Among the three eastern states of Wu Zhou, Yuezhou is close to Xiong Chu and has abundant martial virtues, while Ningzhou has no spiritual energy and no resources and can be ignored. Although they are both in the eastern part of Wu Zhou, there is a world of difference between them.
Pingzhou is located in between the two, not as good as the top but better than the bottom, approximately equal to the level of the troposphere.
However, Pingzhou has one advantage: it is rich in mineral resources. The locals dig in the mountains and pump water from the water. Its financial taxes have always been among the three best in the Wu Zhou Dynasty. It is a purse that the court values very much and is of great strategic value.
Dongyin County, with deep water and swamps.
The rugged rock structure contains numerous deep and dangerous places, the underground water is abundant, and the mountain roads and waterways are interconnected, extending for hundreds of miles, forming a natural maze.
Because it is a world of immortal cultivation and is influenced by mysterious forces, Shuizeyuan has many formations created by heaven and earth, so it can be considered a dangerous place.
In the early years, about a few hundred years ago, with funding from the Tianjian Sect, the local Iron Sword Alliance in Pingzhou came forward and bought the land of Shuizeyuan for mining and sword forging, and also sold some ore to make ends meet.
Unlike mining, this is real economy, which helps the long-term operation of the Iron Sword Alliance and is a positive investment.
Therefore, the Iron Sword Alliance has a huge influence here, and seven sword-cultivating sects have been stationed here for a long time. Regardless of their realm and strength, the seven sect leaders spend the whole day in the mines. This determination alone is enough to show how much the Heavenly Sword Sect values this place.
Finally, the attention paid off.
Due to unknown reasons, the secret realm of Shuizeyuan has come to light. The initial exploration covers a very wide range and is of great long-term exploration value.
If the resources are used well, perhaps the overall strength of the Iron Sword Alliance can be taken to a higher level.
Naturally, the Huangji Sect came to join in the fun. The two sects had a long-standing grudge, and whenever there was good news for the Tianjian Sect, the Huangji Sect would definitely try its best to ruin it.
In the distant sky, sword light rushed at high speed, circled half a circle around the large formation surrounding Shuizeyuan, and landed at the only entrance and exit.
The disciples of the Red Heart Sword Sect who were in charge of guarding this place stepped forward immediately, and dozens of them stood according to the formation. The deputy head, Xu Shefeng, who was in the lead, bowed and clasped his hands. It was impossible to tell the realm of the disciples, and they were very polite in their words.
"Who are you, sir? Do you have the Iron Sword Token?"
"nature."
Lu Bei raised his hand and touched it, and when he took out the iron sword token, he accidentally dropped the elder's sword.
There was a loud bang, which made Xu Shefeng's mouth twitch. After an awkward smile, his expression became more humble.
"It turns out that the elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect has arrived. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person. This..."
Xu Shefeng pursed his lips and said apologetically, "May I ask which elder you are? Could you please let me know your name so that I can welcome you."
This was the first time Xu Shefeng had seen Lu Bei's pretty face, but he also knew that in addition to the well-known Nine Sword Elders on Tianjian Peak, there were also many sword cultivators with the title of honorary elders, so it was normal to be unfamiliar with his face.
"What? This elder comes here with a sword, but I have to tell you my name before I can enter. Do you really think my sword is just a decoration?" Lu Bei looked arrogant, raised his head slightly, and pointed his nose at Xu Shefeng.
Xu Shefeng apologized repeatedly and explained with an embarrassed look: "Elder, please don't misunderstand. There is an order from above. Ordinary disciples can enter with the iron sword token. If you are a noble person, such as a big shot like you, you need to pass on your name."
After saying that, he added: "You also know that the bastards of the Huangji Sect have always been thinking about doing bad things. We are helpless and have no intention of making things difficult for you."
"That's right. You guys are loyal to your duties, so it should be so."
Lu Bei nodded, and withdrew his arrogant nostrils: "I will not change my name or surname. I will kill Le Xian, and this sword is the proof."
"… "
As soon as he finished speaking, all the disciples of the Red Heart Sword Sect, including Xu Shefeng, looked at each other with surprise written all over their faces.
It was very unexpected.
"Why, you don't believe it?"
"I don't dare."
Xu Shefeng stood with his hands behind his back, gestured to several disciples, and then said respectfully: "Elder Zhan, please wait a moment, the inspection team will be here soon, and they will receive you personally."
"Extravagance and waste. Our Iron Sword Alliance has not been able to develop because you guys flatter us all day long and waste money and resources on useless things."
Lu Bei scolded Xu Shefeng with a stern face, and seeing Xu Shefeng nodding repeatedly and admitting his mistakes actively, he sighed and said, "Zhan knows that this is the way for you to survive. I will not embarrass you today. And remember, this is only this time, and it will not happen again."
"The elder is a lesson for me. Next time..."
"Don't do it next time. I'll try this time first. Our Iron Sword Alliance is developing very well in Pingzhou. Are there any female leaders who are pretty? Bah, I mean those with good qualifications. Tell me my name and find a few of them. I plan to teach them the sword skills."
"… "
The dialogue was too outrageous, Xu Shefeng did not dare to respond, and the other disciples also lowered their heads to the ground, counting the ants one, two, three, four, five.
After a while, a team came out of the formation with murderous intent. The female swordsman in the lead carried an iron sword on her back and looked with murderous eyes at the fake people who were deceiving people by using the name of Zhan Lexian.
After seeing the pretty boy's face clearly, he was stunned for a moment, and then his murderous intent became even stronger.
"Hey, Senior Sister Zhan, why are you here?"
Lu Bei cried out in surprise, quickly put away the elder's sword that he had used to kill Le Xian, and smiled innocently, looking quite obedient.
