In the Taoist Palace, a bright sword light shone from within, illuminating the firmament and illuminating the clouds in the sky. After a few breaths, it gradually disappeared.
On the tenth day after the second sword light was refined, Zhang Yu also refined the third sword light.
At this moment, his mind was reflecting the three sword shadows. They were like underwater swords, separated by a layer, blurry and swaying. However, as his mind observed and brushed, they became clearer and more solid.
In the end, as the sword shadows shone faintly, they flew out from his mind in a flash. The heads and tails connected, forming a circle. They flew around there, but it was impossible to distinguish which one was the real sword and which one was the Shadow Division.
In fact, there was not much difference here.
The two swords could be considered as a part of his body. Even if they were damaged, as long as he was still around, he could transfer them out with a thought. The same was true for the sword lights that were separated.
However, he could sense that there was still a slight delay in the sword light's circulation. If he encountered a real opponent, this slight delay might cause him to miss the opportunity to fight back. Therefore, at this point, he still needed to think of ways to strengthen it.
He called out in his mind and called out the Great Way Royal Seal. He saw that there was an additional "sword" seal on it. He channeled his Divine Vitality into it, and the seal gradually glowed. Then, a ray of light shone on his body.
When the light faded, he felt that the slight delay was gone. The sword light's circulation had become smooth and smooth. At this moment, with a thought, the three sword lights merged with the Cicada Sword to form a sword.
He reached out and grabbed it in his hand. He gently slashed forward, and a sword light instantly slashed the Taoist Palace. It spread far away, and a crack appeared on the horizon.
The next moment, the Taoist Palace reassembled under his consciousness, and the trace on the horizon disappeared without a trace as if it had been erased.
He raised two fingers and stroked the sword's spine, and a stream of light rippled there. He nodded slightly and put down the Cicada Sword.
At this time, he suddenly heard the melodious sound of a bell from afar. His thoughts turned. Today was the middle of the ninth month, so another court meeting was about to begin.
At the same time, in the depths of the Clear Sky Sea of Clouds, the river of light spread out, and the figures of the Xuanting Tingzhi appeared one after another.
Under the Zhen Xiu Surrender Executors were Wu Qingxu, Zhong Weiwu, Yu Su, Zhu Yisheng, and Zhangsun Qian.
On Monk Hunjang's side, Chen Yu, Wei Liang, Chao Huan, and Dai Gonghan had come. Including Taoist Xuanfeng, there were a total of eleven court enforcers.
The Daoist at the head of the table waited for everyone to take their seats before he asked, "Does anyone have anything to say?"
Daoist Zhong picked up the jade mallet in front of the table and knocked on the jade chime. He stood up and bowed to the Daoist at the head of the table. He said, "Head Deacon, Court Deacons, I have a proposal."
The Daoist at the head of the table said, "Zhong Tingzhi, please speak."
Daoist Zhong said, "Everyone, it is now the 382nd year of the Da Xuan calendar. Thinking back to when I, Tianxia, came to this world, I went through many twists and turns and went through many battles before I was able to establish the foundation of the thirteen continents. Outside of the thirteen continents, there are eight hundred Protectorates scattered across the land. They are not only to protect, but also to expand the land. They are also to monitor the various areas and pass down the duties of Tianxia.
However, eighty years ago, the turbid tide caused my population and territory to be lost by more than half. The various continents suffered heavy losses, and the Protectorates also lost seven to eight people.
Now, after decades of recuperation and improvement of the people's livelihood, I, Tianxia, have gradually recovered. I think that the Protectorates' system of the past should be revisited! "
When he said this, there was silence on the long river. The Daoist at the head of the table sat there without saying a word, and all the court enforcers fell into deep thought.
"Revisiting the system of the Protectorates?"
Wei Tingzhi shook his head and said, "If we want to restore the eight hundred Protectorates, who knows how much manpower and resources we will have to use here. The cost is simply too great, and the Chao Residence will definitely oppose it."
Generally speaking, when it came to matters of the Tianxia world, other than setting the general direction, the Xuanting would mainly let the Lower Domain's various prefectures govern themselves.
However, there were times when the Xuanting and the Yujing Chao Residence's views might differ, and this required mutual communication. Wei Tingzhi was the court enforcer in charge of this matter.
If it was a valid and reasonable advice, he would bring it to the court for discussion. The Xuanting would usually listen and accept it seriously, and would not force it.
Therefore, he understood the current situation of the various Tianxia continents better than any of the court enforcers present.
When Tianxia arrived, he established many Protectorates. It was not only for survival, but also to protect the people, and more importantly, to spread etiquette and music. Of course, he could disregard the cost, but now he could not.
The eight hundred Protectorates involved a huge amount of manpower and resources, and the Yujing Chao Residence would definitely oppose it.
Daoist Zhong chuckled and said, "Wei Tingzhi, what I mean by revisiting is not to restore all the Protectorates of the past. This is also too radical. Moreover, when the Turbid Tide struck back then, less than a tenth of the eight hundred Protectorates remained. If another Turbid Tide comes, who knows what will happen? Therefore, I mean to expand the Protectorates!"
Wei Tingzhi looked at him and said, "Expand the Protectorates?" He thought for a moment and then said, "What does Zhong Tingzhi mean by this?"
