Eternal Life: I Rely on Fortune Points for Improvement

Chapter 539: Chapter 262: Surrender (Part 2)

What a pity.

The rune marks on the armor had already been almost completely destroyed by that arrow from Jiang Feng.

Even though Xiao Junyi had this armor for protection, at this moment he was barely alive, with his internal organs critically injured and multiple wounds all over his body. He could only lie motionless on the ground.

It should be known that the Dragon Bone Bow is an Innate Magical Treasure. Even if the armor on Xiao Junyi was of an extraordinary level, it could not possibly ignore the damage of the Dragon Bone Bow, especially since Jiang Feng is a Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

"May I trouble the State Preceptor to send me off."

Seeing that it was Jiang Feng approaching, Xiao Junyi knew in his heart what end Xiao Zhan must have met.

In despair, he closed his eyes.

Yet Jiang Feng did not kill him, but instead pried open his mouth and shoved in a Qi Blood Pill that he himself had refined. Under the effect of the Qi Blood Pill, some color finally returned to Xiao Junyi’s face.

"Keep this bottle of Qi Blood Pills. Take one each day, and you can live another month. Use this time to finish what you must, and don’t allow Great Zhou to fall into the flames of war."

Jiang Feng placed a bottle of Qi Blood Pills on Xiao Junyi’s body.

He had watched Great Zhou grow strong, step by step. Though Xiao Zhan was not a good man, he was a wise ruler. After passing the throne to Xiao Junyi, Xiao Junyi’s administration was also quite commendable; at the very least, there had been no major rebellions or wars in Great Zhou for many years.

In his heart, Jiang Feng did not wish for the Xiao clan to collapse overnight after Xiao Zhan’s death, nor for Great Zhou to split apart, plunging its people into turmoil once again.

But all he could do was to temporarily preserve Xiao Junyi’s life.

A month’s time was enough for Xiao Junyi to properly handle matters and pass the throne to a suitable successor.

"Thank you, State Preceptor."

This outcome was beyond Xiao Junyi’s expectations. Although Xiao Zhan was dead, the land still belonged to the Xiao family, and he too hoped the Xiao clan could continue on.

After a while, Jiang Feng summoned several of Xiao Junyi’s trusted experts, who cautiously carried Xiao Junyi back to the Imperial City.

Once Xiao Junyi returned, the first decree he issued explained that the incident in Dragon Capital earlier had been an invasion by an evil demon. Fortunately, the State Preceptor’s divine power was unrivaled, and he eradicated the demonic menace in full.

The people were greatly encouraged, regarding Jiang Feng as an immortal.

Hearing the voice of the people, Jiang Feng could not help but sigh at Xiao Junyi’s wisdom. He knew that Xiao Junyi understood how the stability and succession of Great Zhou depended on his protection.

Even though Xiao Zhan and a large group of Purple Bamboo Forest cultivators had been killed by his hand, Xiao Junyi could behave as if nothing had happened and continued to support him with utmost sincerity.

It was certain the successor he chose would also inherit his will and mindset, being utterly obedient to the State Preceptor.

A month later, Xiao Junyi’s injuries relapsed, and he passed away, passing the throne to the just-turned-eighteen Sixteenth Prince, Xiao Guofan.

During this month, he exhausted all his efforts to stabilize the situation in Great Zhou and paved the way for the Sixteenth Prince, allowing him to ascend the throne legitimately and smoothly.

On the day Xiao Guofan ascended, he first went to Black Iron Mountain to pay respects to Jiang Feng and, only after obtaining Jiang Feng’s approval, returned to the Imperial City to take his place.

After ascending, he issued a decree.

No one, including himself, was to defame the State Preceptor. Ancestral temples and shrines were to be established in his honor, and every year he must lead all civil and military officials to kneel and pay respects to the State Preceptor at the foot of Black Iron Mountain, praying for favorable weather in Great Zhou.

The State Preceptor’s status was above all; he possessed the right to crown an emperor or depose him at will.

Xiao Guofan revered Jiang Feng as a divinity.

Everything he did was merely to let Jiang Feng know that all descendants of the Xiao family would adhere to his arrangements and harbor not a shred of disloyalty towards him.

When Jiang Feng learned of this, he was surprised, but not delighted.

He knew this edict was undoubtedly left behind by Xiao Junyi, to be announced by Xiao Guofan, meant to earn his trust and ensure he would not overthrow the Xiao regime.

This price was neither great nor insignificant.

First of all, Jiang Feng had no interest in controlling political power; even if Great Zhou were handed over to him, it would not bring the speedy growth of Fortune Points.

With the Xiao family’s support, he would not only refrain from usurping power but would also help ensure the Xiao family’s lineage continued; Xiao Junyi must have recognized this.

Secondly, the new rules of Xiao Guofan essentially tied him and Great Zhou together.

From now on, if anyone sought to overthrow the Xiao family’s rule, he could hardly remain indifferent. Should powerful cultivators come to slay, he would have to stand in their way; if he merely walked off, he would feel uneasy in his heart.

