[{"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-57":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},1896831,2531,"Chapter 57: Divine Ability — Burning Silence","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Scorched and disheveled by the giant serpent's flames, Hua Changxi knew returning to her quarters in such a state would surely spark gossip; after a moment's thought, she turned to look at the one-armed man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is Elder You?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning this, the one-armed man grew anxious: \"Master went into seclusion the moment he returned. Where exactly did you go, and why is Master injured?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"Go ask Elder You yourself where we went. For now, I wish to make a deal with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man frowned. \"What deal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said, \"Find a way to let me stay here in Medicine Valley. In exchange, I will heal Elder You's injuries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping Hua Changxi in Medicine Valley was not difficult; the valley needed guards, and adding her was merely a matter of words. Yet, how could Master's injuries require her intervention!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled. \"Elder You's injuries are no ordinary affair; conventional healing methods cannot cure them. If you doubt me, go back immediately and check on him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her speak with such certainty, the one-armed man's brows knitted tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master had entered the stone chamber immediately upon returning, so he did not know the exact condition of Master's injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him hesitate, Hua Changxi continued, \"Why don't we go up together? Once you see Elder You's condition, it will not be too late to decide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the one-armed man broke his silence, turned, and ascended West Mountain, with Hua Changxi following closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the two reached the stone cliff halfway up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached the stone cave, both heard suppressed, painful moans emanating from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man's complexion changed drastically, and he rushed into the cave at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior of the cave was not spacious, covering just over a hundred square meters; a living area sat in the center, with two stone chambers built on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man charged directly into the stone chamber located at the upper left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi followed him inside and saw Elder You curled up on the stone bed; his burned limbs oozed blood and water, his face was flushed red as if he had swallowed charcoal, and he continuously exhaled smoke with gasping \"Ha, ha, ha\" sounds, completely ignoring the one-armed man's calls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi asked the one-armed man to step aside and stepped forward to examine Elder You's condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no better options available, the one-armed man could only allow Hua Changxi to administer treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Observation, Listening, Questioning, and Pulse-Taking Technique (Entry Level): Diagnosis 2\u002F10]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While examining Elder You's physical state, another line of text appeared in Hua Changxi's vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Observation, Listening, Questioning, and Pulse-Taking Technique had first appeared during the New Year when she examined Xu Ling's condition at Physician Xu's home; after so much time, she had actually forgotten to improve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gaining a general understanding of Elder You's situation, Hua Changxi looked at the one-armed man. \"Well, do you want to make this deal with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames spewed by the Red Eagle carried Fire Spiritual Energy; after being burned, this energy had entered Elder You's body through his wounds and was now wreaking havoc within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder You's current sensation was much like meat roasting on a grill; once the Fire Spiritual Energy completely engulfed his body, he would be fully cooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Elder You in such agony, the one-armed man dared not hesitate. \"Very well, I agree. Tomorrow I will speak to the steward of Medicine Valley and arrange for you to stay and tend the medicinal fields.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her objective achieved, Hua Changxi wasted no time. \"I will go to the base of the cliff to gather a few herbs.\" With that, she quickly exited the cave and leaped down the stone cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quarter of an hour later, Hua Changxi returned with six spiritual plants and ten unripe green fruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the green fruits were not yet ripe, they possessed certain healing and restorative effects, sufficient to treat Elder You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave contained alchemy tools, and they were quite complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guarding Medicine Valley with so many medicinal ingredients at hand, Elder You naturally would not be so selfless as to take nothing; in his idle moments, he would often refine medicines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his skill level was not high, he could refine some medicines commonly used by martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man watched Elder You anxiously while simultaneously keeping an eye on Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi had gathered green fruits and appeared intent on using them as ingredients, he grew somewhat worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master had told him that his eldest senior brother had consumed a green fruit and exploded to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man wanted to rise and stop Hua Changxi, but he found the hem of his robe tightly clutched by Elder You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder You was indeed so tormented that his mind was blurred, yet he still knew when the one-armed man and Hua Changxi had entered the cave; with great difficulty, he spoke: \"When employing someone, do not doubt them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man immediately understood his master's meaning; although still somewhat worried, thinking that Hua Changxi's ability to stay in Medicine Valley depended on him brought a slight sense of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the scent of medicine drifted through the stone cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely smelling this fragrance made Elder You feel his body was less painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Guo, take this bowl of medicinal soup to Elder You for him to drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man took the heart-soothing decoction, his heart shaking violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although boiled over a fierce fire, the medicinal soup emitted not a trace of heat; instead, it radiated cold air. Taking a single whiff made him shiver