Chapter 685: Feng-grade Architecture

What Chu Liang didn't know was that he had something to do with why the format of the

Seven Stars Gazette

had changed.

Since the Circle of Immortal Friends Token was introduced, information spread throughout the immortal realm at an astonishing speed.

Whenever a significant event occurred, someone in the immortal sects would instantly be informed, and the news would spread like wildfire.

In the past, much of the news was only known through

The Seven Stars Gazette

, but now, as soon as a witness posted on the Circle of Immortal Friends Token, everyone would know instantly.

The Seven Stars Gazette

lost its significance in spreading news, at least within the major immortal sects for now.

Although the Circle of Immortal Friends token hadn't fully gained widespread adoption, the perceptive Celestial Pivot Pavilion had already noticed the impending crisis.

Once people knew about the news that had been spread through the Circle of Immortal Friends, it was natural that they would not anticipate

The Seven Stars Gazette

for this month as eagerly.

If this continued, the magazine might gradually lose its readership. To address this, Zhou Yijian, the master of the Wind-Catching Hall, decided to revamp the layout and title to make

The Seven Stars Gazette

more captivating.

The major events of this month revolved around two monumental occurrences: the demon king's surprise attack on the Buddhist Cloud Monastery after the chaos in the South Sea, and the sudden and mysterious reappearance of the Mount Mang rebels in Wu'an City. One took place in the sky, the other on the ground—both were undeniably the most significant news of the month.

While Chu Liang's return might have once made headlines, it was now overshadowed by these two events. After all, Chu Liang had become Champion of the Assembly of Immortal Sects six years ago, and he was no longer the center of attention.

However, thanks to

The Seven Stars Gazette

, Chu Liang no longer had to explain his reappearance everywhere he went. Soon, the entire world would know of his return.

Moreover, his grand gesture of purchasing the Demon-Slaying Sword upon his return served as a fitting declaration, showcasing him as the richest man of Mount Shu.

"The Chronicles of the Nine Provinces" were filled with major events, but only a few stood out. The rest seemed trivial in comparison.

For instance, the Sea King Sect's Cloudcrest Dragon Banner had been stolen. Investigations revealed that the theft had been carried out by a master in stealth techniques.

Chu Liang recalled that when he and Wang Xuanling entered the sea, they had seen Huo Tianya of the Celestial Charm Sect holding this treasure, which he had later handed over to the Sea Master.

So, it had been stolen from the Sea King Sect?

As Chu Liang thought about the theft, he realized that it was likely the work of the evil Celestial Charm Sect. Specifically, it could have been Yang Bujue, the expert in stealth techniques whom he had met before.

Lately, the nine provinces had been plagued with chaos, as evildoers often caused trouble. Despite

The Seven Stars Gazette

adopting a lighthearted tone, the overall atmosphere remained heavy.

Thankfully, after "The Chronicles of the Nine Provinces," there was still "The Uncommon Tales of the Martial World" to provide some entertainment.

The headline of the "Uncommon Tales of the Martial World"

centered around Huyan Dong, the City Lord of Taotie City.

There had been rumors about Huyan Dong's secret affairs with women, but nothing ever came of it. His wife, ever composed, maintained a public image of calm, and their household seemed to remain in perfect harmony.

Recently, the Celestial Pivot Pavilion received word that Huyan Dong had been meeting with several women in private. The Wind-Catching Hall managed to track down one anonymous woman who claimed that Huyan Dong had promised to take her as a concubine if she became pregnant.

It seemed that Huyan Dong was desperately seeking to have another child. Given that both he and his wife were powerful cultivators, conceiving a child naturally was difficult. Seeking out a woman with a lower cultivation level offered him a better chance of success.

Huyan Dong's behavior was likely tied to the repeated failures of his son, Huyan Bin.

Huyan Bin had once been on a steady path, diligently following his father's guidance. He wasn't the sharpest, but he did not make any big mistakes. However, everything took a turn six years ago when he made the decision to invest in Red Cotton Peak.

That one choice nearly crumbled the foundation Taotie City had spent a millennium establishing.

If he had the choice, Huyan Dong wouldn't even bother thinking about having a second child.. He just wished he could return to that night thirty years ago, when his younger self received an invitation from his wife. He'd tell himself to take a walk, enjoy some fresh air, eat some hotpot—anything but reply to her. He would have begged his younger self to never respond, no matter the reason!

...

Fifteen days later, on the open grounds of Red Cotton Peak.

"Welcome, Venerable Sect Leader!" Chu Liang announced loudly.

Clap clap clap.

The disciples of the Hall of Construction clapped together, their freshly scrubbed faces showing a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Some had served in the Hall for over a decade, while others were newer, having joined only five or six years ago. Yet, none had ever witnessed the sect leader's visit to their hall before.

Who would have thought that Chu Liang's joining the hall would somehow bring the sect leader to visit in person?

