Chapter 476: Are You Poor or Rich, Exactly?

"This dharma robe's grade isn't low, is it?"

Hua Changxi gently stroked the dress on her body; she truly loved this dharma robe that could transform and shift at will according to her thoughts. Even a tiny mask could change shape as easily as breathing, feeling entirely to her satisfaction.

Seeing her unable to put it down, Gongshu Xingyan's face lit up with pride; he lifted his chin slightly and said arrogantly, "At least sixth grade."

Hua Changxi raised her eyes: "At least?"

A fanaticism unique to artifact refiners flared in Gongshu Xingyan's eyes: "If you can find higher-grade refining materials, this old man has the means to advance the dharma robe's grade further."

Hua Changxi grew interested: "What do you mean by higher-grade materials?"

Gongshu Xingyan glanced at her and slowly listed a few names: "Materials like Cloud Ze, Stardust, and Light Sand will suffice."

Hua Changxi chuckled twice; these things sounded incredibly ethereal, truly high-grade indeed.

Seeing he had impressed her, Gongshu Xingyan continued his nonchalant humble-bragging: "The materials used to refine this dharma robe were actually nothing extraordinary."

"Back when the five generals of the Xuanyuan Army invited this old man to refine armor for them, some scraps remained. Thinking it a pity to discard them, I simply used them to refine this set of clothes."

Hua Changxi looked at Gongshu Xingyan; knowing he was singing his own praises, yet since he had just gifted her a dharma robe, she disliked dampening his spirits too much, so she immediately gave him a thumbs-up: "You are indeed a worthy Artifact Refining Grandmaster."

Hearing this, Gongshu Xingyan naturally displayed a look of pride.

Seeing he seemed eager to continue reminiscing about past glories, Hua Changxi quickly changed the subject: "If I suddenly transform into a giant, this dharma robe won't be torn apart, will it?"

Gongshu Xingyan's face stiffened as he looked over: "How big can you become?"

Hua Changxi: "Perhaps ten million zhang."

Gongshu Xingyan stared at her: "...Below ten thousand zhang is no problem."

Hua Changxi's face lit with joy; thereafter, when she employed the Divine Transformation of Heaven and Earth technique, she would not need to worry too much about tearing her dharma robe.

At this moment, Song Weimin approached.

Hua Changxi withdrew her attention from the dharma robe and asked: "How are the injuries of those rogue cultivators?"

Song Weimin: "Since the ghost qi and ghost fire within everyone were cleared and they consumed medicinal pills, their injuries have been improving."

Hua Changxi nodded, put away the Fortune Baby mask, and donned the 'Whim' mask.

Once the mask covered her face, a vivid and majestic Zhu Que-shaped mask instantly formed.

On the crimson-gold interwoven mask, flames seemed to dance; the wing patterns extended along her cheeks to her temples, as if a true Zhu Que were perched upon her countenance.

Immediately after, Hua Changxi raised her right hand; spiritual light surged intensely from her palm, and crimson spiritual power gushed forth like a tide.

That vast spiritual power rapidly condensed and solidified in mid-air, instantly transforming into a giant hand dozens of zhang in size.

The giant hand spread its five fingers like mountain ranges; its palm was warm and steady, gently yet irresistibly lifting Gongshu Xingyan, Song Weimin, and all the rogue cultivators.

Everyone only felt their vision shift before standing firmly within the giant palm.

"Let us go; I will take you to the Lingguang Hall to rest and recuperate."

"After resting and recuperating, we will proceed to take over Nanxiang County city."

Standing on the giant hand, Gongshu Xingyan's facial muscles twitched again, feeling somewhat disoriented by the wind: "I say, you are at least the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall; do you not have a flying ship for transportation?"

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 message, along with the five Battalion Commanders assigned to protect Song Weimin's safety, were already waiting before the Shanmen.

"Look quickly."

At the far end of the horizon, a cluster of crimson light suddenly appeared, like a scorching sun breaking through the sky, carrying a wave of heat that traveled a thousand li in an instant.

Everyone only felt a flash of red light before that crimson shadow, carrying the momentum of ten thousand thunderbolts, abruptly hovered directly above the Shanmen.

Immediately after, a sudden change occurred.

From within that crimson shadow, a giant hand slowly extended, its five fingers unfolding, descending steadily as if auspicious clouds were supporting the sun.

As the giant hand hovered three feet above the ground, the vast spiritual power gently dispersed like a receding tide, and the figures originally enveloped within gradually became clear—precisely Song Weimin and the three hundred and sixty-six rogue cultivators behind him, each displaying different expressions of shock and sighing.

The complexions of Yun You and the other six changed slightly; they swiftly scanned Song Weimin and the rogue cultivators, then simultaneously turned toward the crimson shadow in mid-air, clasped their fists, bowed, and spoke in loud, unified voices.

"Subordinates pay respects to the Hall Master!"

Hua Changxi, accompanied by Gongshu Xingyan, did not land; she merely raised her bare hand, sweeping out a gentle spiritual force like a spring breeze brushing willows, supporting the six and causing them to straighten their backs.

Next, she introduced Song Weimin and the rogue cultivators to the six.

"This is Adult Song Weimin; his name is one you must have heard often while patrolling Nanxiang County."

"Once the Zhu Que Army officially takes over Nanxiang County city, all livelihood affairs and civilian resettlement in Nanxiang County shall be fully coordinated by Adult Song."

"These three hundred and sixty-six individuals are Adult Song's subordinates."

"They were previously trapped in the Ghost Realm and suffered heavy injuries. For the coming period, they will undergo treatment and rest at Lingguang Hall."

"Steward Yun, you shall personally oversee this matter; ensure they are properly settled."

Yun You's expression turned solemn; he immediately stepped forward and responded in a deep voice: "Subordinate obeys the order! I shall certainly not fail the Hall Master's trust."

Hua Changxi then turned her head to look at the five Battalion Commanders: "From now on, you five shall protect Adult Song's safety at close range, while the five thousand Zhu Que soldiers under your command shall be responsible for security, patrols, and other affairs within Nanxiang County city."

The five Battalion Commanders: "Subordinates obey the order!"

Nanxiang County city had always been under the imperial family's control; even though the Zhu Que Army's takeover of Nanxiang County was legitimate, the imperial family would not willingly withdraw and would surely leave hidden hands, either to cause trouble when opportunity arose or to seek revenge.

These five Battalion Commanders had all broken through to the Spirit Terrace Realm, ranking among the strongest of all Battalion Commanders; they were specifically chosen by Hua Changxi to protect Song Weimin.

After handing Song Weimin and the rogue cultivators over to Yun You and the other six, Hua Changxi took Gongshu Xingyan toward the Teleportation Plaza, preparing to use the teleportation array to go directly to the Cliff of Separating Fire.

Gongshu Xingyan had actually explored many ruins, yet no ruin possessed the grandeur and imposing presence of Lingguang Hall.

From the Shanmen deep inward, flying over the Shanmen Plaza, the Martial Refining Hall, the Drill Plaza, and other locations, his heart remained in a state of shock.

The human world had truly changed; it was no longer the impoverished environment of a hundred years ago. Even the spiritual qi in the air was so dense it made him feel as though he were dreaming.

Soon, they arrived at the Teleportation Plaza.

Gongshu Xingyan wished to continue touring Lingguang Hall, but unfortunately, Hua Changxi pulled him into the teleportation array: "Where are you taking this old man?"

Hua Changxi: "The Cliff of Separating Fire."