"My old classmate, he really held something back," Yan Ming King thought, watching Wang Linchi depart. Before leaving, Wang Linchi had given him another derived Soul Skill from the Soul Seed Boiling Series—what Wang Linchi called the ultimate secret.

[Soul Technique·Soul Seed Control: When one possesses Soul Seed Boiling, each level of Soul Seed Boiling enhances the effects of all derived Soul Skills in the Soul Seed Boiling Series by 1%.]

If he hadn't seen Wang Linchi off, he probably would never have obtained this derived Soul Skill, Soul Seed Control, in his entire life.

With this Soul Skill, even without a ten-thousand-fold amplification, its original function was to eliminate the side effects of the Soul Seed Boiling Series, making it a powerfully potent series of Soul Skills.

He then deactivated the Teleportation Array and turned to leave without a trace of hesitation.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would likely never have the chance to meet Wang Linchi again in this lifetime.

Wang Linchi, on the other hand, quickly arrived at Wuling Heaven, the Territory Mansion of the northern Dou Residing Domain.

There was no bustling crowd or clamorous fanfare; in fact, the location of the Teleportation Array was rather deserted.

Most who used the Teleportation Array were traveling between domains. Ordinary people had no right to use it, and it was rare for common folk to traverse domains anyway.

"Young Master Wang, the Master instructed me to take you to your post," a Mithril Level old servant, who had clearly been waiting for some time, greeted Wang Linchi the moment he emerged.

He showed no disdain or contempt due to Wang Linchi's low strength. The servant was well-mannered; having experienced the effects of a 'Protagonist's Aura' himself, he certainly wouldn't act like a typical villain.

"Thank you, Senior," Wang Linchi replied. He instinctively calculated how many moves it would take the Saint Master to kill the old servant, then mentally chided himself. He had been too tense lately, causing him to see everyone as an enemy.

The old servant did not detect anything unusual about Wang Linchi; his Soul Shield very effectively concealed his inner turmoil.

"The Master has arranged for you to manage personnel departures at the Food Bureau in Ningyang Prefecture, Xian State. Although it's not a reinstatement to your former official post, this position is quite relaxed," the old servant said.

"Then I am very grateful for your assistance, Senior. This position is exactly what I was hoping for," Wang Linchi replied, genuinely pleased.

Personnel departure management? he mused. Once you enter an organization under the Court, the only options are dismissal or death; 'departure' isn't really on the menu. Even if it were, it would just mean other departments send files here after completing their procedures.

The primary function of the Food Bureau was to inspect the hygiene of food and beverages in restaurants and pubs. However, since most establishments were generous with 'gifts,' as long as they didn't go too far, inspectors would merely conduct a cursory walkthrough for form's sake.

The old servant gave Wang Linchi a peculiar look. He knew the conditions Yan Ming King had mentioned. Among those who used his master's connections, he had seen people angling for promotions or power; this was the first time he'd encountered someone requesting such an unrewarding, obscure position.

However, he was quite pleased with this. Wang Linchi wasn't very strong but seemed to know his place; offering a little help wouldn't create any ill will.

"To reach Ningyang Prefecture from Wuling Heaven by fire-wheel vehicle would take at least a year. So, we will use the Mysterious Heaven Divine Shuttle. We should arrive by this afternoon," the old servant explained, leading Wang Linchi towards the shuttle's location.

"So quickly?" Wang Linchi was somewhat surprised. He had ridden shuttles before, but none were this fast.

"This is the Master's personal vehicle; it's naturally faster," the old servant explained, showing no impatience or disdain.

If he weren't accompanying his Domain Master, he too would have been surprised. An Awakener at the Bright Moon Level naturally possessed an unusual status.

They boarded the shuttle and set off.

"The Master instructed me, Young Master Wang, that you would likely have little money left upon arrival. In these times, money is becoming increasingly worthless. Please take this and use it for now," the old servant said, handing over a money card.

"In that case, I gratefully accept," Wang Linchi said, taking the card. He then asked, "Is our northern region stable? In the southern Seven Realms, only the Willow Residence Realm is slightly better. The other six realms are already like a living hell. Yet, even in the Willow Residence Realm, ten million units can't buy a pound of rice. Such prices are truly terrifying."

As Wang Linchi spoke, the old servant's expression couldn't help but shift.

"The north is not yet so dire, but prices have been steadily rising. Young Master Wang, once you arrive, you should convert the money on this card into property, furniture, rice, flour, and oil as soon as possible," the old servant advised.

"Hasn't the Court tried to control the situation?" Wang Linchi asked curiously.

"They can't. The Great Families and Sects... sigh~" The old servant didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear.

