Shen Huaixin asked, “I’ve only just released the decree ordering their subordinates to be transferred away. And now you want me to command them to take all these people back? I seem to recall that the three of you were supportive of reducing their three Manors’ forces back then. Why have you suddenly changed your minds? Are you so free that you simply wish to look for something entertaining to do, or is it because you think this Hall Master’s official decree is something that can be taken back on a whim?”

The three Advisors were a little helpless at his words. They all knew that it was inappropriate for a Hall Master to take back his official decree, but things had really gotten out of hand… Huang Jizhang forced a smile and cupped his fists, “We’re simply having them take back those who already have a certain position within the three Manors, not everyone.”

Shen Huaixin asked again, “So you’re saying that they should take back some of the men, while the others remain?”

The three Advisors fell silent for a while. Shortly after, Ji Ze cupped his fists and answered weakly, “Yes, that is what we’re saying.”

Shen Huaixin asked curiously, “Then how is that any different from having me revoke my official decree? Even if I do somehow agree to this, don’t you think you should give me a valid reason at least?”

The three Advisors grumbled to themselves, ‘Like you don’t already know why.’

Xu Jinsong cupped his fists and said, “The three Manors have sent both their high and low-ranking troops to be transferred away to the other six Manors. There aren’t that many positions within the six Manors to begin with. I’m positive those three Manor Heads have some kind of ulterior motive, and they’re using this method to retaliate against the official decree from their superiors. For the sake of the greater good, the three of us would like to request that the Hall Master make another official decree in regards to the transferral.”

“Ulterior motive? Going against their superior’s official decree? I’m sure the three of you are just overthinking things. I have just received reports from the three Manors not too long ago. Why don’t you take a look?” Shen Huaixin then tossed out three jade archives.

Standing down below, the three Advisors caught the jade archives and started to read through them. The archives stated: ‘Our three Manors fully agree with Suppressing Tenth Hall’s stance that the troops can be susceptible to feelings of attachment from staying in one place for too long. After a thorough investigation, we found that the troops in both the higher and lower upper echelons of our administrations were indeed exhibiting such behavior. As such, our three Manors shall support Suppressing Tenth Hall’s plans in whatever way we can. We have already sent most of our forces to be transferred away. And while we will help retain the positions of those transferred away, if the other six Manors find any of our subordinates to be of use, they are free to keep them permanently. If not, then they are allowed to demote them accordingly as well. The other six Manors are free to think of this as a form of training for the troops. Our three Manors shall simply wait patiently for the day our forces return.’

‘They’re still thinking of waiting for their troops to be returned?’

‘In the first place, this whole plan was a ruse to cut your forces so that the people from the other Manors wouldn’t get scared sh*tless! We’ve never even thought of returning those men back to you three!’

The looks on Xu Jinsong’s and the others’ faces twisted horribly. ‘Retaining their subordinates’ positions! What a cunning move! They’ve completely blocked off all possible ways of retreat for us! They don’t have the slightest intention of going against the official decree or making things difficult for their superiors. Instead, they said that we’re free to return their three Manors’ subordinates whenever we please!’ 

The problem was that they couldn’t return these subordinates, at least not for the time being. Even if they—the three Advisors—were willing, the Hall Master Shen Huaixin would surely be against it. No Hall Master would treat his own official decree like a toy that he could just toss back and forth as he pleased.

Even if they waited until enough time had passed to send all these people back, there were too many uncertainties involved. It would most likely be too late by then.

As he watched the three Advisors leave, Shen Huaixin turned to his handmaidens standing beside him and gently sighed, “He who comes surely bears ill-will, as those with good intentions shall never arrive! People always say that those who’ve made their way out of the bloody massacre that is the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade are real men amongst men. I see the rumors aren’t exaggerated in the least!”

As they walked out the door, Xu Jinsong and the others were grinding their teeth in hatred. There was simply nothing they could do. Since the other party had dared to make such a move, it was evident that threats wouldn’t work on them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have asked to take back their gifts in the first place. These people were clearly more than ready to put up a fight against them!

What they found most frustrating was that there was still a bunch of people waiting for them in their homes. They’d really embarrassed themselves this time. All those people had only gotten promoted by offering gifts to the three of them. They even sent them tributes every year. But in the end, they couldn’t even help them secure a position. Moreover, they ended up failing so many of them in one go. How would the public look at the three Advisors from now on?

“Brother Xu, Brother Huang, why don’t we go for a drink somewhere?” Ji Ze suddenly asked.

