Teng Qingshan’s answer evidently left many present deeply disappointed. Even Tantai Qing, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the world and quite confident in her looks, and Yan Baishou, who possessed three stone carvings, were utterly crestfallen. Wu Baiwei’s smile from the Wu family stiffened.
“Congratulations, Brother Fu,” Wu Baiwei said, maintaining his smile while cupping his hands in greeting.
“Let’s go,” a low voice issued from the Martial Goddess.
Clearly, in this couple, the Martial Goddess held more sway.
Tantai Qing then shot Teng Qingshan a rather ‘sorrowful’ glance, as if expressing her deep disappointment.
...
In a moment, the contingents from the Wu, Yan, and Tantai families departed. Though displeased, they were all leaders of significant affairs and knew upon arriving that Teng Qingshan would, at most, choose to aid only one faction; they were prepared to return empty-handed.
Inside the residence.
“Thank you, Sir,” Fu Daoxiao chuckled happily.
Fu Yunzhan and Fu Yufeng were beaming. The world might know little about Teng Qingshan, but their Fu family knew much more... because Fu Dao had informed the family elders that Teng Qingshan had defeated him in a single move. Defeating a Martial Saint, who was also a Xiantian Golden Core expert, with just one move—what kind of power was that?
The title ‘Strongest Martial Saint’ was clearly well-deserved.
“Uncle, thank you,” Fu Yuping said, looking at Teng Qingshan.
“Haha,” Teng Qingshan laughed, patting Xiao Ping’s head. “Uncle chose the Fu family for more than just you.”
“Sir,” Fu Dao began, “besides the stone carving we prepared, is there anything else you require? Please name it. My Fu family will exert every effort to provide it.”
Teng Qingshan looked at him and did not hide his thoughts: “Fu Dao, we’ve known each other for some time now, so I won’t be coy. I have no interest in other gold, silver, treasures, or spirit medicines. But this Fireflow Iron ore, I need one hundred thousand catties.”
“One hundred thousand catties?” Fu Dao sucked in a breath.
“What, is that impossible?” Teng Qingshan asked, looking at him.
In truth, the more Fireflow Iron ore Teng Qingshan acquired, the better. However, his plan involved traveling back to the Nine Provinces on the Six-Legged Saberworm. While the Saberworm was formidable and possessed strength comparable to Teng Qingshan’s own, flying long distances while carrying one hundred thousand catties would be extremely taxing. This amount was close to the absolute limit he could transport back to the Nine Provinces.
“It’s not that it’s impossible,” Fu Dao said with a wry smile. “Sir, my Fu family has only risen for a year or two. We currently only occupy a small city, and our strength is quite thin. Even with your assistance, securing the Fireflow Iron mine is uncertain. If we truly obtain it, giving you twenty or thirty percent would be no issue. But—”
“Fireflow Iron is ultimately too precious. Over the past several millennia, the total amount of Fireflow Iron discovered added up to barely two thousand catties, enough only to forge a few dozen sets of armor.”
“Although this current Fireflow Iron vein is large, it hasn’t been truly surveyed or excavated yet. No one knows exactly how much Fireflow Iron is buried beneath Ox-Head Mountain. Perhaps the total won't even reach one hundred thousand catties,” Fu Dao explained.
Teng Qingshan nodded realization dawning on him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for your Fu family,” Teng Qingshan said with a light smile. “If the quantity of Fireflow Iron is limited, then what I ask for will naturally be less.”
“May I ask, Sir, what you need the Fireflow Iron for?” Fu Dao inquired, puzzled.
Teng Qingshan smiled: “You don’t need to ask about that.”
Fu Dao nodded, not daring to press further. Yet, numerous thoughts surfaced in his mind: Could this Sir Teng have a powerful clan behind him? Or perhaps he is accumulating treasures for his descendants? That makes sense; Sir Teng is so young and already this strong. Becoming a War God is highly likely! Once one achieves the War God realm, establishing a great family is not difficult.
“Sir,” Fu Dao said with a smile, “the situation in the East China Domain is chaotic now, so we won’t linger. Are you traveling with us, or…?”
“I will arrive in the East China Domain around this time tomorrow,” Teng Qingshan stated.
Fu Dao knew Teng Qingshan possessed a winged demonic beast, so he wasn't worried.
“Very well, we shall take our leave then.” Fu Dao cupped his hands, and Fu Yunzhan and Fu Yufeng beside him did the same. Although the young man named ‘Fu Yunzhan’ was the head of the Fu family, it was evident that Fu Dao was the one making the decisions.
“Fu Dao,” Teng Qingshan asked curiously, “Let me ask you, as a dignified Xiantian Golden Core Martial Saint, how did you allow Xiao Ping’s branch line to end up in such a state?”
It shouldn't be difficult for a Xiantian Golden Core Martial Saint to protect a family branch.
“That’s right, Fu Dao, how did you let Xiao Ping’s line end up like this?” Li Jun also asked with some dissatisfaction. Fu Yuping beside her remained quiet, simply gazing at Fu Dao.
Fu Dao started, then gave a bitter smile: “Sir, you must have heard about some of my history…”
“What?” Teng Qingshan frowned.
“Martial Obsessive,” Fu Dao said grimly.
Teng Qingshan nodded: “I know you, Fu Dao, are a Martial Obsessive. The first time I saw you, you chased me halfway through the night demanding a spar.”
