Chapter 131: The Matter of a Lifesaver
Seeing that it was already dark, Hua Changxi did not return to the Medical Affairs Department and stayed in Lingguang Hall to cultivate.
After immersing herself in cultivation, she quickly discovered that her cultivation speed had increased again. Now, cultivating for one hour could increase her Spiritual Energy Points by 2 million.
『 Realm: Nascent Soul Realm 297,500,000/1,000,000,000; Spiritual Sense: 110,000+』
In May, cultivating for one hour could only increase her Spiritual Energy Points by 1.1 million. Now, after just over a month, her cultivation speed has increased by one million points.
When she woke up from her coma before, her attention was focused on her Spiritual Sense, and she hadn’t noticed that her cultivation had increased by such a large margin.
Now, after one night, cultivating for six hours, her cultivation has increased by twelve million points.
Did her cultivation speed increase because she activated Lingguang Hall?
Hua Changxi was undoubtedly happy about the increase in her cultivation speed, but looking at the empty Lingguang Hall and thinking about recruiting 100,000 Vermilion Bird Army soldiers, she couldn’t help but get a headache.
Furthermore, after the life-and-death crisis she encountered in the Ghost Market, she realized again that she really needed to quickly improve her Alchemy skills. She was now a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and First Rank Elixirs were no longer very effective for her.
If she didn’t improve her Alchemy level, if she were injured or her Spiritual Energy was depleted in the future, she wouldn’t even be able to produce corresponding elixirs.
Recruiting the Vermilion Bird Army takes time, Alchemy takes time, and cultivation takes time. There really isn’t enough time!
Hua Changxi stood on top of Lingguang Hall, facing the dawn, looking down at the earth. A sense of heroism was growing and strengthening within her. She realized that she liked standing in high places.
“Whoosh~”
Having to return to the Medical Affairs Department to lecture, Hua Changxi rode a cloud back to the city. Flying several miles out of Lingguang Hall, she saw even more soldiers than yesterday.
No, if yesterday’s were just temporarily gathered patrol soldiers, then what she saw today could be considered the army’s generals.
“Is the Imperial Court preparing to attack Lingguang Hall?”
The Imperial Court actually dispatched an army, which was something Hua Changxi had not expected.
Seeing many commoners watching the excitement on the official road, Hua Changxi quietly landed and blended in with the villagers.
“These intersections won’t be accessible from now on.”
“Why not?”
“See that immortal palace? The officials would rather seal it off than let us commoners come into contact with immortal energy.”
“The immortal palace has appeared for several days. I should have gone to pay my respects earlier.”
“Pay respects for what? The immortal palace was sealed off by soldiers as soon as it appeared. We can’t get close.”
Listening to the villagers’ discussions and seeing the army setting up camp by the roadside, Hua Changxi finally understood that the Imperial Court intended to seal off all the intersections leading to Lingguang Hall, preventing anyone from approaching.
Was this an attempt to make Lingguang Hall an isolated island?
Hua Changxi snorted coldly. This might have been possible before the Spiritual Energy Revival, but now that Spiritual Energy had revived and more and more cultivators could fly through the air and escape the earth, even if the army’s generals were all cultivators, they wouldn’t be able to stop everyone.
At this moment, several spiritual lights streaked across the sky. Hua Changxi looked closely and found that they were several cultivators flying on swords. Seeing that one of them was Gu Jin Fan, she quickly left, not wanting to be seen.
Not long after Hua Changxi left, Gu Jin Fan and several cultivators from the Duke of Xin State’s Mansion landed on the official road where the army was stationed.
Looking at the tall and majestic Lingguang Hall in the distance, Gu Jin Fan’s mood was very unsettled.
In her previous life, Lingguang Hall only appeared several years later, and it was opened by the Senior Disciple Brother Liu Yiyun of Taisu Palace. However, Liu Yiyun was still trapped in the Kunlun Secret Realm.
Who?
Who opened Lingguang Hall in advance?
Lingguang Hall appeared in advance, and a great chaos erupted at Nine Netherworld Genmen Pass. The Demon Suppressing Army captured Genmen Bridge. Things have changed; the trajectory of her previous life has changed again.
