Within the main hall of the Primordial Sect on Mount Taishi, Ye Qingshuang stood quietly in a corner.
Around her, an invisible force seemed to be drawing the essence of life, constantly burrowing into her body. The supremely domineering Devouring Heaven Demonic Art within her had become unusually docile under the influence of this gentle yet pure power. It even showed faint signs of improvement.
Gazing at the immortal scripture that seemed to nurture infinite vitality, while simultaneously feeling the devouring force ceaselessly cycling within herself, Ye Qingshuang's normally placid heart churned with overwhelming waves.
Two completely different supreme Great Daos...
Just what kind of terrifying foundation does Master truly command?!
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
At that moment, a clear, resounding crow suddenly rang through the void, interrupting her contemplation.
Jin Cancan stretched his wings, soaring joyfully within the immortal light of life. The dense essence of the Azure Wood continuously poured into his body. The deficiencies in his physique, caused by his premature hatching, were now being completely mended. The golden feathers covering him shimmered with iridescent light, and the bloodline power within him rejoiced and leaped.
"Whoosh!"
In his excitement, Jin Cancan accidentally spat out a mouthful of crimson flames, nearly setting the hall's door ablaze.
"Jin Cancan!"
Jiang Ling's face darkened. With a light rebuke and a sweep of his hand, he grabbed Jin Cancan and tossed him out of the hall.
Yet deep down, he felt gratified. Jin Cancan could actually breathe fire now—this confirmed he was no ordinary spiritual chicken. However, having scoured every spirit beast manual, Jiang Ling still couldn't determine exactly what breed of chicken he was. Fortunately, Jin Cancan's cultivation had always progressed smoothly, requiring little worry.
Outside the mountain gate, the Crimson Sun Demon Saint and the Blackstone Demon Sovereign were filled with awe, nearly prostrating themselves.
"Immortal... Immortal-grade Dao resonance! Immortal-grade again! The Sect Master's methods are truly... unfathomable!" the Crimson Sun Demon Saint murmured, his eyes brimming with shock.
With such a foundation, who could doubt the sect's future prosperity?
A flicker of complex emotion passed through the Blackstone Demon Sovereign's bear eyes.
The deeper the Primordial Sect's foundation, the more it highlighted how absurd Xiong Pi's actions had been. If Xiong Pi hadn't been so impulsive, would their circumstances as father and son be completely different now?
But time couldn't be reversed, and the dead couldn't be brought back. He had to look forward. If he performed well, maybe one day the Sect Master would bestow an immortal scripture upon him too!
An ambitious gleam lit up in the Blackstone Demon Sovereign's eyes.
Little did Jiang Ling know that in just these brief moments, the immortal light had somewhat diluted the resentment these two demons held towards him.
"Hmm, the Dao resonance is acceptable."
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, seemingly oblivious to the astounding phenomenon. His gaze fell upon Jiang Munan, who was visibly shaken, carrying a hint of expectation.
"This 'True Solution of the Innate Azure Wood's Creation' expounds upon the mysteries of life and creation. You must comprehend it well. Do not squander this opportunity."
Though spoken lightly, Jiang Munan received these words like celestial music and immediately bowed in acknowledgment.
As the immortal light slowly faded, the vast aura of life's origin had already deeply imprinted itself upon the mountains and veins of the Primordial Sect. The concentration of spiritual energy across the entire sect rose yet another level.
Jiang Munan carefully stored away the immortal scripture jade slip, suppressing the tumultuous waves within his heart, his gaze becoming unwavering.
"Master!"
He bowed once more, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "This disciple observes that the sect's newly expanded territory spans a hundred li of fertile land. However, the spirit fields lie barren and urgently need cultivation! This is the lifeblood of the sect's prosperity. This disciple requests permission to immediately plan the cultivation of spirit fields—to channel spirit springs, nurture spiritual soil, and sow immortal seeds! To forge an everlasting foundation for the sect!"
Instead of being overwhelmed by the shock of receiving an immortal-grade technique, he immediately identified the most immediate way to demonstrate his value.
Farming!
