Chapter 184

Why did it turn out like this?

Seeing a Heavenly Human for the first time... seeing the Haizhou Garrison Commander for the first time... two happy things overlapped... it should have been...

Ji Jue couldn't remember the rest.

He had already been stunned by the brutal reality.

Following Professor Ye through halls and rooms, undergoing inspections, and finally arriving outside that room, the secretary politely opened the door for the two of them.

The room behind the door was elegant and simple, peaceful and plain, with one table and one chair. The Haizhou Garrison Commander was even eating breakfast. Hearing the news of Ye Xian's arrival, he immediately invited them to meet, which could be described as approachable and without any airs.

What surprised Ji Jue was that a dignified Heavenly Human actually only had a bowl of thin porridge and a steamed bun for breakfast, accompanied by a small dish of pickles.

Since they had arrived suddenly, it was impossible for them to be putting on an act; it could only be said that his daily life was plain.

Moreover, there was none of the oppressive feeling common to the Tian Tian Yuan lineage, no terrifying aura that made people unable to breathe just by looking at him.

But what made Ji Jue freeze was...

There was nothing else either.

There was only a dull old man with age spots all over his face, almost no hair left, and wearing pajamas, his hand holding the spoon trembling as he slowly brought it to his mouth and swallowed slowly.

He even spilled two drops.

The secretary immediately took out a handkerchief and wiped it off.

The secretary bent down and whispered something in the old man's ear.

The originally dull old man seemed to wake up a bit, his eyes brightening.

Then, he looked at Ji Jue.

"Oh, so little Ye has come..."

The old man said in a muddled and slow voice, "It's been so long... you've become much more handsome, much more... hmm, ever since you went to Yunzhou..."

"Garrison Commander, that's not her."

The secretary was anxious and reminded him in a low voice: "It's Master Ye Xian, the Ye family of the Thousand Islands."

"Isn't... isn't that already gone?" The old man suddenly became bewildered and remained dull for a long time, before suddenly seeming to have an epiphany: "I remember now, little Lu said so... how could I have forgotten?

Really, I'm sorry, I'm old, I'm old..."

His speech was muddled and incoherent, his sentences were jumbled, and his consciousness was drifting between awake and asleep.

【...】

Ji Jue lowered his head, feeling like he was wearing several layers of "mask of pain."

This was clearly dementia, right?

A dignified Heavenly Human? A Garrison Commander of a province?

Are you serious?

Sure enough, this world is a huge amateur troupe, and depending on the situation, it can be even more amateurish. Right now, it was so amateurish that Ji Jue was about to be in agony.

And you're expecting to resolve this once and for all?

Expecting to reorganize Quancheng?

Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and pack your things and go home!

There was no nutritious conversation afterward, nothing more than the old man, in his capacity as the Haizhou Garrison Commander, thanking and welcoming Ye Xian's arrival and giving a few words of encouragement to the young people.

It was as if they were just going through the motions.

After a few pleasantries, the two of them took the initiative to take their leave.

They had been out for a long time, and Ji Jue hadn't dared to speak, after all, there was a glaring monitor overhead. But when Ye Xian turned back, Ji Jue felt the surroundings flicker for a moment.

The monitoring remained, but the conversation between the two was temporarily shielded within the Encircled Realm that covered the entire Quancheng area.

"Are you wondering why someone with dementia can become a Heavenly Human? Become the Haizhou Garrison Commander?"

"... Indeed, a little." Ji Jue sighed softly.

"Decades ago, when Quancheng fell, Tao Gong risked advancing to Heavenly Human. At that time, he was already a recognized powerhouse in the Federation, and he only needed to move forward step by step to have the position of Heavenly Human within his grasp.

Before reinforcements arrived, he held up the entire Quancheng for two hours by himself. For this, he burned away more than half of his soul... Quancheng was thus prevented from falling completely into the vortex, and that is why Haizhou has so many Quancheng refugees today.

Without him, it would have been absolutely impossible for Haizhou to be stable until now.

It wasn't until seven years ago that he regained consciousness, and four years ago he took office as the Haizhou Garrison Commander, and he has been pushing the entire plan ever since.

So, don't worry about him; even if he is muddled and slow, and forgets who he is or what he is, his determination to clear the ruins and reorganize Quancheng will not waver in the slightest."

"Two hours?" Ji Jue was shocked.

Ye Xian nodded, "Even, longer."

