Su Nanxing worked efficiently.
By afternoon, three Demon Martial Artists had been gravely injured, captured alive, and brought to the western courtyard of the Meteor Star Guard Mansion.
It also served as a practical exercise for Gu Chifeng and others.
The three Demon Martial Artists included one who practiced auxiliary skills, without cultivating a demon body, and merely harnessed the Power of Essence Blood to refine essence into energy; the other two had cultivated true demon bodies.
Gu Jinlai had Su Nanxing wait outside while he took the three Demon Martial Artists into the inner hall.
For the next half an hour, screams emanated continuously from within the inner hall.
Half an hour later, Gu Jinlai had Su Nanxing dispose of three corpses.
"The effect was better than I anticipated."
In his study, Gu Jinlai examined himself.
The Great Sun Divine Light shone like a halo, radiating continuously from him and illuminating the surrounding tens of meters.
If he increased his focus on the Visualization Great Sun, infusing his Spiritual Sense, the brightness of the Great Sun Divine Light would significantly increase.
"The Heavenly Master truly is the bane of Demon Spirits..."
Gu Jinlai felt somewhat emotional.
But then, his thoughts turned to the demons lurking behind the Red Blood Sect.
At least forty of them!
There could even be a Great Demon among them.
So wonderful... so terrifying.
Gu Jinlai suppressed the trembling in his hands and concentrated his spirit on the figure within his consciousness.
More precisely, on the Grand Sun Nine Refinement Visualization Method.
At the Perfection of Six Refinements, if he could ascend to the Seven Refinements, condense a True Spirit, and forcibly use True Spirit Possession to animate the Short Range Defense Cannon or Gatling, transforming them, his chances of success would be greater.
He had to either undergo Qi Refining and God Transformation, accumulating Spiritual Sense strength comparable to that of a Great Heavenly Master, or...
Amass at least ten strands of Qingguang, creating something out of nothing, to forcibly forge a path for an initial achievement of Spiritual Sense that could condense a True Spirit.
The difficulty of this was even greater than that of a novice in Refining God trying to condense a Primordial Spirit.
"To accumulate Spiritual Sense, one must undergo Qi Refining and God Transformation. Although my system is established, the Grand Sun Nine Refinements Visualization Method and the Great Sun Demon God Body Refining Method have yet to merge into one. The growth from absorbing the Power of Great Sun is not yet enough to nurture the Spiritual Sense."
He would face a great battle against the Red Blood Sect in half a month.
To undergo Qi Refining and God Transformation at a time , wouldn’t that be damaging his foundation?
"Half a month’s time, ten days to forge a heavy treasure armor and a heavy war sword weighing four thousand jin each. In the remaining five days, refine the gunpowder; as much as can be done will be done."
Gu Jinlai had to be prepared.
The treasure armor and war sword were his confidence to face the Red Saber Ancestor.
The gunpowder was the decisive weapon for the Meteor Star Guard and the Gu family’s elite to blast away the Demon Martial Artists.
Only by attacking on both fronts could he ensure that the operation in half a month was foolproof.
There was a huge stir in Lingxiao City, and even with Qin Guichuan and Yang Shengping sealing the city gates, the news couldn’t be kept from leaking out.
A few days later, intelligence about the drastic changes in Lingxiao City was laid before Star Master Zhang Luu.
Reading the report describing Gu Jinlai’s step by step control over the western Meteor Star Guard Mansion, and his further elimination of Fang Que and the Three Great Families, the Star Master’s eyes filled with surprise.
"This Gu Jinlai truly lives up to being an Elder-level figure from the Purgatory Demon Sect; he indeed has some methods. He really has cleaned up Lingxiao City."
Standing before him was his right-hand man.
The Baihe Town Guardian, Gu Zhixuan.
At this moment, the Guardian overseeing Baihe City smiled slightly, "With Lingxiao City stabilizing, our pressure will also lessen, allowing us to concentrate more forces on strategizing for Changjun City."
Zhang Luu nodded his head.
Among the four cities he governed, Baihe City was the base, always under Meteor Star Guard control. Sunset City had some turmoil, but the Meteor Star Guard also possessed the power to suppress the situation.
The crucial point was Chang County City.
The city was not far from the border, besieged by packs of wolves.
The Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Demon Sect, and Yellow Heaven Dao Sect had all set up branches in this city, and with Refining God Guardians, they stood firm.
If Meteor Star Guard meddled rashly, it would certainly incite a joint counterattack from the three Sects.
"Since Gu Jinlai has the capability, I shall honor my promise and leave Lingxiao City for him to guard. However, lest he becomes like Fang Que and holds his own, I must send someone to contain him to a degree, at least we must know of any movements in Lingxiao City at once."
Zhang Luu pondered for a moment and then said, "Let’s send Su Tong."
Gu Zhixuan was somewhat surprised, "The one from the Star Patrol Department of the Su family?"
