Chapter 287

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the ancient sheepskin scroll, but after just a glance, their faces instantly turned solemn.

As Greater Xia's top diplomatic experts, they naturally possessed vast knowledge; though not masters of every field, they had dabbled in all areas.

Their grasp of smelting and forging wasn't detailed, but they could at least understand it, and had even seen numerous classic architectural blueprints.

Yet the content revealed on the sheepskin scroll was far too complex—countless patterns, intertwined and intricate traces, scattered like stars across the parchment, leaving them dizzy.

Even the simple process of refining bronze ware involved nearly a hundred steps, reaching extreme complexity, let alone the dense, minute runes, which were truly awe-inspiring.

To replicate such a precise pattern without the slightest deviation was truly no easy task.

What exactly is the purpose of these patterns above?

Could it be the language used by cultivators?

Why are there so many of them?

Looking at this complex construction blueprint, everyone's minds filled with doubts; though deeply shocked, none showed any sign of retreat.

The Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron concerns Greater Xia's future and fate; if it were truly simple to construct successfully, they would instead worry.

Although the steps are tedious and they fundamentally cannot understand what is going on, the aura and runes emanating from it reveal it is extraordinary.

"Please rest assured, we will surely spare no effort, at any cost, to complete the Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron!"

Hearing this, the Hunting Falcon nodded: "Excellent. Remember what I said earlier—during construction, you must follow the steps precisely; no errors or omissions in the records on the blueprint!"

"Once any mistake occurs, it will be a tremendous disaster for all of Greater Xia!"

A thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant hole; how much more so amid heavenly and earthly calamity—any tiny flaw can become fatal harm.

Even if the Hunting Falcon did not warn them, they would still be cautious; if they erred, it would likely not be merely the downfall of a few thousand or ten thousand.

Everyone carefully put away the sheepskin scroll, as if slightly more force would damage it.

Even an old man who inadvertently creased the surrounding area was immediately scolded by others.

"How clumsy of you—this is Greater Xia's future!"

Seeing the scene before him, the Hunting Falcon was truly somewhat speechless.

"You need not be so tense; this sheepskin scroll gathers spiritual energy, so to speak, blades and spears cannot penetrate, water and fire cannot invade, and it is very hard to destroy."

Hearing this, everyone finally relaxed.

This trip to Longyuan Mountain can be said to have yielded rich rewards—not to mention so many cultivation techniques, but also many talismans, elixirs, formations, and so on.

Most important of all is the method for crafting the Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron.

Gather the qi of fortune, bless Greater Xia!

With these gifts bestowed by the Longyuan Mountain Range, facing heavenly and earthly disasters, Greater Xia also gains a bit more confidence.

Elder Chen took a deep breath, calmed his excited emotions, and said somewhat anxiously: "May I ask, does Longyuan Mountain require us to do something? If there is anywhere we can help, we will certainly not shirk responsibility!"

"As long as it does not violate Greater Xia's will, even if we must climb blades and plunge into fire seas, we will spare no expense!"

Having taken so many things from Longyuan Mountain for nothing, they truly feel somewhat uneasy in their hearts.

The Hunting Falcon, however, was slightly stunned.

Demands?

It seemed that earlier, these people had said that if Longyuan Mountain were willing to lend aid, they could agree to anything.

It appeared their master had not mentioned this when departing, after all, Greater Xia had nothing that would attract the demons' attention.

"Cough—cough—"

The Hunting Falcon coughed a few times, intending to improvise: "These are all unimportant; after we survive this calamity, we can discuss it later. As fellow earthly beings, helping you is also helping ourselves."

Recalling what Ye Qin had once said, the Hunting Falcon picked up a few phrases; the effect was not bad—just seeing the people's excited expressions told him so.

In their hearts, the image of the Longyuan Mountain demons instantly became radiant and magnificent.

Look!

This is what is called the bearing of a Great Demon!

Such precious cultivation methods and various resources were handed over to Greater Xia, yet they demanded nothing in return!

At this moment, everyone's reverence and worship for Longyuan Mountain reached its peak.

Elder Chen and the others bowed again: "This great kindness and virtue, we shall never forget in this lifetime; if Longyuan Mountain has any requests in the future, you may raise them at any time, and Greater Xia will certainly fulfill our promise without delay!"

Elder Chen stepped forward and extended his hand toward the Hunting Falcon.

The Hunting Falcon also extended his wing in like manner, touching his hand, and swayed it a few times in the air.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment; the atmosphere in the air was solemn and heavy; the handshake between one person and one demon has been passed down through the ages, still talked about with relish.

It is called the "Epoch Handshake."

But these are matters for later.

Meanwhile, as time passed, Greater Xia's high officials still awaited the diplomatic team's reply in conference.

Greater Xia Cultivation Bureau.