involuntarily, feeling as bone-chillingly cold as having taken a cold bath in the depths of winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not daring to delay, the one-armed man carefully fed the soup to Elder You, whereupon he saw his master's complexion visibly improve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the medicine, Elder You's expression relaxed, he stopped exhaling smoke, and within moments, he fell into a peaceful sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Elder You's breathing steady and his pulse strong, the one-armed man breathed a huge sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Guo, come take these medicinal powders and sprinkle them on Elder You's wounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man walked over and accepted the small half-bowl of green medicinal powder handed to him by Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, the one-armed man devoted himself to applying the medicine to Elder You, while Hua Changxi, having nothing else to do, exited the stone cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having busied herself with all this, it was now late night; assuming everyone in Medicine Valley had gone to sleep, Hua Changxi quietly returned to her dormitory, changed into clean clothes, and used the Spotless Technique to cleanse her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being burned by the giant serpent's flames this time made Hua Changxi realize that she herself was immune to fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, looking at her clothes, which were burned to tatters, Hua Changxi felt a headache; she might be fireproof, but her clothes were not. In the future, she would still need to avoid fire, as she had no desire to run around naked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surely there exist garments impervious to blades and spears, unaffected by water and fire?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of today's gains, especially the consumed Glowing Lotus Seeds, Hua Changxi did not remain in her dormitory; instead, she went out to find a secluded spot, sat cross-legged, and then began to 'internally view' her dantian sea of qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sea of qi was no longer churning or boiling, nor did red lotuses surge forth continuously as before; now, only one or two occasionally emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consuming a Reversion Spiritual Fruit would grant one the inherited Reversion Divine Ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi raised her right hand, and with a 'boom,' a thirty-six-petaled fire lotus condensed in her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fenji!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the fire-type divine ability she had gained after consuming the Flowing Light Lotus Seed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fireballs and fire blades Hua Changxi had previously condensed could injure people, but their lethality was not great; yet now, if she flung out a fire lotus, anyone whose cultivation was below hers would most likely be burned to ashes by it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To test the power of the fire lotus, Hua Changxi brought out the red eagle she had captured earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi flung out the fire lotus; it instantly expanded, enveloping the red eagle, and in less than a breath, the red eagle was burned to ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this scene, Hua Changxi's expression brimmed with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the red eagle, one could tell it was likely a Qi Refining realm demonic beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Qi Refining realm demonic beast ignited upon encountering the fire lotus, possessing not the slightest ability to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi then brought out the giant snake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This giant snake was fiery red throughout; within the Fire Spirit Mine, if not for its glowing eyes, she would never have spotted its figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the abundant spiritual energy within the giant snake, Hua Changxi hesitated for a moment and decided against burning it with the fire lotus, planning instead to keep it to make snake soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since she had thought of Xu Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered if Xu Ling ate snake soup?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Ling had never consumed spirit fruits or the like, his spontaneous atavism might mean he hadn't inherited any divine abilities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this fire snake could breathe fire, perhaps after Xu Ling ate it, he might inherit the fire snake's capabilities and be able to breathe fire as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After indulging in such wild thoughts for a while, Hua Changxi took out eight top-grade spirit stones and, following the teachings of the Shennong Planting Technique, arranged a Spirit Gathering Array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, sitting cross-legged at the center of the array, bathed in dense fire spiritual energy, she closed her eyes and began to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, just as the first light of dawn appeared, Hua Changxi opened her eyes and stored away the top-grade fire spirit stones, whose colors had hardly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Qi Sea Realm\u002F]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her realm breakthrough point had been reached, and her Qi Sea had expanded another fold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Hua Changxi's mood was not very high; from night until now, she had absorbed only 3,500 points of spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She calculated that at most, she could absorb 1,000 points of spiritual energy per two-hour period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had known she could absorb so little spiritual energy, why would she have bothered arranging a Spirit Gathering Array? She couldn't even finish absorbing a single top-grade fire spirit stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, lacking resources meant her realm couldn't improve, which was understandable; but now that she lacked no resources, her cultivation speed had hit a bottleneck again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing voices coming from the direction of the dormitory, Hua Changxi swept her spiritual energy across the ground to erase some traces, then hurried back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The planting task here in Medicine Valley had been completed; regardless of whether they were laborers who had arrived at the very beginning or those who had come together with Hua Changxi, apart from the few remaining to guard Medicine Valley, everyone else was to return to Medicine Manor today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After breakfast, the steward gathered everyone together and began calling out names one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before all the names had been called, the One-Armed Man arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The One-Armed Man called the steward aside, and then Hua Changxi saw the two of them occasionally glancing in her direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, the One-Armed Man returned to Xishan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the roll call, the steward dismissed the crowd but called Hua Changxi to his side: \"You have caught Elder You's eye; he wants you to stay behind to guard Medicine Valley, so you do not need to return to Medicine Manor today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi immediately responded: \"Rest assured, Steward, I will surely guard Medicine Valley well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward asked curiously: \"Elder You rarely pays attention to us laborers; how did you manage to catch his eye?