Chapter 274 Nothing but ConcentrationFor many years, the dark pattern of Zhongzhou State had always been stable.
All kinds of forces, large and small, such as Jade Pool, Mount Shu, Asura Path, and Great Soaring Temple, had its greatness. However, the top forces were the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Li family 20 years ago.
In the recent 20 years, the top forces were the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Kunlun City.
Sigh City was in harmony with the rest of the world. And in terms of comprehensive strength and foundation, it was far from the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Kunlun City. Thus, there were also men of the Invincible Realms and murderous weapons in Sigh City. However, everyone still thought the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Kunlun City took charge of Zhongzhou State.
Zhongzhou State was a forbidden zone in the Dark World.
All forces knew this matter. Whether unfathomable w.a.n.g family of Beihai, domineering Li family, or slick Kunlun City stayed at the top of Special Warfare System of Zhongzhou State, they would adopt the same att.i.tude toward the outside world.
They would exclude the outside world.
Zhongzhou State refused to let any superpowers enter into Zhongzhou State. Over these years, all forces could not be without foundation in Zhongzhou State, but they really did not make any achievements. In the Jiang family of South America, there were three men of the Invincible Realms. How splendid they were! In Zhongzhou State, they only owned several temporary residence palaces, which were similar to a recreation club. Moreover, the temporary residence palaces were desolate throughout the year.
For anyone, standing united against the outside world was absolutely terrifying coercion.
So, Li Tianlan was so surprised upon hearing Military Counselor’s words.
The real foundation of Samsara Palace was in Zhongzhou State?
“How did you deceive the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Kunlun City?”
Li Tianlan looked into Military Counselor’s eyes and seriously asked. The Samsara Palace could stay stable in the past, perhaps because w.a.n.g Tianzong and Gu Xingyun did not care about it. But now, it showed its super strength and went far gradually from Zhongzhou State, it was impossible for them to take no action.
As a result, their so-called action was to seal up Qin Weibai’s Pre-Qin International Group.
It showed that they wanted to take action, but they were unaware of the change in Zhongzhou State.
Was the Samsara Palace’s plan so perfect?
Or was its so-called foundation so small that n.o.body could notice?
“We don’t have a headquarters.”
Military Counselor put it simply.
If there was no headquarters, they were not afraid of others’ awareness. It seemed to make sense.
“The Saber is always hidden. n.o.body notices it also because these resources have not been used over these years. Everything is all right, so there will be no abnormalities.”
Military Counselor looked at Li Tianlan. The cloak covered his face, so a thin profile vaguely showed up. “The Samsara Palace seems to have withdrawn from Zhongzhou State now. At least within Zhongzhou State, we won’t be the target of some people. Currently, they aim at you.”
Li Tianlan stayed silent.
“It’s quite busy here these days. A total of three groups of people come and go. Your resurrection irritates somebody, so that they are uneasy and want to see your state.”
Military Counselor chuckled, and his laughter echoed in the security room. He said coldly, “They act ma.s.sively by sending 12 men of the Fire-flaming Realm and one man of the Thunder-shocking Realm. If it weren’t for fear of ident.i.ty exposure, they might send the men at the peak of the Thunder-shocking Realm and even Half-Step Invincible Realm.”
Li Tianlan did not know what happened to those people. Since Bamboo Grove and Volcano pretended to be security guards here, he could guess what they would do without thinking. He shook his head in self-mockery. “Which force? Kunlun City? Prince Group? Or Overseas Force?”
“Why not the w.a.n.g family of Beihai?”
Military Counselor asked in an interesting tone.
Upon hearing this question, Li Tianlan was suddenly stupefied.
In the past few days, he did not know that someone had been keeping an eye on this place. But now he knew it, and he discovered that he had not doubted the w.a.n.g family of Beihai.
It was just a kind of feeling. He felt that w.a.n.g Tianzong would not do such a thing.
Li Tianlan did not know w.a.n.g Tianzong. However, whenever he met w.a.n.g Tianzong, he could feel his courage, ambition, and indifference. So, such a man did not need to send cannon fodders to probe. Li Tianlan thought he would play fair and upright by sending over someone to ask about this matter, which was irresistible, as he took away w.a.n.g Yuetong tonight.
The w.a.n.g family of Beihai indeed let down the Li family.
Li Tianlan did not entertain ill feelings against w.a.n.g Tianzong, even if Surge Potion, Immortality Potion and Against the Way of Heaven const.i.tuted a conspiracy. However, it did not matter whether he knew the so-called plot in advance. In that situation in Changdao, he was at a point of no return, so how could he care about that?
It was ridiculous.
