Chapter 104: The Evolutionary History of the Four Spirit Realm
The Imperial Guards discovered the Green Ox Demon, and Hua Changxi’s mood remained somewhat heavy. Although Pang Shaoyu didn’t bring it up, this matter would definitely not end here.
Raising demonic beasts, this matter was fine as long as it wasn’t public. Once it became public and caused panic among the surrounding populace, the people of Feng’an Ward wouldn’t even need the Imperial Guards to intervene; they would force her out of the ward.
There was no other reason; in recent years, there had been too many incidents of fierce beasts appearing everywhere and eating people.
She didn’t know what Pang Shaoyu was planning, but it was clear he was holding the matter of her raising the Green Ox Demon as leverage.
All the way, Hua Changxi pondered what she would do if the Imperial Guards confronted her, tried to capture the Green Ox Demon, or forced her to work for them.
Would she use force to repel them?
Among the Imperial Guards present in Feng’an Ward today, there were indeed several cultivators, but they were all only at the Qi Refining Realm. She was confident she could easily crush all the Imperial Guards.
However, the Imperial Guards represented the Imperial Court. If she openly attacked the Imperial Guards, the subsequent trouble would be immense.
After all, she and the Hua Family members lived under the rule of the Great Jin Dynasty and had to abide by the order and laws of the Imperial Court. If she openly defied the Imperial Guards’ enforcement, she would be considered a rebel.
If she became a rebel, while her strength might allow her to protect herself and leave, what about the other members of the Hua Family?
Hua Changxi frowned. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to oppose the Imperial Court. She cultivated and worked hard to improve her strength not to achieve great things by riding the wave of Spiritual Energy Revival, but simply to live her own life freely.
But besides using force, what else could she do?
Pang Shaoyu was now a cultivator, so she could trade elixirs with him.
Hua Changxi realized that even though she was now a cultivator, she still had little ability to resist risks when encountering problems. She had not established her own social support system at all.
Although the matters of cultivators were only brought to light in the last year or two, the Royal Family and some noble families had known about it for a long time and had made countless preparations in secret. Raising demonic beasts was likely something they had also done.
If the Imperial Guards knew that the Royal Family and nobles were raising demonic beasts, would they dare to go to their doors to arrest them?
They wouldn’t dare.
Why?
Because they had power and influence, and their ability to withstand risks was extremely high.
What did she have?
Hua Changxi didn’t want to live as a solitary individual. She had family and a career she wanted to pursue. Since she had to live in a community, she needed to consider some things carefully.
Thinking about these matters, Hua Changxi arrived at the Medical Affairs Department.
Upon reaching the Labor Department, Hua Changxi, as usual, began lecturing the laborers.
She lectured on medicinal herbology for half an hour at Number One Qihuang Hall, on the preparation of medicinal herbs for half an hour at Number Two Qihuang Hall, and on the methods of planting and cultivating medicinal herbs for half an hour at Number Three Qihuang Hall.
After the lectures, Hua Changxi kept Zhou Qiuyu, Wang Yun Chu, Guo Cheng, and twenty other individuals who were eager to learn and supported her, and took out the Spirit Testing Stone.
“Do you know what a cultivator is?”
Upon hearing this question, Zhou Qiuyu and the others exchanged silent glances, then collectively looked at the Spirit Testing Stone.
Hua Changxi asked again, “During this recent period, have you felt that the air smells more pleasant?”
Zhou Qiuyu and the others nodded, “We have felt it. Recently, our bodies and minds have improved a lot.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “This is because the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Medical Affairs Department has increased. Even ordinary people, if they live here long-term, can strengthen their bodies and prolong their lives.”
Upon hearing this, everyone showed joy.
Hua Changxi: “Such a good place, do you think the nobles in the Capital City would just stand by and do nothing?”
The smiles on everyone’s faces froze, and then turned to worry.
Hua Changxi: “I heard that there are many children of the powerful and influential appearing on First Street. After the conflict on First Street ends, it will be the turn of other places.”
Listening to these words, everyone’s expressions became even more worried.
Zhou Qiuyu looked at Hua Changxi, “Steward Hua, we are all incapable. We are grateful that you don’t look down on us and teach us Medical Skills. In our hearts, you are our elder. If you have any needs, please tell us, and we will obey you.”
Guo Cheng immediately echoed, “Yes, we all listen to Steward Hua.”
Others also responded one after another.
Hua Changxi looked at them and pointed to the Spirit Testing Stone on the table, “This is a Spirit Testing Stone. It can detect if you have Spiritual Meridians. To become a cultivator, one must possess Spiritual Meridians.”
“With Spiritual Meridians, combined with corresponding Cultivation Methods, one can absorb the Spiritual Energy in the air. Guiding Spiritual Energy into the body is considered embarking on the path of a cultivator.”