However, if they thought a mere decree could tie Jiang Feng completely to their side, that was utterly impossible. Now that Great Zhou enjoyed peace and prosperity, and the Lin family cultivators behaved themselves, he could continue to guard Dragon Capital, exploring the Underground Palace and seeking opportunities. Should real danger arise, he would only flee even faster than before.

These days, Jiang Feng’s gaze had been fixed on the South City Gate.

He knew that the matter of him using the Blood God Curse to slay Xiao Zhan could be concealed from the common people, but not from the Lin family cultivators. Now, with Xiao Zhan gone, the Lin family cultivators might seize this chance to take the Underground Palace.

So many years had passed; both he and Xiao Zhan had broken through.

The Lin family cultivators who occupied the Divine Sect Mansion, as well as Blood Sea Immortal Venerable and the others, had surely obtained their own opportunities. Last time he sent Huang Li into the city to gather information, it had been a deliberate test of Dragon Capital.

Now, Xiao Zhan was dead.

The Purple Bamboo Forest cultivators had either died or fled; only he remained as the Guardian of Dragon Capital. This was the perfect chance for Blood Sea Immortal Venerable and the others to seize Dragon Capital, so Jiang Feng dared not let down his guard.

Two days later.

A fluctuation of spiritual power appeared within the range of Jiang Feng’s spiritual sense. Not long after, a figure arrived at the location of the South City Gate.

Facing Black Iron Mountain, he bowed and transmitted his voice: "Lin Family direct descendant, current elder Lin Shirong, pays respects to the Great Zhou State Preceptor and requests an audience."

Jiang Feng swept carefully in all directions with his spiritual sense, including the entrances of the underground tunnels, enveloping the entire Laojun Mountain.

He finally determined that the Lin family had sent only Lin Shirong.

With a face full of curiosity, he lightly cleared his throat, gesturing the other to approach.

"Thank you, State Preceptor."

Lin Shirong looked excited, quickly flying onto Black Iron Mountain. After landing, he restrained his aura, tidied his clothes, and bowed respectfully to Jiang Feng, congratulating: "On behalf of all Lin family descendants and all disciples of the Divine Sect, I congratulate the State Preceptor on achieving Foundation Establishment. This is a small token from my Lin family; I hope the State Preceptor will accept it with a smile."

As he spoke, Lin Shirong placed a round, black wooden box and a stack of talismans on a stone ahead.

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Feng shattered the black wooden box. Inside lay a red silk ribbon, emanating spiritual power fluctuations—it was a magical artifact.

"This is my Lin family’s Immortal Binding Rope, a top-grade magical artifact. For years, no one has been able to wield it. Upon hearing that the State Preceptor is cultivating the God-Binding Finger, we present this treasure, hoping it will serve the State Preceptor as if aided by the divine."

"As for these talismans, our Lin family collected them from the Blood Domain—not only Defense Talismans but also Attack Talismans, along with valuable Rapid Movement Talismans. Nearly every one is a Second-Grade Talisman, with a small number being Third-Grade. I hope the State Preceptor will be pleased."

Lin Shirong explained in earnest.

"Such a generous gift—how could I accept it so lightly? Speak, what exactly are your intentions?"

Jiang Feng was wary of a scheme.

"The Lin family wishes to maintain good relations with the State Preceptor for generations, with no other demands."

Lin Shirong replied with a serious expression.

"Your Lin family was once a powerful cultivation clan in the Blood Domain. After your decline, you fled to Central Earth following Blood Sea Immortal Venerable’s guidance. Your ambitions are vast: you wish for the Divine Sect Mansion and to seize the Dragon Capital Underground Palace. Now you suddenly present me with all these gifts—am I to believe this is politeness before violence?"

Jiang Feng sneered coldly.

He had investigated most matters of the Lin family over the past century. Clans like this would never be content with mediocrity; the moment they developed, they would show their terrifying claws.

Jiang Feng had always been wary of them.

"State Preceptor, you misunderstand. The Lin family harbors not a shred of disloyalty. This time, I come on behalf of the Lin family to show our sincerity, hoping the State Preceptor will accept this token."

Lin Shirong replied with a cheerful smile, as if Jiang Feng were only joking.

"So many years have passed, yet you do not hold me to account for my past deeds. Instead, when I achieve Foundation Establishment, you’re the first to present so many things. Has trouble come to your Lin family? Are you afraid I’ll strike while you’re down?"

Jiang Feng pondered carefully, thinking of this possibility. As he spoke, he unleashed the aura of Foundation Establishment, bearing down on Lin Shirong, interrogating, "Speak—am I right?"

"Ah... this... no, State Preceptor, you are overthinking. My Lin family’s legacy is unbroken, and strong cultivators are ever emerging. Who could possibly threaten us? I hope the State Preceptor will not misunderstand."

Lin Shirong was startled, for Jiang Feng’s pressure came too suddenly.

"It seems I really was overthinking. Doesn’t your Lin family still have Foundation Establishment powerhouses? Isn’t that right?"

Jiang Feng withdrew his aura and smiled.

Though Lin Shirong did not reveal many flaws, his momentary fluster did not escape Jiang Feng’s notice.