The other two Advisors nodded. None of them wished to go back to their manors and face all those people. They figured they could just look for someone to send the crowd away later on…

A bunch of people from the three Manors had come to Suppressing Tenth Hall in a rush, but in the end, they all had no choice but to leave in low spirits. The three Advisors no longer showed their faces after leaving. It couldn’t be clearer what that meant for them.

Although these people hated Miao Yi, they despised the three Advisors even more. ‘We can’t afford to offend that brute Miao Yi, but you three have received so many gifts from us over the years…’

It was evident what would await these people once they returned. The Manor Heads of the six Manors would surely promote their own people if they could. After all, if not even the three Advisors could help them, then how could the Manor Heads?

Raincloud Manor, Thousand Lake Manor, and Mulberry Cloud Manor. These three Manors had each sent out nearly four hundred of their forces to be transferred away, and a majority of their Advisors, Deacons, Mountain Chieftains, and Cave Masters were all demoted to normal troops to be used by the other six Manors. When word spread about this, the public was utterly shocked by the overwhelming prowess displayed by the three Manors.

Among the Suppressing Tenth Hall’s ten Manors, only those three Manors remained with half their forces cut away from them; the rest had all their troops replenished. Even Tranquil Sun Manor, which was previously wiped clean, had all its positions filled out. In the eyes of the other Manors’ forces, Manor Head Miao and the others had openly gone up against the three Advisors of Suppressing Tenth Hall. Yet, both parties actually ended up fighting to a draw. One side had half their forces cut, while the other was forced to offend so many people.

However, one thing was certain; this was not over. It was unlikely that the three Manors’ forces would ever be replenished. As long as those three Advisors were still in power, they would surely reject the idea even if it killed them. This was something the other Manors all wished to see. They couldn’t let those three brutes have too many men under their control. Otherwise, they would all have to live in fear; fear that they would follow in Tranquil Sun Manor’s footsteps…

Raincloud City. Within the Celestial Chamber of Commerce’s branch shop, a few tellers were surrounding a cultivator that had come here to trade, listening to the latter talk about the recent occurrences in Suppressing Tenth Hall. Listening in by the side, Wen Fang quietly clicked her tongue as she thought, ‘Those three are vicious indeed. They’ve only just arrived and they already brutally murdered over one thousand Tranquil Sun Manor cultivators in a baptism of blood without a single survivor. Right after that, they defied the Advisors of Suppressing Tenth Hall and ended up shaming the three Red Lotus realm cultivators to such a degree!’

Traversing Water Palace. At the peak of the mountain surrounded by mighty waterfalls on all sides, the rear palace sits loftily upon the edge of the cliff. Next to the bright, red-colored railings connected to a beautifully carved moon-shaped arch gate, Granny Tao stood gazing at the clouds in the distance, her golden dragon-head staff in hand. Facing the breeze, she was inches away from the railing, where the sharp drop of a cliff awaited those who crossed it.

As she listened to Advisor Tao Qingli’s report on the current state of affairs in Suppressing Tenth Hall, Granny Tao chuckled, “Those three runts have really done it now. As expected of Subjugation Crusade survivors. I never thought that I’d bring back such interesting people. What a pity!”

Tao Qingli supported Granny Tao by the arm and asked, “Grandmother, why do you say it’s a pity?”

Granny Tao turned to look at her and replied, “A pity that I’ve grown old. I fear that you won’t be able to hold these three down in the future! They don’t even hold the three Red Lotus realm Advisors in any regard. It’s evident that their ambition isn’t small. For now, let’s just wait and see what happens next!”

All those in the cultivation realm spent most of their time cultivating, unlike mortals who met the challenges of daily life as they came. And with the gradual passage of time, the waves that were stirred in Suppressing Tenth Hall slowly died out. The grudge between Miao Yi’s posse and the three Advisors was set in stone, and it was only a matter of time before something happened that would cause both parties to clash once again.

Half a year later, the three Manors’ forces had still yet to be replenished. After all, they could try to recruit people as much as they want, but none of the higher-ups would approve of it.

That said, although the forces within the three Manors had dwindled, they no longer carried themselves in the same way they did before, as all their old practices had been completely swept aside. The fact that the three Advisors weren’t able to push any of their subordinates into the three Manors’ forces played a huge role in ensuring that internal reforms could be completed so successfully. Otherwise, if the higher-ups suddenly slotted someone into their forces or talked about using their connections and whatnot, then all their efforts would have been wasted.