Two hours, one hundred and twenty minutes, or more.

At the moment when the entire Quancheng was on the verge of falling, in the midst of the sin-tainted pollution that could completely alienate the entire city, every minute and every second felt like it was being stretched into eternity.

It was too long, and too protracted.

For anyone, it was the same.

He couldn't understand why the Federation's reinforcements had taken more than two hours to arrive.

Nor could he imagine what kind of terrifying difficulties and dangers that lonely old man had to face at that time.

The path to the Heavenly Human realm is so arduous and high.

Even with the most adequate preparation, it is difficult to achieve.

Let alone rushing into it...

When he abandoned much of his humanity and soul to embrace the Tian Tian Yuan, the Tian Tian Yuan also became closer to him.

The current Heavenly Human, Tao Cheng, from a human perspective, is severely damaged and cannot be called complete at all, but this deficiency, by a stroke of luck, complements the Tian Tian Yuan, making his distance from the Supreme Good incomparably close.

Likewise, it also makes his distance from the realm of Sages incomparably far... destined to never be able to create his own path or engrave his origin.

Facing such a lofty realm and feat, Ji Jue couldn't produce any sympathy or pity at all.

Would an ant pity an elephant?

Moreover, facing the terrifying gravitational pull of the vortex and the pollution of evil ignorance, to hold up the entire Quancheng for two full hours with the strength of one person.

Just this one thing was enough for Ji Jue to marvel at and respect.

"Inside Quancheng..."

He hesitated for a moment and asked softly: "His family?"

Ye Xian shook her head: "He is from the Central City, wandering everywhere; in Quancheng, he had no relatives or friends."

"Then why would he..."

Why would he be so persistent?

Ji Jue subconsciously wanted to ask this, but in the end, he had nothing to say.

Only after a long silence did Ye Xian sigh softly: "Precisely because of this, it is even more worthy of respect, isn't it?"

Ji Jue was speechless.

But noticing Ye Xian withdrawing her gaze, he hurriedly caught up two steps, and finally, before the shielding was lifted, he asked: "Before Quancheng, why did it suddenly, overnight, just..."

Ye Xian turned her head again.

It was as if she had expected it, or rather, this was the question she had been waiting for after she had set up the barrier.

But unfortunately, she didn't want to give an answer to this.

"This is not something you should ask; do not pry, and do not ask around." She said, "Perhaps one day, you will get the answer, or make a choice.

But for you now, everything is too early."

She sighed silently, "This is not a warning or a reprimand, just a suggestion I can give you as a teacher; whether you listen or not is up to you."

Ji Jue nodded decisively, without hesitation.

Even though he was burning with curiosity and wanted to ask why, if the teacher said not to ask, then he wouldn't ask; it wasn't like he couldn't go on living if he didn't know something.

Thus, the corners of Ye Xian's mouth seemed to curl up slightly.

Seeming satisfied.

"Very good."

As the barrier dissipated, she continued forward: "Although Tao Gong has difficulty handling trivial matters, there are plenty of guys below who delegate work and throw their weight around.

Let's go, I'll take you to see the 'world'."

With an inexplicable cold smile, Ye Xian walked straight toward another corner of the camp, into the building hanging the emblem of the Ring of Taiyi, and pushed the door open to enter in a grand manner.

It could only be said that one could feel the extravagance of the Ring of Taiyi from every aspect.

Every corner revealed the aura of a nouveau riche who wasn't short of money.

Even in such a short time, in this temporary outpost camp, they had spared no expense to build brand-new structures to house the many masters and artisans.

Even if they didn't put the money on the table, Ji Jue, bringing in his old trade as a mud-mason, calculated the materials and labor and still arrived at a staggering figure. Moreover, the entire building had been directly constructed and shaped by Chosen to save time, so the cost would only be more exaggerated.

After pushing the door open, a refreshing coolness and fragrance rushed toward them, and the smooth marble floor could almost reflect the figures of the two.

Crystal chandeliers hung high, casting beautiful light and shadows.

And right in the lobby, specialized personnel had been waiting for a long time and quickly greeted them.

"Master Ye, your and Mr. Ji's accommodations have been arranged..."

"No need, don't waste time, go straight to the conference room, at least it's more meaningful there." Ye Xian waved her hand, signaling him to lead the way in front. Finally, she pointed to Ji Jue: "Send this guy to the lounge."

Walking through halls and rooms.

