Jing Qian fixed his gaze on the Li Dragon for a long time.
With the aid of Worldly Insight, he realized that this dragon-serpent had already been refined into a strange Spiritual Construct!
This was also the very first Spiritual Construct he had ever seen.
In all the knowledge he possessed, there was very little information regarding Spiritual Constructs.
All he knew was that so-called Spiritual Constructs were a kind of advanced power that cultivators only encountered after reaching the Seventh Rank, the Longevity Realm.
Suppressing a Spiritual Construct was also the inevitable path to advance into the Sixth Rank, the Spirit-Suppressing Realm.
At this moment, Jing Qian could hardly imagine what sort of unimaginable power it would take to seize control of this Li Dragon.
That kind of realm was still far, far beyond his reach!
While he was lost in thought, Tao Yong walked into the courtyard.
Seeing Jing Qian, he immediately said:
"So, brat, you finally decided to come out. You've really drained quite a bit of the energy reserves I keep as overseer."
"Still, your successful promotion has breathed some new life into the Jing family."
"But remember this, your family left behind quite a few valuable things. Plenty of eyes are watching. You'd better keep pushing yourself and cultivate diligently."
As he spoke, he handed Jing Qian a small violet token and continued:
"This is an official waist token of the Prefecture Office. With this token, you're recognized as a true member of the office."
Jing Qian, having "passed the imperial exam," so to speak, accepted it. A flash of violet spiritual light flickered across the token's surface and disappeared. He couldn't help but ask:
"Was this forged from the Li Dragon's scales?"
Tao Yong replied:
"You've got a sharp eye!"
"All tokens for our Prefecture Office cultivators are made from the scales of a Sixth-Rank Li Dragon."
"With this token, once you're out at sea, ordinary sea beasts won't dare come near!"
"You are now the ninety-seventh official cultivator of our office. Every three years, you'll receive a flame of Life-Fire to nourish your body. This is the best treatment across all of Hunzou's Fate-Islands, an opportunity countless others could only dream of. Make good use of it."
Jing Qian rubbed the token gently and nodded without saying much.
The Prefecture's position was indeed as valuable and hotly contested as Tao Yong said.
Out of a million people, only one would succeed. That was like securing a vice-minister's post at the very least.
Jing Ran, for the sake of such a position, had exhausted every scheme yet hadn't even gotten close.
But Jing Qian, by inheriting Jing Chuan's legacy, had instantly leapt forward in identity and status.
Such was fate.
Then Tao Yong continued:
"Given your background, you'll naturally be assigned to the Maritime Affairs Division."
"Manager Qian Yuan has already formally submitted a request to Chief Zhu to bring you under his command."
"Still, since you've only just advanced to the Fatebinding Realm, you're entitled to a year's leave to consolidate your cultivation. You don't need to rush to report to Qian Yuan just yet."
Jing Qian nodded, then asked:
"I've only just advanced and know very little. I must thank Steward Tao for your guidance.
"Also, Chief Zhu once told me that after entering the path, I should go to the overseer to receive a new inheritance. May I trouble you to guide me?"
"Come with me," Tao Yong replied.
Jing Qian glanced back once more. Through the insight of Worldly Insight, none of the auras of the Life Furnaces could escape his eyes.
Seven Life Furnaces, wrapped densely in layers of restrictions, were deeply bound to the Li Dragon beneath his feet.
Between them, streams of Life Essence power circulated, forming a subtle and stable structure.
For Jing Qian, this was eye-opening. It was well worth using Worldly Insight to record every detail he could see.
Only then did he follow Tao Yong into an adjoining study.
To ordinary eyes, the study was shabby and worn, just a single bookshelf with a couple of dozen old books.
But in Jing Qian's sight, the room blazed with spiritual light, every book on the shelf brimming with restrictive seals.
Standing before the bookshelf, Tao Yong spoke:
"Our outlying military province has limited resources. The Prefecture's treasury holds fewer than thirty Life Patterns in total."
"You, however, may only choose from among the fourteen White Fang inheritances."
"Don't be fooled by their seemingly low rank. Any Life Pattern kept in the Prefecture's vault is unique in function and entirely free of side effects, rare treasures that can enrich your Jing family's heritage."
"Here is the catalog of those fourteen inheritances. Take your time and choose."
Jing Qian accepted the list and read it carefully.
Ever since he had discovered how to wield the Life-Casting Chance, he had grown far more attentive to White Fang–tier Life Patterns.
From the Tidal Surge, he had already grasped the truth:
A Life Pattern with excellent properties and a low threshold for refinement could, when paired with the Life-Casting Chance, unleash tremendous potential.
It would not only smooth out the curve of his strength's growth, but also preserve a very high ceiling for advancement.
Among the fourteen inheritances, more than half, eight of them, belonged to the Beast-Life category.
These patterns focused on strengthening and tempering the body, but lacked flexibility and sharpness. They didn't mesh well with Jing Qian's system and also demanded too many restricted materials. He skipped them without hesitation.
There were only four belonging to the Divine-Spirit Life category, far fewer in number.
Upon close inspection, Jing Qian saw that while these four Life Patterns were strange and highly promising, they required rare medicinal treasures to refine, driving the cost up steeply.
If he were only making one, the expense would be bearable. But if he planned to rely on the Life-Casting Chance to elevate them multiple times, the cost would become utterly unsustainable.
Looking further, he found just one Mountain-Sea Life and one Spirit-Treasure Life, the rarest of all.
The Mountain-Sea Life corresponded to the Tidal Surge pattern, which Jing Qian already possessed and had cultivated deeply. No need to dwell on it.
But the Spirit-Treasure Life listed last stirred his heart the instant he saw it:
Sword Fang
Rank: White Fang
"Tempered in copper, whetted in gold, honed through a thousand strikes!"
Almost instantly, Jing Qian made up his mind.
He said aloud:
"Steward Tao, I choose the Sword Fang Life Pattern."
Tao Yong, bound by duty to remain impartial, did nothing to sway or hinder the choice. It was entirely up to Jing Qian.
He went to the shelf, searched for a while, then produced a bronze tablet. Handing it to Jing Qian, he explained:
"This Sword Fang Life Pattern has its own story. Forty years ago, a swordsman from the upper provinces left it here."
"He traded this very inheritance for an eighth-rank dragon boat, then sailed off across the sea."
"The performance of Sword Fang is quite good, sharp enough, keen enough, and simple to refine."
"The only drawback is that it's rather short and stunted, not well-suited for large-scale combat."
"Still, its sharp qualities make it perfect for flaying hides into armor or stitching garments. Nearly every master craftsman of the Bureau of Artificers refines one to use as a personal tool."
"If you've any interest in studying one of the four great logistical professions, then choosing Sword Fang is highly appropriate."
Jing Qian looked at the bronze tablet in his hand and said nothing.
To Tao Yong, Sword Fang was little more than a craftsman's tool, unsuitable for battle.
But in Jing Qian's eyes, it was the very key to filling a critical gap in his system.
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