In her previous life, there was never any great chaos at Genmen Pass. Genmen Pass was always controlled by Demonic Beasts, which later allowed the Demon Race to pass through Genmen Pass and launch a large-scale attack on the Talisman Saint Pavilion, one of the Four Great Sacred Lands suppressing the Demon Prison. If not for Hua Shiniang, Yan Xiaoyang, and Chu Junyi’s desperate resistance, the Talisman Saint Pavilion would have almost disappeared from the Central Continent.
Now, the Demon Suppressing Army has occupied Genmen Bridge. With the Demon Suppressing Army’s methods, they will definitely take down the other Demonic Beast territories of Genmen Pass step by step.
In this way, the crisis of the Talisman Saint Pavilion in her previous life would be gone.
The Four Great Sacred Lands in the Central Continent that suppress the Demon Prison each possess two supreme treasures: one is the Demon Slaying Sword that suppresses the Demon Prison, and the other is the Sacred Land’s Divine Artifact.
The Divine Artifact of the Talisman Saint Pavilion was a Talisman Brush. Unfortunately, the Talisman Brush was lost, and the people of the Talisman Saint Pavilion did not find it until the Outer Realm Cultivators launched a large-scale invasion of the Four Spirit Realm.
In this life, the crisis of the Talisman Saint Pavilion will most likely not appear, and hopefully, the Sacred Land’s Talisman Brush will not be lost again.
At this moment, a cultivator from the Duke of Xin State’s Mansion walked up to Gu Jin Fan and whispered to her, “I’ve inquired clearly. The day Lingguang Hall appeared was the same day great chaos erupted at Genmen Pass.”
“A Black Robed Person rushed into Lingguang Hall, drove away Prince Fu and his entourage, and then Lingguang Hall appeared.”
“That Black Robed Person has been quiet for the past few days. Just yesterday, the Black Robed Person took action and drove the soldiers stationed outside Lingguang Hall several miles away, and then left.”
“Now that the Black Robed Person is likely not here, should we take the opportunity to go in and explore?”
Gu Jin Fan’s expression trembled upon hearing this, and her eyes flickered incessantly.
There was no need to guess; the Black Robed Person who opened Lingguang Hall was the female cultivator who could summon the Vermilion Bird Flame to heavily injure the Nether Dragon.
The Vermilion Bird Flame, the Fire Lotus, and the various things she had investigated about Hua Changxi led her to a guess.
“Is it her?”
“Could it be her?”
The thought that someone who had died early in her previous life had changed the trajectory of many events from her previous life made Gu Jin Fan’s mood somewhat complex, but also a little proud amidst the complexity.
In her opinion, if she hadn’t appeared on the underground Transmission Platform of Lingguang Hall, Hua Changxi would have definitely died early at the hands of the Jingzhao Prefecture Prefect’s father, just like in her previous life.
The change in the Four Spirit Realm’s direction in this life was ultimately driven by her.
“Let’s go back to the Medical Affairs Department.”
“Just going back like this? Aren’t you going to check out that palace?”
“No, I need to return to the Medical Affairs Department to confirm some things.”
Gu Jin Fan summoned her Flying Sword and left without looking back.
Watching her leave, the cultivator from the Duke of Xin State’s Mansion sighed, “She just returned from Genmen Pass, and Seventh Daughter Gu doesn’t even go back to the mansion to rest.”
On the way back to the Medical Affairs Department, Hua Changxi thought the whole way. She felt that her time management needed to change.
Before, she wanted to quickly improve her cultivation, so she was eager to increase her cultivation speed.
Now, she was already a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and her cultivation speed had reached 2 million points per hour, which was not slow. She felt she should catch up on the things she had fallen behind on.
The first thing was to improve her Alchemy level!
Also, her Prayer Beads were lost at Ox Head Mountain in the Ghost Market, and she didn’t have the Wooden Token. If she continued lecturing at Qihuang Hall, she didn’t know if her cultivation speed would increase.