Zhan Hongqu took a deep breath, shook his head at Xu Shefeng, and said in front of Lu Bei: "Although this man is a scum of the Iron Sword Alliance, he is indeed one of us. Remember his face. Next time you see him, there is no need to interrogate him, just drive him away."
Xu Shefeng took the order, opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but finally chose to shut up.
"Sister Zhan, the term scum is too hurtful. Have you forgotten that day in the grove, we..."
Lu Bei pushed away the iron sword on his neck halfway through his words and said seriously, "Yes, we shouldn't talk about this kind of thing. We are innocent. We just said hello in the grove that day, and nothing happened."
Zhan Hongqu was so angry that his sword-holding hand was shaking. Seeing everyone's strange faces, he knew that he couldn't explain this matter. He looked at Lu Bei angrily and said, "Junior Brother Lu, why are you in Shuizeyuan? If there is no reason, I am sorry that I cannot let you in because of my duty."
"You said that as if you could stop it."
Lu Bei was talking loudly, and for the second time he pushed away the iron sword on his neck. He spread his hands and admitted his weakness: "To be honest with you, Senior Sister Zhan, I came here on the orders of Elder Jing Jijing. He said that the Huangji Sect here is making too much trouble, so he asked me to help out. If possible, I will kidnap a few elders of the Huangji Sect and sell them to Xuanyinsi for a high price."
"Haha, isn't this all you!"
Zhan Hongqu sneered a few times and put the iron sword behind him. "Since this is what Elder Jing said, I can't chase you away. Come with me. Elder Zhan has a few words to say to the person who pretended to be him."
"Hey, Elder Zhan is also mining here?"
Lu Bei was surprised and kept chattering while following Zhan Hongqu: "Let me confirm, I have no other meaning. Is the elder Zhan mentioned by Senior Sister Zhan, the elder Zhan Lexian, who was defeated by me?"
"… "
The topic was too profound, so everyone kept their heads down and remained silent, concentrating on counting the ants. Only Zhan Hongqu was so angry that he was shaking all over and walking a little crookedly.
As I said, Bai Jin has a really strong taste!
…
Shuizeyuan covers a huge area. Apart from the northern mining area that has no room for mining and the eastern mining area that has temporarily stopped working, the central and western parts are filled with above-ground and underground rivers. In the flat south, many Iron Sword League disciples have gathered, waiting to explore the secret realm while also guarding against the invasion of the Huangji Sect's army.
The reason is unclear, but this time, the Tianjian Sect's flex of muscle was clearly a bit too much.
Shuizeyuan, East. A few years ago, the Huangji Sect unearthed a relic here. After some rescue efforts, the relic was uprooted, without even a floor tile left.
Afterwards, this piece of land was put on the market and eventually bought by the Iron Sword Alliance, where mining has continued to this day.
Lu Bei followed Zhan Hongqu and ran all the way, one covering his ears as he ran, the other waving his hands in pursuit, and soon they arrived at a makeshift camp.
Lu Bei looked up and thought to himself that it was dangerous. There were thousands of sword cultivators gathered here, and they were definitely not from Pingzhou alone. The Iron Sword Alliance must have drawn a large number of people from various states in Wu Zhou.
I don’t know if anyone from Lingxiao Sword Sect has come. If so, will it be my senior sister
Thinking of this, Lu Bei stopped crooking his legs, looked like a naive newbie, and followed Zhan Hongqu obediently.
After walking a few hundred steps, Zhan Hongqu activated the formation on the mountain wall and led Lu Bei into the gate.
Just then, a figure carrying a sword walked out. He was handsome and had a handsome face. An expensive jade pendant hung around his waist, which not only embellished his elegance, but also added a bit of heroism.
"Junior Sister Zhan, what a coincidence, you also..."
The man looked at Zhan Hongqu's hurriedly leaving back and scratched his nose helplessly. As soon as he turned around, a pretty boy came up to him, scaring him so much that he quickly took two steps back.
“My fellow disciple, why are you walking so quietly? I’m Zhao Zihao, and I’m honored to meet you.” The man bowed politely.
So you are Zhao Ritian. I have heard of your great name for a long time.
"Hello, Senior Brother Zhao. I'm Ding Lei. Elder Zhan is still waiting for me. We can talk again when we're free."
"Well, some other day for sure."
Watching Lu Bei's departing back, Zhao Zihao shook his head speechlessly and secretly called him a weirdo.
I can't tell what's so strange about it, anyway...
He doesn't look like a human being and it's obvious at first glance that he is not a good person.
But soon, Zhao Zihao frowned. If he remembered correctly, he seemed to have seen Lu Bei's pretty boy somewhere.
"So it was him..."
"We can make some friends."
…
At the end of the portal, surrounded by mountains on all sides, the thick rocks exude sword light. Zhan Lexian sits on a huge rock with a gloomy look and a long face.
Ever since the incident at the West Prince's Mansion, nothing has gone well for him, as if he had been possessed by evil spirits and suffered misfortunes one after another.
What is Shuizeyuan? It is the place where Tianjian Sect exiles people. Disobedient disciples or undercover spies are all imprisoned and secretly sent here to work hard.
He was the dignified Nine Swords Elder, but he was thrown here. The more he thought about it, the more indignant he became.
Although, he also bears a heavy responsibility, but...
"It's all that kid's fault. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have suffered such a great humiliation and been laughed at by those guys."
"Father, Lu Bei is here."
"who?!"
Zhan Lexian was stunned when he heard this, then he stood up suddenly, his eyes gleaming fiercely, and he said in a deep voice: "You go guard the gate, your father wants to get close to him."