[{"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-550":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},1897324,2531,"Chapter 550: Human Presence Dilutes the Sense of Crisis","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-550",550,"\u003Cp>Apart from the occasional outcry against the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, Nanxiang County remained largely peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key to opening the Nine Nether Soul Realm—the Netherfire Match—rarely fell into human hands; thus, humanity knew little about the conditions within the Soul Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One little-known fact was that the location for opening the Soul Realm could be designated at random.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter of the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall leading tens of thousands of Zhu Que soldiers into the Soul Realm from Shanmen Square had, after three months of spreading and fermenting, become known throughout the entire cultivator circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, the number of cultivators in Nanxiang County increased once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the entry and exit points of the Soul Realm were determined by the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, being closer to her naturally meant a greater chance of entering the Soul Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hua Changxi patrolled all the way to Nanxiang County town, the sight that greeted her was streets teeming with cultivators; the crowds stood shoulder to shoulder, nearly packing the entire county town so tightly that not even water could leak through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the number of cultivators had surged abruptly, order within the city remained impeccable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This clearly demonstrated that Song Weimin's governance abilities were truly exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While outside the city, Hua Changxi had sensed nothing amiss, but upon entering, she immediately noticed something wrong—the sense of crisis that had lingered in her heart had diminished!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately released her divine consciousness, probing carefully through the bustling crowds within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she detected no abnormalities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swept every corner of the city with her divine consciousness back and forth three times, yet the result remained the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell into silent thought, looking at the shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrians on the street as she recalled her previous entry into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference between this entry and the last was the increased number of cultivators within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be... that the thriving human presence had diluted that ominous sense of crisis?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as this thought arose, Hua Changxi felt an urgent desire to verify it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other reason; the ominous cloud shrouding Nanxiang County had appeared inexplicably and without basis, keeping her mind unsettled and filled with anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If human presence could indeed dilute that ominous feeling, then she would fully support the suggestion Song Weimin had previously made to \"vigorously absorb cultivators to settle in Nanxiang County.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi hesitated no longer; she immediately took out a Thought-Link and sent messages simultaneously to Yun You and Song Weimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Issue an announcement immediately: the location for the second opening of the Nine Nether Soul Realm is set at the central square of Nanxiang County town.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quota: ten thousand people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All cultivators may register; spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Soul Realm will open once the quota is filled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Note: Nascent Soul cultivators who have not opened their Spirit Platforms have limited capacity for soul power in their physical bodies; those who have not cultivated divine consciousness techniques are advised against entering the Soul Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Song Weimin was overwhelmed and burning with anxiety yet strangely happy due to the sudden surge in cultivators; suddenly receiving Hua Changxi's message, he was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn't the Hall Master already led the Zhu Que army into the Soul Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it impossible to transmit messages out from within a secret realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yun You received the message, she was equally shocked and bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though surprised, neither delayed; they immediately sprang into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than half an hour, notices regarding the second opening of the Nine Nether Soul Realm were posted at all major gates of Nanxiang County town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, urgent messages from Yun You reached the Xuanyuan Prefecture, the Five Great Sacred Lands, and the various major clans and sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon suddenly hearing the news that the Nine Nether Soul Realm would open a second time, the major powers and the scattered cultivators gathered in Nanxiang County were all utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this news true? Could it be fake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall took the Zhu Que army into the Soul Realm; counting carefully, only three months have passed, and she's already out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The strange part is that Lingguang Hall hasn't released even a whisper about the Zhu Que army returning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, this announcement was issued jointly by the Nanxiang County Yamen and Lingguang Hall; surely it wouldn't be forged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the announcement was released, the cultivator circle immediately boiled over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite the uproar, very few people actually registered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other reason; Lingguang Hall's pricing was too high, with a single spot costing approximately one billion low-grade spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The major powers could certainly afford it, but since each faction cultivated many cultivators, those wishing to enter the Soul Realm were certainly not just one or two individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Five Great Sacred Lands, for instance; they would need at least a hundred spots, meaning the final amount they would have to pay would undoubtedly be an astronomical figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No power wished to cut such deep flesh from their own bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scattered cultivators only had to worry about themselves, yet those who could produce one billion low-grade spirit stones at once were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Heavenly Department, Wei Zhenjie looked at the dozens of heads from various sects and clans who had arrived together, and his head began to ache again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Each of you is eagerly hoping I will step forward to negotiate with the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall; let me ask you all, what do I have to negotiate with? How should I negotiate? I cannot even meet her face to face!