<h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 21: The Reasons Behind the Forbidden ce and the Blessed Land</h4>


    Having progressed to a Fifth Rank Martial Artist, in a ce like Anping Prefecture where Fourth-grade martial artists seldom appear, Pei Xuanjing could already be considered one of the top powers.


    If he were so inclined, with his current strength, he could easily create a force in the Anping Prefecture that would be second only to the Jin family, the Liu family, and Shen''s Business Association. Alternatively, he could join these forces and hold high positions.


    However, Pei Xuanjing naturally wouldn''t have such a narrow vision. In his n, Anping Prefecture was merely a temporary resting ce in his life journey.


    Since he hade to this world and had the support of the life simtor, why would he be content to dwell here? He wanted to experience arger sky, to set foot on the peak of martial arts, and even to pursue the footsteps of the legendary Fairy God.


    Even though he has now reached the strength of a Fifth Rank martial artist, he still does not becent because he knows that there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond the heavens. This world is filled with many unknowns and impossibilities.


    After all, sometimes, reality can far exceed everyone''s imagination.


    Not to mention the far-fetched tales, let''s talk about the experience from thest life simtion. During that contest amongst the young generation of the Northwest Dao, his 25-year-old self only made it into the top ten, losing to a genius from the Tie Sect who had broken through the Fifth Rank at the age of twenty.


    It should be noted that Pei Xuanjing had the life simtor in hand, allowing him to break through the Fifth Rank at the age of twenty. His opponent did not have such a near-cheating type of aid.


    He remembers that during his first simtion, without the help of the simtor, he could only just break through to ninth rank martial artist at the age of twenty-five. Compared to the opponent, it was a world of difference.


    Although the Tie Sect is a first-ss sect, it only dominates the Northwest Dao. It falls short whenpared to the top-tier forces across the Great Ming empire. If they have such geniuses, won''t the other forces have even more outrageous individuals?


    Even though he had advanced to a Fifth Rank Martial Artist, Pei Xuanjing did not publicize this fact and continues to live quietly.


    One day, Shen Xiang pays him another visit.


    "Brother Pei, how have you been these past days?" asked Shen Xiang.


    He hadn''t visited often in recent times. Aside from the initial frequent visits concerning the Liu family issue, his visits became infrequent once he noticed the Liu family had been quiet. Most of the time, he sent people over to deliver items.


    After all, as the third manager of Shen''s Business Association, Shen Xiang had many responsibilities.


    Pei Xuanjing nodded, "It has been quite peaceful recently."


    He was telling the truth. His recent days had been quitefortable. Besides keeping an eye on the Liu family''s situation, hergely spent his time practicing martial arts and refining Taoyun.


    Shen Xiang nodded, made some small talk, then finally came to the point. "Brother Pei, do you know why the Liu family has been so quiettely?"


    Although Pei Xuanjing had a clear idea, he pretended to be confused. "I''ve heard that the Liu family in Anping always acts in a high-handed manner. Those who offend them never end well. The quietness recently is indeed puzzling to me."


    Shen Xiang smiled and asked, "Brother Pei, have you ever heard of the forbidden ce, the Blessed Land?"


    Pei Xuanjing frowned and responded, "I have heard of it, but I don''t really know the details. I hope Brother Shen can enlighten me."


    Shen Xiang did not beat around the bush but exined it in detail.


    The Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, as the name suggests, is a special ce with an unknown origin. It seems to be another world, with varying periods of opening – the shortest being ten years, the longest even reaching hundreds of years.


    In this Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, many treasured resources can be found. But what really matters is that each Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, will produce a unique object. These unique objects vary in their uses, and only the true possessor of the object will know its exact function.


    ording to the information handed down, it is even rted to the legendary Fairy God.


    Even if the circted information is false, one thing is undeniable: everyone who managed to acquire the unique item from the Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, as long as they did not die halfway, would certainly be able to break through the barriers of the fourth-grade and third-grade martial artists and enter the Upper Three Realms as they continued their cultivation.


    This fact alone was enough to drive countless martial artists to crave and go crazy for it.


    Cultivation is difficult for martial artists. Each step of breakthrough requires a massive amount of resources and tremendous willpower. Even so, breaking through the barriers of the fourth-grade and third-grade martial artists is still very difficult.


    In the entire Great Ming empire, besides the royal family and some top-tier powers, no other force has the confidence to continuously cultivate third-grade martial artists.


    After Tie Qianshan rose to prominence, the Tie Sect has dominated the Northwest Dao, standing as a first-ss sect. Even so, the number of their martial artists above third-grade isn''t many.


    Although the unique items in the Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, are excellent, there are some strict requirements. Not everyone has a chance to obtain them. Some Blessed Lands restrict the age and strength of those who can enter, and those who exceed the limits will be automatically expelled.


    The Forbidden ce, Blessed Land about to open near Anping Prefecture, for example, currently only allows martial artists under the age of twenty-five to enter.


    So, the intention of Shen Xiang and the others to win over Pei Xuanjing can''t be more obvious - they want Pei Xuanjing to enter the Forbidden ce, Blessed Land, together with the team from Shen''s Business Association.


    Meanwhile, it was clear why the Liu family had been so quiet recently. Pei Xuanjing''s reveal of his strength as a sixth-grade martial artist, even though it''s trivial to the Liu family, was a factor they had to consider whether it would have an impact during this crucial time.


    The Liu family can easily deal with the current Pei Xuanjing. But if someone wants to trip the Liu family behind their backs and do some tricks when the Liu family takes action, the Liu family may end up suffering a loss as a result.


    Speaking of this, Shen Xiang went on to say, "So, this time, the Liu family wants to use me to convey a message, hoping to reconcile with Brother Pei and settle this grievance. I''m just not sure what you think?"


    The Liu family''s reasoning was very sound. After all, the importance of obtaining the unique item in the Forbidden ce, Blessed Land can''t be underestimated. Even though it meant they had to swallow their pride temporarily, it was bearable.


    Because if they could sessfully secure this unique item, the Liu family would have a third-grade martial artist in the future, which would impact the Liu family''s future.


    Pei Xuanjingughed. If he didn''t have the life simtor, he might believe the Liu family''s words. But the fact told him that with the Liu family''s domineering nature, they had no intention of reconciliation at all. In fact, they were hoping to get rid of him, who would be apetitor in the Forbidden ce, Blessed Land.


    But Pei Xuanjing didn''t mention any of these thoughts. Instead, he asked Shen Xiang with a vague smile, "Shen Xiang, from Shen''s Business Association''s perspective, do you want me to reconcile with the Liu family?"


    At Pei Xuanjing''s words, Shen Xiang remained expressionless.