Chapter 1031 - The Heavenly Dao Society's Crisis

Though Liu Wuxie hadn't reached the next level, absorbing Steward He's laws pushed his cultivation forward significantly.

His aura grew stronger, his true essence became more refined, and even the desolate world within him turned denser from the influx of laws.

"Brother Liu, I don't know what to say... I'm endlessly grateful to you," Miao Jianying said sincerely.

Without Liu Wuxie's help, he never could have broken through to the second-level Earth Profound Realm so quickly.

"Notify your father immediately to stay alert," Liu Wuxie said with a frown. "I'm concerned the City Lord Mansion might make a move against the Renowned Sword Manor."

"Got it!" Miao Jianying responded without hesitation. He quickly pulled out a Communication Talisman and contacted his father.

When Miao Feiyu heard that Steward He had tried to kill his son, the news hit him like a thunderclap.

Without delay, Miao Feiyu made the decisive choice to transfer a portion of the manor's elites to the Central Plains.

Just a few days earlier, he had received troubling news: the First Sword Manor had allied with several powerful factions in a plot against the Renowned Sword Manor. Without the support of the City Lord Mansion, the Renowned Sword Manor could be in serious jeopardy.

As they spoke, Xu Lingxue and Murong Yi slowly opened their eyes. Both had broken through to the second-level Earth Profound Realm.

"Thank you, Wuxie dear!" the two ladies exclaimed joyfully.

Now that they had stepped into the Earth Profound Realm, they could finally be of real help to Liu Wuxie.

"This place isn't safe," Liu Wuxie said. "We need to leave immediately in case the City Lord Mansion sends more people."

Without hesitation, Liu Wuxie left with the three of them.

Once they crossed into the Central Plains, no one could threaten them.

As for Fiery, it wandered off on its own, and no one could tell where it had disappeared.

A few days later, they arrived at a large city. Liu Wuxie paid four thousand spirit stones and activated the teleportation array.

Miao Feiyu had gifted him with thirty million high-grade spirit stones, along with a vast trove of spiritual herbs, pills, and weapons, so many that Liu Wuxie hadn't even had time to sort through them all.

The trove likely equaled more than a month's profit from the Renowned Sword Manor's entire operation, and they had borne a loss to give it away to him.

But with their current level of swordsmithing, the Renowned Sword Manor would easily recover it within a few months.

After several transfers and half a month of travel, they finally arrived in Astral Glory City.

As soon as they stepped into the city, Miao Jianying and the two women were captivated by the grandeur of the Central Plains.

Everything they encountered along the way felt fresh and unfamiliar, as if they had stepped into another world.

They marveled at the towering buildings and the Spirit Jade Pavilion floating above. Each structure stunned them with its scale and design.

Liu Wuxie didn't rush to return to the Liu Clan. Instead, he brought them straight to the Heavenly Dao Society.

"So this is the Central Plains? It's a thousand times more prosperous than Northern City," Miao Jianying said, his eyes filled with curiosity as he walked the bustling streets.

He paid particular attention to the weapon shops they passed, carefully studying each one.

After crossing several streets, they finally arrived at the Heavenly Dao Society's territory.

The Heavenly Dao Society had expanded rapidly over the past year. As their roots deepened, so did their influence, and soon, they had acquired all the surrounding courtyards to accommodate their growing numbers.

After extensive fortification, they had raised the buildings taller than ever. The main hall, the tallest of them all, rose five stories high and dominated the entire compound.

......

The upper echelons of the Heavenly Dao Society were gathered in the main hall for a meeting. Xu Yilin presided over the discussion.

"This is outrageous! We finally secured a spot in the Spirit Jade Pavilion, and someone had to ruin everything!" Liu Dayue shouted, slamming his palm against the armrest.

Nearby, Fan Zhen, Bi Gongyu, and the others sat with furrowed brows.

Each of them oversaw a different branch of the Heavenly Dao Society. Bi Gongyu managed the Alchemy Hall, Lan Yu ran the Array Hall, and Song Ling led the Talisman Hall. All had faced setbacks recently.

"This has to be the work of the Liao, Yuan, and Wang Clans," Lan Yu said, his expression tense. "They've been sabotaging us from the shadows, making sure everyone turns down our pills and weapons."

Miao Feichen sat quietly among them, listening without a word.

After combining the Renowned Sword Manor's blacksmithing techniques with those of the Heavenly Dao Society, the quality of their weapons had improved dramatically.

"If only Master were here... he'd have a solution," Hu Shi muttered under his breath.

Their faith in Liu Wuxie remained unshakable. The Heavenly Dao Society had been building momentum, but this sudden wave of suppression threatened to unravel their progress.

"The investigation is complete," Fan Zhen announced. "The Yuan Clan bribed a Spirit Jade Pavilion elder and forced him to swap in inferior products. That's why everyone rejected ours."

As head of intelligence, Fan Zhen had traced the root of the problem.

"Leader, what should we do now?" asked a member of the Liu Clan. "They've ruined our reputation, and now our partners are canceling their orders."

With Liu Wuxie absent, Xu Yilin had taken charge as the acting head of the Heavenly Dao Society.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"In a few days, the Spirit Jade Pavilion will host its once-in-a-decade commerce fair," Xu Yilin said after a brief pause. "Dozens of merchants will be there to showcase their goods. This could be our chance to make a comeback."

The Spirit Jade Pavilion had branches in every major city, including Astral Glory City.