Therefore, she wanted to stop all lectures at Qihuang Hall and focus on Alchemy.
Although recruiting the Vermilion Bird Army was not an urgent matter, she still needed to pay attention to suitable candidates regularly. She had to prepare for a long-term battle for this.
As Hua Changxi was thinking about these things, she arrived at the Medical Affairs Department. Upon returning to the Labor Department, she initially thought that since she hadn’t taught for seven days, the laborers’ enthusiasm for classes might have waned. However, when she arrived at Qihuang Hall, she found many people already waiting with books.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi sighed. Her energy was too limited to cope with so many people’s eagerness to learn.
“Steward Hua.”
Zhou Qiuyu walked over and greeted Hua Changxi with a smile.
Seeing her, Hua Changxi suddenly slapped her forehead, “I’ve been too busy lately and forgot about you and Fifth Sister. How is my Fifth Sister’s health?”
Zhou Qiuyu smiled, “Concubine Hua’s health has been regulated, and the young master is also very healthy.”
Hua Changxi nodded, “Have the He family members troubled my Fifth Sister?”
Zhou Qiuyu shook her head, “No. In the past month, Third Master He has visited Concubine Hua and the child almost every day. The Marchioness and the Heir’s wife also frequently send things to Concubine Hua.”
Hua Changxi was relieved to hear that Hua Wuniang was doing well. “Thank you for your hard work during this time. Go home and rest for two days. After you’ve rested, come back and help me compile the Compendium of Mortal Plants and the Medicinal Herb Processing Canon. I won’t be lecturing often from now on; people who want to learn Medical Skills can just buy the books.”
Zhou Qiuyu’s expression trembled upon hearing this. She was arguably the biggest beneficiary of Hua Changxi’s lectures and naturally wished to attend more. Learning that she would no longer be teaching filled her with disappointment.
Hua Changxi looked at her, “I have other matters to attend to, and I really can’t manage the classes. However, I will make time to guide you and Wang Yun Chu in Alchemy.”
“Of course, if I teach you Alchemy, you will also have to work for me. I have ten apothecary shops, and once you learn Alchemy, you will work in the shops.”
“Please convey this to Wang Yun Chu and the others and see if they are willing.”
Zhou Qiuyu quickly replied, “Everyone will definitely be willing. Since we started learning medicine and cultivation under Steward Hua, we have all considered ourselves your people. If you give an order, we will naturally obey.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “Since you trust me so much, I will definitely not let you gain nothing.”
Seeing the increasing number of laborers outside Qihuang Hall, Hua Changxi didn’t say more to Zhou Qiuyu and directly entered Number Six Qihuang Hall. The laborers followed her in.
“Everyone, I have something to announce.”
“From now on, I will not be teaching every day. However, I will be guiding everyone in Alchemy at Number Six Qihuang Hall on an irregular basis.”
“Today will be my last unified class. I will demonstrate the complete steps of Alchemy for everyone.”
Hearing that Hua Changxi would no longer be teaching, the laborers were all disappointed. However, Hua Changxi had always taught them for free, so no matter how unwilling they were, they had no standing or reason to demand that she continue.
“Alright, don’t be sad. I will have Zhou Qiuyu compile the lessons I’ve taught previously. You can buy the books and study them according to your own situation.”
“I will demonstrate the Alchemy steps today multiple times. Even if you don’t understand something, it’s best to write it down and study it carefully later.”
“Today, in addition to refining Mortal Pills, I will also demonstrate the process of refining Elixirs. Everyone, watch carefully.”
Just as Hua Changxi began her lecture, Gu Jin Fan also returned to the Medical Affairs Department.
Although she was eager to confirm whether Hua Changxi was the one who heavily injured the Nether Dragon and opened Lingguang Hall, she held back and first summoned the person she had placed in the Apprentice Hall.
“Greetings, Seventh Daughter Gu.”
Lu Qingling was a little nervous. This was the first time she had been summoned since she pledged allegiance to Gu Jin Fan.
Gu Jin Fan looked at Lu Qingling, “I asked you to keep an eye on Hua Changxi. Has she made any unusual moves recently?”