"Indeed, Minister Su wants to arrange someone, I can’t deny the courtesy, but if it’s an ordinary position, it might incur Minister Su’s dissatisfaction. However, her capabilities are insufficient for any important role."
Zhang Luu also had a headache with Su Tong, "This time, Lingxiao City lost three of its four garrison commanders, one chief and three deputies, leaving a lot of vacant spots. I’ll assign her as a deputy garrison commander. Not meddling with the other two deputies should be enough to show face to Gu Jinlai."
Gu Zhixuan nodded his head.
The arrangement of the Star Master indeed could be considered a significant responsibility.
At that moment, as if recalling something, Gu Zhixuan suddenly said, "Sir, there’s news that Gu Jinlai was able to suppress the Lingxiao Three Clans by taking the path of a Demon Martial Artist... Spreading this news might harm the reputation of our Meteor Star Guard..."
Zhang Luu smiled faintly, "That’s precisely why I dare to reuse Gu Jinlai."
Gu Zhixuan was taken aback, then quickly understood the Star Master’s intent and immediately clasped his hands saying, "Your foresight is profound, far surpassing mine."
"Spare me such flattery, just do your own job well. When I take action against Changjun City, Baihe City must be able to bring forth sufficient power."
"I will return immediately to prepare the troops, awaiting your command."
In the Star State, Lingxiao City might be considered a minor city, but that didn’t mean it went unnoticed beyond the borders of the state.
Lin Xiao, the Deputy Sect Master of the Purgatory Demon Sect, kept a watchful eye on every move Gu Jinlai made.
He could do nothing while Gu hid in Starlight City, but once Gu set foot in Lingxiao City...
He had already sent a message to Linfeng City.
The Lin family’s peak Hugging Pill expert, Lin Tianlei, led four Hugging Pill masters from the clan to secretly head towards Lingxiao City.
However, upon learning that Gu Jinlai utilized the power of a Great Demon to subdue the Fang, Zhao, and Wang families, the Deputy Sect Master broke out in a cold sweat. He immediately called for a confidant, "Send a message to Lin Tianlei at once, commanding them to return immediately. The plan is canceled."
After the confidant left, the Deputy Sect Master of the Purgatory Demon Sect’s expression turned very gloomy.
"Power of the Great Demon... Refined Artifact..."
He recalled how Gu Jinlai suddenly requested a transfer from the Purgatory Sect, a center of power, and even crippled his own Demon Skills, falling back to Hugging Pill.
Then, in less than half a year, news emerged that he possessed the power of the Great Demon and had crafted a weapon of extraordinary destructive power...
"The Jade Scroll! He definitely has obtained a top-tier legacy from that jade scroll!"
Otherwise, he couldn’t explain why Gu Jinlai, a prominent Refining God Giant, would engage in a series of seemingly irrational actions upon arriving at Chang County.
Not until the old is destroyed can the new be established.
It seemed Gu Jinlai was about to establish himself anew.
And the basis for his rise was that mysterious jade scroll.
"Dragon Mountain Mine has always been under my control, whatever comes from there should belong to me!"
Lin Xiao clenched his fists tightly.
An opportunity destined for him had slipped through his fingers.
The frustration was all the more poignant because it was he who had deliberately transferred Su Nanxing to Dragon Mountain Mine to facilitate recruitment...
But what was the result?
He ended up losing both people and wealth.
Lin Xiao ground his teeth.
After a moment, he regained his composure.
"I cannot sit idly by."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he began to write a letter.
A young man in his early twenties bowed respectfully at the door.
Looking at this junior from his own family, who had achieved Hugging Pill before thirty, he handed over the letter with confidence, "Deliver this discreetly to Guardian Zhang."
Lin Jianfeng respectfully acknowledged, then hastily retreated.
Zhang Wang, one of Qin Li’s men, was now under his control due to being compromised.
"Last time when I initiated the review of Gu Jinlai’s eligibility for promotion to Golden Robed Elder, didn’t you, Qin Li, obstruct me at every turn? Even when I tried to build momentum by accusing Gu of betraying the Sect, you suppressed it on grounds of insufficient evidence? This time, with Gu’s increased influence, I want to see how you’ll counter."
Coldness flickered in Lin Xiao’s eyes, "Considering all that Gu has previously done in order to infiltrate the Meteor Star Guard, to the extent of shouldering infamy and enduring hardships, now that he has finally achieved something, taking charge of Lingxiao, and becoming a garrison commander, you go ahead and propose to the Sect Master to readmit Gu into our Sect, promoting him to Golden Robed Elder to recognize his contributions."
Then, he would spread this news.
If Gu Jinlai were promoted to elder, the Meteor Star Guard would definitely not let it go easily.
If he was not promoted, his identity as a defector of the Purgatory Sect would be confirmed, directly facing the Sect’s pursuit.