Chapter 280: An Anomaly in Nanxiang County
After parting ways with Tong Yao, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, Hua Changxi returned directly to Dan Yuan Peak.
The issue of insufficient experience was not something that could be resolved quickly; until she obtained a display spiritual artifact, she could only focus on the present for the time being.
With her cultivation stagnated, Hua Changxi paused her cultivation and dedicated her evenings to body refining and improving her alchemy grades.
In terms of body refining, she had already reached the fourth chapter, Tendon Refining Chapter, of the 《Nine Revolutions Profound Technique》.
Coincidentally, all the spiritual medicines needed for the medicinal baths in the Tendon Refining Chapter could be found on the fourth level of the Dan Yuan Secret Realm.
After enduring the excruciating medicinal bath, a powerful, surging force erupted within her body. To absorb and refine this force, Hua Changxi had no choice but to rapidly teleport back to Lingguang Hall and begin practicing her swordplay with the Floating Light Sword.
Ever since subduing the Great Sun Divine Flame in Tang Valley, her connection with the Floating Light Sword had become even closer, and practicing the Floating Light Sword Art had become much smoother.
Body refining, in addition to soaking in medicinal baths, also required constant tempering of the body.
Only under extreme and harsh external pressure could the body’s potential be best stimulated and released.
Hua Changxi discovered that refining the Floating Light Sword was very suitable for tempering the body.
Each time she practiced the Floating Light Sword Art, the Great Sun Divine Flame within the sword would be mobilized. The might of the Divine Flame was naturally an unbearable burden for cultivators in the Nascent Soul Realm.
As the sword art circulated, the might of the Great Sun Divine Flame coursed through her body, serving as an excellent means of body refining.
Thus, in the process of practicing her sword, Hua Changxi’s physical body also gradually grew stronger.
Throughout July, for the entire month, Hua Changxi taught the cultivation of First Rank Spiritual Medicine at Number Three Qihuang Hall every day. This class concluded at the beginning of August.
“Hall Master Hua, when will you be teaching at Number Four Hall?”
“Also, what will you be teaching at Number Four Hall? So we can prepare in advance.”
Everyone who attended the classes at Number Three Qihuang Hall in July had gained significantly, especially ordinary cultivators who had not received any inheritance.
Many expressed that after attending the classes, if they were provided with spirit fields and medicine fields, they would be able to start cultivating spiritual plants and spiritual medicines.
Just like Dan Yuan Peak now, the previously barren open spaces have been cultivated by apprentices who attended the 《Complete Guide to First Rank Spiritual Medicine Cultivation》, and are now planted with spiritual plants and spiritual medicines.
The apprentices of Dan Yuan Peak not only had the freedom to choose their cave dwellings but could also cultivate five mu of spirit fields, with all produce belonging to them. Everyone in the Medical Affairs Department, including those from Shenhe Peak, Qingyao Peak, and Xuanhuang Peak, was extremely envious.
However, despite their envy, most people dared not defy the orders of the Royal Family or the nobles behind them to choose to join Dan Yuan Peak.
The primary reason was the inertia of fearing the nobles.
Even though Spiritual Energy Revival had occurred, and these people had become cultivators with powerful combat strength, their minds remained trapped in the past, still adhering to the old rules of conduct.
“I will inform everyone in advance when I will be teaching again.”
Hua Changxi gave only a vague answer; her teaching was primarily based on the needs of developing the Dan Yuan Secret Realm and Dan Yuan Peak.
Currently, the process of harvesting → preparation → planting of spiritual medicines in the southeast area of the first level of the Dan Yuan Secret Realm had been completed. Only after the other three areas were developed would she consider the next steps.
After ceasing her classes, Hua Changxi focused on alchemy on the third level of the secret realm during the day, and practiced body refining and swordplay at night.
Concurrently, Shenhe Peak, Qingyao Peak, and Xuanhuang Peak were also vigorously cultivating spirit fields and medicine fields.
Seeing the four barren peaks gradually turn verdant, Xia Zhen’s expression was filled with emotion. Hua Changxi’s timing for teaching the 《Complete Guide to First Rank Spiritual Medicine Cultivation》 was perfect.
No, perhaps she hadn’t deliberately chosen the timing, but was merely acting in accordance with the general trend.
However, this situation was precisely what worried him the most. Hua Changxi was inadvertently promoting the development of the Sacred Land; how could Qingyao hope to surpass her?
Time slipped away, and soon it was the twelfth day of August.
Tong Yao sent a message to Hua Changxi, Jing Le, and Yan Zhenzhen, informing the three that all one hundred display spiritual artifacts had been refined.
