Chapter 545 Hero, Renowned Far and Wide

‘Fame Spreads Far and Wide?’ For a moment, Qi Suian was unsure what to make of his new Third Realm Divine Technique.

‘It’s obvious from the name that it’s related to fame.’

The effect was fairly straightforward: his fame would transform into a tangible aura of might, adding special effects to the martial arts he performed.

For instance, if Qi Suian were to use the “Fei Martial Art,” his reputation would manifest as might, truly condensing a phantasmal image of a Fei.

It was like cloaking himself in an exoskeleton of might, comprehensively amplifying his own strength and combat prowess.

Similarly, using the Vajra Palm would create a phantasmal image of a Vajra. Whatever martial art he used would trigger a corresponding phantasm of might.

So when he fought, the commotion would be immense.

A single strike could obliterate an ordinary house. His combat power had increased at a terrifying rate.

At this stage, a Survivor’s ability to fight above their level changed from being able to instantly kill an opponent one realm higher to merely being able to fight them.

After all, Guiyun City had been turned to ruins precisely because three Fourth Realm masters had fought there. How else could it have been destroyed?

‘This evolutionary path… it’s a bit like becoming a one-man army.’

‘For now, it’s just a phantom. The next step is likely my might condensing into a physical entity.’ Qi Suian’s eyes narrowed. He sensed that the Daoist World seemed to be intentionally fostering him as a fourth Daoist Lineage.

He suspected the Daoist World was dissatisfied with the three great lineages of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism monopolizing the Extraordinary, and was thus strengthening its support for him to shatter the current status quo.

‘But now the problems are also getting bigger.’

‘After breaking through to the Third Realm, I’ve undergone a complete metamorphosis. The ‘unremarkable’ effect of my common clothes can no longer conceal my heroic aura, nor the might and fame I carry.’

‘If someone from the Fifth Realm were to show up, they’d probably see the truth at a single glance.’

‘So, my window for growth is quite limited.’ Qi Suian didn’t like it, but this meant he had officially stepped onto the stage of the war between Daoist Lineages.

However, his situation was unique. As long as he didn’t use his aura of might, who would he run into from the Fifth Realm in this remote backwater? Even a Fourth Realm master was already an incredible figure here.

A place like Guiyun City having three Fourth Realm masters was already as rare as a phoenix’s feather.

The strongest experts in the surrounding cities were only at the Third Realm.

Unless Qi Suian made a move himself, it would be impossible to see through him.

But if he were to break through to the Fourth Realm, he would be completely unable to hide his power, unless he acquired a new Divine Technique with a concealment ability.

A power based on fame was all about being high-profile.

Even now, Qi Suian possessed a unique charisma that made him the center of attention wherever he went.

This was one of the effects of “Fame Spreads Far and Wide.”

It also granted him a corresponding charisma and a keen perception of power dynamics.

He was practically prime material for a rebel leader.

He suspected his act of rebellion was what caused his Daoist Lineage to change.

It wasn’t just the Daoist World evolving this fourth Daoist Lineage through him; Qi Suian’s own actions would also influence its final form.

This was good news for Qi Suian. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about events spiraling out of his control in some unpredictable way.

‘I have the power to protect myself now. I suppose I can be a bit more aggressive.’ Qi Suian’s brow twitched. ‘Since I can’t keep a low profile, I’ll just have to grow as quickly as possible.’

For instance, it was time to expand his territory.

But before he could even issue the orders, someone from the Court arrived.

Hu Shichan went to receive the visitor first, then came to find Qi Suian to discuss the matter.

The Hu Shichan of today was full of confidence. He had single-handedly forged the Liu Xing Sect faction within the Divine Martial Association, which now rivaled the Guiyun Sect faction led by Jiang Peng and Feng Cai.

Liu Xing City’s rapid development was inseparable from the competition and contributions of these two factions.

Qi Suian had balanced them well, so there was no need to worry about any major issues arising.

“Leader, they’re here for disaster relief. They must have known about Liu Xing City’s situation in advance.”

“I’m not clear on their exact purpose for coming, but it’s highly likely they’re here to offer us amnesty,” Hu Shichan briefly analyzed for Qi Suian.

Amnesty. The thought made Hu Shichan feel conflicted.

He didn’t want to accept it; he wanted to gamble for a greater prize.

But he also understood that failure meant death, whereas accepting amnesty would allow him to live a life of privilege.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to make the decision, because Qi Suian was the leader of the Divine Martial Association.

Besides, if he dared to make a decision on his own, not only would the Guiyun Sect faction come for his life, but he would also have no place left to go after betraying his own Liu Xing Sect faction.

He was who he was, and Qi Suian was who Qi Suian was.

Fundamentally, the very benefits they vied for all stemmed from Qi Suian.

Otherwise, on what basis would they have chosen Qi Suian? Why would they even be competing?

It was because Qi Suian could give them sufficient rewards and lead them to even greater ones.

“Amnesty,” Qi Suian said softly. “It seems you have complicated feelings about this, Hu Shichan.”

“If it were up to you, what would you do?”

Hu Shichan remained silent. He couldn’t answer that question; any answer he gave would be the wrong one.

“It seems you don’t know either. Bring him in,” Qi Suian said calmly.

Hearing this, Hu Shichan finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to fetch the Court’s envoy who was waiting as a guest.

