Although that is the case, I only hung up the Flower Fox Mink and the Centipede Viper for the first two transformations to conserve Divine Power. For the third transformation, the Fire Beak Pot, and only in the fourth transformation, I hung up Ma Mingfeng. Yet, I still possess spiritual power far superior to those in the same realm. Even if I can't continue to influence the Fourth Realm, it's still not difficult to achieve an intimidating power far greater than Ma Mingfeng previously possessed.

A typical cultivator in the Third Realm Jade Skin Realm wouldn't be able to withstand it. If I seize an opportunity and overwhelm their spirit, a single strike could kill them.

「...」

The news of Chen Ku's breakthrough circulated only within a small circle of a few people at Medicine King Hall, completely unknown to the outside world.

Inside the hall, after a celebratory meal for his breakthrough, Chen Ku casually inquired if the conflict among the three major powers had escalated during his ten-day seclusion.

"No," Yang Luochen said.

"So harmonious?" Chen Ku was surprised. Nearly a month had passed since Ma Mingfeng's death, and those two families had been so forbearing.

"They probably couldn't have held back. However, during your ten-day seclusion, news arrived that forced them to exercise restraint..."

Yang Luochen, drawing on his tobacco pipe, said gravely, "Lord Tan Chongrui left Qiu Dragon Mansion seven days ago. It's estimated he will arrive in Baojiao County in the next day or two, and he's not coming alone..."

"Grandmaster Jin Chui, Qin Yuxian?" Chen Ku blurted out. "Is the President of the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting coming too?"

"Not just Qin Yuxian."

After a moment of silence, Yang Luochen continued, "There's also Ye Zhong, a Martial Commander leading a thousand troops."

"What? A thousand troops?" Chen Ku was greatly surprised.

Shangguan Yun of Baojiao County could dominate the county's three major powers with just three hundred City Defense Forces under his command.

This reformist Imperial Envoy, Tan Chongrui, was coming to Baojiao County, bringing not only Qin Yuxian, the number one expert of Qiu Dragon Mansion's White Path, as his bodyguard but also a thousand troops.

As someone who heard the street gossip, I knew the Imperial Envoy was coming to reform Baojiao County's tax system and essentially 'dig up the graves of the wealthy.'

Such a massive display? Is he targeting all the wealthy people in Baojiao County? At that moment, Chen Ku felt both anxious and not anxious.

His anxiety stemmed from his affiliation with Medicine King Hall. In the eyes of the Imperial Envoy, Medicine King Hall was a target for reform just like any other, and since Chen Ku couldn't distance himself from the Hall, he couldn't avoid the impending conflict.

The reason for his lack of anxiety was simple: his fortune of roughly two hundred thousand silver taels consisted of one hundred and eighty thousand in cash. Apart from that, he only had the small iron shop.

Compared to the guild leaders, even if Tan Qingtian decided to swing his sword, it wouldn't affect him much.

"Is that why Firewood Iron Shop and the Fish and Dragon Association had no choice but to restrain themselves?" Chen Ku guessed.

"What else could it be? The internal struggle among the three guilds would expose numerous vulnerabilities to the Imperial Envoy, who is already set on implementing new policies..." Yang Luochen tapped his pipe on the sole of his shoe, his eyes deep and thoughtful. "But it's hard to say... Firewood Iron Shop might seize this opportunity, ride the momentum, and try to crush us all."

Chen Ku remained silent for a moment.

I was informed of the inside story before. Firewood Iron Shop had already aligned with the county government office, aiming to legitimize themselves and become an official business serving the Imperial Court. If they've also struck a deal with the Imperial Envoy, who's arriving with experts and a large army... then not just Medicine King Hall, but even Medicine King Hall combined with the Fish and Dragon Association and all the other guilds wouldn't be enough to withstand Tan Qingtian's overwhelming force.

"What about us then?" Chen Ku asked.

"For now, we observe," Yang Luochen said. "When the Imperial Envoy arrives in a day or two, it goes without saying that people from the Official Residence will welcome him. As Jianghu people, we certainly cannot afford to neglect Grandmaster Qin Yuxian, who is by his side. At that time... we'll try to gauge their intentions before making any plans."

In the end, the master and apprentice chatted a little longer.

Chen Ku walked out of the small courtyard and inquired if there had been any messages from Wu Gui over the past ten days.

The clerk in the front hall flipped through the guest register and immediately said, "Yes, yes... Young Shopkeeper, Boss Wu from the Iron Bank had someone deliver a 'Nine-Faced Illusion Lion' and a 'Tiger-Headed Salamander.' They are both being kept at the Butcher Court now, waiting for you to sign for them."

Chen Ku was slightly pleased.

Nearly a month ago, I asked Wu Gui to put out a bounty for me. I didn't expect him to be so efficient and actually acquire the items I wanted.

「Upon arriving at the Butcher Court, he laid eyes on the two Demons.」

The Nine-Faced Illusion Lion was locked in a cage, its Second Realm Demonic Qi leaking out and stirring up the dust on the ground. As it roared and swung its head, several phantom heads appeared at its neck like afterimages, all roaring in unison...