Hua Tiancheng frowned tightly: "Already so many days have passed, and they still have no news at all?"

Now training halls across the regions began construction; numerous students who had fainted during the college entrance exam gradually woke up, with dedicated personnel closely observing and recording their actions.

The construction of the Cultivation Academy in Wu Du and Longyuan Immortal Sect's facilities was also proceeding vigorously.

Seeing everything developing toward the good, only the crucial Longyuan Mountain trip had yet to bring any news.

"Could something have happened?"

Hua Tiancheng's brows were locked in worry; beside him, Qi Hai and Zhao En also wore anxious expressions.

"Logically speaking, it shouldn't be so—after all this time, there shouldn't be absolutely no movement at all."

"What exactly is the situation now?"

Qi Hai couldn't help but light a cigarette; he is not normally a smoker, but lately the pressure has been too great; amid the swirling smoke, his expression also became forlorn.

Hua Tiancheng let out a faint sigh: "Perhaps they still need some time; I believe they will surely succeed."

It makes sense that they already successfully negotiated with Longyuan Mountain; they came to us on their own initiative, so there shouldn't be any mistake. The worst outcome would simply be a refusal.

Zhao En rubbed his temples, "It feels like the time left for us is getting shorter and shorter."

"Recently, Earth's orbit seems to have stabilized, but this is merely superficial. Global temperatures have already risen noticeably, and scientists from Miguo and Yingguo have vaguely sensed something amiss."

"We must speed up the pace."

Seeing Hua Tiancheng's calm expression, Qihai couldn't help but say, "Old Hua, I'm afraid only you could remain so composed at a time like this."

Hua Tiancheng did not answer, merely letting out a long sigh.

As the director of the Cultivation Bureau, overseeing all arrangements, Hua Tiancheng appeared calm, but inside he was already bubbling with anxiety; yet he had to remain steady.

If even the bureau director himself is flustered, let alone those below—no matter how worried they are inside, they can only keep a straight face.

Even if he's anxious, there's nothing he can do.

Zhao En couldn't help but suggest, "Why don't we send another team to inquire? Just waiting like this isn't a solution."

Heavenly and earthly disasters loom imminent; the time left for us is short and cannot be wasted. If it takes ten days or half a month to get a reply, even bringing back the items would be too delaying, not to mention the formation of their entire plan.

The Greater Xia High Officials cannot wait.

Hua Tiancheng's gaze fell into the distance, "Let me think again."

In truth, regarding this request for aid from Longyuan Mountain, he had no confidence in his heart.

In this world, no one does good without reason; everything involves equivalent exchange. They simply do not know what the Great Demon of the Longyuan Mountain range needs.

Yet for Greater Xia, it is of utmost importance, after all, it concerns the entire human race, even the life and death of countless people of Greater Xia.

Even though Hua Tiancheng has long held a high position, he has never borne such a heavy burden before—it almost makes one unable to breathe.

"This position really isn't easy to sit in; I knew the road ahead would be difficult, but I never imagined it would be this hard."

Zhao En urged, "At this point, stop sighing and make a decision quickly."

Just as several people were discussing, the telephone suddenly rang.

Upon seeing the number, Hua Tiancheng's eyes suddenly brightened.

This number is none other than the legion stationed in the Longyuan Mountain range calling!

"How is it now? Has Wang Xuehao's group received any news?"

Before the call was even fully connected, Hua Tiancheng bombarded the other end with rapid-fire questions.

"Director! Mission accomplished without disgrace!"

What he didn't expect was that the person on the phone was the breathless Old Chen.

Upon hearing this, Hua Tiancheng's eyes instantly flashed with excitement, even his voice began to tremble.

"Academician Chen, have you already come out? What exactly happened these days? Did you obtain cultivation techniques from the Longyuan Mountain range?"

The reply from the other end nearly made Hua Tiancheng jump three feet high; if not for still having to mind the presence of others in the office, he would have already lost composure from joy.

"Director, rest assured—this trip to the Longyuan Mountain range, though time-consuming, has yielded abundant returns; we return with full loads!"

"The Great Demon of the Longyuan Mountain range not only agreed to help, but also gave us many basic cultivation techniques, and even prepared diagrams for resisting the calamity."

Upon hearing the words from the other end, Hua Tiancheng became even more ecstatic; all the gloom and fatigue of the past four days vanished completely, truly invigorating.

"Excellent!"

He was so happy he couldn't stop grinning; after a while he came to himself and asked, "Then did they mention any demands? As long as it's something Greater Xia can do and doesn't violate morality, we will agree to everything!"

Who would have thought Old Chen's reply would be even more unexpected.

"No, the Great Demon of the Longyuan Mountain range is very reasonable and made no demands at all, only saying to let us note it down for now and discuss later."

Hua Tiancheng was so excited he didn't know what to say; many things couldn't be clarified in a short phone call.

