Chapter 473: Exorbitant Demand

"Hall Master, we have all made our decision. We are willing to stay and guard the Ghostfire Well."

We know our own bodies; the Vermilion Bird Army's bodies have been severely damaged by ghost qi and ghost fire. Even if they can be healed, it will likely take a long time to recover, and there may even be lingering injuries.

In that case, it's better to stay at the Ghostfire Well and cultivate the 'Crimson Nether Flame Prison' divine ability.

Hua Changxi listened and nodded: "Your choice is wise."

Not everyone is like Song Weimin, whose dantian was not eroded by ghost qi and ghost fire, nor was his cultivation foundation destroyed.

She could indeed remove the ghost qi and ghost fire from the Vermilion Bird Army's bodies, but she could not guarantee a complete cure for the damage to their physical bodies, dantians, and spiritual roots caused by the erosion.

After Fang Zhuyue gathered all the Vermilion Bird Army members together, Hua Changxi stood before them, formed a sword finger with her right hand, and gently pressed it against her own brow.

In an instant, a circle of soft yet pure white light spread from her fingertip, the radiance flowing without cease, pulsing as if alive.

The next moment, the white light transformed into hundreds of firefly-like white specks, swiftly and precisely entering the brow of every Vermilion Bird Army soldier.

The instant the light specks entered their bodies, all the soldiers felt a thunderous shock in their minds. Without need for words or scriptures, the cultivation method of the 'Crimson Nether Flame Prison' divine ability emerged as clearly as a brand—every trace of spiritual energy's trajectory, every transformation of the flames' form, was vividly displayed in their minds down to the finest detail.

"I have imparted the divine ability to you. How far you cultivate it and how much combat power you can unleash will depend on your own exploration."

"Thank you, Hall Master, for granting us the divine ability."

"It's not a grant; you deserve it. You have done meritorious service in guarding the Ghostfire Well. I have already sent a message to the steward of the Merit Hall. Once your injuries heal, go back to the Merit Hall of Lingguang Hall to report. Then the steward will award you corresponding merit points based on your specific performance."

Hua Changxi paused for a moment, looked around at the Vermilion Bird Army present, and suddenly said: "Can you do me a favor?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhuyue quickly expressed his stance: "Hall Master, you honor us too much. Whatever you need, just command us."

Hua Changxi did not stand on ceremony and said directly: "I don't want to reveal my identity. I hope you can keep it secret for me."

Hearing this, the Vermilion Bird Army immediately spoke in unison: "Hall Master, rest assured. We will never reveal a single detail."

Hua Changxi smiled, her face full of trust: "Of course I trust you."

Watching this scene, Gōngshū Xīngyǎn sighed with emotion: "Playing favorites—you're a master at it." After a pause, he added, "And you're pretty good at manipulating people's hearts."

Song Weimin, however, was quite satisfied with Hua Changxi's approach. Since he had already chosen to work for her, naturally he hoped she would be as shrewd as possible.

Since the Vermilion Bird Army was going to cultivate the 'Crimson Nether Flame Prison' divine ability, there was no need to cleanse their ghost qi and ghost fire. Next, Hua Changxi had Song Weimin lead the group of rogue cultivators out of the Nine-Layer Prison Tower and gather in the rift valley outside the tower.

"Everyone, sit down cross-legged right here. I will now remove the ghost qi and ghost fire from your bodies."

After Hua Changxi used Southbright Lihuo to cleanse all the ghost qi and ghost fire from the rogue cultivators, she returned to the mouth of the Ghostfire Well and discovered that Jingsheng had stopped absorbing the blood and qi power from the Zhurong Stone.

This startled her greatly.

Hua Changxi stepped forward and carefully examined Jingsheng's condition, but she simply could not figure out why this had happened.

At this moment, Gōngshū Xīngyǎn spoke up: "I told you, you're wasting your effort. His injuries are too severe..."