The only thing worth regretting was that battles for territory weren’t allowed here. As such, Miao Yi could only command his subordinates to do mock ambushes on one another periodically. They were free to use any method at their disposal. However, since they didn’t have many members in the first place, they couldn’t really start to kill one another. Therefore, they were only allowed to use wooden sticks and their dragon steeds. The losing side would have to pay a certain number of Orbs of Will to the winning side, which would be tabulated during the annual tribute at the end of the year.

Chaos immediately ensued after that announcement was made. Miao Yi’s subordinates battled each other constantly, and would always end up with heavy injuries on both sides. Suffering wounds became a daily routine for them.

Even though it was stressful having to go through every single day being wary and cautious of enemy attacks, the change it brought to the troops was significant. The disastrously laid-back attitude previously exhibited by the Caves and Mountains was now gone, slowly replaced by an aura of vigilance and ferocity. This was what Miao Yi wanted to see.

Within the silent quarters, a two-petaled blue lotus bloomed on Miao Yi’s forehead.

As he opened his eyes, Miao Yi gently breathed out. There was a happy look on his face. With the increase in his cultivation, he could now refine four Orbs of Will a day instead of his previous rate of three orbs a day. He never thought that after breaking through to the Blue Lotus realm, his daily orb-refining speed would increase by a whole orb every time he broke through to the next grade. This was not to be underestimated, as this seemingly minor improvement indicated a very significant increase in his cultivation in the long run.

As for breaking through to the Blue Lotus Third Grade, it seemed Miao Yi would need to refine about 5,120 Orbs of Will. Once again, it was two times the previous amount.

This also meant that he would need around three and a half years to break through to the Third Grade. To most cultivators, such a cultivating speed was already quite terrifying.

Miao Yi ceased his cultivation and stepped outside. He would do this almost every month. He then called for Yan Xiu, Qian’ Er, and Xue’Er and asked them about the state of things in his absence. He was particularly interested in any movements from the three Advisors of Suppressing Tenth Hall, as he was worried they would use some underhanded methods while he wasn’t around.

As always, nothing unusual of note had happened this time around as well. After making sure everything was okay, Miao Yi led the two girls away from his manor and headed straight towards the forbidden site, which was also the island where Yao Ruoxian resided in. Every time Miao Yi stepped out of cultivation, he would be concerned about the progress of his transcendent artifact. He was very excited to see a transcendent artifact on par with the Flowing Cloud Killer!

The island was quiet. Under the Manor Head’s command, no one dared to set foot here. As Miao Yi and the two young ladies arrived, they headed straight for the courtyard, where they were immediately greeted with the sound of something snoring. This obviously came from Charcoal, who was all curled up and sleeping under the eaves of the main hall.

Miao Yi didn’t know how many Yao Cores Yao Ruoxian had fed to Charcoal, but in short, he practically never saw the damned fatso awake every time he visited.

Within the main hall, Yao Ruoxian was sitting atop a bamboo bed and cultivating. Miao Yi’s eyes immediately brightened as he saw this. In all the times he visited before, the old man would be refining artifacts inside a cave that he dug out. Why was he cultivating all of a sudden? Could it be that his transcendent artifact was completed?

The old coot had never once treated him with courtesy. If he recklessly set foot inside, there was a chance that he would get hammered to a bloody pulp by the old coot’s mace. As such, Miao Yi quickly tossed a glance at the two young ladies.

While Miao Yi waited outside, Qian’Er and Xue’Er walked inside the main hall and bowed, “Father!”

“You’re here!” Yao Ruoxian opened his eyes and revealed a faint smile. Then when he saw Miao Yi standing outside acting cool, he couldn’t help letting out a cold huff.

“Senior Yao!” Miao Yi finally walked in. He cupped his fists and said, “This junior is here to see you.”

“You’re here to see the transcendent artifact I refined for you is more like it,” Yao Ruoxian said with contempt. With a flip of his hand, he then handed four crystalline bracelets to the two girls. “These are for you two.”

From a single glance, Miao Yi’s eyes were sharp enough to tell that these were made from the Supreme Fire Crystal. His expression froze, but not in time to watch as Yao Ruoxian took out yet another intricate jade tablet made from the Supreme Fire Crystal. The old man chuckled and said, “I have one too! Girls, remember to always wear this on you. You never know when you might need it. It’s one heck of a fire-repellant!”