Outside the capital, crude buildings were built.

Although plenty of resources were provided by the imperial family, some time was needed to turn those resources into premises. Besides, given that they had to be completed within a fixed time frame, they could not be perfect.

One after another, various masters from the Humans’ 8 counties arrived.

They were served by dedicated servants, and each of them was at the peak of Yang Grade.

The powerhouses were of different ages, by which some already had white hair while some were in the prime of their lives. Nonetheless, without any exception, they were all joyful.

Some time ago, the imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families from the 8 counties were acting abnormally as they were at swords’ points and were giving each other tit for tat. In particular, the inherited aristocratic families from the 8 counties had constrained their respective governor and commanding general. It was as though an opportunity was all it would take for the world to end up in havoc.

The Humans’ disaster had just ended, but there were already signs of a civil war.

Ordinary people might not be so sharp, but the powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade could not stay out of the matter.

Faced with the internal strife, which was bound to involve the entire human race, they had no choice but to pick a side.

The imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families did everything they could to rope in these cultivators at the peak of Yang Grade for this. Even so, apart from the deeply-imprinted powerhouses from those clans, very few people made their decisions.

Nevertheless, everyone knew the breakout of the civil war would be their last chance to make a choice.

Just as everyone thought the war would be inevitable, there was a sudden change.

Without warning, the initial confrontation between both sides disappeared, and the cultivators at the peak of Yang Grade received a notice.

The imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families joined hands and ordered all powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade to head to an appointed place in the capital. Master Ou Yangming—the greatest hero that resolved the Humans’ disaster—would perform the Simulated Spiritual Fist to help the powerhouses break through their limits to enter Extreme Grade.

After the news was made, there was a huge sensation everywhere.

Before the Humans’ disaster happened, the news of Ou Yangming helping 100 cultivators from the capital at the peak of Yang Grade break through to Extreme Grade was already spread.

During normal times, it would have spread far and wide such that everyone in the world knew.

However, the disaster happened at that time, hence the matter was subconsciously held up. Despite that, the powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade still paid a lot of attention to it because it was related to their personal interests, thus they must not be careless at all.

The only thing they regretted was their absence when Master Ou Yangming helped the powerhouses from the capital at the peak of Yang Grade advance. If that was not the case, they might have become Extreme Grade cultivators already.

When the imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families from the 8 counties made the announcement, almost all such powerhouses could not sit still anymore.

They registered in their areas according to what was mentioned in the order. In fact, even old cultivators, who already had one foot in the grave, could not help but join in too.

The old cultivators must not be underestimated at all; due to the little time they had left, they would naturally die soon if they could not break through, but they could live for at least a few decades if they entered Extreme Grade by luck. They might not have great potential because they were pressured by their lifespans, but they were not less enthusiastic at all.

Since the imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families worked together, everything was arranged orderly.

Under their arrangements, the powerhouses that came from the 8 counties did not live in luxurious residences in the city but newly-built humble dwellings in the suburb.

The fact that the cultivators were at the peak of Yang Grade proved that they were confident people that thought highly of themselves. After seeing the crude condition of their accommodation, some of them frowned but stayed without saying a word, some of them laughed as they were unbothered, but most of them were furious.

Based on their statuses, they were given corresponding treatments wherever they went, so they felt like they were bullied to the extreme for being arranged to stay in simple buildings.

Having said that, as soon as they raised their conditions, they received a message.

Master Ou Yangming was the one that ordered the cottages to be built, and he requested the powerhouses to sharpen their minds while staying in them.

Those that aspired to enter Extreme Grade could stay, whereas those that disagreed with his arrangement could leave.

The dissatisfied powerhouses fell silent after hearing that, and they entered the cottages obediently without saying anything else.

After all, the Simulated Spiritual First was a shortcut for them to advance to Extreme Grade. They would not complain about living alone in the wilderness for years to experience the fist art, let alone tempering their minds in a cottage.

As the imperial family and the inherited aristocratic families from the 8 counties cooperated, almost all powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade among the Humans were found after a month.

Back then, the capital itself housed over 100 cultivators at that grade. Now, when the Humans mobilized as many powerhouses as possible without being picky, the number of such powerhouses gathered turned out to be more than what was estimated by Ou Yangming and the others.

Far away, Ou Yangming asked as he looked at the similar cottages, “How many people are there now?”

Besides him, Bai Shixue answered without any hesitation, “There are 1,346 people now, but 128 more will arrive within 3 days.”

Ou Yangming nodded as he was pleased. He remarked with a smile, “Young Pavilion Master, I knew you were going to arrange everything else.”