The Tiger-Headed Salamander was kept in a large pool. It was about the size of a shark, with four flabby paws, and resembled the Sand Monk from *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons*.

"Young Shopkeeper, these two Demons are quite pricey! Together, they cost at least fifteen or sixteen thousand silver taels. Are you using them for Alchemy?" Qin Sheng came over to greet him.

As an Apprentice at Medicine King Hall's Butcher Court, responsible for slaughtering Demons daily, he was not surprised that one of the hall's masters would purchase Demons to refine their own elixirs.

"A tonic to strengthen the body..." Chen Ku smiled faintly and said, "Bring me a knife."

"Do you need us to help you slaughter them?"

"No need! I'll do it myself!"

「After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Chen Ku had already returned to his room.」

He hung both the Nine-Faced Illusion Lion and the Tiger-Headed Salamander on the second and third Transformation Diagrams in succession.

[Nine-Faced Illusion Lion Transformation!]

[Nine-Faced Illusion Lion: Capable of creating nine illusory forms, contains one-billionth of the bloodline of the ancient great fiend, the Nine Spirits Prime Lion.]

[Nine-Faced Illusion Lion Transformation·Shape Shifting]

[Shape Shifting Part: Lion's Head (Copper Head Iron Brain)]

THUMP! THUMP!

Chen Ku felt that, in addition to the Impervious to Swords and Spears armor the Centipede Viper had gained from the Spinning Turtle, his own head had now also become impervious, sounding like a solid iron ball when he knocked on it.

With this, I've spontaneously mastered the Iron Head Skill without a teacher.

Continuing,

[Tiger-Headed Salamander Transformation!]

[Tiger-Headed Salamander: Tiger head, fish body, four legs; its cry resembles an infant's. Possesses one ten-millionth of the bloodline of the ancient exotic species 'Mermaid.']

[Tiger-Headed Salamander Transformation·Shape Shifting]

[Shape Shifting Part: Salamander Skin (Water Flow Sensing)]

Water Flow Sensing... it sounds like some kind of ability to perceive water currents and locate prey. Compared to the water-based abilities from the Centipede Viper transformation, this Shape Shifting ability seems somewhat redundant. But that doesn't matter; I only intended to use it as a component for 'Transform into Dragon' anyway.

I currently have fifty-eight strands of Second Realm Evil Qi. I can use them to first advance the Nine-Faced Illusion Lion to the Transformation Level... To ensure a successful 'fetus transformation shape shifting' into the Third Realm Supreme quality Hui Dragon, it's best if each transformation reaches the Transformation Level. This will increase the success rate; otherwise, my sole strand of the Dragon Qi of the Nation's Fortune would be wasted.

[Consuming forty-five strands of Second Realm Evil Qi, the Nine-Faced Illusion Lion has reached the Transformation Level.]

[Nine-Faced Illusion Lion Transformation·Transform]

[Abilities: Nine Phantom Bodies Technique, Brain (Copper Head Iron Brain), Mouth (Lion's Roar), Fur (Hair Like Swords)...]

Chen Ku examined the abilities of the Nine-Faced Illusion Lion.

With a slight movement of his body, nine phantom bodies suddenly appeared out of thin air in his room, like nine reflections in a mirror. Whatever he did, these nine shadows mimicked.

At the same time, the Demonic Qi in his body was being consumed.

Clearly, this is also a Demon Art, like the Hundred Li Tracking Technique. Excellent movement technique! With this, if I swing my staff, it'll be like ten people attacking at once, making it impossible to discern the true body. I could kill someone with a single blow!

At the same time, Chen Ku lightly plucked a strand of hair. With a flick of his finger, the hair shot out like sharp Sword Qi, embedding itself in the door panel.

Not bad at all! These abilities are quite useful. I'm sure they'll be retained even after I successfully Transform into the Hui Dragon.

At this moment, Chen Ku summoned the Flower Fox Mink and also hung the Skinny Dog, saying, "This time, both of you go out. Skinny Dog, find the Nine-Colored Deer. Flower Fox Mink, go to Yuan Country and bring back enough Evil Qi for me to train all five transformations for Transforming into Dragon to the Transformation Level."

「That night, Chen Ku secretly released the Flower Fox Mink and the Skinny Dog.」

「Time moved on to day.」

Within a pavilion on the road from Qiu Dragon Mansion to Baojiao County, a middle-aged official stood. He was dressed in a robe adorned with embroidered immortal cranes, his complexion fair, yet his temples showed the touch of time. His eyes reflected the outline of Baojiao County, thirty li distant, visible beyond the pavilion. He spoke leisurely, "Brother Qin, Baojiao County is just thirty li ahead. Let's go."

Following his voice, a man about two meters tall walked out of the pavilion. He had a golden hue to his skin, like burnished copper, and a full, imposing forehead that radiated dignity and heroism. When he spoke, his voice was powerful, instantly filling the air with a robust energy: "Alright."

Grandmaster Jin Chui, Qin Yuxian.

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