Chapter 476: Poor or Rich?

"This set of Dharma robes isn't low-grade, is it?"

Hua Changxi gently stroked the dress on her body. She truly loved this set of Dharma robes, which could flow and change according to her will. Even a small mask could change shape as easily as breathing, and it felt so perfectly aligned with her heart.

Gongshu Xingyan, seeing how much she cherished them, raised his chin with a hint of pride and said airily, "At least sixth grade."

Hua Changxi looked up at him: "At least?"

In Gongshu Xingyan's eyes appeared the fanaticism unique to artifact refiners: "If you can find even higher-grade refining materials, I have ways to advance the robes' grade further."

Hua Changxi grew interested: "By higher-grade materials, you mean...?"

Gongshu Xingyan glanced at her and slowly listed a few names: "Materials like Cloud Marsh, Star Dust, and Light Sand are acceptable."

Hua Changxi gave a couple of 'heh heh's—these things sounded utterly ethereal; truly high-grade indeed.

Seeing her stunned by his words, Gongshu Xingyan continued his casual flexing: "The materials used to refine this set of Dharma robes aren't really anything remarkable."

"Back then, the Five-Sided Generals of the Xuan Army asked me to forge armor for them. There happened to be some leftover scraps, and I thought it a shame to throw them away, so I casually refined this outfit."

Hua Changxi eyed Gongshu Xingyan, knowing he was boasting, but since he had just gifted her a set of Dharma robes, she didn't want to spoil his mood. She immediately gave him a thumbs up: "You truly are a master refiner worthy of the name."

Gongshu Xingyan, hearing this, indeed showed a pleased expression.

Seeing that he seemed about to continue reminiscing about past glories, Hua Changxi quickly changed the subject: "If I suddenly turned into a giant, this set of robes wouldn't get torn, right?"

Gongshu Xingyan's face stiffened as he looked at her: "How big can you get?"

Hua Changxi: "About ten million zhang."

Gongshu Xingyan stared at her: "...No problem under ten thousand zhang."

Hua Changxi's face lit up—after this, when she used the Divine Heaven-Earth manifestation technique, she wouldn't have to worry too much about tearing the Dharma robes.

At that moment, Song Weimin came over.

Hua Changxi withdrew her attention from the Dharma robes and asked, "How are the injuries of those rogue cultivators?"

Song Weimin: "Since the ghostly qi and ghostly fire in everyone's bodies were cleared out and they've taken the elixirs, their injuries are all improving."

Hua Changxi nodded, put away the Fuwa mask, and put on the 'Suixin' mask.

As the mask covered her face, a lifelike, majestic Vermilion Bird-shaped mask took form.

On the mask, interwoven with red and gold, flames seemed to leap; the wing patterns extended along her cheeks to her temples, as if a real Vermilion Bird was perching on her countenance.

Immediately after, Hua Changxi raised her right hand, and brilliant spiritual light burst from her palm; crimson spiritual power surged out like a tide.

That vast spiritual power rapidly condensed and solidified in midair, instantly transforming into a giant hand several tens of zhang in size.

The giant hand's five fingers spread out like mountain ranges; the palm was warm and steady, gently yet irresistibly lifting up Gongshu Xingyan, Song Weimin, and the crowd of rogue cultivators.

Everyone felt their vision shift, and then they stood steadily within the giant palm.

"Let's go. I'll take you to Lingguang Hall to rest and reorganize."

"After you've rested, we'll go take over Nanxiang County town."

Gongshu Xingyan, standing on the giant hand, twitched his face again, somewhat disheveled: "I say, you are at least the hall master of Lingguang Hall—don't you have a single flying ship for transport?"

Hua Changxi: "......." Ignoring him, she transformed into a red meteor tearing through the sky, leaving the rift valley and flying toward Lingguang Hall.

Lingguang Hall.

Yun You, who had received Hua Changxi's transmission, and the five thousand-man commanders assigned to protect Song Weimin, were already waiting at the mountain gate.

"Look!"

At the far end of the horizon, a mass of crimson light suddenly appeared, like a blazing sun breaking through the sky, bringing a hot wave across a thousand li in an instant.

Everyone saw a flash of red light; that crimson mass, carrying the force of thunder and lightning, abruptly halted right above the mountain gate.

Then, an anomaly occurred.

From within that crimson mass, a giant hand slowly extended, its five fingers spreading like auspicious clouds supporting the sun, descending steadily.

As the giant hand came three feet from the ground, the vast spiritual power gently dissipated like a tide, and the figures once enveloped gradually became clear—it was Song Weimin, along with the three hundred and sixty-six rogue cultivators behind him, their expressions varied, filled with awe and amazement.

Yun You and the six others' expressions shifted slightly; they quickly scanned Song Weimin and the rogue cultivators, then turned in unison to the crimson figure in midair, clasped their fists and bowed, their voices loud and orderly.

Your subordinates, we greet the Hall Master!

Hua Changxi, with Gongshu Xingyan, did not land. She simply raised her fair hand lightly, sending out a gentle stream of spiritual energy like a spring breeze brushing willows, supporting the six and making them stand straight.

Next, she introduced Song Weimin and the group of scattered cultivators to the six.

"This is Lord Song Weimin. You must have heard plenty about his reputation while patrolling Nanxiang County."

"After the Vermilion Bird Army formally takes over Nanxiang County town, all livelihood affairs and resettlement of the people in Nanxiang County will be fully coordinated by Lord Song."

"These 366 people are Lord Song's subordinates."

"They were previously trapped in the Ghost Domain and suffered severe injuries. In the coming period, they will recuperate and rest in Lingguang Hall."

"Steward Yun, this matter is under your personal charge. Be sure to settle them properly."

Yun You's expression turned serious. He immediately stepped forward and replied in a deep voice, "Your subordinate obeys the order! I will not fail the Hall Master's trust."

Hua Changxi then turned to look at the five thousand-commanders: "From now on, you five will protect Lord Song's safety up close, and the five thousand Vermilion Bird Army soldiers under your command will be responsible for law and order, patrols, and such matters in Nanxiang County town."

The five thousand-commanders: "Your subordinates obey the order!"

Nanxiang County town had always been under the control of the royal family. Even though the Vermilion Bird Army taking over Nanxiang County was perfectly justified, the royal family would not willingly withdraw. They would definitely leave hidden schemes, either to cause trouble when an opportunity arises or to seek revenge.

These five thousand-commanders had all broken through to the Lingtai realm, ranking among the top in strength among the thousand-commanders. They were specifically selected by Hua Changxi to protect Song Weimin.

After entrusting Song Weimin and the scattered cultivators to Yun You and the other five, Hua Changxi flew with Gongshu Xingyan toward the teleportation plaza, preparing to take the teleportation array directly to Lihuo Cliff.

Gongshu Xingyan had actually explored quite a few ruins, but none of those ruins were as magnificent, imposing, and awe-inspiring as Lingguang Hall.

From the mountain gate all the way in, flying over the mountain gate square, the Martial Training Hall, the Martial Performance Square, and other places, his heart had been in a state of shock.

The mortal world had truly changed; it was no longer the barren environment of a hundred years ago. Even the spiritual energy in the air was so dense that it felt like a dream to him.

Soon, they arrived at the teleportation plaza.

Gongshu Xingyan still wanted to continue touring Lingguang Hall, but unfortunately, he was pulled into the teleportation array by Hua Changxi. "Where are you taking me?"

Hua Changxi: "Lihuo Cliff."