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Wei Zhenjie suddenly felt some admiration for Hua Changxi's decision not to reveal her identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look, when encountering a similar situation, one couldn't even find the person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Wei Zhenjie's questioning, the Imperial Elder smiled and spoke: \"Minister Wei, all of this is for the greater good of humanity; we can only trouble you to bear the burden and show some patience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to these high-sounding platitudes, Wei Zhenjie felt utterly disgusted in his heart and let out an unceremonious cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough; everyone present is a pillar of humanity, so let's skip the hollow formalities and speak plainly with open windows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone mocking: \"The little schemes in your hearts are nothing more than an unwillingness to cut your own flesh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But everyone, having sat in your positions until today, you should understand the principle that there is no gain without loss, and no harvest without sowing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps, at certain times, uniting to apply pressure together can indeed facilitate some matters, but is the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall someone easily compromised?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie sneered: \"You traveled all this way simply because you want me to be the scapegoat, to use my influence to pressure others on your behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Elder of the Three Pure Palaces changed color slightly and hurriedly defended: \"Minister Wei misunderstands; we absolutely have no such intention and do not wish to pressure anyone with our power...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Save it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie waved his hand impatiently, cutting off the other's defense: \"You people are used to issuing orders daily; even though the initiative is long gone from your hands, you still delude yourselves into making decisions for others and setting rules for them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To put it bluntly, your demeanor is far too arrogant and far too self-righteous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up, his impatience no longer concealed: \"If you wish to negotiate with the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, I do not object; let whoever has the capability go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But as for asking me to intervene, I apologize; this Department Head has no leisure time to play games with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough has been said; figure it out yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wei Zhenjie leave outright, the leaders of the various factions felt both furious and helpless, finally forced to swallow their anger and depart in resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do we do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Delay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall is so eager to open the second Soul Realm that she must have ulterior motives; if we join forces and refuse to register, she, unable to achieve her goal, will surely be the first to compromise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, at this moment, we must work together; none of us must stab another in the back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the various major sects and noble families were still discussing a joint boycott of the second Soul Realm, on the other side, Xuan Yuan Prefecture and the Five Great Sacred Lands, on the very day the news was released, delivered the resources exactly according to the standards set by Lingguang Hall, decisively purchasing their entry quotas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected of Xuan Yuan Prefecture and the Five Great Sacred Lands; their foundation is indeed profound.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Yuan Prefecture took one thousand quotas; the Five Great Sacred Lands took five hundred quotas each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the resources from Xuan Yuan Prefecture and the Five Great Sacred Lands were received, Lingguang Hall and the Nanxiang County Magistrate's Office simultaneously updated the remaining quotas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this news spread, the cultivators who had been waiting on the sidelines instantly erupted in an uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of shock, an unprecedented sense of anxiety rapidly spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With quotas limited, Xuan Yuan Prefecture and the Five Great Sacred Lands had swept away nearly four thousand with a single move, leaving only six thousand for the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must remember that on the Central Continent, sects and noble families are as numerous as carp crossing the river; these mere six thousand quotas are simply not enough to go around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the major noble families and sects completely abandoned any thought of haggling; filled with helplessness, they could only lower their flags and beat their drums, scrambling to contribute resources and snatch up quotas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those scattered cultivators who had still been hesitating grew even more desperate, their eyes red with urgency; grouping in threes and fives to pool their resources, they feared that being even a step late would mean securing not a single quota.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi found an inn near the city gate to stay in, keeping a constant watch on the changes in the quotas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In merely three days, all ten thousand quotas were swept clean, leaving not a single one remaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She secretly sighed in her heart; the depth of these noble families' and sects' foundations far exceeded her imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the various powers brought their followers flooding into Nanxiang County town one after another, Hua Changxi keenly perceived that the heavy sense of crisis weighing on her heart had actually faded by several degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could human presence truly dilute that ominous sense of crisis?!\u003C\u002Fp>",1809,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","3cb08f436e9f3da4b8bc05cbc072175ed111ca49827462677e1b1727c31b3937","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-551","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-549",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]