Chapter 628 - 628: Founding the Celestial Dao Pavilion

"Third Senior Sister, I have a few priorities right now... The first is to find the medicinal ingredients needed to repair my father's Dantian Seal. The second is to uncover the truth behind my family's destruction five years ago. The third is to resolve the conflict with my mother's family, the Ji Family. And the last thing is to be ready for the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect's resurgence..."

Jiang Xinghai sat on the sofa in the hotel room and solemnly explained the purpose of his trip to the Imperial City.

A resolute glint flashed in Zhao Linglong's eyes. "Little Junior Brother, don't worry. Whether it's finding the herbs or uncovering the truth, I will help you with everything I've got. As for the conflict with the Ji Family, I suggest you discuss it with your mother before doing anything."

Jiang Xinghai nodded gratefully. He understood her point. 'After all, the Ji Family is my mother's side of the family!'

"As for the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect, that's the biggest and most serious threat. We'll need a long-term strategy for them." Having learned from Jiang Xinghai just how powerful the Sect was, Zhao Linglong's expression turned grim.

"By the way, Senior Sister, I've decided to build a force that answers only to me..."

Jiang Xinghai went on to explain how he had rescued the young geniuses from Mirror Lake Manor and that they were scheduled to meet him that very afternoon at Little Hua Mountain in the Imperial City.

"Excellent, that's a great idea. And I have experience with this, so I can help you get it set up quickly." Zhao Linglong's reputation as a leader in the Celestial Net, one of the top three mercenary corps in the world, was certainly not unearned.

"Then let's start planning right now."

Jiang Xinghai glanced at the time. "First, I need to borrow some of your people to protect my parents."

"You can count on me for that. I'll have your parents move into the Imperial Hotel where I'm staying. The security there is extremely tight, which will be the best way to ensure their safety." Zhao Linglong already had a plan in mind.

Jiang Xinghai felt relieved.

「A short while later.」

He brought Zhao Linglong to meet his parents.

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie." Zhao Linglong acted as if she were meeting her own in-laws, her demeanor exceptionally warm and polite as she poured them tea.

This deeply pleased the couple, Jiang Wendong and Ji Qingya.

They were delighted that their son was surrounded by so many women as beautiful as flowers.

Jiang Wendong looked at Zhao Linglong and said emotionally, "Our boy, Xinghai, is so well-liked. Having a Senior Sister like you to help him is truly a blessing for the Jiang Family."

"You're too kind, Uncle. I don't deserve such praise," Zhao Linglong said with a smile, shaking her head.

Ji Qingya was also beaming. She could see the care and support Zhao Linglong had for her son, which gratified her immensely. "Xinghai, it's wonderful that Miss Linglong is here to help. Your father and I will follow your plan and move to the Imperial Hotel."

After arranging for his parents' accommodations, Jiang Xinghai and Zhao Linglong began preparing in earnest to form their secret force.

They agreed that after meeting with the rescued geniuses at Little Hua Mountain, they would conduct a screening and initial training to ensure the strength and loyalty of every member.

At the same time, Zhao Linglong began dispatching her elites. Some were tasked with protecting Jiang Wendong and his wife, while others were assigned to assist with investigating the source of the herbs, the truth behind the family's downfall, and gathering intelligence on the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect.

"Little Junior Brother, as we build this secret force, we must also focus on cultivating internal unity and loyalty. The people who were tortured by the Shadow Sect, the ones who have a bone-deep hatred for them—they should be the core of this group."

Zhao Linglong added thoughtfully, "On top of that, we need to recruit new blood, unite them, and ensure they can fight as one when the time comes. For my part, I can transfer one hundred of my elites to join your cause."

"That's fantastic, Senior Sister!"

Jiang Xinghai couldn't agree more. He knew that a team's strength lay not in its numbers, but in its cohesion and combat prowess.

"It needs an impressive name," Zhao Linglong said, looking meaningfully at Jiang Xinghai.

"This secret force will one day make its name known to the world. Since our purpose is to resist the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect, how about we call ourselves the 'Celestial Dao Pavilion'?" Jiang Xinghai suggested after a moment of serious thought.

"Celestial Dao Pavilion... Yes! Let's go with Celestial Dao Pavilion!"

Zhao Linglong considered this for a moment. "With the Shadow Sect in the picture, I don't think it's right for the Celestial Net Mercenary Corps to continue operating as it has been. What if I merged all of it into the Celestial Dao Pavilion?"

"Senior Sister, how many assassins does Celestial Net have in total?" Jiang Xinghai had never known the exact number.

"One hundred Gold-rank assassins—those are the ones I was planning to give you."

"Then there are two hundred Silver-rank assassins, three hundred Bronze-rank, plus over five hundred new recruits..." Zhao Linglong did a quick mental calculation of the forces under her command. "That's almost a thousand people."

Jiang Xinghai considered this strategically. "I suggest we transfer the one hundred Gold-rank and three hundred Bronze-rank assassins. You should keep the rest to continue developing your Dark Department. We'll need them for unforeseen circumstances."

"It's settled, then," Zhao Linglong agreed instantly.

And so, the two began to discuss how to select personnel, train the team, and formulate an initial strategy to counter the Celestial Profound Realm Shadow Sect.

At the same time, Zhao Linglong reminded Jiang Xinghai that even with a common goal, they needed to act with caution and avoid revealing their true strength too early, lest they attract disaster.

She proposed using her intelligence network to scout ahead and map out the Shadow Sect's distribution of power in the Imperial City and its surrounding areas. Only then could they make targeted deployments.

"Senior Sister, your intelligence network is exactly what I need most right now. I'll leave this matter in your hands," Jiang Xinghai agreed with a nod. He knew that at this critical juncture, a solid intelligence system was vital to their success.

"Should we inform Second Senior Sister?" Zhao Linglong asked seriously.

Jiang Xinghai pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "Second Senior Sister is guarding the frontier; her duties are immense. Let's not bother her with this for now. We can talk to her once we're more established here."

"I think we should tell her now," Zhao Linglong countered with a smile. "If she knew about your situation, she'd definitely send a contingent of elites. She might even abandon her post to come help you in person."

"Second Senior Sister..."

Jiang Xinghai smiled and shook his head. He remembered Zhong Yunman once telling him that she would absolutely give up her position if he ever needed her to.

But now that Zhong Yunman had returned to the frontier, her purpose was to guard the gate to the Celestial Profound Realm.

Besides, their master, Yao Gu, was also involved, so they could coordinate and assist each other.

Therefore, Jiang Xinghai decisively rejected the idea.

"What about First Senior Sister, then?" Zhao Linglong asked.

"First Senior Sister's people are mostly financial elites. I think we should pass on that," Jiang Xinghai said. 'It's been so long since I last saw First Senior Sister, Chu Lingyun,' he thought.

"First Senior Sister has more than just financial elites under her command, you know."

Zhao Linglong gave him a knowing smile. "You of all people should understand. Among the four of us, First Senior Sister is the strongest. The other three of us combined might not even be a match for her. Do you really think she would surround herself with weaklings?"