"Uncle Master, I understand your meaning."
Qingzhuo's expression was calm as he slowly spoke, "With just the two of us, thinking of confronting the hundreds of rebels on the mountain is indeed a fool's dream."
"I won't do such a thing like striking a stone with an egg, rest assured, Uncle Master."
Upon hearing this, Daoist Guan Yuan's expression relaxed somewhat.
What he worried about the most was Qingzhuo's young age, fearing that anger and hatred would cloud his judgment, leading him to commit irrevocable actions.
If it really came to that, he could only abandon his family estate and flee from Lotus Village with his family.
"Alas..."
Daoist Guan Yuan sighed and said, "In these past two months, I've secretly contacted a few old acquaintances and large households in Lotus Village, discussing many countermeasures."
"But they are also hesitant and fearful; our strength is still too weak, incapable of opposing the rebel army occupying Qingping Palace..."
Qingping Palace, deeply rooted in Lotus Village for over a century, wields significant influence.
Not to mention, there are at least a dozen families like Daoist Guan Yuan's that, though secularized, still maintain ties with Qingping Palace.
Along with the wealthy households from several villages and towns eager to rid themselves of the rebels' oppression, they have secretly discussed many strategies, but all have come to nothing.
Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that their strength is too weak, with no hope of turning the tide.
The leaders of those rebels are martial artists with great external skills, well-equipped and well-trained, numbering over a hundred—how could they be opposed?
"If we can't do it ourselves, then we must rely on others' strength."
Qingzhuo's eyes flickered as he spoke these words.
Daoist Guan Yuan's expression shifted slightly, as if he had thought of something, and he inquired, "Nephew Qingzhuo, could it be that you already have a plan?"
"Indeed."
Qingzhuo nodded and said, "I plan to make a trip to Changping City to contact some martial arts schools and escort agencies, asking them to eliminate this rebel army!"
"This..."
Daoist Guan Yuan furrowed his brows and said, "This might not be feasible."
"If a few of the major martial arts schools and escort agencies in Changping City are willing to join forces, they do indeed have the strength to defeat that rebel army."
"But we have no bargaining chips to sway them."
"At best, even if we gather a few thousand silver taels from joining forces with some wealthy households, including the century's accumulation within the palace, once divided among a few families, it wouldn't be much..."
As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something, and his expression changed: "Nephew Qingzhuo, are you planning to spread the cultivation technique?"
"Yes!"
Qingzhuo's expression was firm and he stated resolutely, "The martial arts spread in the world are mostly external skills, with Inner Family True Inheritance being extremely rare."
"If I use the Taiyi Hun Heaven Skill as a bargaining chip, along with some gold and silver, I can definitely sway them!"
"This mustn't be!"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Guan Yuan became anxious: "The Taiyi Hun Heaven Skill is the cornerstone of Qingping Palace!"
"Once the cultivation technique is spread, it will certainly bring endless calamities in the future. This is akin to drinking poison to quench thirst and violates the ancestral teachings..."
"Uncle Master!"
Qingzhuo interrupted him, fixating on him with a cold and hard tone: "Face reality, Qingping Palace is already gone! Is spreading the cultivation technique still important?"
"If we wait, who knows how long until those rebels perish? Will it be three years, five years, ten years, or twenty years?"
"In such a long time, even the slightest unexpected incident would mean Qingping Palace never reviving."
"Moreover, the blood feud with our master, uncle, and numerous senior and junior brothers, with over fifty lives in the palace—are we just going to rely on others for revenge?"
His gaze was frigid and he declared firmly, "As long as we can eliminate those rebels and reclaim Qingping Palace, any price is worth it!"
His words were like nails, driving deep into Daoist Guan Yuan's heart.
Daoist Guan Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but eventually leaned back in his chair and said dejectedly, "Nephew Qingzhuo, you're right."
"I'm old and have been overly cautious, lacking your determination."
He took a deep breath and said, "I will find a way to secretly contact those wealthy households, and once the funds are largely in place, we'll go to Changping City together."
"You're too young and not strong enough; if you go to Changping City alone, I'm afraid some might harbor malicious intentions, taking everything from you."
"I understand."
A slight smile finally appeared on Qingzhuo's face: "Then I'll leave everything to you, Uncle Master."
......
Within Changping City.
Ever since becoming an apprentice, Zhang Yao had been living in the inner courtyard of the martial arts school, personally guided by Zhou An, and his life had become increasingly comfortable.
As he anticipated, after the Taiyi Pile Skill reached Great Success and Qi and Blood Activation, his physical strength and endurance experienced an explosive growth phase.
In just seven or eight days, his strength nearly doubled!
In the martial arts school's training ground, the heaviest stone lock weighed 500 jin, and taking advantage of the apprentices' absence, Zhang Yao tried it out and managed to barely lift it.
With such power and stamina, if he were to diligently practice the Combat Killing Technique and fully unleash his abilities, the resulting might would be astonishing.
"After practicing martial arts for so long, I finally achieved a significant accomplishment."
"Who could have imagined that a year ago, I was just a little Daoist child with no strength to truss a chicken?"
Zhang Yao's heart was filled with immense satisfaction, and he laughed heartily.
"Truly remarkable!"
Off to the side, Meng Zongwei and Zhang Yannian watched in awe.
"Junior brother, how did you train like this?"
Zhang Yannian's eyes widened in disbelief: "Could it be innate divine power?"
The cultivation of the Golden Furnace Technique can also greatly enhance physical strength and endurance, but one must reach Great Success to possess such strength.
Yet Zhang Yao had only been practicing for a little over two months and hadn't even reached Small Success, yet he could lift the 500 jin stone lock, leaving them utterly astonished.
"No, it's not innate divine power."
Zhou An was also amazed, continuously observing Zhang Yao with wonder shining in his eyes: "This boy's talent truly astounds me."
"You rascal, tell me the truth, to what extent have you cultivated the Health Maintenance Stance passed on by Qingping Palace?"
"Reporting to Master."
Zhang Yao showed a slight smile and said, "After years of diligent and relentless practice, I've reached Great Success in the Taiyi Pile Skill."
"As expected!"
Zhou An stroked his beard and smiled knowingly.
The role of the Health Maintenance Stance primarily lies in prolonging life, but being closely related to the Inner Family True Inheritance, it also has a significant strengthening effect on the body.
Achieving Great Success in the Pillar technique, combined with the Golden Furnace Technique's enhancement and support, allowed Zhang Yao's power and stamina to reach levels comparable to the Great Success of the Golden Furnace Technique.
"However, based on this level of estimation..."
Zhou An pondered for a moment, his heart suddenly moved, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be... that your Golden Furnace Technique has also reached Small Success?"
"Yes, it was truly impossible to hide from Master."
Zhang Yao's smile grew even brighter, and he said, "Just a couple of days ago, I felt a strange sensation in my body, guessing that the Golden Furnace Technique had likely reached Small Success."