"Good, you rest first and hurry back for a detailed discussion in person!"

Qihai and Zhao En also heard the conversation from beside them, their faces filled with excited joy reaching its peak.

"We must hurry to inform others of this good news!"

Soon this news spread throughout the Greater Xia High Officials; many rejoiced, they said nothing more, temporarily set aside their many tasks, and directly took the nearest flight to the Cultivation Bureau's location.

Not long after, Wang Xuehao, Xu Tiancheng, Academician Chen, and others also returned to the Cultivation Bureau.

Seeing their dusty appearance, with prominent dark circles under their eyes, originally wanting to let these elders rest a bit, but they were unwilling—indeed, they hated to delay and wanted to immediately report this good news to the leadership.

Academician Chen and others, without a word, hurried toward the meeting room.

"A tremendous piece of good news! You absolutely cannot imagine all this; it is absolutely a historically transformative existence!"

Everyone gathered in the meeting room, listening as Academician Chen and others carefully recounted their experiences in Longyuan Mountain.

When they saw everyone produce the Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron and many basic cultivation techniques, their shock reached its peak.

"Excellent, effort does not betray the earnest!"

"The following measures can also be implemented immediately!"

"Hahaha, Heaven blesses Greater Xia—indeed, Heaven still favors us!"

Everyone was overjoyed as if celebrating the New Year; laughter in the meeting room nearly lifted the Heavenly Flower ceiling.

With Academician Chen and others' return, the final piece of the plan's puzzle has also been filled in!

Everyone impatiently and carefully received the cultivation techniques and animal-skin scrolls brought back by Academician Chen and others.

Just casually flipping through a few pages, one could feel the flow of extraordinary energy within.

Hua Tiancheng hesitated not at all in issuing orders, simultaneously sending out all prepared documents, "Begin the plan swiftly!"

Academician Chen spoke passionately: "Earlier, during our return journey, we had carefully studied this basic cultivation technique; compared to the previous obscure and difficult cultivation method, this one is simpler, easier to get started with, has a low threshold, and even ordinary people can cultivate it."

"We once tried cultivating it; although there was no obvious improvement, we clearly felt our bodies gaining strength!"

When Academician Chen spoke with excitement, saliva flew, yet everyone listened with rapt attention; having glanced at the first few pages of the technique, it was indeed easy to understand.

Academician Chen is an elder of Greater Xia, wholeheartedly devoted to the country and people, loyal and unwavering, his status and position are of utmost importance; no one thinks he is lying, nor is there any need to.

Since he has appeared to speak, does it mean they can also cultivate such techniques in the future?

These days, Chen Lao and the others have barely slept, day and night studying the cultivation technique; even so, their mental state is excellent, aside from the obvious dark circles, it's clear this is all thanks to this cultivation manual.

"Most importantly, although this technique is simple to get started with, once cultivated to a higher level, it is absolutely incredibly powerful!"

Having said that, he quickly flipped to the back, "You see, the later it gets, the more complex it becomes, and likewise the power is tremendous."

Everyone hurriedly gathered around, observing closely, and then couldn't help but widen their eyes; compared to the front, these later records are indeed obscure and difficult to understand.

Just a few glances and it feels like a heavenly script, completely incomprehensible.

From shallow to deep, from easy to difficult, this design is truly exquisite beyond compare.

Even if one's talent is dull, they can study the front part, master a certain ability; if one's talent is outstanding, they can continue studying, mastering even more formidable divine abilities.

Although the lower limit of this book is low, the upper limit is very high; it can be said to be suitable for all ages!

"Excellent! Heaven will not destroy my Huaxia!"

"Such a basic cultivation technique—surely everyone can learn it; this old fogey of mine can't help but want to give it a try."

"In the future, we must definitely promote it widely among the populace!"

In the following time, Chen Lao and the others focused on introducing Ye Qin's final trump card plan.

Using mountains, rivers, and lakes as the foundation, gathering the strength of all beings, borrowing the might of the great nation to forge, constructing the Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron!

"When the great calamity arrives, and the nine cauldrons gather together, we can then rely on peerless qi fortune to protect and bless the peace of Greater Xia!"

Upon hearing Chen Lao's words, everyone was shaken by that grand and magnificent aura, involuntarily breaking out in gooseflesh.

It is truly too shocking!

When they saw that ancient sheepskin scroll, plus the small bronze vessels and cauldron, the shock and excitement in their hearts reached the peak!

What a magnificent handiwork and idea!

Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron, gathering the qi fortune of all under heaven, consolidating the national fortunes of all directions!

Taking the mountains, rivers, and state as foundation, blessing Greater Xia, fully displaying peerless bearing!

While listening to Chen Lao's narration, they also saw before their eyes a vast and magnificent scene, as if they had already seen the future scene of the nine cauldrons standing tall, and what a grand spectacle it would be!