Hua Changxi cut him off, frowning as she looked at Jingsheng: "It's not because of the injuries."

Gōngshū Xīngyǎn: "……Of course it's because of the injuries. His physical body has suffered too great a trauma. Even if you piled all the heavenly treasures and earthly rarities in front of him right now, his deficient body wouldn't be able to absorb them."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately turned her head to look at him: "Deficient body can't absorb?" She pondered for a moment, then a look of realization dawned on her face, "I see. Jingsheng's physical foundation is too weak. The shackles within his body have probably never been broken, so he cannot absorb and digest too much blood and qi power."

Gōngshū Xīngyǎn: "That's the reasoning. He's like a bucket—one with holes. Even if you bring the entire ocean in front of him, he can only hold that much water."

"Tell me, aren't you wasting your effort?"

Hua Changxi said nothing, just looked at Jingsheng, seemingly lost in thought.

Gōngshū Xīngyǎn coughed twice to get Hua Changxi's attention, but seeing that she didn't turn to look at him, he had no choice but to continue on his own:

"Well… since you've heard of Gōngshū's reputation, you probably know something about the Gōngshū family's skill in artifact crafting."

"I can forge military equipment for the Vermilion Bird Army…"

Saying this, Gōngshū Xīngyǎn saw that Hua Changxi still hadn't glanced at him, so he pressed on: "Do you know the Xuan Yuan Army? About a hundred years ago, five generals of the Xuan Yuan Army invited me to join them, but I refused outright."

Seeing that Hua Changxi still showed no reaction, the previously confident Gōngshū Xīngyǎn began to wilt: "The Demon Suppression Army also invited me to forge artifacts for them, and the Five Guardian Families…"

Hua Changxi finally looked at him: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Gōngshū Xīngyǎn sat up straight: "If I forge equipment for the Vermilion Bird Army, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Of course. Anyone who does work for the Vermilion Bird Army receives a monthly salary."

Seeing Hua Changxi dismiss him with just a bit of monthly allowance, Gongshu Xingyan's face instantly fell. He didn't beat around the bush: "My request is not high." As he spoke, he pointed at Jingsheng.

"Anyway, he's beyond saving. Give me the Ghost Fire Token, and I am willing to take his place to guard the Ghost Fire Well."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi laughed out loud.

Seeing her reaction, Gongshu Xingyan frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

Hua Changxi's smile vanished, and she looked at him expressionlessly: "Guard the Ghost Fire Well? You're not qualified. Do you really think I'll take just anyone?"

Gongshu Xingyan was stunned. Hua Changxi's tone, with undisguised contempt, severely wounded his pride: "How am I not qualified?"

Hua Changxi couldn't be bothered with him. She turned her gaze back to Jingsheng, stared for a moment, as if making some decision, then quickly turned and left.

Seeing her leave, Gongshu Xingyan, with no outlet for his anger, immediately started shouting loudly.

"Come back!"

"Make yourself clear! How am I not qualified?"

"I am a master artifact refiner. Not to mention sixth- or seventh-rank artifacts, even Dao soldiers... I can try to refine them."

"Do you know how many factions want me to work for them?"

Unfortunately, no one responded.

Gongshu Xingyan was truly angered. Looking at Jingsheng and recalling Hua Changxi's expression as she left, he said: "What? Can you upgrade a small broken bucket into a big pond?"

After leaving the Ghost Fire Well, Hua Changxi immediately took out a Yinian Tong and sent messages to Hua Liulang, Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen.

"Urgently need first- and second-grade Xuanhuang Fruits. I'm willing to exchange with other grades."

The four replied promptly, and their answers were consistent.

Hua Liulang: "Jiu Niang, my Xuanhuang Fruits were used by family members."

Tong Yao, Jing Le, Yan Zhenzhen: "Handed over to the Sacred Land."

After reading this, Hua Changxi was silent for a moment, then mounted her Somersault Cloud and flew towards Xuanfu Manor.