Chapter 471: Two Prodigies

Although Jingsheng's vitality was temporarily preserved, his injuries were still worsening, especially the severe depletion of qi and blood throughout his body—if it was not replenished quickly, his physical body would eventually collapse.

After leaving Ghostfire Well, Hua Changxi headed straight for Zhurong Tomb.

As soon as she entered Zhurong Tomb, she condensed a fire axe and slashed at the blood-colored bone mountain. Soon, piles of Zhurong stones as big as small hills had accumulated, the largest nearly ten meters and the smallest about one meter.

After collecting the Zhurong stones, Hua Changxi transformed into a red shadow and returned to Lingguang Hall. Without any delay, she took the teleportation array back to the Danyuan Secret Realm.

Afterwards, in both the Danyuan Secret Realm and the Danding Secret Realm, she gathered a batch of needed spirit herbs and spirit fruits before teleporting back to Lingguang Hall.

Although Hua Changxi came and went in a hurry, she did not deliberately conceal her movements. As a result, many disciples in the Danyuan Secret Realm and the Danding Secret Realm caught sight of her.

Thus, not long after, news of Hua Changxi's appearance spread among some groups within the Dan Sacred Hall.

"It's certain now, isn't it? Hua Changxi is definitely not the master of Lingguang Hall."

Inside the No. 10 Qihuang Pavilion, Tang Yufeng smugly poured a cup of spirit tea for the pensive Gu Jinfan.

"Earlier, when I said Hua Changxi was borrowing rumors to bluff, you thought I was an idiot. Now do you see how wise I am?"

"The master of Lingguang Hall suffered a Heavenly Punishment and must have been badly wounded. If Hua Changxi were really the master, how could she be running around in the secret realms at a time like this?"

Gu Jinfan ignored Tang Yufeng. Without a word, he picked up the teacup and took a shallow sip, a glimmer of puzzlement flickering in his eyes.

The Ghost Domain War had ended less than half a month ago, and Hua Changxi was already able to move freely. It seemed the Heavenly Punishment wasn't as terrifying as the legends claimed???

Spirit Mirror Pavilion.

Xia Zhen was in an excellent mood. He held the same opinion as Tang Yufeng: "I underestimated Hua Changxi before."

"I thought she wore her emotions on her sleeve and had little strategy, but I never expected she would be so skilled at 'borrowing momentum.'"

Listening to Xia Zhen's judgment, Xia Ji and Meng Qingyao said nothing, their eyes filled with doubt and confusion.

The imperial family and other forces felt the same.

Just as some people, because of Hua Changxi's appearance, were almost certain she was not the master of Lingguang Hall, news came from Lingguang Hall itself—the master of Lingguang Hall had appeared at Zhurong Tomb.

As soon as this news broke, all factions found it somewhat incredible—under the Heavenly Punishment, Hua Changxi had not suffered too severe a blow!

Lingguang Hall, Martial Training Hall.

"Everyone, listen up! From now on, the use of 'Yinian Tong' is strictly forbidden in the training grounds."

Duan Jishan suddenly raised his voice, startling the Vermilion Bird Army members who were drilling. Many of them hastily put away their Yinian Tong devices.

Duan Jishan looked around at the Vermilion Bird Army, his expression stern.

"I know that some of you have complicated backgrounds. Before this, there were some matters hard to pin down, so I turned a blind eye."

"But that no longer works."

"I trust you still remember the nine-story tower prison we saw not long ago."

"Given the pace at which cave heavens and blessed lands like Wutong Forest are opening, that tower prison will likely be officially put into use before long."

"After training ends, you'd all better go to the mountain gate and carefully memorize the Vermilion Bird Army's regulations, keeping them firmly in mind."

"I don't want to one day have to send some of you into that tower prison."

Hearing this, all the Vermilion Bird Army members fell silent. Especially those who had been using Yinian Tong to send messages earlier, a look of gravity rose in their eyes.

On the other side, Hua Changxi returned to Ghostfire Well once more.

As soon as she arrived, she piled Zhurong stones all around Jingsheng, and also gave a batch to Fang Zhuyue, asking him to distribute them to the Vermilion Bird Army and other cultivators.

The dense qi and blood energy continuously drilled into Jingsheng's body, causing his complexion to begin improving.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi's suspended heart finally settled.

Jingsheng's injuries were twofold: first, the backlash of his bloodline divine ability caused by the Heavenly Punishment's power; second, the collapse of his physical body due to qi and blood depletion.

For now, only after his physical body received sufficient qi and blood nourishment and became stable enough could the next stage of treatment proceed.

Gongshu Xingyan watched Hua Changxi take out a large number of spirit medicines that stabilized the physical body and apply them to Jingsheng, his eyes full of envy.

"She's really wealthy!"

Gongshu Xingyan looked at Song Weimin: "Nowadays, do cultivators in the mortal world no longer lack resources?"

Song Weimin was at a loss for words. "Senior, use your brain and think. Is that even possible?" Seeing Gongshu Xingyan looking at Hua Changxi with undisguised admiration, he shook his head.

"Didn't I tell you? She's still the peak master of the Pill Saint Hall, and she has the Divine Wood Secret Realm under her control."

