“If there’s a way, ask him if he’s willing to serve the imperial court.”
At the same time, a similar scene was unfolding at the Dragon Guard Villa.
The Dragon Guard Villa, renowned for protecting the stability of the imperial power, was widely known.
Its intelligence System was famous throughout the land, making it an extremely powerful force in the Jianghu.
It also possessed both court and Martial Forest attributes.
Upon learning of Fahai, Tie Dan Shen Hou frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
“Fahai…”
Immediately, he summoned his trusted subordinate.
“Call Haitang over.”
Soon after, Shangguan Haitang, the number one secret agent of the Xuan character, walked into the hall.
Though she wore men’s clothing, her appearance was stunning, and her demeanor was as gentle as the wind, like a noble Young Master.
“Godfather.”
Lord Shenhou nodded slightly.
“For Tianji Tower to give him such a high position, this person must have extraordinary abilities.”
“Mobilize your forces to investigate Fahai’s background and ascertain if he has a backer.”
“If not, bring him under the Dragon Guard Villa’s banner.”
Mount Song stood majestically, its verdant expanse stretching for a thousand li, with an endless, vast forest.
Upon this magnificent mountain range, ranked among the Five Great Peaks, sat the Shaolin Temple.
The Shaolin Temple was hailed as a Holy Land of martial arts, one of the strongest Righteous Path Schools in the world.
Numerous experts and Schools throughout the land were connected to Shaolin.
Even amidst the turmoil of the Jianghu, with heroes rising in great numbers, Shaolin remained firmly established as a Martial Forest patriarch, demonstrating its profound heritage and astonishing strength.
Inside the Great Hero Hall, the solemn Buddha statues shimmered with golden light.
An old monk in a crimson kasaya stood silently within, with nine ring scars on his head.
His gaze was profound, as if seeing through thousands of miles of clouds.
Subtle Internal Energy fluctuations emanated from his body, naturally dispelling all dust particles in the air.
His Face was serene, his expression solemn, as if he were just an ordinary old monk, yet he concealed profound depths.
If one looked closely, they would notice that within three feet of him, all dust was gone, as clean as if freshly washed.
He stood quietly, unmoving and silent, yet exuded a calm demeanor that inspired reverence, making people hesitant to look directly at him.
This person was Shaolin Abbot Taixu, an peerless expert who had reached the Heavenly Human Realm, one of the few top figures in the Martial Forest.
He was also an important pillar enabling Shaolin to remain at the Peak of the Jianghu.
He slowly withdrew his gaze, looking at the several monks standing before him.
The monks’ gazes were respectful, their expressions solemn.
Only then did Taixu speak, his tone calm, beginning to give instructions.
Just then, a Little Monk rushed into the hall with a panicked expression.
“Abbot, something big has happened!”
Taixu frowned slightly, looking at the clumsy Little Monk, “Why are you so flustered?”
The Little Monk caught his breath and hastily said, “Abbot, the innate ranking has been updated.”
The innate ranking updated?
Could this be considered a big deal?
If the heavenly pride ranking changed, it would hold some significance, but the innate ranking’s updates were quite common.
Just as Taixu was about to reprimand him, the Little Monk urgently spoke again:
“Senior Brother Fahai is on the list! And he’s in the top hundred!”
“What?!”
All the monks in the Great Hero Hall were astonished, their Faces showing disbelief.
How could that be?
When Fahai descended the mountain, he was only in the Acquired Realm.
How long had it been, and he had already entered the Innate Realm and made it onto the ranking?
The innate ranking, as its name suggested, could only be ascended by those who reached the Innate Realm.
And those who could truly make it onto the list were few and far between.
Fahai had only recently descended the mountain, and he had already achieved fame in one fell swoop?
“Tell me the details.”
A monk nearby immediately reported, “Disciple just received news that Senior Brother Fahai broke through to the Innate Realm and defeated Zhaixing Zi of the Xingxiu Sect with a single move, thus making it onto the ranking.”