The meeting room instantly fell into utter silence, everyone held their breath, immersed in the shock.

After a long while, Hua Tiancheng let out a long breath, "Truly peerless in the world."

One doesn't know whether he is referring to this plan, or to the demon master who devised this plan, or perhaps both.

In short, at this moment everyone's admiration and awe for Ye Qin have reached the peak.

"Never mind all that for now, hurry up and implement the plan!"

After the meeting ended, the Greater Xia High Officials once again entered a new round of busyness, urgently seeking relevant personnel, copying and printing, sending the finished products to universities nationwide.

Of course this is not enough; nowadays network transmission speed is the fastest, this place naturally cannot be overlooked.

As for whether this cultivation technique will be learned by foreigners, the Greater Xia High Officials haven't thought too much about it.

Firstly, Greater Xia script, as one of the most difficult scripts in the world, is truly too complex; sometimes a single character has multiple meanings, very hard to decipher.

Moreover, this cultivation technique can only be learned by understanding Chinese, deeply grasping the meaning within; merely knowing a few phrases of Chinese is completely useless.

As for translating this cultivation technique into other scripts for cultivation, that goes without saying.

Greater Xia script is vast and profound; if one could translate it into obscure scripts, it would instead lose its original charm, having no effect at all.

Even if a foreigner proficient in Chinese happens to learn it by mistake, that would only be an extremely small minority, with very low probability; Greater Xia would also welcome it, after all, heavenly and earthly calamity is imminent, one more person cultivating would also bring more vitality to this world.

In the following time, all printing departments of Greater Xia went all out, all high officials were busy to the point of being unable to cope, even having no time to drink water.

They studied the cultivation technique while also handling numerous state affairs, responding to disasters, and simultaneously had to monitor the construction progress of training halls everywhere.

Especially Hua Tiancheng, as the first director of the Greater Xia Cultivation Bureau, bearing the heavy responsibility of constructing the Nine Provinces Immortal Cauldron, as well as the Wu Du Cultivation Academy, and the Longyuan Immortal Sect construction, all of it weighed on his head.

Like a high-speed spinning detachment, almost no moment of rest.

However, compared to the previous frantic anxiety, the Greater Xia High Officials can now be said to be full of vigor, no longer like before, like stagnant water.

Because they have new hope!

The Greater Xia High Officials are busy up and down for the heavenly and earthly calamity, but for ordinary commoners, life has not changed much, day after day passing by.

……

At this moment, far away in a remote small county in Su Province.

On the construction site, a youth who looks seventeen or eighteen, holding an old-style Nokia phone in one hand and a steamed bun in the other, sits nearby making a call.

"Rest assured, I'm doing fine here, the food is also very good, with meat and vegetables, Mom, you don't need to worry about me."

The youth gnaws on the steamed bun, face full of smiles, skin tanned dark by the sun, the towel he carries is already covered in dust, there's no helping it, the construction site is just like this.

Although the whole person looks dull and gray, those eyes are shining, looking bright beyond compare.

After hanging up the phone, the youth carefully returned the phone to the middle-aged man beside him, "Thank you, Uncle Li."

The middle-aged man gave a simple smile, "It's just making a phone call, what's there to thank for, a trivial effort."

Saying that, he sighed with emotion, "If my own son could have half your ambition, I'd be content, but speaking of which, Wu Wuhao, are you really eighteen?"

Facing Uncle Li's question, Wu Zhenghao's expression didn't change, "Of course I'm an adult, otherwise how could I have come here."

Seeing Uncle Li still wanting to ask something, he quickly changed the subject, "Uncle Li, let's continue, there's still plenty of work this afternoon, if the contractor sees it, he might say we're slacking off."

Hearing this, Uncle Li nodded, the two picked up their tools and walked toward the construction site.

This youth is none other than the college entrance examinee who first comprehended the Longyuan Mountain Range cultivation technique in the previous college entrance exam!

Regarding everything that happened during the college entrance exam, Wu Zhenghao did not hide it; after waking from unconsciousness, he immediately returned home and told his mother everything that happened in the exam hall.

Including those numerous strange questions, as well as the sudden emergence of various thoughts, and finally the fainting, as well as the scuffle with the invigilator teacher in the exam hall.

Facing Wu Zhenghao's guilt and self-reproach, his mother didn't say much, just gave him a warm embrace.

"Mother knows, as long as you return safely, that's good; Mother believes everything you say, worst case we just retake a year, no problem."

Looking at his mother's face, aged from overwork, and the thick calluses on her hands, her gaze full of tolerance and love, without any blame.

But Wu Zhenghao's heart feels even more uneasy.

Mother worked hard to support his studies, but in the end, it turned out like this!

(End of Chapter)