Chapter 498: The Shortcut Method
Chapter 498: The Shortcut Method
...
Chen Huaian emerged from the immortal palace, his previously stern and serious expression instantly transforming into one of cunning and deceit.
The matter of the Demon Sealing Pagodas was settled.
The Kunlun Immortal Palace was monitoring four pagodas, while the Great Thunder Temple also watched over four.
One additional pagoda was jointly supervised by both major factions.
Having already dealt with one, there remained three more pagodas under Kunlun's jurisdiction to resolve.
Now that he had taken responsibility for two, successfully handling these would surely prompt Hua Jin the True One to entrust him with the fourth pagoda as well.
What an unexpected windfall.
In the end, Hua Jin the True One not only bestowed upon him the title of "Loyal Subject," but also granted numerous rewards, including eligibility for the Ascension Pillar.While he had no personal interest in the Ascension Pillar, this prize was highly coveted among Ascenders and could serve as excellent leverage for winning people over.
To avoid arousing Hua Jin's suspicions, he naturally included her young lover Wang Shouyi in the mission.
Hua Jin initially showed reluctance, likely concerned about the dangers of attacking the Demon Sealing Pagodas and unwilling to risk Wang Shouyi again.
Only after repeated assurances of Wang Shouyi's safety did Hua Jin reluctantly agree.
...
Exorcist Division of Province C.
"Zhao Ying, I have a task for you."
Before entering Containment Area 0, Chen Huaian summoned Zhao Ying and inquired:
"Before deploying you, this Governor wishes to understand our current standing. What is the social status of our Exorcist Division in Province C?"
Zhao Ying found the question somewhat odd but answered truthfully:
"The Exorcist Division headquarters has become nominal at best. Our Province C branch is virtually the only one still actively hunting demons and ghosts - other provincial divisions have mostly disbanded, with their demon slayers either absorbed by prominent families or joining various sect factions."
"I see." Chen Huaian nodded. "So our social standing is rather mediocre?"
"On the contrary." Zhao Ying shook her head. "Our status is quite high because many malevolent sects and supernatural phenomena are ignored by Ascenders. Such trivial matters are beneath them - even red-clothed vengeful ghosts stand no chance against Foundation Establishment stage Ascenders.
Moreover, eliminating supernatural threats offers no tangible benefits, so Ascenders typically turn a blind eye unless they happen upon one during travels. But our Exorcist Division handles all reported cases, whether minor spirits or fierce ghosts."
She gestured to the mountain of plastic bags at her feet: "These are all commendation banners from residents. We've run out of wall space to hang them." 𝙧ΑＮ𝐨ＢĚš
Chen Huaian nodded in understanding.
The current situation aligned with his expectations.
Ascenders were inherently selfish, embodying the classic cultivator mentality of avoiding unrewarded effort.
But another matter concerned him more.
"Is the military system still functioning normally?"
"It's... virtually collapsed." Zhao Ying shrugged. "As you know, conventional weapons are useless against ghosts. For ordinary soldiers, supernatural entities present an unsolvable problem.
Demonic beasts and Demon Cultivators are slightly more manageable, and that's only because most entering cities have already been dealt with by Ascenders. Otherwise, the military would have collapsed even faster."
"So weapons experts are currently ineffective?" Chen Huaian's eyes lit up.
"Not entirely. The military has been researching weapons adapted for the spiritual era, like bullets and shells infused with holy water. But the times are changing too rapidly, and the emergence of Awakened hasn't increased survival pressure enough to spur significant breakthroughs."
Zhao Ying expressed the military's frustration and helplessness.
But what Chen Huaian heard was opportunity knocking.
He couldn't blame the experts.
They simply lacked the medium to convert energy from gunpowder to spiritual power - not due to knowledge deficiency, but insufficient time.
Moreover, the Spiritual Revival treated all equally.
Even the most brilliant weapons expert might never become Awakened, while a starving beggar could transform into a superhuman overnight through sheer luck.
Even if a few weapons experts did awaken,
their awakened abilities might have no relation to spiritual energy.
Perhaps someday a military Awakened would solve the energy conversion issue, but not yet.
Supernatural threats had already overwhelmed the military.
"Zhao Ying, your mission is to recruit several firearms experts from military headquarters."
Zhao Ying looked puzzled: "Governor, why would you need firearms? Your talismans and sword qi already function like missiles... Surely you're not planning to develop new firearms?"
Chen Huaian's youthful appearance hardly suggested a scientist. Could he succeed where balding old professors had failed after countless sleepless nights?
"Just follow my orders."
Checking the time, Chen Huaian noted the approaching dusk. Li Qingran expected him to stay overnight, and he couldn't stand her up.
...
There remained some time before evening.
Through the Electronic Girlfriend game system, he observed no major developments at the Moon Shadow Sect.
Zhang Mengchu and Li Ziping were leading disciples to set up formations in the Cangbo Mountain Range.
Su Qinian lay in the sect square with over a dozen elders, cultivating while playing "old man spinning fun" inside washing machines.
At the mines, Rice Bucket dozed with her round belly protruding.
All was peaceful.
With a sigh, Chen Huaian opened the Oceanborn Art manual to cultivate. His slow progress stemmed partly because cultivation in the Cangyun Realm didn't benefit his main body, only his avatar - and even that improvement was negligible.
With the Tideborn Art as foundation and his Original Dao Physique, comprehending the higher-level Oceanborn Art proved no challenge.
His cultivation proceeded smoothly as time slipped away unnoticed.
Suddenly, his phone's vibration interrupted his cultivation trance.
[Your Electronic Girlfriend, Moon Shadow Sect Leader Li Qingran is summoning you!]
A notification appeared on screen.
Checking the time, Chen Huaian smacked his forehead.
"Damn, it's already past 11 PM without realizing..."
Without hesitation, he donned his VR headset.
...
The night was serene, with gentle breezes.
Logging in, Chen Huaian immediately saw Li Qingran waiting in the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave's courtyard.
The quiet, cozy yard glowed softly under several spirit stone lamps, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
"Master, you've come?" Li Qingran stood among flowers, turning with a sudden, radiant smile.
Her clear eyes held traces of melancholy, yet concealed cunning beneath.
Skilled at reading expressions, Chen Huaian promptly asked: "Does my disciple have some worry?"
"Master, this disciple has encountered certain... difficulties while cultivating the Oceanborn Art recently."
Li Qingran gazed up, biting her lower lip.
Tonight she wore light blue cultivation robes that clung to her figure, hinting at graceful curves.
Loose strands from her untidy bun framed her increasingly fair complexion.
Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. "What difficulties? Speak freely."
This was excellent news!
His understanding of the Oceanborn Art was undoubtedly comprehensive.
Li Qingran's red lips parted hesitantly, as if struggling to voice her thoughts.
After much hesitation, she finally mumbled: "This disciple heard... the Oceanborn Art might have a shortcut method involving... dual..."
Chen Huaian frowned. "Dual what?"
Dual cultivation? Cooperative practice? He'd never heard of such a thing!
Not daring to meet his eyes, her face flushed crimson as she whispered two barely audible words:
"Dual cultivation."
...
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