Daoist Zhong said, "Currently, there are still more than a hundred Protectorates on the four sides of the thirteen continents. Most of these Protectorates have been established for more than a hundred years. Their foundations are solid, and their population is not small. We can first select a few Protectorates, upgrade them to Protectorates, and then send Xuan Zun or Xuan Zun to guard them. This way, we can stabilize the territory and also resist the Turbid Tide."
When the Tingzhi heard this, they all had subtle expressions. For a moment, no one spoke.
Daoist Zhong glanced at everyone and then raised his voice a little. "In fact, this matter cannot be delayed."
He looked at Wu Qingxu and said, "Wu Tingzhi, may I ask if there are any results from the interrogation of Su Zhi and Yan Qiying?"
Wu Qingxu said in a low voice, "I've already asked. Both of them know very little. However, Yan Qiying was indeed protected by Cymbidium Lucidum, which was why he was able to hide his figure."
Daoist Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Many thanks for the information, Wu Tingzhi."
He then looked at the seated cultivators and raised his voice, "Everyone, please don't forget that this time, Shangchen and You City worked together to infiltrate this place. They even used the Dao Guarding Artifact Cymbidium Lucidum, forcing me to use the Clear Sky Astrolabe to search. If I were them, I would definitely take action later on.
However, this time, because the inner layer didn't supervise properly, there was a loophole that allowed the outer layer cultivators to invade. However, if there are more Protectorates guarded by Xuan Zun in all directions, as well as formations that can be controlled, although it might not be able to put an end to this matter, it will certainly strengthen our defenses! "
The seated Enforcers nodded their heads subconsciously.
These words made sense. The Protectorates weren't just the Protectorates themselves. Instead, with the Protectorates as the center, outposts were set up outside. They also had the responsibility of surveying the land and setting up formations. This way, the inner layer's defenses would undoubtedly be strengthened.
Seeing that Daoist Zhong was no longer speaking, the head Daoist asked slowly, "What do you all think of Zhong Tingzhi's words?"
Daoist Yu Su picked up a jade mallet and knocked on the jade chime, speaking first, "This is feasible. Not only has my Tianxia recovered, but my strength is also greater than before. Even if we don't focus on defense, it's time to expand our territory!"
Chen Tingzhi said, "We can give it a try by setting up a few Protectorates first. I think Zhong Tingzhi's words are feasible. "
Wei Tingzhi pondered for a moment, then picked up the jade mallet and knocked on the jade chime.
After him, the sound of the jade chime on the river of light rang out. This time, no one objected, and the proposal was passed.
However, although the proposal was passed, the number of Protectorates to expand, and which ones were the most suitable, wasn't something that could be decided in a short period of time. It still needed more thought and discussion. Thus, the Enforcers decided to discuss this matter in the next court meeting.
However, after this court meeting, the news that Xuanting wanted to expand their Protectorates spread. Moreover, due to the existence of Xuntian Dao Zhang, this matter was quickly known by all.
When the Protectorates that were relatively far away from the thirteen Protectorates heard this news, they were all excited. If they could expand their Protectorates, everyone knew what this meant. This would bring great benefits to the entire Protectorate!
Almost as soon as they received the news, the various Protectorates began to work on this matter. Some even sent envoys to Yujing, hoping to become the first Protectorates to expand their Protectorates.
Dongting Protectorate, Dongting Xuanfu.
After the Head of Xuan Xiang Chun learned of this matter, he pondered for a moment, then immediately summoned the Great Dao Scripture to contact his Xuanfu peers who were scattered all over Tianxia.
After connecting with everyone, he roughly explained the matter, saying, "Fellow disciples, if our Dongting Protectorate can become a Protectorate this time, then everyone should know how much benefits this place can bring to our Dongting Xuanfu and Protectorates. I need all of you to do your best to push this matter."
At this time, Xu Ying spoke up, "Senior brother, can we ask Zhang Shouzheng to help us as well? After all, Zhang Shouzheng also came from the Dongting."
Xiang Chun pondered for a moment. Compared to other Protectorates, their Protectorates had produced a Xuan Zun, and he was also the Xuanting Shouzheng. This was indeed a great advantage that others could not compare to. However...
But as the Head of Xuan Xiang Chun, he knew that sometimes things could not be seen on the surface. The higher the position, the more complicated the situation.
He said, "No need. If Shouzheng is willing to speak, then he will definitely speak. We don't have to trouble him."
Fan Lan reminded him, "But senior brother, it is not appropriate if no one speaks up for us."
Xiang Chun said in a low voice, "I know. I will submit a letter to Xuanfu according to the rules. In order to show our eagerness, I need all of you to add your signatures."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Xiang Chun continued, "Junior brother Fan, I want you to go to Qingyang Xuanfu on my behalf to meet Head Yun Xuan. I hope that he can support our Dongting on this matter."
Solemnly Fan Lan agreed.
Xiang Chun said, "I will personally visit the Governor later. Yang Weiwei is now studying in Yujing. She is the Governor's sister, and she is also Shouzheng's student. I heard that she is acquainted with many Yujing nobles. It is convenient for her to speak up for our Protectorate at this time."
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