Chapter 92: The Eight Divisions of Dragon Cultivation

Lü Mu departed. To Lu Fan, the integration of the Tianji Sect was nothing more than a sudden whim. Bai Yu Jing aspired to transcend mere power and unify the myriad schools of thought into one formidable force... Was this excessive? To Lu Fan, not at all, even if the world were to quake because of it, it was of no concern to him.

Instead of taking out the spiritual pressure chessboard, Lu Fan sat upright in his wheelchair, contemplating the construction of the "Dragon Cultivation Grounds." After a night of reflection, a preliminary concept had taken shape. The system-assigned tasks were graded, and the higher the score, the more generous the rewards. Thus, he invested great care in designing the "Dragon Cultivation Grounds."

The Eight Heavenly Dragons—Zhu Long, Ying Long, Qing Long, Hei Long, Chi Long, Shen Long, Pan Long, and Yun Long—were Lu Fan's final selections after deep consideration. He planned to designate eight Dragon Cultivation Grounds across the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, calling this grand scheme the Eight Divisions of Dragon Cultivation.

Sipping a draught of plum wine, Lu Fan furrowed his brows slightly. His eyes narrowed, and his pupils seemed to animate the very heavens and earth into dancing lines. The eight locations for the Dragon Grounds had already been chosen in his mind. Setting down the bronze wine cup, a ripple of thought surged through Lu Fan, and he entered the [Teaching Platform].

Seated at the heart of the Eight Trigrams Formation, robes billowing like a celestial exile, Lu Fan's body was encircled by golden runes that continuously manifested and entwined. His gaze blazed like a piercing torch. He pondered the depictions of dragons in his mind and then utilized the [All-Law Furnace] to forge the cultivation methods for the Heavenly Dragons.

Each dragon must possess a unique character; thus, the cultivation methods he created were distinctly tailored. The Eight Trigrams runes churned endlessly, and Lu Fan's soul seemed to boil with intensity. Soon, the Eight Heavenly Dragon cultivation methods were complete, each named after a different dragon species.

Within the Teaching Platform, Lu Fan grew increasingly ethereal. Beyond the Dragon Grounds, he began crafting a second secret realm, a realm of utmost significance, wherein he intended to impart the Body-藏境 cultivation method. His mind raced, eyes aflame as the Dragon Grounds merged with the secret realm, forming a magnificent new domain under his design.

The imperial city gates swung wide open. Six magnificent steeds of varying breeds pulled a luxurious carriage, dashing swiftly out of the capital. The entire metropolis trembled. The Son of Heaven was traveling at such a sensitive moment? Whispers spread as many furtively inquired about his destination. When it was revealed he was not headed to Yuan Chi but rather to Bei Luo City, astonishment gripped all.

The emperor's move caught many unprepared. Bei Luo City... a place of extreme sensitivity. For a time, the entire capital was shrouded in a strange atmosphere, with numerous secret messages flowing out.

Thirty li outside Yuan Chi City, within a military camp, Mo Beike frowned deeply as he read a letter. Dan Tai Xuan sat atop a high seat, his face grim.

"Master, does His Majesty's action harbor some deeper meaning?" Dan Tai Xuan asked gravely. Bei Luo City was an unerasable wound in his heart.

Mo Ju gently fanned himself and inhaled deeply. "Most likely, Your Majesty acts under the guidance of the State Preceptor."

Mo Ju's words drew Mo Beike's gaze. Mo Ju was exceptional, though regrettably not a disciple of their Mo family.

"Indeed, His Majesty's move likely reflects Kong Xiu's counsel."

"Today's world is divided into four great camps apart from Great Zhou."

Mo Beike's voice was hoarse and heavy.

"The first camp is the Northern Command led by the Dan Tai family."

Dan Tai Xuan squinted, nodding slightly.

Mo Ju lightly waved his fan, awaiting Mo Beike's continuation.

"The second camp is the Western Liang Iron Cavalry, led by Xiang Shaoyun."

"The third camp is the Southern Command Tang family, a low-profile yet formidable force not to be underestimated."

"These three camps are led by feudal lords and governors, each vying to partition the Great Zhou realm."

Mo Beike spoke slowly. Mo Ju nodded—such was the state of affairs every strategist must analyze.

"And the fourth camp?" Dan Tai Xuan inquired.

"Bei Luo City... Bai Yu Jing."

A single city standing as an entire camp? Dan Tai Xuan's eyes narrowed, unconvinced.

"A mere Bei Luo, without an army of a hundred thousand, how could it claim the title of a fourth camp?"

Though he had suffered setbacks in Bei Luo, he could not accept it as a great power equal to his Northern Command's massive army.