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied: \"...Perhaps I am just relatively capable at planting medicine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her equally confused expression, the steward assumed she had simply gotten lucky and did not press further: \"Very well, go about your work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including Hua Changxi, only five people remained here in Medicine Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their duty was to patrol the medicine fields daily, watering where it lacked water, fertilizing where it lacked fertilizer, and replanting wherever pest infestations occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the five, Hua Changxi was the only woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Hua Changxi directly occupied an entire room for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that Hua Changxi had been left behind by Elder You, the other four dared not say much and fairly divided the medicine fields they were responsible for guarding with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a stone cliff halfway up Xishan, the One-Armed Man returned to find Elder You actually coming out, so he hurried forward: \"Master, why have you come out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder You soothed him: \"Your master is fine now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the One-Armed Man found it difficult to persuade him further; it wasn't that he didn't want to, but truly, the medicine Hua Changxi had given was too effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master's body had been covered in burns, but after applying the medicinal powder refined by Hua Changxi, overnight the wounds had not only scabbed over but also grown new skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, this disciple has already spoken to the steward and arranged for Hua Changxi to remain in Medicine Valley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did well... In the future, you may interact more with that little girl, but do not be too deliberate about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The One-Armed Man held back again and again but finally could not restrain himself: \"Master, where exactly did you take Hua Changxi yesterday?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the red eagle encountered yesterday, Elder You felt he should inform Guo Yu, so he recounted the matter of taking Hua Changxi into the hinterlands of Nanshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fire-breathing eagle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The One-Armed Man was somewhat dumbfounded; if such a fierce beast had inflicted so many injuries on his master, could he himself have survived had he encountered it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder You's expression was grave: \"In the future, when encountering fierce beasts, you must be extra cautious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of what Hua Changxi had said about harnessing the power of heaven and earth for one's own use, Elder You added: \"In two days, your master will be leaving for a few days; keep a closer watch on Medicine Valley while I am gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to meet a few old friends to see if they knew that the world was currently undergoing great changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here at Sancha Medicine Manor, after the laborers returned, Mao Yong learned that Hua Changxi had been favored by Elder You and specifically left behind in Medicine Valley, causing his heart to tighten immediately as he once again regretted offending Hua Changxi previously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, thinking that he had helped Guo Yu, Mao Yong's expression improved slightly; for Guo Yu's sake, Elder You probably would not hold it against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next time he met Hua Changxi, he would bring his younger brother over to apologize and make amends; this matter should then pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having figured this out, Mao Yong went to find the Big-Bearded Man, Zhu Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Zhu Yu was the team leader for this Laborer Hall mission; the fact that Hua Changxi had been left in Medicine Valley needed to be communicated to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that Hua Changxi had been favored by Elder You, Zhu Yu was also extremely surprised: \"The tasks here at Medicine Manor won't take much longer to complete; will Hua Changxi still return to the Laborer Hall with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong laughed and said, \"When a Grandmaster shows interest, even a fool knows how to choose; of course, one must stay in Medicine Valley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yu replied, \"I understand.\" Since the Grandmaster had spoken, he could not prevent Hua Changxi from remaining in Medicine Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staying in Medicine Valley, Hua Changxi would quickly inspect the medicinal fields under her charge each day, then seek out a secluded spot nearby to grasp a top-grade spirit stone and begin cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the twelve two-hour periods in a day, she devoted all but the time she was required to appear before others to cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this way, she could absorb over ten thousand points of spiritual energy daily, causing her realm to advance with extraordinary speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the seventh day of the fourth month, Hua Changxi's realm points broke through the hundred thousand mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Qi Sea Realm\u002F]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as with the Qi Refining Realm, breaking through one hundred thousand realm points did not immediately elevate her realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Changxi looked inward at her dantian's qi sea at that moment, she truly felt a vastness as boundless as the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing her somewhat unstable qi sea, Hua Changxi wondered, \"Must I continue adding spiritual energy into the qi sea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how, after breaking through one thousand points in the Qi Refining Realm, she had to raise it to ten thousand points before advancing to the Qi Sea Realm, Hua Changxi vaguely sensed something ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that to advance beyond the Qi Sea Realm, I must break through one million points of spiritual energy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2870,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","1378369685c6d1f5217f0bf3ecc043b7a25b639d1a2a025279452885bfda14e7","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-58","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-56",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]