The ash-grey clouds diffused across the vast sky, obscuring the azure heavens. Clouds possess their own majesty. Clouds that blot out the sun and cover the firmament.

Lu Yuan let out a wry smile; he had been gazing at clouds frequently of late. It was truly a pity that his Cloud Sword Intent had not reached the level of transcendence beyond mere swordsmanship, resulting in him constantly zoning out while watching the clouds. It was already the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the weather was grim, and the dense cloud cover choked the sky.

Unbeknownst to him, Li Fang had already arrived behind him. “Young Master, it is time to release Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, and the others,” Li Fang said in a deep voice from behind. “Oh, understood,” Lu Yuan nodded.

At the time of the Elder Council's ruling, an agreement had been reached: the Wang family, the Royal family, the Qian family, and others would provide compensation—a sum of spirit stones that wasn't overly generous—and then they would be allowed to leave. The reason the spirit stone compensation was modest was that they had already handed over control of the mines and similar assets to the Li Family Manor. Since they had surrendered their own mines, they naturally wouldn't need to compensate with too many spirit stones.

In total, various families combined compensated two hundred spirit stones. The spirit stones were indeed a meager sum, but considering the massive profits reaped from securing the mines, it was far greater than the previous squeeze on Sun Tiangang. It was just that the immediate cash flow was slightly less.

Since the Elder Council had finalized the judgment and the compensation in hand was satisfactory, it was time to release these individuals. In an era of profound peace and prosperity, the mortality rate among cultivators was actually not high. Everyone generally left a lifeline for others; they fought and schemed, but usually preserved life.

If you spared my life today, perhaps when you face failure next time, your life might also be spared. If one truly had too many lives to spare, they should venture into the underground world to battle demons; rest assured, those devils would show no mercy. “Release them,” Lu Yuan commanded.

“Yes, Young Master.” Li Fang nodded and took his leave. A short while later, nearly two hundred cultivators were led to the manor gates. As these people prepared to step outside, Li Fang felt an unexpected emptiness.

He had grown melancholic for a rare moment—he had built so many cells, and now the occupants were leaving, rendering the prisons empty again. He had initially been distressed that the cells weren't enough; now he was distressed that the cells were empty because the prisoners were gone. Li Fang realized he was growing increasingly melancholy.

As the group prepared to depart, many eyes turned toward Lu Yuan, though they dared not hold the gaze for long. They still held a degree of fear toward the youth who had single-handedly defeated so many of them. During the time the Elder Council negotiated the agreement allowing their release, members of their factions had visited them intermittently, so those imprisoned were well aware that the entire Dongdao Prefecture was now under the dominion of the Li Family Manor.

Lu Yuan paused suddenly: “Eh? Their hands.” Lu Yuan noticed that the hands of Huang Fengbo, Wang Hongtu, Sun Tiangang, and Qian Leng were strong and vigorous. He recalled that he had severed the meridians of these four; yet, their meridians now appeared robust.

This was peculiar. Li Fang explained from the side, “Since the Elder Council’s ruling stipulated their ultimate release, their confinement was not entirely strict. They were allowed visits.

Furthermore, they were supplied with medicinal herbs to restore their meridians long ago. After more than a month, almost two months, they have now recovered approximately eighty percent of their strength.” “I see,” Lu Yuan nodded. It was logical that the powers backing these individuals would want them ready for deployment elsewhere, hence the advance supply of meridian-restoring herbs.

“Wait a moment, all of you,” Lu Yuan’s sudden declaration caused Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, and the others to tense. Despite their vast experience navigating turmoil, they genuinely feared this youth in green. Hearing him call a halt, they immediately froze in place.

Lu Yuan spoke, “You four—Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, Qian Leng, Sun Tiangang—attack me together. I wish to test my sword.” Indeed, his sole purpose was to test his swordsmanship. Having mastered the transcendent Sword Intent of Wind, he had long desired to put it to the test, but suitable opponents had been scarce.

Since these four had recovered about eighty percent of their strength, they were perfect for a trial. Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, Qian Leng, and Sun Tiangang were all startled. ...

Though they didn't understand Lu Yuan’s sudden need to spar. However, this time, the combined force of the four leading experts among the Dongdao Prefecture cultivators—Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, Qian Leng, and Sun Tiangang—bolstered their confidence somewhat. As they took back the weapons that had originally belonged to them from Li Fang’s hands, their self-assurance increased slightly.

This time, there was no hesitation about who struck first or second; all four moved simultaneously. Sun Tiangang attacked first with the Chaotic Pine Sword Style, the movements appearing scattered yet intensely focused. Wang Hongtu’s Arhat Sword Style was magnificent and imposing, offering tight defense.

“Torrential Arrow,” “Hundred Rain Bullet,” “Misty Rain”… various water-elemental spells erupted. Qian Leng’s execution remained as steady as ever. Huang Fengbo’s wind-elemental arts were equally impressive: “Gale Blade,” “Hidden Wind Kill,” “Array of a Hundred Winds”… an array of spells manifested under his command.

