"Young Master, the Lord has sent a letter. He asks you to stay in Qingliu County for the time being. He will discuss your next destination with the Eldest Lord and Second Lord. Once a decision is made, you will be informed," Shou said.

"I understand, Shou," Li Jiufang replied.

The rear government office was brightly lit. Dressed in ink-green official robes and fastened with a silver belt, Li Jiufang stepped into the council hall, which was already almost full.

"County Magistrate."

As Li Jiufang entered the council hall, everyone present rose. Nearly half of them were clad in armor, their expressions stern, clearly military men.

"There's no need for formalities—please sit," Li Jiufang said, gesturing for everyone to take their seats. He then took the main seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present before he spoke in a deep voice,

"You have all heard about the incident in Shengzhou County."

The people below nodded silently. The incident in Shengzhou County had occurred right under their noses; they could not have been unaware even if they had wanted to. Furthermore, to lessen their responsibility, the Fire Spirit Sect had specifically hired people to spread the news everywhere. Now, even the greenest novice in the Cultivation Realm probably knew as much as they did.

"Shengzhou County is only three hundred and fifty li from our county. The Fire Spirit Sect has already sent seventeen letters requesting aid. What do you all think? How should this county respond to these letters?"

"The decree from the County Yamen is very clear: all demon disasters are to be dealt with according to jurisdictional principles, by the local government, sects, or families responsible for the area. If Shengzhou County falls, the Fire Spirit Sect must bear the responsibility. They shouldn't be asking for help everywhere after only a few failed attempts, showing no sense of duty. In my opinion, we should pay it no mind. This matter should be handled by the Fire Spirit Sect themselves."

After a brief silence, a tall, burly man in silver armor, with broad shoulders, a thickset waist, a full beard, and a fierce-looking face, grunted and spoke. This man was named Chu Zhao, a Lv Shuai of the Iron Peak Army. Like Yuan Baiyi, he hailed from the Jixi Army Garrison.

Hearing Chu Zhao's words, the eyes of those present flickered with various thoughts. Li Jiufang, seated in the main chair, maintained his usual composure as he spoke softly,

"What Lv Shuai Chu says has merit. Does anyone else have different views?"

"I agree with Chu Zhao's opinion. As far as I know, the team the Fire Spirit Sect dispatched to Shengzhou County included only two Initiate Realm cultivators, and they were merely deacons from the inner hall. None of their Elders or true Disciples were among them. What does this indicate? It indicates the Fire Spirit Sect is merely going through the motions regarding the Shengzhou County incident. At the slightest setback, they cry for help. If we assist them this time, what about the next, or the time after that? I believe we should not only refuse to help but also report them to the County Yamen, accusing the Fire Spirit Sect of duplicity, of feigning compliance while acting otherwise."

The one who echoed this sentiment sat across from Chu Zhao. She was a valiant female Lv Shuai with wheat-colored skin and sharp eyes, who spoke decisively and articulately. She and Chu Zhao had both spoken out resolutely, stating that the Fire Spirit Sect's plea for help should be ignored, and even suggested investigating their failure to fulfill their duties.

The other armored Lv Shuais nearby also slowly nodded, seemingly in support of their arguments. This was typical of the military's straightforward style. After all, professional soldiers are known for their decisiveness and strict adherence to orders. As individuals who regard obeying commands as their paramount duty, they most despise and detest opportunistic individuals who try to muddle through or act perfunctorily. The Fire Spirit Sect's current actions naturally drew their contempt and opposition.

"What you say is true, but Shengzhou County is too close to us. If the Fire Spirit Sect continues to drag its feet like this... well, a fire at the city gate brings disaster to the fish in the moat. If the floodwaters rise, we're likely to get our shoes wet too. We should still lend a hand if necessary."

The speaker this time was a clean-complexioned, middle-aged man with a long beard. His name was Xie Changling, the Store Manager of Hundred Grass Hut's branch in Qingliu County. Hundred Grass Hut, much like Shen's Myriad Goods Pavilion and Listening Wind Teahouse, was one of those sects in the Cultivation Realm that engaged in worldly business while simultaneously pursuing cultivation. Hundred Grass Hut's primary business was in Elixirs. This Xie Changling was the manager of the branch Hundred Grass Hut had established in Qingliu County.

Many others present had similar roles. Qingliu County had become the vortex's center in Huang Tan Manor. Though fraught with danger, it was also rife with opportunities. Consequently, many such unique sects had been drawn here to establish branches, earning money while cultivating themselves using their special Dharma Gates.

"Manager Xie, you make it sound so easy," Chu Zhao said coldly, his arms folded, his armor clanking. "Help? How exactly? Will you help, or will I? Let me be clear: my soldiers will not clean up someone else's mess. The garrison's orders are only for me to defend Qingliu. Other matters are none of my concern."

The other Lv Shuais from the military garrison also voiced their agreement, making it clear the military would not intervene.

"We are still discussing, Lv Shuai Chu. Why get so worked up? I was merely expressing an opinion. Please excuse my candor," Xie Changling responded with a smile, unfazed by Chu Zhao's direct rebuttal. He waved his hand dismissively and said no more.

At this, the council hall once again fell into silence. With the military unwilling to act, these managers and proprietors from reclusive sects were unlikely to expend their own strength for the Fire Spirit Sect. As for the Loose Cultivators, it was even less probable. After all, most cultivators were pragmatically self-interested. Even those with benevolent intentions would carefully assess the situation.

It seemed Li Jiufang had anticipated this outcome. His eyes lowered slightly as he spoke slowly, each word and syllable carrying an ineffable weight,

"I have understood what everyone has said. In this matter, the court is at fault, the sects are at fault, the Demons are at fault. But the common folk... they are not at fault! If anyone present is willing to aid Shengzhou County, this is my, the County Magistrate's, promise."

