[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-385":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1897159,2531,"Chapter 385: The Empress Dowager Appears","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-385",385,"\u003Cp>More and more cultivators were flooding into Nanxiang County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the Zhu Que Army troops patrolling Nanxiang County successively donned their Zhu Que Tokens, various factions that had hoped to impersonate the Zhu Que Army to cause chaos found no loopholes to exploit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, since each Zhu Que Token contained three Zhu Que spirit shadows, and the offensive power unleashed by these spirit shadows was directly proportional to the Zhu Que pattern branded on Hua Changxi, every single token could withstand three full-force attacks from a Spirit Platform realm cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing that a Spirit Platform realm tiger demon had been killed by the attack of a Zhu Que Token, those factions hostile to the Zhu Que Army no longer dared to act rashly against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the major powers reining themselves in, ordinary cultivators were even less daring to confront the Zhu Que Army directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, under the patrol of the Zhu Que Army, Nanxiang County was actually more stable than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was merely calm on the surface; secretly, various factions had already formed alliances through vertical and horizontal negotiations, and even ordinary cultivators had established small coalitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many demon clans still lay in ambush within the mountains, rivers, and streams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether cultivators or demon clans, their objectives were extremely clear: to seize the City Lord Token of Nanxiangcheng and to occupy the blessed lands and heavenly caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time Hua Changxi patrolled Nanxiang County, her mood grew heavier; she could only urge the manager of the Martial Hall to intensify the training of the Zhu Que Army and press the weapon smiths at Lihuo Cliff to hasten the forging of Zhu Que Tokens, and once the tokens were finished, they would immediately need to begin forging armor and weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that the overall strength of the Zhu Que Army was still insufficient to suppress all unrest, the anxious Hua Changxi could only force herself to rapidly improve her own power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since learning from the boy with the Nether Eye, Jing Sheng, that Zhurong Stone could expand one's meridians, she had set her sights on the Zhurong Tomb, one of the twelve blessed lands and heavenly caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as she had targeted it, others had done the same, and they had even dispatched people to occupy the territory surrounding the blessed land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty Nascent Soul cultivators were stationed on the ground, while five Spirit Platform cultivators hid high within the spiritual clouds; such a lavish arrangement weighed heavily on Hua Changxi's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious that the person behind this layout was determined to obtain the Zhurong Tomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi had secretly observed this group for several days and discovered a peculiar trait: all these cultivators had ignited black and white flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the second time she had seen so many cultivators igniting black and white flames simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time was among the group of cultivators who had triggered the explosion of the protective great formation at the Sage of Artifacts Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mastermind behind the explosion of the Sage of Artifacts Palace's protective great formation was the Imperial Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that those intending to seize the Zhurong Tomb this time were also from the Imperial Family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hua Changxi was silently speculating, three more cultivators arrived outside the Zhurong Tomb, one of whom was Duke Cheng'en, Zhu Mufan, whom she had met once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The appearance of Duke Cheng'en essentially confirmed that this group of cultivators was related to the Imperial Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi thought to herself that the Imperial Family's foundation was indeed profound; with so many factions flooding into Nanxiang County, only the Imperial Family had managed to locate the exact position of the blessed land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could dwell on it further, Hua Changxi suddenly widened her eyes in the next moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Spirit Platform cultivator flew down from the high sky, and the Nascent Soul cultivators scattered across the area gathered together, kneeling in unison before the purple-robed woman standing beside Duke Cheng'en and paying their respects: \"May the Empress Dowager enjoy eternal peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple-robed woman merely raised her hand slightly in a gesture of dismissal: \"Rise. You must guard this territory well; if anyone dares to approach, drive them away immediately, and if they cannot be driven away... execute them on the spot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivators replied in unison: \"We respectfully obey the Empress Dowager's decree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the cultivators withdrew, the Empress Dowager looked at the young man standing behind Duke Cheng'en: \"Yan'er, are you ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yan's expression was solemn: \"Rest assured, Aunt. I have refined the divine ability 'Flesh into Fire' to perfection; I will certainly not disappoint you or Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction: \"This blessed land is related to the Ancestral Witch Zhurong, and our Zhu clan all possess the bloodline of Zhurong; although the bloodline has become extremely thin, when combined with the Fire Transformation divine ability, we should still be able to gain permission to enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once inside, act according to the stories about the Ancestral Witch Zhurong that I told you, and you will surely be able to obtain this blessed land.