Though their prices were high, demand never waned. Their reputation was built on strict quality assurance, with a tenfold compensation policy in place to ensure that if anything went wrong, it would be resolved. They also offered a wide range of products, operated their own auction houses, and maintained countless supply channels.

If it existed, you could find it at the Spirit Jade Pavilion.

Anyone who managed to form a partnership with them would be guaranteed a decade of prosperity.

Every ten years, the Spirit Jade Pavilion hosted a grand commerce fair, an event designed to weed out inferior products and welcome promising new suppliers.

"But we're too small," Bi Gongyu sighed. "We weren't even invited. Without an invitation, we can't attend the commerce fair."

In the Central Plains, the Heavenly Dao Society had no reputation to speak of, not like the Four Great Clans or other major powers. Compared to them, they were as insignificant as ants.

The hall fell silent. For now, no one offered a solution.

Their current supply channels could sustain them, but just barely. Any hope of further expansion was entirely out of reach.

Disciples from the Southern Province kept pouring in. Without sufficient resources, how could they nurture them or grow the Heavenly Dao Society?

The major sects and clans in the Central Plains all possessed their industries, mines, and territories.

If the Heavenly Dao Society wanted to seize territory and continue expanding, they had to grow stronger first.

"Leader, look who's back!" a voice called from outside as four figures stepped into view.

Everyone in the main hall rose to their feet the moment they recognized the newcomers.

"Master has returned!" Lan Yu shouted, rushing out first as he was closest to the door.

"Father!" Xu Lingxue cried out, sprinting into the main hall and leaping into Xu Yilin's arms.

"Xue'er, you're finally back," Xu Yilin said warmly, stroking her head gently.

"Second Uncle!" Miao Jianying greeted as he entered, walking over to Miao Feichen.

Not knowing many others in the hall, Miao Jianying quietly stood by his uncle's side.

But Miao Feichen was stunned when he sensed his nephew's cultivation. He couldn't believe Miao Jianying had reached the second-level Earth Profound Realm in under two months, surpassing even himself.

"Ying'er, your cultivation..." he asked in disbelief.

"All thanks to Brother Liu," Miao Jianying replied honestly.

He then recounted everything that had happened in Northern City.

When Miao Feichen heard about the First Sword Manor's ambush, his expression darkened. His admiration for Liu Wuxie deepened upon learning how Liu had intervened just in time to avert disaster.

However, Miao Jianying said nothing about Steward He's ambush. He didn't want to cause his uncle unnecessary worry.

"Master!"

"Wuxie!"

Everyone in the main hall stood up as Liu Wuxie entered, surrounding him with various greetings. His return brought renewed hope and direction to the entire hall.

"What's going on?" Liu Wuxie asked as he took his seat. "I could hear the discussion from outside."

Even from beyond the main hall, he had picked up the tones of frustration and complaint.

"Wuxie, we haven't even retaliated against the Yuan, Liao, and Wang Clans," Fan Zhen said, stepping forward and placing a dossier in front of him, "but they've already come at us with full force."

Liu Wuxie took the documents and carefully read through the detailed account of everything that had transpired during the month he'd been away.

"So they came for us before I even made a move against them," he said coldly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Since that's the case, let's begin the war."

This time, he wouldn't stop at the Black Plume Pavilion and Golden Cauldron Pavilion. He also intended to crush the three clans.

"Wuxie, what should we do next?" Liu Dayue asked, already eager for action.

The Heavenly Dao Society hadn't launched any major operations in the past year since its founding, and everyone had been holding back, waiting for the right moment.

"We'll discuss it again tomorrow," Liu Wuxie said. "For now, I'll take them to the Liu Clan. I need to reassure my parents that I've returned safely."

He didn't offer further details, waiting on a few pending reports.

As the crowd dispersed, everyone wore bright smiles. They knew that Liu Wuxie's return signaled the actual rise of the Heavenly Dao Society in the Central Plains.

Everything up to this point had merely been preparation.

Back in the inner courtyard, Liu Wuxie paid respects to his in-laws alongside Xu Lingxue.

To avoid any awkwardness, Murong Yi had chosen to remain outside and rest.

Xu Lingxue couldn't hold back her emotions upon seeing her mother again. She poured her heart out in tears.

Yang Zi was overjoyed. It had been years since she last saw her daughter, and she could see how much Xu Lingxue had matured.

Xu Yilin also looked visibly relieved at the improved relationship between Liu Wuxie and his daughter. He had worried that Xu Lingxue might harbor resentment toward Liu Wuxie.

After all, it wasn't uncommon for men to take multiple wives in the True Martial Continent, and Xu Yilin wasn't a rigid man.

Though he wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of his son-in-law having other wives, Xu Yilin felt reassured seeing how Liu Wuxie still treated Xu Lingxue with the same sincerity and respect, and, most importantly, she remained his official wife.

"Mother, I'm going with Wuxie to meet Uncle and Aunt. I'll come back later to spend time with you," Xu Lingxue said.

Now that she was the Liu Clan's daughter-in-law, it was only proper for her to greet his parents formally.

"Silly child," Yang Zi said with a teasing smile, "don't call them Uncle and Aunt when you see them. You two are already married!"

Xu Lingxue stuck out her tongue and nodded obediently. She stole a glance at Liu Wuxie, only to meet his gaze at the exact moment.

Their eyes met, and both of their faces flushed red.