The four patriarchs each displayed their finest skills. After losing to Lu Yuan previously, they were apprehensive of the youth in green. Yet, the inherent human unwillingness to concede meant that during their month-plus incarceration, they had continuously meditated, considering how to face Lu Yuan again.

They had devised countless strategies during their confinement. Now, finally facing Lu Yuan once more, a surge of fighting spirit welled up within them. Furthermore, it was four against one—more opponents than the previous three against one.

Coupled with over a month of contemplation in prison, Perhaps, this time, they could win. When the four first struck, they all felt victory was possible. Yet, within ten exchanges, they sensed something was terribly wrong.

If they were trapped within a sword circle last time, exposed to weaknesses, their movements controlled—they could accept that; at least then, they had a chance to resist. There was still the possibility of striking back. But this time was far more absurd.

After barely ten moves, they felt enveloped in a sword circle, their flaws constantly exposed, their bodies seemingly controlled. And that wasn't all; they perceived that they weren't facing a sword at all. They were facing wind.

The wind of nature itself. If their opponent had been a sword, they might have found a way to counterattack. But now, they didn't even know how to begin a counterattack.

The wind, casually sweeping through nature, the wind that exists everywhere—how does one fight against that? At this level, it was utterly despair-inducing swordsmanship. Unless one’s magical power far surpassed Lu Yuan’s, facing such despair-inducing swordplay offered only despair.

Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, and the others had devised countless countermeasures during their imprisonment, but faced with Lu Yuan’s current swordsmanship, all their plans vanished. How could this be fought? If the opponent is the omnipresent wind of nature, how can you evade such a sword?

Wang Hongtu, Huang Fengbo, and the others were now utterly defeated. They all felt their minds must be faulty. If their minds weren't diseased, why would they have so suicidally attempted to seize the Elephant Mountain Mine?

And after Lu Yuan arrived at the Li Family Manor, why would they still dare to seek him out proactively? The wind finally ceased. When the wind quieted, Wang Hongtu and the others saw the Yangwu Sword.

The Yangwu Sword was already half-sheathed, and under their gaze, the remaining half slid smoothly into its scabbard. Lu Yuan retracted his hand. This fight was merely to test his transcendent Sword Intent derived from the Wind.

Now he had witnessed the might of that transcendent level of Wind Sword Intent. It was indeed formidable. The combined might of Wang Hongtu and the four others, having recovered eighty percent of their strength, was rendered utterly impotent beneath his transcendent intent.

Having tested its power, it was naturally time to stop. —————— In the days that followed, Lu Yuan lived in considerable leisure. The territory of Dongdao Prefecture was essentially claimed by the Li Family Manor.

Having witnessed Lu Yuan’s swordsmanship, Wang Hongtu and the others led their remaining forces as far away as possible, never wishing to tread near Dongdao Prefecture again. They considered Lu Yuan akin to a demon; the farther away, the better, for proximity itself felt perilous. During this period, his days consisted only of eating, drinking, and sleeping—indulging fully in an idle life.

In truth, the Li Family Manor faced a mountain of daily administrative affairs. However, since the elder surnamed Lu had arrived, he delegated everything to the Elder surnamed Lu and Li Fang. Lu Yuan was too lazy to handle such troublesome matters.

Tasks such as dividing the mines, assigning personnel to guard them, organizing mine patrol teams, and absorbing new recruits were endless. Dealing with them all would mean sacrificing all rest. He focused only on enjoying his own carefree existence.

If there was any source of discomfort during this time, it was the Seventh Prince of the Great Jin Royal Family. This period coincided with the Prince’s arrival in Dongping Province. Upon hearing news of the events in Dongdao Prefecture, the Seventh Prince visited Lu Yuan almost every other day.

Lu Yuan needed no great insight to grasp the intentions of this member of the Great Jin royalty. Internally, the Great Jin Royal Family was embroiled in fierce struggles for the succession of the throne. This Seventh Prince was clearly trying to secure external allies, constantly attempting to foster a relationship with Lu Yuan and offering numerous gifts.

Alas, this Seventh Prince was truly tiresome. Lu Yuan had deliberately avoided the position of Peak Master of Beifeng whenever possible; why would he involve himself in the succession dispute of the Great Jin throne? He kept such matters at arm's length.

The gifts sent by the Seventh Prince were always politely refused and returned directly. However, the Seventh Prince was persistent and kept visiting, which became a minor nuisance. Forget it, forget it.

Perhaps it is time to return. The situation in Dongdao Prefecture was resolved by him, the mine issues were settled, and for the lingering aftermath, Uncle Lu was overseeing matters. Uncle Lu was far more seasoned than he was, and with him firmly in charge, Lu Yuan felt completely at ease.

He should return to Mount Hua. (Finally, the fourth update. I’m nearly dead from exhaustion.

Indeed, an explosive release isn’t easy. In the future, I’ll try to only release explosively when I have stories banked. Challenging an explosive release without backup drafts is too difficult, tears streaming down my face.

Four updates complete. I also hope everyone can cast their monthly tickets if they have any, and help subscribe if they can.) [.16U