There was no excessive sentimentality or impassioned rhetoric. Li Jiufang lightly raised his hand. From behind the inner hall, maidservants and attendants emerged one by one, carrying carved wooden trays. Daoist money, Dharma Gates, Magic Artifacts, Elixirs! Four entire stacks of cultivation items, things that true gold and silver could not buy, were laid out before everyone. Instantly, waves of Divine Marvel auras emanated, involuntarily drawing everyone's gaze.

"Anyone willing to go to Shengzhou County to offer aid will be rewarded by this county based on their contributions, with everyone here as witness. If I deceive you, may I be struck down by lightning!"

At Li Jiufang's words, many people began to stir. If it meant being expected to clean up Fire Spirit Sect's mess for nothing in return, they would be absolutely unwilling. But if there were rewards, and such generous ones at that, then the risk was worth taking.

In no time at all, a team was formed. It was led by the Loose Cultivators Ge Chuan, Yun Ya, and Liu Qing, with personnel sent from Hundred Grass Hut, Shen's Myriad Goods Pavilion, Listening Wind Teahouse, and Thousand Hammer Hundred Refine Tower accompanying them.

After the crowd dispersed, Li Jiufang returned to his study, removed his official robe, changed into a plain white long gown, and sat wearily at his desk.

"Young Master, Shengzhou County fell so many days ago. Is all this still necessary?" Shou asked, handing Li Jiufang a cup of Spiritual Tea designed to calm the nerves and relieve fatigue. He didn't quite understand his young master's actions that day.

"Shou, do you remember Banqiao Town?" Li Jiufang sipped the Spiritual Tea, rubbing his temples.

"Of course, I remember. Wasn't that the one..." Shou's words trailed off, his expression changing. "Are you saying Shengzhou County... is the work of the Golden Flower Maternal Sect?"

Banqiao Town was a township under the jurisdiction of Qingliu County. Previously, on the eve of the Golden Flower Maternal Sect's siege of Qingliu County, Banqiao Town had sent people to Qingliu County seeking aid. They reported that a dense fog had suddenly appeared in the town and would not dissipate. Li Jiufang, newly appointed at the time, had not paid it much mind. But not long after, tens of thousands of the Golden Flower Maternal Sect's troops suddenly emerged. Viewed this way, Shengzhou County now was in the same position Banqiao Town had been then.

"The Fire Spirit Sect was not actually being perfunctory or unwilling to fulfill its responsibilities," Li Jiufang said, his gaze intense and his expression solemn. "Soon after Shengzhou County was engulfed by the dense fog, the Sect Leader of the Fire Spirit Sect and three Elders went in to investigate together. But after entering the city, there was no further news from them. The information released by the Fire Spirit Sect was done at my instruction, to temporarily prevent unrest."

"I have placed a Cave God Order on that Loose Cultivator named Ge Chuan. If Shengzhou County truly is where the Golden Flower Maternal Sect intends to make a comeback, I will personally descend and eliminate them."

"Isn't that too risky?" Shou frowned slightly, his concern evident.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If Shengzhou County truly is the Golden Flower Maternal Sect's opportunity to make a comeback, and if it's not cut off early, my lifespan cannot endure a second Pray to Heaven Skill."

Hearing the words "Pray to Heaven Skill," a pang of distress flashed in Shou's eyes.

"Young Master, you are admirable in every way. But the Old Lord was right about one thing. Your heart is too kind."

***

BANG!

In the vast courtyard, a sudden explosion shook the ground. The shockwave rolled out, tossing accumulated snow into the air and melting it, while flames surged and spread in all directions.

WHIRR—

At that moment, golden Talisman Scripts materialized in the void, transforming into interwoven, entangling chains. They formed an inverted, semi-circular shield of light, which blocked the full force of the explosion, thus preventing the entire courtyard from being destroyed.

"PTOOEY! PTOOEY! PTOOEY!"

Spitting out black smoke, Qi Xiu, his face entirely sooty, staggered out from under the suppression shield, coughing and sneezing.

"Explosions, explosions! It's exploded four times today! I refuse to believe that I, Qi, can't handle a tiny little pill like you!" Standing outside with hands on his hips, Qi Xiu looked resentful.

Ever since he had started attempting to refine Dao-Entering Realm Elixirs half a month ago, in just fifteen days, he had been blown up more than forty times. Fortunately, he was now a Cultivator of Dao with the True Gang Protective Body; otherwise, the force of the explosions would have incinerated him long ago.

"Initiate Realm Elixirs, compared to common decoctions and pills, are exponentially more difficult to create. The heat, the timing of adding ingredients, maintaining constant temperature, humidity, and wind—even if the timing of activating the True Gang is off by the slightest fraction—it explodes immediately, no questions asked. This isn't Alchemy; it's a demolition site," he muttered, shaking his head. Qi Xiu sat on the ground, resting his chin on his hand, silently organizing the insights and experiences that kept emerging.

This Alchemy, after reaching the Dao-Entering Realm, the biggest difference is that with one tiny mistake, Elixirs immediately turn into explosives, bursting in an instant.

"Now that I think about it, the Gathering Yuan Treasure Bag is truly a fine treasure. It's not picky and can even refine pills with a single press. Aside from only being able to refine Gathering Yuan Pills, it has no drawbacks."

After a moment of reflection, Qi Xiu digested the flood of insights and experiences in his mind. He stood up again, his eyes serious and obstinate. Clearly, after being blown up more than forty times, his innate stubborn streak had also been thoroughly ignited.

"A mere Elixir! If I can't conquer you, I'll write my name backwards!"

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