High Martial: I Can Copy All Root Bones!

Over in the Western Capital Prefecture, the Saint Demon Sect announced they were turning the prefecture into a Demon Country.

That’s right, the Saint Demon Sect.

Lu Changfeng read the newspaper article carefully. He discovered that the Saint Demon Sect force making a move in the Western Capital Prefecture was one of its subordinate Demon Sects: the Blood Saber Demon Sect.

The political landscape of the Western Capital Prefecture was complex. It was currently the most war-torn and contentious prefecture in the Song Country.

This move by the Blood Saber Demon Sect didn’t mean they had actually taken control of the Western Capital Prefecture; it was more like they were planting a flag on behalf of the Saint Demon Sect.

Intimidated by the Saint Demon Sect’s power, the other factions didn’t dare to step forward and object.

In reality, however, the sects and warlords of the Western Capital Prefecture were still fighting among themselves. True unification had not been achieved.

’Interesting. I wonder if the Sect Leader of the Saint Demon Sect and the other Demon Sects will respond to the Blood Saber Demon Sect’s actions.’

So far, Lu Changfeng hadn’t had any contact with Saint Demon Sect forces other than Xuansha from the Dark Buddha Demon Sect.

Nor had Lu Changfeng actively sought them out or asked Xuansha to gather the Saint Demon Sect’s forces.

For one, his own strength was insufficient. Relying solely on his status as Saint Master to command the Saint Demon Sect’s forces made Lu Changfeng feel insecure.

For another, the Saint Demon Sect was currently splintered and difficult to gather. It would save him a great deal of effort to just wait for the Sect Leader to announce the next Demon Cave assembly before revealing himself.

Looking at the current situation in the Song Country, the centrally located Cyan Mountain Prefecture had already completed its consolidation and begun attacking its neighbors.

The Three Western Prefectures were the most chaotic, and now only the territory of two prefectures remained.

The three eastern prefectures—the Capital Region, Yunyang Prefecture, and Jiangnan Prefecture—were still relatively peaceful. They were considered the last remaining bastions of the Song Country.

"Hall Master, we have a visitor!"

Just as he finished the newspaper, Teng Xiaofan, who served as a handyman, ran in to report.

"Hall Master, the Sect Master of the Broken Moon Sect is here in person!"

Lu Changfeng was taken aback for a moment. Then he remembered—he seemed to have forgotten he was still an Elder of the Broken Moon Sect.

’I still have to go teach at the Broken Moon Sect this month.’

"HAHAHA!"

"Elder Lu!!"

"I’ve invited myself!"

Just as Lu Changfeng stepped into the main hall of the Martial Arts Hall, he heard Luo Tianhao’s hearty voice.

Luo Tianhao then appeared, striding towards him.

"COUGH COUGH."

"My apologies, Sect Leader," Lu Changfeng said with a slight cough. "I’ve been a bit busy lately and forgot about my teaching duties for the sect."

’After all, the monthly stipend from the Broken Moon Sect had always arrived on time.’

Luo Tianhao waved his hand dismissively. "It’s no problem, no problem at all. See? That’s why I came to get you today!"

Lu Changfeng scratched his head, embarrassed.

"So, shall we leave now?"

"After you, Elder Lu!"

Luo Tianhao made an inviting gesture.

Lu Changfeng brought Teng Xiaofan and Sikong Jue along.

The three of them followed Luo Tianhao.

Outside the Martial Arts Hall, Luo Tianhao’s exclusive, luxurious carriage was already waiting.

The carriage was drawn by two Qilin Horses. These steeds were pitch-black, with the sole exception of their fiery red eyes, giving them a tall and majestic appearance.

Qilin Horses were very expensive, with each one valued at a Hundred Gold Coins.

However, they possessed great strength and stamina to match their price, and they provided a smooth ride. It was rumored that they even had a trace of bloodline from Ancient Times.

Luo Tianhao’s luxurious carriage could seat over ten people.

The interior resembled a small parlor.

It was fully furnished with a main seat, a central table, and guest seats on either side.

The group boarded the carriage.

Luo Tianhao took the main seat, while Lu Changfeng and his two companions sat on the sides.

The driver outside prompted the Qilin Horses, and the carriage started off smoothly.

The ride was smooth inside the carriage, but a glance at the streetscape blurring past the window revealed just how fast they were moving.

"And these two are...?" Luo Tianhao asked curiously.

"Little Feng and Kong. They’re new hires at the Martial Arts Hall. No need to be a stranger, Sect Leader," Lu Changfeng said.

Luo Tianhao nodded, not giving it much thought, and continued in a more serious tone:

"Elder Lu, I actually came to get you for another reason besides the lecture. There’s something I need to discuss with you."

Lu Changfeng raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What matter requires the Sect Leader to come in person?"

Luo Tianhao said, "Elder Lu, do you know which country lies across the East Sea from our Jiangnan Prefecture?"

Lu Changfeng thought for a moment before answering, "If I remember correctly, the Daliang Country?"

Luo Tianhao nodded. "That’s right. Daliang."

"A few days ago, Daliang sent a special envoy to visit the Mansion Master. They expressed their wish to come to Jiangnan Prefecture and hold a martial arts exchange with our Martial Arts Realm."

