory and liquidation had been completed, he had Cheng Renjing and others write a detailed report and send it to the Weishui Garrison several days ago.

Regarding this matter, a reply had already come from the Weishui Garrison. They expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the incident and recorded a merit for Chen Ping’an!

’I wonder what the Weishui Garrison’s reaction would’ve been if I’d really stirred up some trouble?’ Chen Ping’an thought as he read the reply.

After this conflict, he had firmly established his footing in White Stone City. Everyone in the Garrison Commandant’s Office, from top to bottom, now admired and respected him without reservation.

Furthermore, the many assets of the Quicksand Gang and the Crocodile Gang were all transferred to the Garrison Commandant’s Office. In the process, besides the share of profits for the Weishui Garrison, many people within the local Garrison also benefited.

Bound by shared interests, a group of people had begun to gather around Chen Ping’an within the White Stone City Garrison, forming what could be considered his initial retinue.

’It’s about time I went to check out that Treasure Land.’

With various matters now concluded, Chen Ping’an prepared to officially set out on his treasure hunt.