"Stop!" Chu Liang ordered, and the clapping immediately stopped. He turned around and said, "Sect Leader, these are the sample houses we've rushed to complete. Please inspect them!"

With a sweep of his arm, he pointed to the five houses that stood on the open grounds. These were no longer the usual wooden cabins found on Mount Shu but rather well-constructed and sturdy homes.

"We've graded the houses into five categories: Ding, Bing, Yi, Jia, and Feng," Chu Liang said, gesturing to each. "The level of defense becomes stronger with each grade."

"Oh?" Venerable Wen Yuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, accompanied by the Weapons Master and the Alchemy Master. All three appeared intrigued and one of them asked, "What differences do these houses have?"

Chu Liang explained, "The Ding-grade house can withstand a full-force strike from a fourth-realm cultivator without sustaining damage."

As his words echoed, a fourth-realm disciple stepped out of the house. After a respectful salute to the sect leader and elders, he turned and unsheathed his sword.

Whoosh!

Bam!

A surge of sword qi lashed out with great force, yet when it struck the wall of the house, it only produced a faint white glow.

"The Bing-grade house can withstand a full-force strike from a fifth-realm cultivator without breaking," Chu Liang continued.

Immediately, a fifth-realm disciple of Mount Shu stepped out of the house. Forming a seal with both hands, he turned and launched an attack.

Boom!

After the strike, the house remained perfectly intact.

"The Yi-grade house can withstand a full-force strike from a sixth-realm cultivator," Chu Liang explained.

In that instant, Lin Bei stepped out of the house. He greeted those nearby with a nod before turning, drawing his sword, and unleashing a clean strike at the house.

Boom!

The sword qi whistled through the air, yet the wall stood firm, showing no damage.

"The Jia-grade house is capable of enduring a full-force strike from a Seventh Realm expert without breaking," Chu Liang said. "Would either of the two elders be willing to test it?"

"If this works, it will be truly remarkable," said the Weapons Master. "I'll give it a try."

As someone who had spent years crafting enchanted tools, the Weapons Master naturally understood the level of quality required for a tool to endure a full-force strike from a seventh-realm cultivator. It would be simply astonishing if a building could achieve such a level of defense.

With that, he raised his black-iron hand high, circulating his foundational qi throughout his body, and punched with all his might!

Although he didn't want to embarrass Chu Liang, the Weapons Master maintained a rigorous approach to the test. This punch was infused with the entirety of his cultivation power, with no holding back whatsoever!

Boom!

As the punch landed, the house trembled violently and swayed for a moment, yet it remained standing. The enchanted formation inscription seemed rather interesting as it likely used the tremors of the house to dissipate much of the impact.

"This is indeed remarkable," remarked the Weapons Master with a smile. "The endurance of the outer wall is as strong as some enchanted tools ranked in the Catalog of the Mortal World's Ten Thousand Treasures."

"Wait..." The Alchemy Master's eyes widened as realization hit him. "Don't tell me the Feng-grade is..."

"Precisely," Chu Liang said as he nodded with a smile. "It can withstand a full-force strike from my esteemed teacher without exploding."

"What?" The three old men looked at him at the same time in shock.

Just then, Di Nufeng stepped out from the house, her laughter ringing out like a bell.

"To prove that my teacher and I aren't putting on a show," Chu Liang called out, "Esteemed Teacher, if you can destroy this house with a single punch, I'll give you an extra ten thousand sword coins."

"What?" Di Nufeng's eyes flared with excitement, nearly sparking with fire.

She rolled up her sleeves, and violet-gold flames erupted from her arms. The flames spread like wings, moving with her arms, cutting through the air with a sharp, shrill cry.

Boom!!

As her punch landed, the entire mountain trembled.

When the dust cleared, everyone looked over to see that although the stone walls of the house were cracked, they still held together. The house seemed on the verge of collapse, but it hadn't fallen. At this point, a single kick could bring it down.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

But in the end, it withstood the attack.

"Tch," Di Nufeng clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Good!" Venerable Wen Yuan clapped lightly and nodded. "I knew choosing you for this task was the right decision. If Red Cotton Peak is renovated to this standard, we'll have nothing to worry about."

Before he turned to leave, he whispered, "Maybe you can look into reinforcing Boundless Palace as well."

The Weapons Master stepped closer and asked, "How much does this house cost? I need one too."

The Alchemy Master, not wanting to be left behind, eagerly added, "And me! I would like one, please!"

For these old men, fireproofing or theft prevention didn't matter. What truly captivated them was the house's ability to stand against Di Nufeng's might.

"Everything is negotiable," Chu Liang replied with a smile.

In the midst of the cheerful moment, a sudden surge of terrifying sword qi erupted from Azure Falling Peak, engulfing Mount Shu in a chilling cold.

"That's..." Di Nufeng reacted first, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Yan Zi!"

Chu Liang also looked up and immediately realized what had happened.

"Senior Aunt Yan has finally come out of her closed-door cultivation!"