Chapter 471: Two Talents

Jing Sheng's vitality has been temporarily preserved, but his injuries continue to worsen; especially with the severe depletion of his blood and Qi throughout his body, if not replenished soon, his physical form will eventually collapse.

After leaving the Ghost Fire Well, Hua Changxi headed straight for the Zhu Rong Tomb.

Upon entering the Zhu Rong Tomb, she condensed a fire axe and struck the blood-colored bone mountain; soon, she had piled up a small mountain's worth of Zhu Rong stones, the largest nearly ten meters across and the smallest about one meter.

Storing the Zhu Rong stones away, Hua Changxi transformed into a crimson shadow and returned to the Lingguang Hall. Without any delay, she took the teleportation array back to the Danyuan Peak secret realm.

Afterwards, within the Danyuan Secret Realm and the Danding Secret Realm, she gathered a batch of needed spiritual herbs and fruits, then teleported back to the Lingguang Hall once more.

Although Hua Changxi came and went in haste, she did not deliberately conceal her whereabouts; thus, many disciples in both the Danyuan and Danding secret realms caught sight of her.

Consequently, not long after, news of Hua Changxi's appearance began circulating among certain circles within the Dan Sheng Hall.

"Now it should be certain, right? Hua Changxi is absolutely not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall."

Inside Qihuang Hall Number Ten, Tang Yufeng, brimming with smugness, poured a cup of spiritual tea for Gu Jinfan, who sat in silent contemplation.

"Earlier I said Hua Changxi was borrowing authority through rumors like a fox borrowing the tiger's might, and you thought I was an idiot; now do you realize my wisdom?"

"The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall suffered heavenly punishment and must have been severely injured; if Hua Changxi truly were the Hall Master, how could she be running wildly through the secret realms at a time like this?"

Gu Jinfan ignored Tang Yufeng, silently lifted her teacup, took a shallow sip, and her eyes flickered with bewilderment.

Less than half a month had passed since the battle in the Ghost Domain, yet Hua Changxi could move freely; it seemed the heavenly punishment was not as terrifying as legends claimed???

Spirit Realm Pavilion.

Xia Zhen was in an excellent mood at this moment, sharing the same view as Tang Yufeng: "I previously underestimated Hua Changxi."

"I originally thought her emotions were written all over her face and that she lacked strategy, never expecting she would be so adept at 'borrowing momentum'."

Hearing Xia Zhen's judgment, both Xia Ji and Meng Qingyao remained silent, their eyes filled with doubt and confusion.

The imperial family and other factions held similar views.

Just as some people, due to Hua Changxi's appearance, were nearly convinced she was not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, news emerged from Lingguang Hall itself—the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall had appeared at the Zhu Rong Tomb.

Once this news broke, all factions found it somewhat inconceivable—under the heavenly punishment, Hua Changxi had actually not suffered any major injury!

Lingguang Hall, Martial Training Hall.

"All personnel, heed this order: from now on, the use of 'One Thought Connect' is strictly prohibited on the training grounds."

Duan Jishan suddenly shouted loudly, startling the Zhu Que Army who were drilling; many of them hastily put away their One Thought Connect devices.

Duan Jishan scanned the assembled Zhu Que Army, his expression grave.

"I know that some among you have complicated backgrounds; before this, certain matters were difficult to enforce, so I turned a blind eye."

"But that is no longer possible."

"The nine-story tower prison you saw some time ago, I assume you still retain some memory of it."

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

"After drills conclude, you had all better go to the Shanmen and carefully memorize the Zhu Que Army regulations, imprinting them firmly in your minds."

"I do not wish for a day to come when I must escort some of you into that tower prison."

Hearing these words, the entire Zhu Que Army fell silent, especially those who had previously used One Thought Connect to transmit messages outward; solemnity surfaced in their eyes.

On the other side, Hua Changxi returned once again to the Ghost Fire Well.

As soon as she arrived, she piled Zhu Rong stones all around Jing Sheng and also handed a batch to Fang Zhuyue, instructing him to distribute them to the Zhu Que Army and other cultivators.

Dense blood and Qi continuously drilled into Jing Sheng's body, causing his complexion to begin improving.

Seeing this, the heart hanging in Hua Changxi's chest finally settled back down.

Jing Sheng's injuries stemmed from two causes: first, the backlash of his bloodline divine ability caused by the power of heavenly punishment; second, the collapse of his physical form due to the exhaustion of his blood and Qi.

At present, only after his physical form has received sufficient nourishment from blood and Qi and become stable enough can the next stage of treatment proceed.

Watching Hua Changxi produce a large quantity of spiritual medicines to stabilize the physical form and administer them to Jing Sheng, Gongshu Xingyan's eyes were full of envy.

"She is truly wealthy!"

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

Song Weimin felt somewhat speechless: "Senior, use your brain and think, is that even possible?" Seeing Gongshu Xingyan gazing at Hua Changxi with full admiration, he shook his head.

"Didn't I say it? She is also a Peak Master of the Dan Sheng Hall and controls the Shenmu Secret Realm."

