Stronger by Killing

Therefore, our proposal to retreat to the Ten Thousand Mountains perfectly aligns with their intentions. However, now that Marquis Yun, Gu Zhan, is entrenched in Yunxi and has gained prominence, the Court must consider him if they wish to cede Yunxi to us. Hence, the battle in three days.

Gu Zhan is an extremely arrogant individual. Ji Fu and others intend to leverage this trait to swiftly conclude the battle. So long as we quickly repel Gu Zhan in three days, our plan to retreat to the Ten Thousand Mountains will succeed."

The Three Saints exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Liu Ximing continued, "Nevertheless, esteemed Ancestors, you must be vigilant. You might have heard about Gu Zhan during this period. This young man has broken the limits of Martial Arts, creating the Method of Divine Sight, which is truly uncanny. Both Sword King City and the Moon Worship Sect have fallen victim to him!"

Miao Saint chuckled softly, "Rest assured, we merely aim to repel Gu Zhan. Not to mention our combined strength, we can also utilize the array at Dao Ma Pass City. There shouldn’t be any issues in just repelling him."

Liu Ximing clasped his hands, "Then I trouble you, esteemed Ancestors."

When Liu Ximing looked up again, the Three Saints of the White Lotus had vanished, and the lights in the main hall had gone out, leaving it very dim.

At this moment,

the Three Saints of the White Lotus had already arrived in an underground palace.

All three of them stood respectfully behind a flower-embroidered screen, with candle flames flickering, revealing the hunched figure of an old woman leaning against a bed behind the screen.

The only person who could command such respect from the Three Saints of the White Lotus was the legendary White Lotus Celestial Mother of the White Lotus Sect.

Xuan Sheng, one of the Three Saints, was reporting, "Celestial Mother, this is the plan from the Court’s side. They intend to quickly reclaim the lands of the Three States and use us to counterbalance Marquis Yun, Gu Zhan."

An aged voice came from behind the screen, "Ah, the art of balance. The Court people, from the Emperor to the smallest officials, all love this tactic."

Xuan Sheng continued, "Celestial Mother, we wish to inquire when we should move to the Ten Thousand Mountains?"

"No need to rush," White Lotus Celestial Mother said, "This Gu Zhan is rather interesting. To think he could create a method to surpass the martial limits and see the divine, he’s an individual on par with the Martial Saint and Martial Ancestor. What virtue or ability does a place like the Xia Kingdom have to give birth to such a person!"

Miao Saint hesitated for a moment and said, "Celestial Mother, regarding Gu Zhan’s creation of the Method of Divine Sight, there are many doubts. While no one doubts he broke the limits of Martial Arts, it seems implausible that he created it. This child has only been in Martial Arts for a few short years; how could he have amassed such profound knowledge?"

"There’s no need for doubt," the White Lotus Celestial Mother said, "I am certain; there is no second method in the world to break the limits of Martial Arts."

The Three Saints were astonished. Jue Sheng asked, "Could it be that even the Immortal Sect..."

"If the Immortal Sect had such a method, would the world still be as it is today? Would Grotto Heaven Cultivators still be restricted from revealing themselves easily?" White Lotus Celestial Mother said.

"This..."

White Lotus Celestial Mother continued, "These matters you needn’t worry about. Hmm, this Gu Zhan is intriguing. When you engage him, show a bit of goodwill. We have the potential to collaborate with him. Warn him not to be manipulated by the Court and become our adversary for no reason."

Xuan Sheng quickly said, "You mean to recruit Gu Zhan?"

White Lotus Celestial Mother replied, "Recruit if we can, but it is not essential. Collaboration is also possible. The Court is already wary of him. He should understand that, judging by his way of handling things, he doesn’t seem like someone willing to be a mere tool for others. Since the Court is wary, he will either take the initiative to be their pawn or eventually be suppressed by them."

"Understood," Xuan Sheng said, clasping his hands.

"Hmm," White Lotus Celestial Mother said gravely, "You may leave now!"

"Yes."

The Three Saints of the White Lotus saluted in unison, then turned to leave.

The underground palace instantly became cold and deserted,

even the sound of candle burning became conspicuous.

Suddenly, a charming voice of a young woman resonated through the underground palace:

"Oh dear, we have to move again, how troublesome!"

The voice, at first, was like a yellow warbler leaving the valley, like an elegant orchid in a secluded valley, melodious and gentle. Listening carefully, it was like a trickling stream, a breeze stirring the willows, soft and seductive. As the voice sounded, the embroidered screen gradually opened, revealing the White Lotus Celestial Mother behind it to be a young woman appearing no more than her early twenties.

With captivating grace, she slowly rose from the bed, lazily adjusting her headwear. A long white dress flowed to the floor, with pale blue lotuses embroidered on the sleeves, and silver thread outlining clouds on the gown, her chest wrapped in broad brocade.

Her waist was willow-like, her complexion smooth as snow, exuding a gentle fragrance. Barefoot on the ground, as she gracefully stepped forward, beneath the thin silk gown, concealed by the long dress, she trailed a long white tail like a fluffy fox’s tail.

...

Outside Dao Ma Pass, within the camp of the Court’s army.

In a tent, a lean old monk with a white beard was striking a wooden fish, eyes closed in meditation. Suddenly, a faint glow emanated from the wooden fish.

The old monk instantly halted his prayers, opened his eyes, and stared at the wooden fish for a while before muttering slowly, "Amitabha."

At this moment,

a voice suddenly rang outside the tent: "Divine Monk Huai Su, Tai’e Divine Nun of Cihang Sword Hall has arrived."