Although the Li family and w.a.n.g family of Beihai were opposite to each other, Li Tianlan did not think that w.a.n.g Tianzong was a bad person.
He just had his own goal, but I had something that I had to get back.
…
We just had different beliefs.
That was all.
“The w.a.n.g family of Beihai does not need to do this kind of thing,” Li Tianlan said.
In his mind, the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was an honorable force, and w.a.n.g Tianzong was an honorable opponent, even though they were enemies.
Just like the Li family many years ago, they were dignified and imposing. Even if he had a different standpoint, it was hard to tell what was wrong with him, from an objective point of view.
“I agree with you.”
Military Counselor laughed and said, “I don’t know who they are. It doesn’t make sense. Anyway, they are all dead. Senior Li is still alive, so they dare not deal with you within a short time. If I go to investigate, I can find out who they are. However, it’s inevitable to leave some clues. As the clues get more and more, the Saber will be exposed. At this stage, it was not worth the candle.”
“Saber?”
Li Tianlan meditated and said quietly, “Sheath, blade, hilt, intent, radiance… A saber is a whole. And you? which part are you?”
“I’m the hand holding the saber.”
Military Counselor gave a mysterious smile. “Palace Master is the real saber holder.”
“He’s mysterious.”
Li Tianlan said slowly, “What’s the point of the mystery for fear of exposure?”
“We don’t fear exposure, but the timing is premature. Your Highness, you’re likely to be the next saber holder, but now I’m not in a position to tell you everything. Saber is a rigorous organization. Any clue might destroy the whole situation. And in such a delicate period, the overall situation can’t be destroyed.”
Military Counselor raised the gla.s.s in front of him and proposed a toast to Li Tianlan.
He acted respectfully and spoke politely, but his meaning was evident.
Li Tianlan was not qualified to know these matters.
Li Tianlan laughed. He was not angry because this was true.
“What do you want?”
He looked at the Military Counselor and asked.
“For the time being…”
Military Counselor smiled and hid his face in the darkness. However, Li Tianlan could feel his bright eyes. “Now, we just want to create a shadowless sky.”
A shadowless sky…
Li Tianlan was absorbed in thought. He seemed to guess something and sighed. “And then?”
After a long pause, Military Counselor said as he shook his head, “n.o.body knows what will happen to something that did not happen. Your Highness, you only need to grow patiently. If everything goes well, all will become clearer in five or six years.”
Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows and looked at the Military Counselor.
In five or six years.
This year was the fourth year of President Li Huacheng’s term in office.
After five or six years…
The significant change in the office of Zhongzhou State was in the most delicate, intense, and fierce sensitive period.
Li Tianlan did not know if he thought it wrong.
“Your Highness, what’s your current state?”
Military Counselor interrupted Li Tianlan’s thoughts and asked seriously, “Do you need any help from outside? If…”
“No.”
Li Tianlan shook his head and said, “No one can help me, but myself.”
“In case…”
Military Counselor hesitated a moment and said, “Your Highness, I heard that Imperial Jade Seal is in your hands. If you don’t need it, you can give it to Tribulation. He has a big problem in breakthrough. If I’m not mistaken, I think that he is inferior to me in comprehensive combat strength, although he has reached the Invincible Realm. As far as I know, the Imperial Jade Seal is one of the best solutions.”
Li Tianlan was stupefied and said subconsciously, “What’s the problem?”
After he returned to East Emperor Palace, Tribulation came here twice. Li Tianlan was able to feel that he indeed reached the Invincible Realm.
However, he was still not as good as the Military Counselor of the Half-step Invincible Realm after breakthrough.
Before that, he was definitely stronger than the Military Counselor.
“I don’t know.”
Military Counselor talked ambiguously, “Perhaps the breakthrough is too fierce, and his physical burden is too great so that he can’t make a full play of his strength.”
Li Tianlan was absorbed in thought of the imperial jade seal in his room. “Does it work?”
“Your Highness, your resurrection is enough to explain everything.”
Military Counselor said affirmatively.
Li Tianlan came to understand suddenly.
His resurrection was due to destiny.
The Imperial Jade Seal of Zhongzhou State was definitely one of the things with the most prosperous destiny.
“I got it.”
Li Tianlan nodded and said, “I’ll give it to Junior Uncle Master.”
He suddenly looked at Military Counselor and said meaningfully, “I wonder how you know that I have it?”
Military Counselor was silent. He seemed to smile again behind the black cloak.
Li Tianlan asked nothing more and took a sip of wine. “Is there anything else?”
“No.”
Military Counselor said, “Your Highness, what are you going to do next?”
“I’ll start it over. What else can I have in mind?”