Everyone’s gaze towards the Spirit Testing Stone lit up, their expressions both eager and nervous.
Hua Changxi: “Come up one by one and place your hands on it. If you possess Spiritual Meridians, the Spirit Testing Stone will react.”
Everyone hesitated, worried that they might not have Spiritual Meridians.
In the end, Zhou Qiuyu was the first to step forward, walked to the Spirit Testing Stone, and placed her hands on it.
Soon, the Spirit Testing Stone emitted a green light.
Seeing this, Zhou Qiuyu immediately looked at Hua Changxi excitedly.
Hua Changxi smiled, “Congratulations, you possess a Single Wood Spiritual Root, your cultivation aptitude is very good.”
Zhou Qiuyu returned to the group with a face full of joy.
Next, Wang Yun Chu walked up, placed his hand on the Spirit Testing Stone, and the stone emitted red and green light.
Hua Changxi was a little surprised, not expecting two consecutive people to have Spiritual Meridians, “Yun Chu, you have a Fire and Wood Dual Spiritual Root.”
Wang Yun Chu was so excited that he almost wept with joy.
Seeing that Zhou Qiuyu and Wang Yun Chu both had Spiritual Meridians, the others assumed that most people had Spiritual Meridians and no longer hesitated, stepping forward to test one after another.
Unfortunately, out of the twenty people, only three had Spiritual Meridians. The other person with Spiritual Meridians was Guo Cheng, with an Earth and Wood Spiritual Root.
Hua Changxi looked at the dejected others, “Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have Spiritual Meridians. There are actually many types of cultivators. Besides Law Cultivators who have Spiritual Meridians, there is another type called Body Cultivators.”
As she spoke, she took out the Totem Alms Bowl.
She wanted to see what the Bloodline Totems of these people were.
As soon as Hua Changxi took out the Totem Alms Bowl, she noticed the Golden Alms Bowl vibrating. She felt as if the Golden Alms Bowl was being pulled by some invisible force, and she released her control over it.
The next moment, the Golden Alms Bowl shot out with a ‘swoosh’ from Number Three Qihuang Hall.
The Golden Alms Bowl had been recognized by Hua Changxi’s blood. As the bowl flew out, Hua Changxi could also sense its location. She told Zhou Qiuyu and the others to wait in the courtyard, and she chased after it, only to find that the Golden Alms Bowl had flown into Number Seven Qihuang Hall.
Hua Changxi was somewhat surprised. She quickly went to Number Seven Qihuang Hall. As soon as she entered the courtyard, her eighth Wooden Token lit up with a brilliant white light.
On the Wooden Token, the Sword Pattern condensed into shape at a visible speed, and then transformed from two-dimensional to three-dimensional.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi was extremely astonished. Upon entering the room, she saw the Totem Golden Alms Bowl firmly embedded in the center of the northern stone wall at its highest point.
The Totem Golden Alms Bowl seemed to have originally belonged to Number Seven Qihuang Hall!
The Golden Alms Bowl shone with a brilliant golden light, filling the room. Soon, patterns and images appeared on the stone wall.
The largest area, occupying the most central position, was a depiction of the Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger, accompanied by a line of text: “The Four Spirits Guard the Four Directions.”
Next, there was a pattern composed of five continental plates. On each plate, Demonic Beasts and Demonic Plants were in a chaotic battle, their slaughter fierce.
The third image showed the Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger hovering above the four continents of the north, south, east, and west. Most of the Demonic Beasts and Demonic Plants on these four continents had stopped fighting, with only a few areas still in conflict. However, on the Central Continent, the fighting continued as usual.
The fourth image showed the Demonic Beasts and Demonic Plants that were fighting and in chaos on the northern, southern, eastern, and western continents being driven to the Central Continent.
The fifth image showed humans appearing on the five continents. On the northern, southern, eastern, and western continents, humans sacrificed to the Four Spirits – Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger – seeking protection.
On the Central Continent, humans sacrificed to a wide variety of beings, some sacrificing to Demonic Beasts, others to Demonic Plants.
Under the threat of Demonic Beasts and Demonic Plants, humanity survived in the cracks.
The sixth image showed that the Demon Race bestowed Divine Abilities, enhancing humanity’s survival capabilities and leading to their gradual prosperity.
The seventh image depicted heavenly fire descending, with lightning and thunder. The Five Continents became devastated. The Four Spirits – Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger – died, transforming into mountains and rivers, merging with the four continents.
The eighth image showed the Demon Race weakening, and humanity flourishing.
The ninth image showed humanity establishing the Demon Prison on the Central Continent, specifically for imprisoning the most vicious members of the Demon Race. From then on, humanity completely controlled the Five Continents.
The patterns ended here!