His reasoning was clear: spirit fields were the lifeblood of the sect's resources. Their quality and output directly determined the speed at which the sect's foundation accumulated and the supply of cultivation resources for disciples.
The more spirit fields cultivated, the more the sect would gain a continuous stream of wealth.
Master had been so good to him. He must use his utmost abilities to accelerate the sect's development!
[Ding! Detected sect strategic development needs. Issuing core mission: 'Cultivate Medicine Fields · Solidify Foundation'.]
[Mission Requirement: Successfully cultivate and plant spiritual vegetation on 100 mu of mid-grade spirit fields.]
[Mission Reward: 10,000 Points, Mid-Grade Spirit Spring x1, 'Danfang' (Alchemy Formula) x1.]
Jiang Ling: "..."
This system, always so understanding.
In the past, cultivating a hundred mu of mid-grade spirit fields would have been a significant challenge.
But now, with a mid-grade spirit vein, cultivating mid-grade spirit fields was effortless!
"Excellent!"
A sharp light flashed in Jiang Ling's eyes. His gaze towards Jiang Munan was filled with appreciation.
Now this was the kind of disciple he was satisfied with—a hundred times better than that stubborn mule Hua Yuntian!
If every disciple in the sect was like Jiang Munan, how could the sect not prosper?
"Your request is granted! The sect's territory is yours to plan. For any needed manpower, you may deploy disciples as you see fit. For any required resources, take my token and draw from the sect's treasury. Hua Yuntian!"
His gaze swept towards his second disciple, who seemed lost in thought. "You are to assist. Hand over the treasury keys to Munan. No delays!"
Hua Yuntian's face stiffened once more. His recently calmed emotions began to churn again.
If he wasn't mistaken, he was the senior disciple here, right?
Why should he take orders from Jiang Munan?
Though he had no desire to manage such trivial matters anyway, that didn't stop him from perceiving this as Jiang Ling playing favorites.
"Hmph! First favoring that damn chicken and Ye Qingshuang, now favoring Jiang Munan. Old rogue Jiang, you go too far!"
Hua Yuntian roared inwardly, his face cycling through shades of pale and dark. But facing Jiang Ling's unwavering gaze, he could only suppress his frustration and reply resentfully, "Disciple... obeys."
Without any delay, Jiang Munan accepted his orders and withdrew.
Soon, on the mountainside of Mount Taishi, near the ten mu of top-grade spirit fields, a scene of bustling activity unfolded.
Jiang Munan personally directed the effort, leading several outer disciples in clearing stubborn rocks, tilling the spiritual soil, and planning the field divisions.
Jin Cancan circled excitedly overhead, occasionally spitting threads of golden flames to melt boulders and using his sharp claws to break up compacted earth—his efficiency was astonishing.
Amidst the rising dust, the outlines of new spirit fields gradually took shape.
However, Jiang Ling did not immerse himself in this hopeful scene.
Returning to his meditation chamber, he silently rubbed a token retrieved from the Bone Yin Venerable's storage ring, his expression grim.
The token was neither metal nor jade, icy cold to the touch. Its front bore a ferocious ghostly visage; on its back were carved two ancient seal scripts radiating an ominous aura:
[XUAN MING]!
Accompanying information from a jade slip pierced his mind like ice shards:
"...Blood livestock cauldrons at Sparrow Ridge are ready, top quality. To be transported to 'Soul-Howling Ravine' in three days for delivery. The Xuan Ming Young Master will personally visit the northern territories soon to inspect assets. Several top-grade, stunning cauldrons must be prepared for the Young Master's selection. No mistakes permitted..."
Xuan Ming Young Master!
A core disciple of the Blackwind Ridge, exalted in status.
Jiang Ling walked to the window. His gaze, like a cold, deep abyss, fell upon the figures continuously ascending the Jade Capital Platform. An icy killing intent, like a slumbering beast, slowly awakened deep within his eyes.
"How could the path to forging the strongest sect of the ages be blocked by petty scoundrels?"
Jiang Ling's voice was low, like the murmur of a blade before unsheathing. "Xuan Ming Young Master... Blackwind Ridge... This master will see whether your claws are sharper, or my Primordial Sect's immortal formation is more impregnable!"