Gongshu Xingyan sighed: "I thought I wouldn't lack cultivation resources in the future."

Song Weimin turned his head and secretly rolled his eyes; before the recovery of spiritual energy, people never lacked money worries; after the recovery of spiritual energy, cultivators never lack resource shortages; this is simply the normal state of life, okay?

"Lord Song, long time no see."

Song Weimin had just straightened his head when he saw Hua Changxi standing before him and Gongshu Xingyan; surprise crossed his face: "Hall... Hall Master Hua."

Hua Changxi glanced at Gongshu Xingyan and paid him no further attention, then looked at Song Weimin and asked: "Have you found out who was responsible for Cao Jun's death?"

At the mention of Cao Jun, Song Weimin's face immediately turned somewhat ugly.

He truly had not expected that the incidents of entire villages disappearing in Nanxiang County were almost entirely orchestrated by Cao Jun assisting Prince Shou.

Seeing him hang his head in silence, Hua Changxi added: "I was the one who killed him."

Upon hearing this, Song Weimin suddenly lifted his head to look at her.

The corner of Hua Changxi's mouth curled up: "What, do you want to avenge him?"

Song Weimin shook his head in denial: "He deserved his death, however... when I initially approached you, why did you deceive me?"

Hua Changxi scoffed: "Are you sure I deceived you? I generally do not lie; at most, I simply did not tell you that I was the killer."

Song Weimin recalled the scene at that time and realized it was indeed so; puzzled, he asked: "Then why are you telling me now?"

Hua Changxi was very direct: "Naturally, it is because you have value; I cannot use someone who harbors hatred toward me."

Song Weimin paused for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh: "In front of you, the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, I am merely a rogue cultivator; what value could I possibly have?"

Hua Changxi said: "Do not belittle yourself; in Nanxiang County, you are extremely popular among the people."

Hearing these words, a flash of light appeared in Song Weimin's eyes; a guess formed in his heart, and he looked at Hua Changxi uncertainly: "What does Hall Master Hua want me to do?"

Hua Changxi replied: "Previously I had no time to attend to it, resulting in the county seat of Nanxiang County remaining in the hands of the imperial family; now, I intend to reclaim all administrative authority over Nanxiang County."

"You are very familiar with livelihood matters, so I wish to hire you to oversee the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County."

Song Weimin had finally witnessed Hua Changxi's directness; did she not even engage in any back-and-forth bargaining? Being so straightforward, was she not afraid he would refuse?

Gongshu Xingyan, standing nearby, also opened his mouth in surprise; though his head was shaking, his heart sighed that great families with vast assets were indeed this bold and generous!

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

Song Weimin desperately wanted to agree immediately; after being dismissed from office, his heart had always remained fixed on Nanxiang County, which he considered his roots, yet the words that reached his lips became: "What if I am not willing?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "It does not matter; you may refuse. However, if you do, you will have to repay the debt of my saving your life."

"I saved your life, do you admit it?"

Song Weimin nodded.

Hua Changxi continued: "Then it is only right and proper for you to repay me, is it not? I do not ask you to do anything else; simply help me cultivate a qualified management talent to oversee the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County."

Song Weimin stopped testing her and quickly said: "I was just joking earlier; of course I am willing to oversee the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County."

Hua Changxi did not press the matter further, stating directly: "Very well, I will first heal your injuries. Once you have recovered, I will arrange a squad of Zhu Que soldiers to escort you to take over Nanxiang County seat."

Seeing Hua Changxi about to lead Song Weimin away, Gongshu Xingyan anxiously asked: "What about me? What shall I do?"

Song Weimin hurriedly spoke up for him: "Hall Master Hua, Elder Gongshu is a weapon smith, extremely formidable in the path of weapon crafting."

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow: "Surname Gongshu?"

Seeing Hua Changxi's reaction, Gongshu Xingyan immediately straightened his spine: "Indeed, I am the great weapon smith, Gongshu Xingyan."

A trace of delight flashed through Hua Changxi's eyes, though it vanished quickly: "Daoist Gongshu, your injuries are not light; you should first think carefully about what price you will pay to secure your recovery."

Gongshu Xingyan's face collapsed: "Why do you not ask Song Weimin to pay a price?"

Hua Changxi glanced at Song Weimin: "Because he is a man chosen by the people of Nanxiang County, whereas you, to me, are a existence of zero value."

Gongshu Xingyan was enraged: "I am zero?! Go out and inquire about my reputation; how many people desire for me to craft weapons for them?"

Hua Changxi's expression remained indifferent: "No matter how great your fame may be, it is not essential to me."

Gongshu Xingyan, furious and desperate, retorted: "Since I am not essential, then let me go."

Hua Changxi replied: "That will not do; you must first repay the debt of my saving your life before you may leave."

Gongshu Xingyan widened his eyes.

Hua Changxi said: "Rest assured, I am a very fair person; I saved your life, so you shall craft military equipment for the Zhu Que army for one hundred years."

Gongshu Xingyan laughed in anger.

Hua Changxi paid him no heed: "Consider it carefully." Having spoken, she departed, leading Song Weimin, whose face was filled with pity.