Gongshu Xingyan sighed. "I thought I wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources in the future."

Song Weimin turned his head and secretly rolled his eyes. Before the spiritual energy revival, people were always short of money. After the spiritual energy revival, cultivators were always short of resources—that was just the normal state of life, wasn't it?

"Master Song, long time no see."

Just as Song Weimin turned his head back, he saw Hua Changxi standing right in front of him and Gongshu Xingyan. With a startled expression, he said, "Hua... Hall Master Hua."

Hua Changxi glanced at Gongshu Xingyan and then ignored him, fixing her gaze on Song Weimin. "Have you found out who killed Cao Jun?"

At the mention of Cao Jun, Song Weimin's expression immediately turned somewhat grim.

He really hadn't expected that nearly all the mass disappearances of villagers in Nanxiang County had been carried out by Cao Jun for Prince Shou.

Seeing him hang his head in silence, Hua Changxi added, "I killed him."

Hearing this, Song Weimin abruptly looked up at her.

Hua Changxi curled her lips. "What, you want to avenge him?"

Song Weimin shook his head in denial. "He deserved to die, but... when I first approached you, why did you lie to me?"

Hua Changxi let out a scornful laugh. "Are you sure I lied to you? I generally don't lie. At most, I just didn't tell you that I was the one who killed him."

Song Weimin recalled the scene at that time and realized it was indeed the case. Puzzled, he asked, "Then why are you telling me now?"

Hua Changxi was very direct. "Naturally, because you have value. I can't use someone who harbors hatred toward me."

Song Weimin was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "In the eyes of the Lingguang Hall Master, I'm just a loose cultivator. What value could I have?"

Hua Changxi said, "Don't belittle yourself. You hold great favor with the people in Nanxiang County."

Hearing this, Song Weimin's eyes flickered. A suspicion arose in his heart, and he looked at Hua Changxi uncertainly. "Hall Master Hua, what do you want me to do?"

Hua Changxi said, "I was too occupied before, so Nanxiang County town has remained in the hands of the royal family. Now, I want to take back all administrative rights over Nanxiang County."

"You're very familiar with the affairs of the people. So, I want to hire you to oversee the civil affairs of Nanxiang County."

Song Weimin had finally witnessed Hua Changxi's directness. Wasn't she going to go through the usual back-and-forth? Was she so straightforward that she wasn't afraid he might refuse?

Gongshu Xingyan, standing nearby, also opened his mouth in surprise. Though he was shaking his head, inside he was marveling at how generous one could be when they had such a vast estate!

Hua Changxi looked at Song Weimin. "Are you willing?"

Song Weimin was very tempted to agree immediately. Ever since he was dismissed, Nanxiang County had been weighing on his heart. In his mind, Nanxiang County was his root. But when the words came to his mouth, they turned into, "What if I'm not willing?"

Hua Changxi smiled. "That's fine. You can refuse. But in that case, you'll have to repay the debt of me saving your life."

"I saved your life, you admit that, right?"

Song Weimin nodded.

Hua Changxi continued, "Then it's only natural for you to repay me, isn't it? I won't ask you to do anything else—just help me train a qualified manager to oversee the civil affairs of Nanxiang County."

Song Weimin stopped testing her and quickly said, "I was just joking. Of course I'm willing to oversee the civil affairs of Nanxiang County."

Hua Changxi didn't press the issue and directly said, "Good. I'll heal your injuries first. Once you're recovered, I'll arrange a squad of Vermilion Bird Army soldiers to escort you to take over Nanxiang County town."

Seeing that Hua Changxi was about to leave with Song Weimin, Gongshu Xingyan anxiously asked, "What about me? What should I do?"

Song Weimin quickly spoke up for him. "Hall Master Hua, Senior Gongshu is an artifact refiner. He is extremely skilled in the art of artifact refinement."

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow. "The surname Gongshu?"

Seeing Hua Changxi's reaction, Gongshu Xingyan immediately straightened his back. "That's right. I am the Grandmaster Artifact Refiner Gongshu Xingyan."

A hint of delight flashed in Hua Changxi's eyes, but it quickly faded. "Daoist Gongshu, your injuries are quite severe. First, take some time to think about what price you're willing to pay in exchange for recovery."

Gongshu Xingyan's face fell. "Why don't you make Song Weimin pay the price?"

Hua Changxi glanced at Song Weimin. "Because he was elected by the people of Nanxiang County. To me, you are a nonentity."

Gongshu Xingyan was incensed. "A nonentity?! Go out and ask about my reputation. How many people are dying to have me refine artifacts for them?"

Hua Changxi's expression remained indifferent. "No matter how great your reputation is, to me, you are not indispensable."

Gongshu Xingyan said angrily, "Since I'm not necessary, then let me go."

Hua Changxi said, "That won't do. You must first repay my life-saving grace before you can leave."

Gongshu Xingyan stared wide-eyed.

Hua Changxi said, "Don't worry, I am a fair person. I saved your life, so you should forge weapons for the Vermilion Bird Army for a hundred years."

Gongshu Xingyan laughed in anger.

Hua Changxi paid no attention: "Think it over." After saying this, he left with Song Weimin, whose face was full of sympathy.