The man was an elder dressed in official robes, but his Spirit was so vigorous that he didn’t look old at all.

He then sat down across from Qi Suian with an imposing air and said, “Rebellion is a grave crime.”

“One punishable by the extermination of your entire clan.”

Hearing this, Qi Suian replied slowly, “They’re all dead. What do you think?”

‘Forget nine generations of my clan, there’s no one left going back eighteen.’

“You’re not seriously here to offer us amnesty, are you? Setting aside the great drought, what about the war between the Daoist Lineages? Can the Court even handle that?” Qi Suian’s question was laced with his intimidating might.

The official-robed elder’s expression changed abruptly. He had all sorts of retorts for the question itself, but the sheer force of will behind it left him unable to speak.

“We…can’t.” After forcing out those two words through gritted teeth, the man finally looked relieved.

To lie in the face of such might would be to be crushed to death by it.

The might emanating from Qi Suian was forged from fame, a power far surpassing the scholarly aura of officials or the faith of the common folk.

“The Celestial Calamity Court is slow to provide disaster relief, and you can’t even quell the man-made calamities. We are just trying to find a path to survival for ourselves.”

“So what’s the meaning of you insisting that we must die?” As he spoke, Qi Suian shot to his feet, his face filled with anger.

This left the official-robed elder too embarrassed to answer.

“Your families have been blessed by the Emperor’s grace for generations! How dare you—” the elder immediately retorted.

But upon hearing this, Jiang Peng couldn’t help but sneer. “And the taxes we pay every year? Did they not make it into that old geezer the Emperor’s coffers?”

“We support the Emperor, not the other way around.”

“If there truly is such a thing as ‘imperial grace,’ then where was this ‘vast and mighty grace’ when Guiyun City was destroyed?”

Being interrupted like this, the official-robed elder was furious.

He didn’t dare say much to Qi Suian, who was cloaked in his formidable might, but Jiang Peng was just an ordinary man. The elder had no fear of him.

He immediately opened his mouth and began a tirade, his words fast and his logic clear. He spouted a grand lecture on the relationship between ruler and subject, leaving Jiang Peng speechless—so speechless that Jiang Peng simply drew his blade, ready to cut the man down.

Thankfully, he was stopped.

Jiang Peng couldn’t win the war of words, but he didn’t believe a single thing the man said. Since that was the case, he figured he might as well shut him up physically.

“Savage, unreasonable brute! Hmph,” the elder spat, then turned back to Qi Suian. “If you are willing to lead your followers in surrender, a life of riches and honor can still be yours.”

“Otherwise, when the Court’s grand army arrives, you will be reduced to ash in an instant.”

“Hahaha!” Qi Suian laughed, a mocking, jarring sound.

“With natural and man-made disasters plaguing the land, if the Court’s army were to march here, I’m afraid nine out of ten soldiers would die before they even arrived.”

“And would that last man standing still be willing to pledge his loyalty to the Court?”

“I thought you might have some grand insight to offer, but it seems you’ve only brought the same old rotten rhetoric.”

“It’s not easy to have lived to your age. Men, escort him out of the city,” Qi Suian said with a wave of his hand.

Several guards immediately seized the official-robed elder and began to drag him out.

The man was still shouting curses, but Qi Suian paid him no mind.

Seeing this, the others were at a loss. The sheer power emanating from Qi Suian left them feeling breathless.

It was the first time they had seen him so different. In the past, he had truly been unremarkable.

But this time, he was radiating an overwhelming dominance. Just by sitting there, he extinguished any thought of resistance in their hearts.

“In three days, we will first take Xueyue City, then Iron Rock City.”

“Hu Shichan, you will be Grand Marshal. Jiang Peng, you are the Governor General. Feng Cai will handle logistics.”

“The victors will share the spoils; the losers will share the blame.”

“I expect your full and sincere cooperation. I do not wish to hear news of failure.” With those three sentences, Qi Suian bound the two factions together with shared interests.

Win, and they would feast together. Lose, and they would be the feast.

It was a more tactful way of saying, “Success is the only option.”

Hu Shichan never imagined things would develop so quickly. ‘How long has it been, and he’s already thinking of external expansion?’

But he had no choice. He could only brace himself and accept the command. “Yes, Leader.”

Fortunately, he was quite familiar with Xueyue City and Iron Rock City. Although the three great Daoist Lineages of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism had a presence there, they weren’t particularly strong.

Compared to the overall strength of Liu Xing City, the gap was enormous.

The difficulty of conquering two cities in three days was not that high.

Qi Suian was not an unreasonable person. He wouldn’t set an impossible task, but one that was within their capabilities.

‘If the task were truly impossible, making them attempt it would just be a waste of manpower and resources.’

“What are you all standing around for? Get moving! In three days, I want to see the heads of those two City Lords sitting right here.”

“Don’t just stand there waiting for me to dismiss you.” Qi Suian’s voice boomed, and the aura born from his might instantly intensified.

The pressure on everyone present mounted, and one by one, they could only depart in a hurried panic.

Fortunately, the pressure was merely an intangible strain on their Spirit, so they didn’t look too pathetic—just a little flustered.

After everyone had left, Qi Suian watched as the progress bar for the evolution of his Fourth Realm Daoist Lineage jumped up by a large chunk, clearly influenced by his actions.