Li Tianlan laughed with self-mockery. He suddenly thought of Qin Weibai, who had nothing to do with him. He thought of w.a.n.g Yuetong, who just waved her hand with tears. He thought of Dongcheng Rushi, who was hard to tell good from evil.
Li Tianlan’s eyes suddenly turned dim.
“It will be fine.”
Military Counselor said softly, “Your Highness, you don’t need to worry about the parting. I can a.s.sure you that w.a.n.g Yuetong will be sent back in this way that she was taken away today.”
“Really?”
Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows.
“The w.a.n.g family of Beihai is indeed powerful and prosperous. For many people and me, it’s not too much to say that the w.a.n.g family of Beihai is the first force in the Dark World, in terms of comprehensive strength. However, there are certainly withered branches in a big tree. The w.a.n.g family of Beihai has developed for many years, so their background is strong enough, but there are some problems within the family.”
Military Counselor said in a tone with an indescribable emotion. “w.a.n.g Tianzong really has rare gifts and bold strategy. He’s been holding down some problems within the family all these years. However, the problems will break out at any time. Now it seems that it will happen soon.”
Li Tianlan straightened up his body, and his eyes began to shine.
“Are there some problems within the w.a.n.g family of Beihai? Will the problems break out soon?”
It was definitely good news for the Li family.
“How soon?”
Li Tianlan asked in a deep voice.
“Probably… In five or six years, unless w.a.n.g Tianzong has exceptional ability, w.a.n.g family of Beihai will face the change with Zhongzhou State.”
Military Counselor said indifferently.
In five or six years.
Another five or six years.
Li Tianlan was filled with deep emotion. After thinking for a long while, he emptied the gla.s.s at one gulp.
“It’s too early to say that.”
He said, “Any opportunity requires strength. There’s still time… five or six years.”
His eyes gradually grew steady.
He seemed to make up his mind.
Military Counselor looked at him with a puzzled look.
“I seem to know my way.”
Li Tianlan smiled. It was the first time that his eyes became peaceful since he returned to East Emperor Palace.
He was not lost, irritable, confused, and helpless anymore.
He had nothing but concentration.
“Though it’s tough.”
He stood up, nodded to Military Counselor, and walked straight out of the security room.
Standing outside the door, Bamboo Grove and Volcano watched Li Tianlan come out and bowed down subconsciously.
Without saying much else, Li Tianlan walked from the security room to East Emperor Palace. He strolled, but he was more and more determined.
In the sky, the moonlight was still cold.
It was after dawn now.
…
It was the Mid-Autumn Day.
…
Li Tianlan walked into East Emperor Palace as luxurious as temporary residence palace. He did not return to his room, but he went to Yu Donglai’s room.
Yu Donglai’s room was unlocked.
It was dark inside the room.
There was a delicate bottle on the window sill.
Li Tianlan laughed and walked over to pick up the bottle.
Yu Donglai left it to him before his departure.
Yu Donglai was very hesitant, and he did not dare to hand it over to Li Tianlan in the end.
Li Tianlan would finally make up his mind because of it.
Li Tianlan looked at the bottle with persistence in his eyes.
He had no time to hesitate.
He had to take a step.
Li Tianlan uncovered the bottle.
The room was filled with a faint fragrance.
On the last night of the final battle of Changdao, he saw the real commanding height of Martial Arts and the real invincible path of the Invincible Realm. Meanwhile, he also saw his end at that time.
He had the Wind and Thunder Veins and the Exquisite Bone.
…
His will was as strong as a rock.
His spiritual inheritance was unmatched in the world.
However, although he had everything, he could not reach the end he saw.
Since so, he might well as give up, as he said in Changdao.
…
Li Tianlan bit his lips. Actually, Li Honghe had told him the essence of Martial Arts earlier, despite Grandpa had not seen the end.
The so-called Martial Arts were neither realms nor const.i.tution, but sword intent.
…
He raised his hand and drank the fragrant liquid in the bottle.
The powerful drug began to take effect in his body and severely affected his meridians, which was the most violent destruction.
With no expression, Li Tianlan held the bottle tightly. Suddenly, his hands shook.
Two meridians running through his limbs were tensed to the limit and suddenly broke.
“Puff!”
A mouthful of blood spurted out.
His face was pale, and his breath was so weak that he would collapse.
The Wind and Thunder Veins, of which he was so proud, was abolished by him in the roughest way.
…
His breath was so weak, but sword intent began to shape up slowly in this dark room.
The sword intent seemed to exist in the whole room. It also appeared to be all over his body.
The blood flowed between his legs and his arms and dripped down along the white clothes.
Li Tianlan looked at the black sky beyond the window.
There was nothing but the concentration in his eyes.
To be concentrated, one should remain pure.