"How dare they?!" Wang Linchi feigned ignorance, his voice laced with outrage.

"What wouldn't they dare? The south fell into such a state because of their collusion with the Shadow Covenant. They managed to splinter off a quarter of Great View's territory, causing banditry to become rampant everywhere."

"But rest assured, Young Master Wang, such things don't happen in Xian State. Ningyang Prefecture is especially safe. A total of five Morning Star level experts are stationed in the central area. Its Great Families are weak, and its Sects are in decline. It's one of the few places within the Dou Residing Domain where the Court maintains the upper hand," the old servant added reassuringly.

"That's good to hear. I was truly terrified. If I weren't so tough, I wouldn't have survived to reach this place," Wang Linchi sighed.

At this, the old servant raised an eyebrow. Although he hadn't witnessed the horrors of the south firsthand, he had read intelligence reports. Anyone who could survive that ordeal wasn't just tough; they must have possessed considerable strength.

However, he didn't probe further. Wang Linchi was only Black Iron Level. Even if he had secrets, they wouldn't amount to much.

"Young Master Wang, why don't you get some rest? I'll go to the front and ask how much longer until we arrive," the old servant said politely, then rose and left.

The old servant's polite words essentially meant he had little to discuss with 'this kid' and no interest in hearing about his arduous struggles. The disparity in their statuses was evident, yet courtesy could not be discarded.

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior," Wang Linchi replied, understanding the unspoken message. Thus, the conversation ended.

Actually, I'm happier being left to my own devices. For me, these aren't major issues anyway.

Once I reach Ningyang Prefecture, I'll need to make arrangements for the Mythology Level Soul Kind, Wang Linchi thought.

During his journey from the Willow Residence Realm to Yuling Sky via the fire-wheel vehicle, he had already developed the advancement and branching techniques for the Mythology Level Soul Kind. He hadn't proceeded, naturally, because the location was unsuitable; how could he dare to undertake such a task amidst widespread chaos?

After the Mythology Level Soul Kind is successfully cultivated, I'll also need to consider entering a Secret Realm.

This thought surfaced in Wang Linchi's mind. He had previously considered entering a Wild Secret Realm through the black market. That idea itself wasn't flawed, but there was a critical issue: time.

The flow of time inside and outside a Secret Realm was the same. However many days he spent in a Secret Realm, that many days would pass in the outside world.

Now that he was employed by the Food Bureau, he certainly couldn't request extended leave.

Unless Wang Linchi went to a Mini-Secret Realm, large Secret Realms typically required a three-month commitment.

All his vacation days combined wouldn't even add up to three months.

Moreover, those three months were just the baseline.

As for not going, that was out of the question. He would exhaust his resources sooner or later. Besides, the advancements possible within a Secret Realm were far quicker than his routine cultivation.

The Saint Master was a clear example of this.

If I can utilize the branch given to me by the Tree of Immortality and also enter a Secret Realm, my growth speed should increase even more, right?

That branch was also a Soul Device, and a Legendary Level one at that.

[Longevity Tree Root]

[Quality: Legendary Level]

[Substitute Death: Can resist one fatal attack. The Soul Device shatters after resisting.]

[Extend Life: After the Soul Device shatters, lifespan increases by one hundred years.]

[Spiritual Root: When cultivating while holding this Soul Device, cultivation efficiency increases by 50%.]

[Mana Shield: Consumes 20% spiritual power to transform it into a shield of corresponding intensity. The shield's intensity continuously decreases until it disappears.]

[Healing: Consumes 20% spiritual power to generate a healing ability. Healing intensity depends on the amount of spiritual power consumed.]

[Wood Thorns: Consumes 20% spiritual power to summon wood thorns. The power and range of the wood thorns depend on the amount of spiritual power consumed.]

[Aura Pressure: Consumes 20% spiritual power to generate a trace of the Tree of Immortality's oppressive aura. The quality, duration, etc., of the aura depend on the amount of spiritual power consumed.]

A Legendary Level Soul Device with three passive and four active abilities—its effects were quite impressive.

The first three passive effects, in particular, were extremely useful.

The attribute that increased cultivation speed by half had no level restriction; most of the cultivation-aiding Soul Devices he had obtained were limited to certain levels.

However, this also seems to confirm that all the native inhabitants who emerged from the Broken Mystical Land were assimilated by the world and became Awakeners.

Theoretically, the Tree of Immortality had also become an Awakener—not a human Awakener, but an Alien Awakened One.

The world remained unconcerned simply because all these entities, regardless of their nature, contributed to its overall foundation and strength.

It was like beef and mutton—both were edible meat. Why differentiate between supporting human Awakeners and suppressing Alien Awakened Ones?

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