Ji Jue followed behind, looking at the expressions of the people around him, and couldn't help but sigh: "I always feel like everyone's eyes are so strange."

"Normal, the competition within the association has always been fierce, to avoid being squeezed out, not only will artisans scrutinize and weigh each other, but there will probably be no shortage of storms among the apprentices."

Ye Xian said, "It's been hundreds or thousands of years, and this set of things has never changed; you have to be prepared."

Ji Jue nodded and asked curiously: "What if someone provokes me?"

Before leaving, Professor Ye paused for a moment, glanced back at him, and said expressionlessly: "Of course, you endure humiliation to bear a heavy burden and endure for the public good. What else?"

"Okay."

Ji Jue nodded in agreement, as if he had already kept these golden words firmly in his heart.

Although the meaning of these words might be a bit complicated, Ji Jue tried to translate it himself.

——【The materials are talking】.

Bang!

The door to the conference room opened without warning.

Interrupting the long conversation and argument behind the door, the originally stiff atmosphere stagnated for a moment, and then became even stiffer.

It was as if a cold wind had whistled in.

Facing the many complex and stunned gazes, Ye Xian had already walked in with her hands behind her back, carrying her thermos.

She walked forward in such a leisurely manner, sweeping across those familiar or unfamiliar faces, and finally stopped at the foremost position.

Her gaze fell on a senile, wrinkled face.

She nodded knowingly.

"It seems you are the one presiding this time, Master Duan. At such an old age, not getting any peace, you've worked hard."

Five masters, more than twenty senior artisans, all at least Gold Medal level.

It seems the Ring of Taiyi has invested quite a bit this time.

Basically all the famous relevant artisans in the eastern part of the Federation have been invited.

Especially the presiding Master Duan Mu, who had been a master for a hundred years, with many disciples and a high status; no wonder he was pushed to the presiding position.

"Long time no see, Ms. Ye."

The bald, hairless old man Duan Mu sighed, assuming she had already greeted him, "You've come just in time, please take your seat."

Ye Xian glanced at the person sitting below him.

That person, who had lowered his head pretending to see nothing, was stunned for a moment and hesitated for a long time, but Ye Xian was expressionless and just waited quietly.

Until he gritted his teeth, stood up, gave up his seat, and went to sit elsewhere.

Then, Ye Xian sat down slowly, put down the thermos, unscrewed it, and took a sip, before looking around in the silence: "What were you all talking about just now?

It's so lively, you might as well continue, let me listen too."

【...】

In the awkward silence, the sinister-looking long-bearded man sitting on the other side of the conference table gave a strange laugh: "Master Ye, you've come just in time. Everyone was just talking about your area of expertise.

Considering that the Quancheng area is too large, the most suitable method is to use spiritual quality refining to carry out a full-area isolation. If we talk about this path, you are the one who should take the lead."

After a slight pause, he seemed to lament: "It's just that, regarding the principles of the four-degree qualitative change mentioned in your papers, I wonder if it would be convenient to share them?"

The others, upon hearing this, immediately raised their eyes slightly and held their breath.

They didn't expect that as soon as he opened his mouth, he would throw the biggest trouble currently at hand onto Ye Xian, using the situation in Quancheng to force her to take this hot potato and then force her to make her unique technology public...

On the other side, Master Kong's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

It was just that the gaze circulating between the two became mocking, though it was unclear toward whom.

"Sure."

Ye Xian nodded without hesitation: "Since Master Zhou has said so, why don't we just let me take the lead, how about that?"

Master Zhou's expression changed slightly, and his movement of stroking his beard paused slightly.

Unexpected.

He had originally just wanted to dampen the arrogance of this crazy woman, but he didn't expect her to agree directly.

And then, they heard Ye Xian's words: "I have already considered the specific planning on the way. Considering the construction period and intensity, the best way is naturally for each part to carry out the engraving of spiritual quality circuits separately, and finally summarize them through the Supreme Good emblem and runes... However, the situation in the ruins is urgent, so why doesn't Master Zhou take out the 'Ten Thousand Source Convergence' framework technology that your workshop is best at and make it public to meet the emergency."

Ye Xian also paused for a moment and asked calmly: "I assume Master Zhou has the world at heart, and at this critical juncture, you wouldn't be stingy with your own treasures, right?"

Ye Xian, you bitch!