Another monk exclaimed, “I’ve heard a little about Zhaixing Zi; he’s ranked around two hundred on the innate ranking.”
“Although it was a one-move victory, jumping directly to within the top hundred… isn’t that a bit too fast?”
At this moment, a young monk in white spoke softly. He had a handsome appearance and a serene demeanor: “Perhaps it’s because Tianji Tower confirmed that Junior Brother Fahai is a Shaolin Disciple, which is why they gave him such a ranking.”
Taixu nodded slightly, “Wuhua is absolutely right.”
“Tianji Tower, after all, will give Shaolin some Face.”
Shaolin, as one of the world’s largest Schools, enjoyed the title of “Martial Forest Patriarch.”
This much Face was naturally not difficult.
Looks of joy appeared on everyone’s Faces.
The Innate Realm and the innate ranking were not uncommon to them.
Many of the monks in the hall had cultivation levels above Innate, and quite a few had once been on this ranking.
But to enter the Innate Realm at fifteen and be ranked within the top hundred was truly rare.
Such an age, such an achievement, could only mean—Shaolin has successors!
Since Fahai was a Disciple of their School, the higher his achievements, the more proud everyone felt.
Especially Taixu, whose Face was now full of smiles, his expression joyful.
Suddenly, a Disciple rushed in from outside to report.
“Abbot, someone from Tianji Tower is here.”
“Tianji Tower?”
“What’s the matter?”
Wuhua said softly, “It’s probably for Junior Brother Fahai.”
Soon, the person from Tianji Tower was led into the Great Hero Hall. He first bowed to the monks, then spoke, hoping Shaolin would publicly disclose Fahai’s identity.
For something that could bring glory to Shaolin, Taixu and the others were naturally willing to agree.
Furthermore, if Fahai had Shaolin as a backer while traveling the Jianghu, he would naturally have an extra layer of protection.
After all, he had offended a Grandmaster-level figure from the Xingxiu lineage, whose strength was unfathomable.
But Wuhua suddenly spoke up: “Abbot, Disciple believes this matter is not appropriate.”
“Junior Brother Fahai is a rare genius, seen once in a century.”
“If he relies on Shaolin from the start, with his reputation known, it will make him like a hothouse flower, unable to withstand the winds and frosts.”
“It’s better not to disclose his identity for now, and secretly send people to accompany him, only appearing to help when he truly falls into despair.”
“This way, it will be a true tempering.”
Wuhua spoke with righteous words, but he had other plans in his heart.
Fahai’s talent was no less than his own, and he was a huge variable for his grand scheme.
He had long harbored ambitions to control Shaolin and then lead the Jianghu.
And Fahai’s existence was undoubtedly a mountain blocking his path.
Therefore, he had to suppress this person.
If Fahai didn’t have Shaolin as a backer, facing the Xingxiu Old Monster, he would either die or be severely injured, naturally unable to compete with him again.
This was his true intention.
Taixu nodded slightly after hearing this, “Wuhua is absolutely right.”
Thus, Taixu decided not to disclose Fahai’s identity.
Somewhere.
A white-clad figure walked slowly along the road, a bamboo hat covering her Face, white gauze concealing her features; it was Nangong.
Suddenly, she heard people whispering by the roadside.
“Which temple did that Monk Fahai come from, anyway?”
“Not sure, maybe he’s a practitioner without a School or sect.”
“I heard he’s ruthless in his actions, but famous temples have strict precepts and rules. He doesn’t seem like someone from a renowned School at all.”
For a moment, Nangong’s heart stirred.
Doesn’t follow precepts?
Why does that sound so familiar?
He didn’t seem like a true Monk.
“So, his name is Fahai.”
What happened that day was too sudden, and she left in a hurry, not even asking his name.
She didn’t expect to learn his name so soon, and under such circumstances.
“Fahai?”