High Martial: I Can Copy All Root Bones!

Lu Changfeng’s words drew everyone’s eyes to Lin Erfeng.

Being the focus of so many Rebirth Realm experts made Lin Erfeng feel quite uneasy. "Saint Master, you flatter me. I was only able to accomplish these things thanks to your formidable reputation."

"There’s no need for modesty. Credit where credit is due."

"From now on, you will not only be one of my Demon Generals, but also the Grand Steward of the Holy Sect’s rear territories."

"Over the next few days, I need you to travel to Yong City, Fengg City, and Goose City. Win the hearts of the people and secure their loyalty to our Holy Sect. Only then will our rear be truly stable," Lu Changfeng said.

Lin Erfeng nodded. "It is my duty, Saint Master. However, I must mention one thing. The people of Rong City turned to our side so quickly in large part because I have been operating here for decades."

"Of course, I am still confident I can replicate our success in Rong City in the other territories under the Holy Sect’s control. It will simply take more time, and I will need the full cooperation of the local leadership."

Lu Changfeng waved his hand dismissively. "That won’t be a problem. You have my word."

Lin Erfeng breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your trust, Saint Master."

Xuansha spoke up. "Saint Master, now that we’ve taken these four cities, should we assemble the Martial Arts Army and march into Jiangnan Prefecture to capture Qin City?"

Lu Changfeng slowly shook his head. "Don’t be fooled by the fierce fighting between the Jiangnan Prefecture Martial Arts Realm and Daliang. If a third power were to openly interfere now, we would likely be targeted by both sides."

"First, we’ll secure our rearguard and consolidate our control over these four cities."

"You, Fanyun, and Lin Xiong will be stationed in Yong City. Keep an eye on the movements of Yunyang Prefecture’s Martial Arts Army in Phoenix City. You will also coordinate with Lin Erfeng to govern these four cities, unify their martial arts forces under a single command, and begin to encroach upon the surrounding towns. I want to see the martial arts power of the four cities not only stabilize, but begin to grow."

"As for Qin City, Bai Touweng and I will make a quiet trip there on our own."

The situation in Yunyang Prefecture had become quite clear. The Mansion Master, Yinn Zhong, had no intention of going to war with the Saint Demon Sect; he was simply hunkering down in Phoenix City.

Unless the Emperor in the Capital Region was willing to support Yinn Zhong, it was only a matter of time before Lu Changfeng completely swallowed up the southwestern region of Yunyang Prefecture.

In truth, what Lu Changfeng didn’t realize was that the father-son pair, Yinn Zhong and Yinn De, had already mentally ceded the entire southern part of Yunyang Prefecture to him.

All the Yinn father and son hoped for was to hold Phoenix City. As long as they could maintain it as a border, they would be able to answer to the Emperor.

With Xuansha watching over their rear territories, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

Xuansha and the other two, however, looked slightly disappointed upon hearing they would be separated from Lu Changfeng again.

Leaving Lu Changfeng meant entering a long period of dormancy.

Having experienced the rich supply of Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy that surrounded Lu Changfeng, the three of them were quite reluctant to leave.

"Saint Master, a letter has arrived from someone claiming to be from the Profound Nether Sect." Just then, Bai Touweng came jogging to Lu Changfeng’s side.

"Oh? And how was it delivered?"

Bai Touweng scratched his head. "It floated down from the sky. Forgive my incompetence, but I was unable to spot the messenger."

Lu Changfeng took the letter and examined it. The cover read: "Presented by the Profound Nether Sect. For the Saint Master’s eyes only."

He opened the letter. Inside was a single line of text: "I have long heard of your great renown, Saint Master, and would like to invite you for a meeting at White Cloud Cottage."

It was signed: Lii Tianxing.

’Lii Tianxing, the Profound Nether Sect Master? One of the most famous warlords in these chaotic times, and the only newcomer to make it onto the Thousand Knowledge Sect’s Celestial Tier rankings in the past several decades.’

’His strength must be exceptional, even among those in the Rebirth Realm.’

’What surprised me the most was how Lii Tianxing had learned of my presence in Rong City so quickly.’

’But it was understandable. Countless citizens of Rong City had witnessed the Qilin’s display of power that day, and talk of the "Qilin Saint Master" had been spreading like wildfire.’

’If Lii Tianxing had spies planted in Rong City, he naturally would have received news of my arrival very quickly.’

’After all, Lii Tianxing has been in rebellion for many years; his intelligence network must surely span the entire nation by now.’

"Where is White Cloud Cottage?" Lu Changfeng asked quietly.

Lin Erfeng, who was standing to the side, answered, "It’s a restaurant in Rong City. It’s quite expensive and caters to the wealthy."

Lu Changfeng passed the letter to his subordinates.

"Lii Tianxing of the Profound Nether Sect... What’s he doing in Rong City?"

"The Profound Nether Sect has annexed several cities recently. Their power is not to be underestimated."

"Lii Tianxing? Why would that fiend sneak into Rong City? He must have an ulterior motive!" Fanyun Demon Monarch exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"You know him?" Lu Changfeng asked, guessing from Fanyun Demon Monarch’s expression that he and Lii Tianxing were old acquaintances.

Fanyun nodded. "We are both followers of the Demon Dao. One year, the Blood Evil Sect held a Martial Arts exchange conference in Cyan Mountain Prefecture. I was invited, and I met him there."

"He wasn’t the Profound Nether Sect Master back then, but he was already the top genius of the Profound Nether Sect. He took first place at the conference, and I even offered him a few words of praise."

"I never thought that decades later, he’d become such a major figure in the Song Country," Fanyun remarked with a sigh.

Fanyun added, "That fiend is extremely calculating and excels at unpredictable Body Techniques. During the conference, he always had another trick up his sleeve. Saint Master, you must be cautious."

’In that case,’ Lu Changfeng thought, ’the messenger was likely Lii Tianxing himself.’

"Saint Master, will you go to this meeting?" Xuansha asked with a frown.

Lu Changfeng gave a slight nod. "Since he came in person, I will certainly grant him a meeting. I’m also curious to see how this rising star of the Demon Dao measures up to the abundant talent of our Holy Sect."

"We will accompany you, Saint Master!" Fanyun, Bai Touweng, and the others declared in unison.

They were clearly worried that the Saint Master’s personal strength wasn’t enough, and feared the Profound Nether Sect Master might cause trouble.