I can identify everything, but the level is increased by one

Time flowed by as Su Han quietly cultivated within the Golden Pavilion.

No one knows what tomorrow holds; everything is in flux.

Even the isolated haven of Ping'an County was no exception.

As the days passed, waves of unwelcome guests knocked on Ping'an County's door, causing tremors among the government, martial arts schools, families, and other factions.

Soon, they discovered that a strong dragon truly could suppress a local snake.

The winds of change in Ping'an County were no longer dictated by them.

People are inherently fickle, and gradually, Su Han's once-celebrated name faded away, replaced by the names of martial arts geniuses previously unheard of and unseen.

Inside the Golden Pavilion,

Qian Guang looked uncharacteristically weary as he constantly reviewed the documents in his hands:

"The White Lotus Sect's power has been revived, quickly amassing a ragtag army of displaced people, stationed fifty miles outside the city, supposedly led by a prominent figure known as the Holy Son. The county government is turning a blind eye to this."

"The Yanfu Sect has once again descended upon Ping'an County. Among them, a person named Wu Nian once fought Yuan Xingkong, the master of the Golden Pavilion. The outcome is unknown. Later, they took residence in the Li family, but have remained low-key to this day, their intentions unclear."

"Golden Pavilion members have reported that the long-destroyed Willow Village has shown signs of activity at night. Someone entered it and, upon returning, claimed to have traveled in a celestial realm, already attaining an immortal body, and subsequently left the Golden Pavilion, never to return."

"Rumors are spreading throughout the city, claiming that the White Lotus Maitreya True Buddha has descended to save all living beings, and that the Joyful and Blissful Supreme Celestial Maiden has come to bestow blessings upon the people, sharing boundless bliss and ascending to a wondrous realm together..."

"Members of the Salt Gang and An Gang are constantly coming and going, with fresh faces suspected to be from the top families of Qingyuan Prefecture, the Five Surnames and Seven Clans."

"Recently, disciples from top sects such as the Medicine King Sect, Sword Bearing Mountain, and Profound Dao Pavilion have entered Ping'an County. A young man has challenged all the martial arts schools in the city, remaining undefeated..."

He rubbed his temples and gave a wry smile.

In just seven short days, the entire Ping'an County had changed dramatically. The original local powers were suppressed, shrinking back as if these uninvited guests were the true masters of Ping'an County.

What exactly is going to happen here?

Why has it attracted the attention of so many top-tier forces?

Any force from the prefecture could sweep through Ping'an County. This shallow pool of eight hundred miles simply cannot accommodate the churning of dragons from the prefecture, but now, there are countless dragons here.

Even a small squabble among them could overturn Ping'an County.

The most awkward situation is that of their Transport Gang.

Unlike many gangs and families that have already attached themselves to the forces of Qingyuan Prefecture and are not too worried about accidentally offending these major powers and inviting disaster,

their Transport Gang has no backing.

Or rather, their backing cannot reach here.

The Transport Gang's previous prosperity relied on uniting its members downwards and the joint support of Transport Gangs throughout the Great Li Dynasty upwards.

This seemed vast, but was actually scattered, though it could ensure temporary peace in normal times.

But now, it is an extraordinary period.

As a member of the Transport Gang consortium, they have not truly climbed into the relationships of those major powers in Qingyuan Prefecture, but now the cold wave has frozen the Lin Yuan River, and it has not thawed to this day, cutting off contact between the Transport Gangs.

Now, their foundation is shallow.

They are not even wanted as dogs by other people; they do not have that access.

If the previous Transport Gang was a somewhat old ship, then the current Transport Gang is a lone boat swaying precariously in the approaching storm, likely to capsize at any moment.

Many people have begun to covet his Transport Gang's pill business.

His eyes gleamed as he looked towards the inner courtyard, as if able to see Su Han meditating within through layers of walls, and sighed softly in his heart, 'Brother Su, your seven days of seclusion have been truly leisurely.'

"Even this technique is a bit like that of my Medicine King Sect."

Apothecary Liu narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Liu Xiong saw this and secretly rejoiced in his heart. 'Being targeted by the Medicine King Sect, let's see if you die or not.'

Although Su Han did not investigate his actions afterwards,

he always felt that he had offended Su Han to the death, and might be held accountable one day, making it difficult for him to sleep or eat. Now, he could take advantage of the Medicine King Sect to get rid of Su Han.

He could also take the opportunity to bring down Qian Yuehai and become the gang leader himself.

He did not think that his actions were a rebellion.

Now that the situation is precarious and the Transport Gang has no backing, it could be destroyed at any time. His ability to attract the support of the Medicine King Sect would make him a hero of the Transport Gang, while the Qian father and son are the real sinners.

Firstly, they are generous with the Transport Gang's resources, splitting the profits with Su Han fifty-fifty.

Secondly, they waste money and resources, having to offer Su Han a dragon scale fish every day, as if that Su's family slave is the master of the Transport Gang, which is simply a disgrace to the Transport Gang.

Now, he is simply setting things right!

In the An Gang's main hall, there were three women and three men.

"Sister Yang, is that Su Han you mentioned really that good?"

One of the women with a ponytail asked doubtfully.

Yang Jin'e nodded: "He is no less impressive than the Five Surnames."

"I don't think so. If he's really that capable, why has he been hiding in the Golden Pavilion these past few days, afraid to come out?" One of the men curled his lip, unconvinced.

"We can discuss recruiting him as a guest elder later. He's just a local genius, not worth our excessive attention. The top priority is to prepare to seize the dragon energy that is about to emerge."

The handsome young man at the head nodded in agreement, speaking of the main business.

No matter how talented, one will be limited by local resources. At the Bone Forging stage, one often achieves Iron Bone, and may not even know of the existence of Silver Bone, completely cutting off future paths.

There is no need to pay attention to someone who might achieve Iron Bone.

He continued with a deep gaze:

"Honestly, even if dragon energy has the characteristic of choosing its master, the better the talent and the more noble the fate, the more dragon energy one can obtain. We of the Five Surnames will inevitably take the lion's share. There are too many people from this small place, diluting it, so there is really too little porridge for too many monks."

"How about we strike first?"

The man from earlier made a throat-slitting gesture.

Just as they were discussing the next steps, suddenly, the world shook, as if a dragon was turning over in the earth. They were immediately shocked and climbed to the high floors, seeing waves of rumbling coming from the distant Snow-Covered Mountains.

A large mass of brilliant golden light appeared between heaven and earth.

Like a golden sun.

"The first dragon energy eruption period has arrived, so fast, who did something? Quickly sit down cross-legged,

circulate the secret technique, resonate with fate, and use your mind to guide the dragon energy, or it will be too late!"

The young man immediately spoke and sat down cross-legged.

The others also did the same, extremely excited in their hearts.

Dragon energy concerns the fate of the nation and also the fate of martial arts.

To obtain it is to transform from a dragon-snake into a true dragon, how precious is that?

They must obtain it!

Dozens of guiding forces suddenly rose, wanting to absorb the dragon energy.

However, that large mass of golden light dragon energy was unmoved.

It flew straight towards the Golden Pavilion in Ping'an County.

Everyone: ? ? ?