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yan said: \"Rest assured, Aunt, I will do my utmost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Cheng'en patted Zhu Yan on the shoulder: \"Go, and be careful in everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yan looked at Duke Cheng'en, then at the Empress Dowager, before finally walking forward with resolute determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, flames began to ignite on Zhu Yan's body; soon the flames engulfed him, and thereafter, only flames remained, with no trace of Zhu Yan's presence detectable anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi watched this scene in astonishment, and then, an even more surprising event occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the place where she sensed spatial fluctuations, ripples began to spread through the air as the flames transformed from Zhu Yan approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the ripples seemed intent on blocking the flames transformed from Zhu Yan, but as the flames burned fiercer and fiercer, the ripples split open, allowing the flames to successfully penetrate through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He succeeded!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Cheng'en's face lit up with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy also appeared on the Empress Dowager's face, but she quickly calmed down: \"Do not rejoice too soon; entering the blessed land is only the first step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Cheng'en nodded repeatedly, his expression showing some hesitation: \"Will Yan'er be able to successfully obtain this blessed land?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Empress Dowager had no certainty in her heart either, she still nodded affirmatively: \"He certainly will; with the fragment of the Divine Lamp aiding Yan'er, he will definitely pass the trial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemingly convinced, Duke Cheng'en nodded, then added with concern: \"It seems the Retired Emperor has also arranged for someone to prepare for entry; they will likely be sent over soon as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager's expression remained indifferent: \"Pay them no mind; if even we cannot succeed, others have even less chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Cheng'en hesitated for a moment: \"The Chu Imperial Clan has ruled for nearly a thousand years and has accumulated quite a bit of fortune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Empress Dowager fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she not valued the fortune of the Chu Imperial Clan back then, she would never have married the Retired Emperor to become the Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the fortune of the Chu Imperial Clan had been weakening in recent years, compared to many other factions, it was still much stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially within the territories of Great Jin, the Chu Imperial Clan, which had ruled Great Jin for nearly a thousand years, always managed to find various ruins and secret realms a step ahead of others through 'coincidence.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager understood clearly that this was the national fortune, condensed from the will of the people, aiding the Chu Imperial Clan in ways beyond comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, Hua Changxi did not dare to recklessly release her divine sense, so she could not know the specifics of their conversation, but the Empress Dowager's personal appearance made her realize the Imperial Family's emphasis on the blessed land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the male cultivator who had entered the Zhurong Tomb, she felt somewhat anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Imperial Family's profound foundation, they might truly possess methods to seize the Zhurong Tomb first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must find an opportunity to enter the Zhurong Tomb immediately!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Hua Changxi had planned to dispatch the Zhu Que Army to lure away the Nascent Soul and Spirit Platform cultivators hidden outside the Zhurong Tomb, but who could have expected that someone would follow the Empress Dowager and Duke Cheng'en here as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of figures clad in black robes rushed out from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the Empress Dowager enjoy eternal peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is truly not easy to meet you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the black-robed figures had most of their face obscured by a hood, but the exposed mouth revealed an undisguised expression of mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the black-robed figures appeared, the cultivators sent by the imperial house gathered around, shielding the Empress Dowager and the Duke of Cheng'en in their midst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from afar, Hua Changxi saw the Empress Dowager speaking excitedly with the leader of the black-robed figures; moments later, the two sides clashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi quickly took out a One-Thought Communicator and sent a message to the steward of the Lingguang Hall Mission Hall, informing him of the outbreak of battle here and asking him to prevent the patrolling Zhu Que Army from coming to this location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those black-robed figures clearly were not good people; let them and the imperial house fight like dogs biting each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending the message, Hua Changxi took advantage of both sides being too preoccupied to notice their surroundings, applied an Invisibility Talisman, and swiftly ran toward the area where the spatial fluctuations were most intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon approaching the spatial rift, she summoned the Seven-Colored Strange Fire in a flash, merging it into the Great Sun Divine Flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, using the Shatter Law of the Great Sun Divine Flame, she tore open the spatial rift and plunged headfirst into a blood-red world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she dove into the spatial rift, her One-Thought Communicator vibrated once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hall Master, the patrolling Zhu Que Army has detected cultivators gathering southeast of Lingguang Hall; simultaneously, they have spotted the figure of a Fire Phoenix.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Hua Changxi never saw this message.\u003C\u002Fp>",1713,"2026-06-12T02:51:23.636Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","89fd67453f5d7e6be9fda0f55978c26e0be523b79137e8b815ae31001a50dfcd","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-386","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-384",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]