Zhou Zhong couldn't help but glare, his face becoming increasingly gloomy. No matter who was "shifted" like this, it probably wouldn't feel good. Moreover, he had only been eyeing her spiritual quality technology, and she was actually so direct, directly digging up his family's foundation, right?

"Wait a moment."

Not far away, the middle-aged artisan who had been watching suddenly coughed twice and said: "Master Ye, these words are a bit too biased..."

Ye Xian glanced at him indifferently and interrupted him without ceremony:

"Is there any room for you to speak here?"

The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly, "I..."

"Who are you?"

Ye Xian asked again, "Why haven't I seen you before?"

The artisan who was smiling awkwardly below Ye Xian said: "He..."

"No need to introduce him, a guy who can't leave any impression, even if he is a mediocre person, he is probably mediocre without any characteristics, no need to waste time."

Ye Xian waved her hand coldly, ignoring the middle-aged artisan's changing face, "At such an old age, and only having one Gold Medal hanging on his body to show off, I guess he doesn't have much of a future.

Keep your opinions to yourself, it's better not to listen.

Master Zhou, what do you think?"

Zhou Zhong's expression was gloomy, stroking his long beard, the corners of his eyes twitching faintly, as if he had a toothache.

The Ring of Taiyi has many factions and a complex structure, and the struggle between artisans has never stopped. Alliances and schemes are common, but in the final analysis, it all depends on strength and works.

If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't.

Being mediocre is the original sin of everything.

If your skills are inferior to others, even breathing is wrong.

Moreover, this madwoman Ye Xian is famous for not giving anyone face; even the current president has been pointed at and scolded, and he had to grit his teeth and admit that what she scolded made sense, let alone these small fry who follow big workshops to eat leftovers?

Now she's just difficult to deal with and speaks harshly, so what does that count for?

In the early years, if there was a disagreement, she would directly go to help people demolish their ancestral workshops... demolishing you is also just a matter of convenience, okay?

"Cough cough—"

After coughing twice, he said reluctantly: "The Quancheng matter is of great importance, and regarding the full-area blockade, I feel that it still needs to be discussed at length."

"Then let's discuss it at length."

Ye Xian nodded, as if in agreement, and said word by word: "Take it slow, take it carefully, take it seriously, and don't let a single mistake slip by."

In the conference room, the atmosphere became increasingly low and oppressive.

Unexpectedly, after entering and directly killing a small fry and stabbing Zhou Zhong twice, Ye Xian didn't say another word for the second half.

She just listened silently.

But just her gaze made all the artisans except the masters sweat and walk on thin ice when they opened their mouths. When they smiled awkwardly, lowered their heads, or shifted their gaze, they couldn't help but curse in their hearts—damn it, why haven't you died yet?

But the only Master Duan present who could balance things out in terms of seniority didn't say a word.

Or rather, he was happy to be so.

The bigger the matter, the more troublesome it is, and the easier it is to bicker. At this time, someone always has to say something unpleasant. Since someone else said it for him, Duan Mu naturally welcomed it; he was probably laughing so hard in private that he couldn't close his legs.

However, as the meeting neared its end, the clamor outside became increasingly loud.

Making many artisans unable to help but frown.

Amidst hurried footsteps, the sound of knocking on the door rang out.

The Ring of Taiyi staff member was sweating profusely, looked around the room after entering, and instinctively looked at Master Duan. Master Duan frowned, "If you have something to say, say it, don't waste time."

"They... they're fighting."

The flustered and helpless staff member said incoherently: "In the, in the lounge, many workshop apprentices, and... and... that person from the Tide-Sound Workshop... are about to fight."

In the momentary silence, everyone couldn't help but change their expressions slightly and subconsciously looked at Ye Xian.

Ye Xian's face was as calm as water, without any fluctuation.

"What a big deal, don't be anxious."

Master Zhou grinned, gloating, "Young people have hot tempers, it's normal, it's normal."

"Yes, yes."

"Normal."

Many artisans who had been holding back their anger couldn't help but agree, while Master Kong, who had been transparent for half the time, changed his expression slightly and subconsciously wanted to stand up.

But immediately after...

BOOM!!!

A deafening loud noise suddenly erupted, the entire building shook violently, the lights flickered, and a crack appeared in the wall.

The direction seemed to be... right in the lounge downstairs?!

Everyone's expressions changed suddenly.

Only Ye Xian remained cold, her eyes lowered.

She picked up her cup to drink tea.

"Normal."

She said.

This is normal.