“Yes,” Fu Dao sighed heavily. “When I was young, I ran away from home to practice diligently. Back then, our Fu family was in hiding and hadn't fully asserted dominance or captured a city. At that time, I was content with the martial path. I focused solely on cultivation, knowing that the most indispensable asset for a powerful family is a formidable Martial Saint who can anchor it.”
“I became immersed in the martial path, constantly seeking matches, and gradually earned the moniker Martial Obsessive.”
Fu Dao sighed. “It wasn't until the Northern Marquis branch of my family was annihilated that I awoke. From then on, I began preparing for the family’s rise—whether it was building rapport with the Rising Sun Merchant Guild or purchasing that set of Bald Vanadium Stone, it was all for the family. Now, my Fu family only occupies a small city named ‘Yuyang.’ As for Xiao Ping’s branch line, I discovered their predicament too late.”
Fu Yuping listened, her eyes filling with tears.
Just a little bit more, just a little bit—
If Fu Dao had offered help back then, the Northern Marquis branch would not have met that fate.
“Forget it,” Teng Qingshan shook his head with a sigh. “How about this, Fu Dao, you take Xiao Ping… along with my disciples Yang Dong and Teng Shou, and leave first.”
“Understood,” Fu Dao nodded.
The backs of the Fierce Wind Eagle and the Azure Luan were not wide enough; too many people couldn't ride them. This trip to the East China Domain would likely take more than a day or two, and Teng Qingshan still needed to carry the six stone carvings. Thus, he alone would occupy the Fierce Wind Eagle, while Li Jun would ride the Azure Luan. His disciples, ‘Teng Shou’ and ‘Yang Dong,’ had no space.
“Sir, when you travel, head directly to Ox-Head Mountain, south of the Flame Territory. You should be able to spot some military camps around Ox-Head Mountain. Among them, those bearing military banners marked with the character ‘Fu’ belong to my Fu family. Go there,” Fu Dao instructed.
Teng Qingshan nodded.
That very day, Teng Shou, Yang Dong, and Fu Yuping swiftly departed with Fu Dao’s cavalry contingent.
Although other families had arrived besides these four major ones, since Teng Qingshan had already given his word to the Fu family, he would not agree to others.
By the next morning, Teng Qingshan, shouldering the large iron chest and carrying the Black Blaze Cudgel, mounted the Fierce Wind Eagle. Li Jun rode the Azure Luan, and the two departed Moon Crescent Lake at Divine Axe Mountain together.
...
Around noon.
The Fierce Wind Eagle and the Azure Luan were circling above Ox-Head Mountain. From high above, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun surveyed the landscape below.
“There are so many armies camped within a hundred-mile radius of Ox-Head Mountain,” Teng Qingshan remarked with amazement.
“Big Brother Teng, which direction is the Fu family?” Li Jun asked, looking down.
“There,” Teng Qingshan pointed towards a military camp established on an open area south of Ox-Head Mountain. With Teng Qingshan’s vision, he could clearly discern the character ‘Fu’ on the military banners even from high altitude.
“So small?” Li Jun paused, surprised.
From above, one could easily gauge the size of the military encampments, and the Fu family’s clearly occupied a significantly smaller area than the others.
“Let’s go down.”
The Fierce Wind Eagle and the Azure Luan immediately dove.
...
The two beasts stopped a mile away from the camp. Following Teng Qingshan’s instructions, the Fierce Wind Eagle and the Azure Luan were left to roam freely around Ox-Head Mountain. Teng Qingshan and Li Jun walked toward the military camp together.
At the entrance of the camp.
“Second Uncle, when is Sir Teng arriving?” Fu Yunzhan asked Fu Dao beside him.
The two had been waiting for Teng Qingshan at the camp entrance early that day.
“Don’t worry, Sir said he would arrive today, and he certainly will,” Fu Dao replied with great composure. Behind them stood Teng Qingshan’s two disciples—Teng Shou and Yang Dong—and Fu Yuping stood nearby as well. Everyone watched expectantly. The sentries at the camp entrance looked on in confusion... who was their family head waiting for at the gate?
Suddenly—
A pair of male and female figures appeared in the distance. The tall man was effortlessly carrying a formidable, large iron chest.
The wind blew, raising dust, making the figures indistinct.
“It’s the Sir,” Fu Dao’s eyes lit up. “Yunzhan, let’s go.”
The watching sentries watched in astonishment as their Fu family head respectfully saluted the approaching stranger.
...
In a spacious tent within the military camp, soft, warm, luxurious bedding had been prepared, along with exquisitely crafted, noble seats.
“Sir, please reside here temporarily for these few days. Miss Li Jun’s tent will be right next door,” Fu Dao said with a smile.
Teng Qingshan walked in carrying the iron chest, surveyed the surroundings, and nodded: “Not bad, you put some thought into it.”
Fu Dao couldn’t help but smile.
“Fu Dao, when I heard what you said earlier, I thought you were being overly modest. But looking down from the sky today… Tsk, tsk, your Fu family’s military camp truly occupies the smallest area.” Teng Qingshan said with a smile, causing Fu Dao to blush slightly. “Sir, among those coming to contest for the Fireflow Iron ore this time, all the other families occupy primary cities. Only our Fu family occupies a small city.”
In the world, there were thirty-six primary cities and one hundred and eight small cities. The type and number of cities a family controlled reflected its strength.
“That’s why we needed to invite you, Sir,” Fu Dao complimented with a smile. “By the way, Sir, this is the ‘Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting’ stone carving I mentioned earlier.” Fu Dao pointed to a long, wrapped object lying on a nearby surface.
“Oh?” Teng Qingshan’s eyes brightened as he looked over.