Lu Qingling replied, “Reporting to Seventh Daughter Gu, Hua Changxi has not come to the Medical Affairs Department these past few days.”
Gu Jin Fan’s expression brightened, “From which day did she stop coming?”
Lu Qingling replied, “From the seventh day of June until yesterday, the fifteenth of June. During this period, Hua Changxi did not show herself in the Labor Department.”
Gu Jin Fan suddenly stood up, “Are you sure?”
Lu Qingling nodded, “Since I received Seventh Daughter Gu’s instructions, I go to the Labor Department every day to find my sister. My sister loves listening to Hua Changxi’s lectures, so I can guarantee that Hua Changxi has not been in the Labor Department these past few days.”
Gu Jin Fan took a deep breath. If Hua Changxi had truly not been in the Labor Department these past few days, then she could be almost 100% certain that she was the one who opened Lingguang Hall.
“You may go. Continue to keep an eye on Hua Changxi.”
“By the way, since your sister once shared a room with Hua Changxi, you must urge her to get closer to Hua Changxi. I need to know everything about Hua Changxi.”
Lu Qingling’s expression changed. Although she didn’t want her sister Lu Qingluo to get involved, they could only rely on Seventh Daughter Gu to avenge their mother’s death: “Yes.”
After Lu Qingling left, Gu Jin Fan immediately headed to the Labor Department.
Since Hua Changxi was the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, she could arrange many things.
The Vermilion Bird Divine Art was the most powerful fire-element cultivation method in the Four Spirit Realm. She could arrange for cultivators in the Gu Family with Fire Spiritual Roots and those who had pledged allegiance to the Duke of Xin State with Fire Spiritual Roots to cultivate the Vermilion Bird Divine Art.
In time, she would be able to form a Vermilion Bird Army with extraordinary strength.
Vermilion Bird Army.
The thought of being able to establish a Vermilion Bird Army made Gu Jin Fan extremely excited. She couldn’t wait to see Hua Changxi immediately. She summoned her Flying Sword and rode it to the Labor Department.
“Hua Changxi.”
When Gu Jin Fan rushed into Number Six Qihuang Hall, Hua Changxi was demonstrating the process of refining Elixirs to the laborers. Gu Jin Fan’s sudden appearance almost caused Hua Changxi to blow up the furnace.
Hua Changxi extinguished the Pill Fire and said in a sharp tone, “Seventh Daughter Gu, do you have a problem with your eyes? Can’t you see I’m refining pills?”
Gu Jin Fan knew she had been rash, but she had no intention of apologizing. She looked around at the laborers attending the class, “Hua Changxi, have them leave. I have something to discuss with you.”
Hua Changxi was amused by her words, “Gu Jin Fan, don’t you even understand basic respect? I’m in class, please leave.”
Gu Jin Fan did not expect Hua Changxi to have this attitude. In her opinion, she was Hua Changxi’s savior. Even if Hua Changxi wasn’t eternally grateful, she should at least show basic gratitude: “Hua Changxi, I really have something very important to tell you.”
Hua Changxi’s face turned completely cold, “Can’t you understand human language? Who do you think you are? You have something to tell me, so I must listen?”
Gu Jin Fan also became angry, “Hua Changxi, I never expected you to be such an ungrateful person.”
Hua Changxi found it inexplicable. Yes, on the Vermilion Bird Transmission Platform, Gu Jin Fan had untied the ropes on her hands, but to call her a savior because of that, she was sorry, she didn’t acknowledge it.
She survived the Demonic Dao with her own strength.
Hua Changxi didn’t want to waste any more words with her, “Please leave.”
Gu Jin Fan’s face turned cold, and she sneered, “I just returned from Nanxiang County and saw the Imperial Court’s army blockading Lingguang Hall. I know who the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall is. Tell me, should I report this to the Imperial Court?”
Hua Changxi shot up with a ‘swish’, feeling the threat in Gu Jin Fan’s words, killing intent surged within her. The next moment, the back of her hand suddenly ached. She looked down and saw a black fish pattern appear.
