Chapter 913 - 156: Exchanging Treasures, Pavilion Master Zhou, Have You Broken Through?

Chapter 913: Chapter 156: Exchanging Treasures, Pavilion Master Zhou, Have You Broken Through?

Great Jin, Ministry of War, Teleportation Hall.

Upon entering, one could see two high platforms, each engraved with array patterns,

The one on the left was the Teleportation Array leading to the West Desert, while the one on the right was the Array returning from the West Desert to Great Jin!

On this day, the right Teleportation Array, which had been silent for years, suddenly lit up. A flash of white light passed, and three figures appeared in the center of the array,

The person in the middle had a handsome face and an ethereal demeanor akin to an Exiled Immortal,

The one on the left was a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian Scholar, with a harmonious and pleasing aura at first glance,

The one on the right was a youth with an honest appearance, who, if clad in simpler attire, could easily be mistaken for a farmer.

These three were Zhou Xun and True Monarch Tianci, who had just returned from the West Desert.

"Big brother, we are finally back!" Wang Erniu exclaimed emotionally as he looked at the hall in front of them.

"Indeed, this journey to the West Desert, though lasting only a few years, was most rewarding!" Zhou Xun nodded,

At the time of departure, all three were at Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation,

Now upon their return, both True Monarch Tianci and Zhou Xun had reached Middle-Stage Nascent Soul, and even Wang Erniu, under the guidance of his master True Monarch Nine Swords,

had made significant progress in Sword Dao, greatly enhancing his strength.

If he could break through to Middle-Stage Nascent Soul, he would surely possess the power of a Great Cultivator.

"Now that we’ve returned, we can finally cultivate properly!" True Monarch Tianci said with a smile.

"Greetings to the three esteemed seniors!"

At this moment, two youths dressed as guards entered from the doorway, both at Early-Stage Core Formation Cultivation. Seeing Zhou Xun and the others standing on the right Teleportation Array,

they immediately understood that these were people returning from the West Desert, and respectfully saluted.

"No need for formalities, young friends. Is Senior Clerk Tang available?" This Senior Clerk Tang was currently in charge of the Teleportation Hall and also a Senior Clerk of the Great Jin Ministry of War.

Back when heading to the West Desert, the three had met this Senior Clerk Tang once.

"To report to the seniors, Elder Tang is stationed outside the hall!" The guard replied with a salute,

Hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded and then left the Inner Hall with True Monarch Tianci,

As soon as they exited, they saw an elderly man dressed in a long robe of azure and red, with a white face and no beard, resting at the counter beside the hall,

When he saw someone coming out, he instinctively looked over,

"Pavilion Master Zhou, Pavilion Master Ji, and Pavilion Master Wang, you have returned!"

Tang Yuan was initially taken aback, but then quickly recognized the three, his face lighting up with joy,

"Huh... your Cultivation!"

Suddenly, he sensed the Middle-Stage Nascent Soul Mana aura from Zhou Xun and True Monarch Tianci and was momentarily stunned.

He vividly remembered that when they departed, Zhou Xun and the others were only at Early-Stage Nascent Soul. In just four years, two of them had already advanced to Middle-Stage Nascent Soul.

Combining this with their return from the West Desert to Great Jin,

it seemed that Zhou Xun and the others must have accomplished significant feats in the West Desert.

After all, he had seen off hundreds of Nascent Soul Cultivators, with less than eleven returning, and they had spent decades on the West Desert Front, accumulating enough merits to return.

But Zhou Xun and the others, how long had they been gone?

Thinking carefully about it, he couldn’t help but wear a solemn expression, looking at Zhou Xun with a hint of respect in his eyes.

"Merely a fortunate breakthrough!" Zhou Xun smiled slightly and then asked:

"I wonder if Vice Minister Wu is still in charge of the Ministry of War now?"

"Indeed!" Tang Yuan nodded.

After a brief exchange, Zhou Xun took his leave,

Though they did not notice, just as they departed, a guard in the corner left hurriedly.

...

Exiting the Teleportation Hall, Zhou Xun’s destination was the main hall of the Ministry of War,

He intended to visit the Great Jin Secret Vault Department to exchange and obtain a ’Nine-Curves Illusion Spirit Ginseng’, with the first step being to convert his battle merits into Great Jin’s Contribution Points.

The Ministry of War was in charge of this task.

Walking along the passage beside the palace wall, Zhou Xun arrived at a grand hall with flying eaves, ornate beams, and polished blue bricks, looking extremely imposing,

This was the office of Vice Minister Wu of the Ministry of War,

Where two guards wearing Spirit Armor stood at the entrance,

"Greetings to the three esteemed seniors. May I ask if you seek an audience with Vice Minister Wu?"

"Indeed, could you please announce our arrival and inform him that Zhou Xun has come to visit!" Saying this, he handed over his Mansion Master Token.

The guard took it to inspect and turned respectful,

"Oh, it’s Pavilion Master Zhou, please wait a moment!"

Saying this, the guard turned and hurried inside,

Soon, a tall man with a broad forehead and large eyes, with Middle-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation, emerged.

"Hahaha, when the guard said Brother Zhou came to visit, I could hardly believe it. The three Pavilion Masters were at the West Desert frontlines fighting the Ghost Race, how could they come to see me!"

"Now that we meet, I must believe it. Come, please, let us discuss inside!" he said, gesturing invitingly.

"Thanks for your hospitality, Vice Minister Wu!"

With that, Zhou Xun and the others followed Vice Minister Wu inside, reaching a reception area where they took seats as host and guests.

After they sat down, several maids with graceful figures,

knelt before the table, first making a respectful bow, then skillfully preparing tea. Shortly, a pleasant fragrance wafted through the air.

"This is Peace Tea, please, have a taste!" Vice Minister Wu said, raising the cup in his hand,

"Thank you, Vice Minister!"

Zhou Xun and the others, following the host’s lead, also lifted their cups of Spirit Tea for a sip,

As the tea entered their mouths, a cool sensation arose, swiftly transforming into a sharp intent, as if they were on a battlefield of weaponry,

Experiencing an exhilarating combat, finally settling into tranquility!