Mo Beike's heavy eye bags twitched faintly.

Mo Ju fanned softly, the atmosphere within the tent turning somewhat ominous.

"Cultivators are wild cards, and Bai Yu Jing is the foremost cultivation power of the age—a wildcard among wildcards."

Mo Beike said.

Mo Ju fanned once more.

"Master, the precariousness of the current situation stems from the emergence of cultivators. Do not underestimate them..."

"Perhaps..."

"The young master of Bei Luo, Lu, alone can rival an army of a hundred thousand."

Mo Ju's tone was solemn.

Dan Tai Xuan inhaled deeply, remaining silent, recalling his harrowing experience in the Wolong Ridge secret realm. The "immortal" methods haunted him with nightmares for days.

He nodded faintly.

"I shall have the spies in the capital stir rumors and foment turmoil."

"We will hold our forces for now. If His Majesty truly calls upon Lu Ping'an to leave Bei Luo..."

"We shall retreat five hundred li further."

Mo Beike declared.

The Yin-Yang sect's disciple Wei Luan... entered Bei Luo, now cold in death. They must remain cautious. Wei Luan was an exceptionally enigmatic Yin-Yang master; even grandmasters might never know how he perished. Yet in Bei Luo, not even a ripple escaped his demise. The young master's methods chilled the mind the more one pondered them.

On the second floor of the library, Mo Tianyu bowed and informed State Preceptor Kong Xiu of Yuwen Xiu's departure from the capital to Bei Luo. Kong Xiu opened his aged eyes, his face twitching slightly.

"Why would His Majesty venture to Bei Luo City..."

"Let us hope His Majesty can withstand Lu Ping'an's mercurial temper..."

Jiang Li also received news of Yuwen Xiu's six steeds entering Bei Luo. He had anticipated a summons by the emperor through the capital's nine imperial edicts, yet the emperor chose an unconventional path.

"Bei Luo... that young master Lu?" Jiang Li squinted.

Though unfamiliar with him, he had heard the name. The young master, blessed by immortal fate, seemed to harbor boundless terror.

Speaking of immortal fate... Jiang Li suddenly felt a headache. His own chicken-raising maiden had inexplicably gained such a fate. That little chick had transformed into a great firebird, fatally defeating Mo Shou Gui.

He wished for Bai Qingniao's safety and to avoid war. Yet the immortal fate had rendered the humble chicken-raiser anything but ordinary. Upon emergence, she had slain a top martial grandmaster. But it was that very fate which had saved Bai Qingniao's life.

Thus, Jiang Li's heart was torn with complexity. Would he continue to drink this "chicken soup" in the future?

Bei Luo City.

When Lu Changkong received this news, his expression shifted slightly. The emperor was actually coming to Bei Luo? Yet Lu Changkong was not surprised; it was likely the State Preceptor's doing.

On the city walls, clad in armor, Lu Changkong stood solemn, with Luo Yue behind him equally grave.

"Old Luo, mobilize all elite troops to ensure His Majesty's safety."

"His Majesty must not suffer any mishap within Bei Luo."

Lu Changkong said.

He understood that following Wei Luan's death, Bei Luo should be the safest place in the realm. Yet one cannot be too cautious.

Luo Yue received his orders and departed. Lu Changkong personally headed to Heart Lake Isle. With the emperor's arrival imminent, he needed Lu Fan's counsel.

Upon arrival, the atmosphere on Heart Lake Isle was peculiarly tense and urgent. Heavy clouds swirled above the Bai Yu Jing pavilion, as if the very heavens raged with wrath.

A single glance suffocated him. His heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Before the Bai Yu Jing pavilion, Nie Changqing stood poised with his sword, an ominous sharpness barely restrained.

Ning Zhao drifted over like a feather, arriving before Lu Changkong in an instant.

"What happened? How is Fan'er?" Lu Changkong asked.

Ning Zhao, her white robes fluttering, replied,

"The young master is in seclusion. Before entering, he decreed no one but Bai Yu Jing disciples may set foot on the island, nor see him."

Lu Changkong was stunned, then his expression shifted. The emperor was coming to Bei Luo to meet Lu Fan, yet Lu Fan had secluded himself, forbidding any visitors. Was this deliberate... or accidental?

He said nothing, glancing once more at the pavilion enshrouded in terrifying aura.

He boarded a boat and departed.

At dusk, beyond the vast plains outside Bei Luo, the sunset blushed shyly like a maiden, half-hidden beneath the horizon.

A lavish carriage emerged from the horizon, six fine steeds dragging it, trampling the fiery remnants of the sunset's glow.

The imperial procession swept forth, leaving trails of dust as it sped from the capital toward Bei Luo City.