Chapter 386: Giving Zhi Hua Some Face

The Daystar Large Starry‑Sky Teleportation Array is the nearest large stellar‑energy convergence point to the White Realm; between it and Earth Kun Residence lie two large starry‑sky teleportation arrays, the Radiant Moon Large Array and the Morning Star Large Array, and in addition there are dozens of small teleportation points.

Wei Yuning, upon hearing the news, couldn't help but silently praise that the Demon‑Extermination Army indeed has great boldness.

The position of the Daystar Starry‑Sky Teleportation Array they severed is unusually critical—it is the first large array linking the White Realm to the Beast‑World; the blockage distance is so vast that even a high‑level celestial shuttle would need nearly three hundred years to reconnect, so compared with the original hundred‑year timeframe, the operation's objective was over‑achieved.

Nevertheless, Wei Yuning did not feel pleased because of it.

The spot the Demon‑Extermination Army blocked is indeed optimal, but the number of demonic cultivators remaining toward Earth Kun Residence is the greatest.

With the Radiant Moon and Morning Star large arrays plus about thirty small points, Wei Yuning need not think to know that these demonic cultivators' strength surely surpasses that of the Demon‑Extermination Army; if enough high‑rank demonic cultivators are present, it's still uncertain who would defeat whom.

Zhi Hua didn't overthink; after smiling while enjoying the delicacy, she hurried out, intending to report the news to Chief Military Advisor Yao Guangyuan.

When Zhi Hua left, Wei Yuning immediately summoned Cheng Xin, Wen Lei, Huo Yun, Ji Qiu, Shui Yong and Qin Wu into the secret chamber.

After hearing Wei Yuning's analysis, the few wore grim expressions.

After a while, Qin Wu spoke first: "The main force of the Demon‑Extermination Army is all in the starry sky; the real danger is not them but us who remain!"

At sunset on the second day, Wei Yuning was resting in the quarters when Zhi Hua rushed in, shouting, "General Wei, General Wei, a squad of Heavenly Soldiers has returned first!"

"Ah! That's great—what's their condition now?" Wei Yuning said excitedly.

Last night he and his companions aboard the celestial shuttle had drafted several backup escape plans; hearing the Heavenly Soldiers return left him both disappointed and relieved.

After all, the escape plans still had many flaws, so for now the best course is to defend using Earth Kun Residence as a stronghold, since it houses the Immortal City's defensive array.

But if the outward‑going Heavenly Soldiers can also return to defend the ground, that would be even better, indicating that Wan Jun and others do not intend to sacrifice the rear's elderly, weak, and infirm.

"The situation can't be called good or bad! They're a bit stunned, speaking incoherently, but their bodies seem fine and uninjured. Advisor Yao has already sent them back to camp to rest; perhaps in two days they'll be fine!" Zhi Hua said worriedly.

"Fighting demonic cultivators is extremely brutal; these brothers have suffered!" Wei Yuning sighed.

"…General Wei, I have a request; I wonder if you could grant it?" Zhi Hua said hesitantly.

Wei Yuning smiled: "If you don't ask, how could I say? Let me first see if I can do it."

"I just hope General Wei will prepare some Heavenly Fire Kitchen food for these returning Heavenly Soldiers, as a reward for them!" Zhi Hua said.

"This… it's not a big deal, but we only supply rations for the Right Path Army; abruptly taking another kitchen's share feels off, right? Besides, do you really think they'll like Heavenly Fire Kitchen food?" Wei Yuning replied.

"Of course, who doesn't like Heavenly Fire Kitchen food? I heard some Right Path Army soldiers lack spirit stones and sell a high‑grade spirit stone to comrades of other armies at that price; even so, it's still in short supply! So if you're willing to give them food, it will definitely aid their recovery!" Zhi Hua said.

Wei Yuning said wordlessly: "If so, I'll prepare it then! Send someone to collect it after one hour."

Zhi Hua smiled: "Thank you, General Wei!"

"Wait, Captain Zhi, why do I feel something's off with you today?" Wei Yuning asked, puzzled.

"Hmph, you're the one who's off!" Zhi Hua twisted her body and sprinted away briskly.

"She's especially enthusiastic today!" Wen Lei laughed.

Just as the few were preparing to go to the kitchen, Luo Yi walked in from outside.

"Lord Wei, when you prepare the meals later, could you make a special dish, one that especially nourishes the body?" Luo Yi asked.

Seeing Wei Yuning look at her with a strange expression, Luo Yi shyly smiled: "This is Miss Zhi Hua's request; her lover is among the returning Heavenly Soldiers, and she's embarrassed to speak, so she asked me to convey it!"

"Oh, I see. No wonder Miss Zhi Hua is so different today!" Wei Yuning understood.

Everyone got to work together; Wei Yuning personally seasoned the dishes, and the hundred‑person portion of food was ready.

Finally, recalling Zhi Hua's request, he took out an extra portion, added many tonics, and just as he was about to cover it, he thought that the Heavenly Soldiers fighting demonic cultivators likely deplete their internal blood Qi, so replenishing whatever is lacking, especially blood Qi, would be beneficial.

With that in mind, he condensed an invisible blood Qi and infused it into the food. As a Yang‑God body, his internal blood Qi is extremely robust and yang, making it a potent tonic for the weak.

But condensing blood Qi also consumes spirit; Wei Yuning wasn't that selfless—he would not expend such effort for all Heavenly Soldiers unless it was for Zhi Hua's sake.

After finishing the meal, Wei Yuning and the others resumed resting; Qi Long, Qiang Du, Kong Guan and Lata Daoren led the second batch of Heavenly Fire Kitchen members, who began preparing the midnight meals again.

This batch of Heavenly Fire Kitchen members consists mainly of the original connected families, plus a few ill‑tempered beast cultivators and Lata Daoren. These connected families, after recent reformation, have officially become kitchen staff.

The midnight meals are prepared during the day, so this crew only needs to follow the steps to light the fire and cook; they are not required to handle seasoning.

While Wei Yuning sat opposite Monk Cheng Xin, reminiscing about the Beast‑World, a clamor suddenly rose from outside.

Wei Yuning clicked his tongue: "General Wan isn't here; the Heavenly Soldiers' discipline has worsened a lot compared to before!"

Monk Cheng Xin chuckled: "Cultivators are a hassle; we Buddhist cultivators remain carefree!"

"Buddhist cultivators have many rules too; only free cultivators are truly carefree, right?" Wei Yuning couldn't help but retort, then sighed: "In fact, true freedom doesn't exist; it's because these rule‑keeping Heavenly Soldiers are present that the myriad heavens and realms aren't seized by the Dark Clan, giving us a stable cultivation environment. So we really shouldn't mock them!"

Cheng Xin was startled, then fell silent.

At that moment, the clamor outside grew louder, and people in the Right Path Army's camp began sprinting wildly.

Wei Yuning and Monk Cheng Xin exchanged astonished looks, a bad feeling rising in their hearts.