At noon that day, the four met at their usual restaurant and each received 25 display spiritual artifacts.
After Hua Changxi confirmed that the recruitment announcement on the display spiritual artifacts was correct, she smiled at Tong Yao and the other two: “I hope that after deploying these display spiritual artifacts, we can recruit more outstanding disciples.”
In response, Tong Yao and the other two were also full of anticipation.
Hua Changxi: “As agreed before, we will each choose one direction from the east, west, north, and south for deployment.”
Subsequently, the four each chose a direction: Hua Changxi deployed to the south, Tong Yao to the west, Jing Le to the north, and Yan Zhenzhen to the east.
Tong Yao looked at Hua Changxi: “The Four Great Sacred Lands are openly recruiting apprentices across various regions. Once this news spreads, it will undoubtedly cause a huge stir.”
Yan Zhenzhen added: “The Sacred Lands recruiting apprentices is, in essence, a competition for talent with various factions. Local powers will certainly not want to see this happen, and even the Capital City will react.”
“Therefore, when we deploy the display spiritual artifacts, we might encounter interception.”
Tong Yao continued: “The deployment time for our display spiritual artifacts should not be too long. Our plan is to finish deploying all of them within three days.”
Jing Le also looked over: “For the deployment of the display spiritual artifacts, the three of us have sought assistance from Sacred Land Elders. As for Benefactor Hua, your side…”
Hua Changxi quickly assured: “Don’t worry, my side will also be fine.”
She had already mastered the Somersault Cloud to perfection; while it might not reach a hundred and eight thousand li in a single somersault, it was not far off.
Seeing her speak with such confidence, Tong Yao and the other two couldn’t help but look at her, and then said nothing further.
As they parted, Hua Changxi reminded them again: “Remember, the display spiritual artifacts must be placed outside city gates with large crowds, otherwise, their effect will not be fully realized.”
Tong Yao and the other two nodded: “Don’t worry, we know.”
That evening, the four acted separately.
Hua Changxi traveled south, observing cities with large gatherings of people. Without stopping, she flew directly to the southernmost point bordering the sea, taking the entire night.
Along the way, she gained a general understanding of the population distribution in the southern cities.
Without delay, Hua Changxi turned back and began deploying display spiritual artifacts outside the large, crowded city gates that she had paid particular attention to.
The display spiritual artifacts were crafted from black meteorite, and the recruitment announcements that cycled on them were written by Jing Le with a Two-Element Talisman Brush.
Black background with gold characters, very eye-catching.
The display spiritual artifacts were inscribed with a special array formation, taking root upon landing and emitting a dazzling light.
Although the light lasted only for an hour or two, it was enough to attract the attention of nearby cultivators.
Hua Changxi watched as a large number of cultivators rushed towards the display spiritual artifacts and, without stopping, flew to the next city.
Thus, one after another, it took her two nights and one day to deploy all twenty-five display spiritual artifacts.
During this time, some cultivators tracked her, but her speed was too great, and she quickly left them behind.
On the morning of August 14th, Hua Changxi placed the last display spiritual artifact outside the county town of Nanxiang, not far from Lingguang Hall.
Since the appearance of Lingguang Hall, Nanxiang County and its surrounding areas had undergone earth-shattering changes. Not only had the geographical area expanded, but the surrounding terrain was also quietly transforming.
Plants grew several meters a day as if injected with hormones, appearing in large patches; stone mountains cracked open, spewing lava like waterfalls; valleys steamed with heat, as if flames were burning within them.
These anomalies in Nanxiang County were concealed by the Imperial Court and were not widely publicized.
If not for Hua Changxi deploying display spiritual artifacts to the south this time, she would never have known about the rapid and drastic changes occurring here.
Hua Changxi, riding a spirit cloud, moved slowly over Nanxiang County, observing the various anomalies with a serious and focused gaze.
At this moment, Nanxiang County in her eyes was filled with surging Fire Spiritual Energy, seemingly undergoing some kind of transformation.
When she descended from the air and her feet touched the ground of Nanxiang County, she immediately felt a powerful force surging from the depths of the earth.
This force struck directly at her chest, not only causing her heart to race but also making her blood boil.
It was as if this land of Nanxiang County was celebrating?!
This strange sensation came on suddenly and inexplicably. Although Hua Changxi felt no danger, she still condensed her spirit cloud and flew high into the sky.
After her emotions calmed down and she had lingered in the air for a while, Hua Changxi flew to Lingguang Hall.
Upon arriving at Lingguang Hall, Hua Changxi issued the first mission to the Vermilion Bird Army.
“Investigate the anomalies in Nanxiang County!”