"Given the Song Country’s current situation, Daliang’s purpose for sending an envoy is painfully obvious."

"Thus, the Mansion Master summoned all of us leaders from the Jiangnan Prefecture Martial Arts Realm to discuss how to respond."

"The final decision was for each of us to gather the talented disciples from our sects for a martial arts exchange tournament, to meet Daliang’s provocation and probing head-on."

"I’m confident that with the deep-seated strength of our Jiangnan Prefecture’s Martial Arts Realm, a minor power like Daliang won’t be able to cause much of a stir."

The Song Country had seven prefectures and nearly two hundred cities.

The Daliang Country, in contrast, had only about fifty cities in the entire nation. Its overall national power was truly no match for the Song Country’s.

After listening, Lu Changfeng spoke. "So, in other words, this martial arts exchange is unavoidable?"

"What will be the format of this exchange, and what can I do to help?"

Luo Tianhao replied, "The martial arts exchange is indeed unavoidable, and the rules have already been decided. Jiangnan Prefecture, representing the Song Country, and Daliang will each select five Blood Forging Martial Artists, three Tendon Transformation Realm Martial Artists, and one Bone Refining Realm Martial Artist to compete."

"Victory will be decided by winning five out of the nine matches."

"A match ends when one side surrenders, or with the death of a combatant... It’s quite dangerous."

"But as one of the strongest in the Blood Forging Realm in Jiangnan Prefecture, the Mansion Master specifically requested you by name. He’s determined to have you participate."

"Originally, the Martial Arts Hall was supposed to approach you, but considering you’re an Elder of my Broken Moon Sect, I decided to be the one to ask you."

Lu Changfeng thought for a moment after hearing this. "Since I’ve established myself in Jiangzhou, it’s only right for me to fight on behalf of Jiangnan Prefecture," he said. "When will the martial arts exchange take place?"

"It’s tentatively scheduled for one month from now, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival’s full moon."

"So, what do you say? Is Elder Lu willing to fight?"

’If he wanted to continue making his way in Jiangzhou, with his current reputation, participating was unavoidable.’

’Besides, Lu Changfeng was also curious to see just how powerful these geniuses, sent with the full backing of the Daliang Country, truly were. Would this be an opportunity to copy a few good Root Bone Talents?’

So, Lu Changfeng nodded. "I will fight."

Luo Tianhao clapped his hands. "Excellent! Don’t worry. You’re an Elder of our Broken Moon Sect, and since you’ll be representing us in this fight, the sect will give you its full support. Tell me, what do you need?"

Lu Changfeng did, in fact, need something. "Does the Broken Moon Sect have any Blood Forging Treasures superior to Moon Beast Meat?"

Luo Tianhao thought for a moment. "Hmm, I’ll have to go back and ask those old monsters in the Sect."

"Rest assured, even if the sect doesn’t have any, I’ll find a top-grade Blood Forging Treasure for you."

"Are you planning to break through to the Blood Forging Eighth Layer?"

The vital energy of a Blood Forging Realm practitioner is concealed within the body, so Luo Tianhao couldn’t perceive Lu Changfeng’s exact Realm.

In his mind, even guessing that Lu Changfeng wanted to break through to the Blood Forging Seventh Layer was already an incredible thought.

Lu Changfeng simply nodded, not explaining his specific Realm. "I need a Blood Forging Treasure to continue my breakthrough. It will give me a better chance of winning for the Broken Moon Sect, for Jiangnan Prefecture, and for the Song Country in the match against Daliang."

Luo Tianhao replied, "Alright. As soon as I find anything, I’ll immediately have someone deliver the Blood Forging Treasure to the Martial Arts Hall."

Just as they were speaking, they arrived at the Broken Moon Sect’s mountain gate.

The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain.

Luo Tianhao led the three of them up the mountain.

Before long, they arrived at the sect’s entrance proper.

This time, the plaza was not filled with a large crowd of Inner Sect Disciples.

It turned out that his lecture today was for a different group of disciples.

Luo Tianhao led Lu Changfeng to an inner hall where only about twenty or so disciples of the Broken Moon Sect were gathered.

"Elder Lu, these are all True Disciples of my Broken Moon Sect who are in the Blood Forging Realm."

"After a few months, I’m sure you’ve gained a certain understanding of our Broken Moon Sect’s Body Forging Swordsmanship, Elder Lu."

"This time, we’d like to ask you to share some of your personal insights on the [Broken Moon Sword Manual]."

After speaking, Luo Tianhao found an empty chair for himself and sat down.

"Greetings, Elder Lu!" the disciples chorused, rising to their feet.

"There’s no need for formalities." Lu Changfeng gestured with his hand, indicating for the disciples to sit back down.

’Lu Changfeng scanned the room. Their Root Bone and Talent were indeed quite good; they were worthy of being called True Disciples of the Broken Moon Sect.’

’Unfortunately, none of them were targets he currently needed to copy.’

’When he had more time in the future, he could copy them one by one over the long years.’

’Several of these True Disciples seemed to be at the Blood Forging Sixth Layer, on the verge of breaking through to the Seventh Layer.’