Check!
Zhang Chen couldn't wait to open the list.
A light screen appeared before his eyes, displaying many well-known peerless divine weapons.
【1st Place: Fangtian Huaji, Holder: Lü Bu】
【2nd Place: Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Holder: Guan Yu】
【3rd Place: Zhangba Snake Spear, Holder: Zhang Fei】
...
Zhang Chen quickly scrolled down the list, searching for his divine weapon's ranking.
【16th Place: Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear), Holder: Zhang Chen】
He had thought his spear was already very powerful, but he didn't expect it wouldn't even make it into the top ten?
What about the chishan sword? It won't be even further down, right?
Zhang Chen looked up and realized the list was divided into several categories. What he was currently viewing was the long weapons category, and there were also categories for short weapons, armor, and horses.
Zhang Chen clicked on the short weapons category, and the 'chishan sword' immediately appeared before his eyes.
The chishan sword's ranking was quite good, placing fourth on the short weapons list. Ahead of it were the Qinggang Sword, Seven Star Knife, and Twin Swords of Male and Female.
Zhang Chen was overjoyed and looked at the 'Armor' category.
The Golden Scale Armor's ranking was also quite high, at seventh place.
Having obtained three treasures in a row, Zhang Chen's mood couldn't have been better.
The next day, Zhang Chen, clad in Golden Scale Armor, holding the Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear), and wearing the chishan sword at his waist, rode his horse to the Military Camp.
Zhang He had already finished counting the troops and was waiting respectfully in front of the camp when he saw Zhang Chen riding his horse from afar. Looking again, he saw that the spear in Zhang Chen's hand, the armor on his body, and the sword at his waist were all extraordinary items. He truly looked awe-inspiring and heroic, which couldn't help but greatly surprise him.
Before long, Zhang Chen urged his horse forward and asked, "Junyi, are the troops ready?"
Zhang He only then came back to his senses and replied, "Reporting to my Lord, everything is ready. Five thousand troops are prepared and waiting, just for my Lord's command."
"Good, pass on my military order. The entire army sets off, heading straight for Quliang!"
"Understood!"
Zhang He responded and immediately raised his spear, mounted his horse, and ordered the three armies to set off.
Julu Commandery, Taiping Manor.
Inside the manor, in a secret chamber, Zhang Ning, wearing a thin gauze embroidered dress, sat cross-legged on a cushion, her eyes tightly closed.
Around her, eight women in yellow stood holding swords, ready for battle.
Zhang Ning closed her eyes and regulated her breathing. Her internal energy surged like turbulent waves, rushing and flowing within her body, restless and agitated.
At this moment, it was the critical juncture for her breakthrough.
Sweat beads had already appeared on her forehead, and her clothes were soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to her snow-like skin, outlining her charming and alluring curves.
After a while, a look of pain gradually appeared on Zhang Ning's face, and her willow-leaf eyebrows were almost twisted together.
Finally, with a 'whoosh', she spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood!
Before her, it instantly became a patch of crimson!
"Holy Maiden!" Seeing this, the eight women couldn't help but turn pale with fright and quickly stepped forward.
Zhang Ning clutched her chest, her body rising and falling with heavy breaths. Her face was pale at this moment, but she said to the women with a solemn gaze, "What happened today, no one is allowed to speak of it!"
"Holy Maiden, you..."
Among the eight, a slightly older woman in yellow tightly held Zhang Ning's hand, tears filling her eyes.
"It's alright, I succeeded..." Zhang Ning suppressed the pain and showed a slight smile.
After regulating her breathing for a moment, Zhang Ning's complexion returned to normal. She slowly stood up, and the eight women quickly gathered around her.
At this time, in the council hall of Taiping Manor, nine people were gathered, seemingly waiting anxiously for something.
After a while, a gust of wind blew past, and a graceful figure flew in from outside the door.
Wearing a water-blue wide-sleeved deep robe with a straight hem, a jade belt around her waist, and a sky-blue silk scarf wrapped around her arms and hanging down to her waist, she appeared ethereal and graceful, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.
Zhang Ning's feet touched the ground, stirring up a little dust. She slowly stepped onto the main seat, her back to the crowd, and gently held the chair, her brows slightly furrowed.
Having just used her true energy, her internal energy was somewhat disordered again.
Guan Hai behind her, however, showed a look of shock.
That aura, this was clearly the ninth layer of The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven!
She actually broke through to the ninth layer!
That was the realm of the Great Virtuous Teacher back then, capable of summoning wind and rain, turning beans into soldiers, and even drawing down heavenly lightning!
Zhang Ning slowly turned around and sat upright on the seat.
Her complexion was rosy, looking extremely healthy, and her eyebrows were relaxed, showing no sign of abnormality.
Guan Hai stepped forward, bowed to Zhang Ning, and said, "Congratulations, Cult Master, congratulations, Cult Master! You have cultivated The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven to the ninth layer. In the future, you will surely lead us to rebuild the Yellow Heaven Great Cause!"
Zhang Ning nodded with a smile and said lightly, "To achieve great cause, I still need everyone's strong support."
"Naturally." Guan Hai added, "We have all received great kindness from the Great Virtuous Teacher, and we will naturally do our best to assist the Cult Master."
"Do our best to assist the Cult Master!"
After Guan Hai finished speaking, the people behind him also said in unison.
Zhang Ning stood up and said, "Good, with loyal and righteous people like the Right Protector, Father's great cause will surely be restored!"
Guan Hai added, "Cult Master, now that you have broken through to the ninth layer of The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven, the most pressing matter is to quickly open the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove', take out the treasures within, recruit soldiers and buy horses, and expand our military strength."
Zhang Ning slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Regarding the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove', Father did indeed instruct me about it back then, but he also said that it should not be easily opened unless absolutely necessary."
"Cult Master!" Guan Hai became anxious. "Now is an extraordinary time. Please, Cult Master, do not hesitate."
"Right Protector." Zhang Ning said, "It's not that I don't want to, but there are still difficulties."
Upon hearing this, Guan Hai couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What are the difficulties? Please tell me, Cult Master, your subordinate will definitely share your worries."
Zhang Ning sighed lightly and said, "The 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove' is of great importance. Once word leaks out and the imperial court finds out, I fear it will bring disaster. I originally planned to take Julu Commandery completely before opening the treasure trove, which is why I sent General Niujiao to attack Yingtao County. However, I didn't expect that our army would be greatly defeated in the battle of Yingtao County, losing fifty thousand troops and four generals. This is my fault!"
"Cult Master, there's no need to blame yourself. Zhang Niujiao and others had fifty thousand troops but couldn't even capture a small Yingtao County. They are truly incompetent!" Guan Hai said disdainfully. "Your subordinate is willing to share your worries, and within half a month, I will surely bring Julu Commandery into our hands!"
Zhang Ning said, "The matter of Julu Commandery is not urgent. The Magistrate of Guangping County, Zhang Chen, who defeated my fifty thousand troops that day, is the real major threat. Now he is the Prefect of Wei Commandery. This person is no ordinary individual. Only if the Right Protector can eliminate him will I feel at ease opening the treasure trove."
"Cult Master, rest assured, your subordinate has made all arrangements. I will present that brat's head to the Cult Master within a few days!" Guan Hai laughed. "However... Cult Master, don't forget the agreement you made with your subordinate that day."
As Guan Hai spoke, he looked at Zhang Ning, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes and brows.
Zhang Ning's expression changed slightly, showing a hint of unnaturalness.