Bai Shixue covered her mouth and chuckled, then she winked at the young fellow. “Brother Ou, thankfully, you recommended us to His Majesty, or the Yi Pavilion couldn’t have gotten this task.”

The young fellow’s mouth twitched, but his heart pounded as he thought, ‘Young Pavilion Master is becoming more unrestrained.’

That said, faced with the unbridled Bai Shixue, he did not know if he should be happier or more alert.

“Hehe.” Ou Yangming chuckled to avoid the topic, then he said, “Young Pavilion Master, since the number of people is about right, we may begin.”

A graceful figure slowly approached and notified him, “Brother Ou, the secret realm has been coordinated and opened, so you can enter at any time.”

Ou Yangming’s eyes lit up. He cupped his hands and uttered, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Wu Hanning looked deeply at him and commented, “Brother Ou, you’re becoming distant again.”

Ou Yangming touched his nose and smiled bitterly, but he could not explain himself.

After he had a discussion with Wu Yuanwei, not knowing if it was intentional or unintentional, the imperial family sent Wu Hanning to get in touch with him.

During his discussion with Her Royal Highness, Ou Yangming recommended the Yi Pavilion for the reception matters because he was grateful for Bai Shixue’s help in the past. Now, it seemed like he was asking for trouble.

Ou Yangming curbed his thought and shook his head. “Your Highness, what do you think about this? Send 10 people in every time, and I’ll give them enough pressure. Once someone’s going to break through, let them cultivate in the secret realm.”

“10 people?” Wu Hanning was surprised. “Why 10 people at once? Isn’t it better to send them in one by one?”

The young fellow giggled. “God knows how long it’ll take if they take turns one by one, so we might as well let 10 of them go at one time.”

“10 of them at one time.” Wu Hanning’s face changed, and she exclaimed, “Brother Ou, are you saying that you’ll perform the fist technique on 10 powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade at one time?”

She finally understood what Ou Yangming meant, but it was the exact reason she was in disbelief.

In actuality, Wu Hanning’s mental power was already at the world’s limit, and she would face the Heavenly Thunderbolts if she were to advance another step.

Nonetheless, great mental power did not mean being gifted in the Simulated Spiritual Fist. Therefore, whether it was Wu Hanning or Ni Yinghong, they could not do the job for Ou Yangming.

Nevertheless, Wu Hanning had some understanding of the Spiritual Fist and knew how difficult it was, which was why she was shocked. It was worth noting that luring 10 powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade into a simulation in one go would not merely be 10 times tougher.

Even if Wu Hanning had the gift, she would not dare to boast about being able to accomplish that if she was in Ou Yangming’s shoes.

“Don’t worry, I can do it.” Ou Yangming grinned. He glanced at the little red bird on his shoulder and asked with a smile. “Right?”

The little red bird glared snappily at him because it knew the young fellow was planning to use it again.

It would certainly be challenging to baffle the consciousness of 10 cultivators at the peak of Yang Grade, but everything would be much simpler if there was help from the little bird’s spiritual world, which belonged to the Phoenixes.

Wu Hanning pondered and finally nodded. “If that’s the case, please arrange the candidates, Young Pavilion Master.” Her eyes flickered as she said to Ou Yangming, “I’ll wait for you outside the secret realm.” Following that, she waved her long sleeves and fluttered away.

Bai Shixue sighed. “Brother Ou, are you really going to let down the beautiful lady’s deep emotions?”

Ou Yangming glared at her and said, “Is this the time to talk about this now? I’ll be going too, Young Pavilion Master, thanks for the hard work.”

Seeing as Ou Yangming avoided the serious topic and hurried away, Bai Shixue shook her head helplessly.

Fortunately, she had everything planned out. As long as everything was done according to her plan, everything would be under control.

Once she gave the order, the first batch of people from the cottages was transferred.

Even though there were only 10 people, the news seemed to have spread quickly as though it grew wings. As such, the other Yang Grade powerhouses were moved too.

In spite of that, they were steady people, by which they were more disciplined the closer they were to success. Instead, the guards, who were in charge of maintaining the place’s safety, made a fuss about the situation.

Bai Shixue watched as 10 powerhouses were accompanied by guards to the imperial palace. She was startled for some time before she finally shook her head and sighed.

‘Wu Hanning’s a beautiful lady with deep emotions, but what about me? What am I?

‘That damn Ou Yangming—I already returned to the capital, so why did you come to provoke me again!’

If Ou Yangming heard her thoughts, what would he think?