Chapter 280 "A Ripple in the Corner"

Faced with the eager and bewildered crowd, amidst their bewildering and somewhat unreal gaze, the words of "Qihuangzi" that followed felt like a bucket of cold water pouring over their heads.
It made them wake up again with a start.
"...However, I did not agree to this invitation."
"The reason is simple, the current association is not up to this level at all."
"Instead of being distracted by Hehuan Territory, let's first thoroughly understand the Qingxuan Territory."
"That's the three things I wanted to say."
"Qi Huangzi" said a sentence and ended the topic, no longer speaking.
The atmosphere in the room was silent and quiet.
Under the intentional "provocation" of "Qi Huangzi", everyone's mood was like a roller coaster, constantly ups and downs, and they all felt inexplicably tired.
“葛平”率先打破沉默，道：
“好了，咱们回到前面的话题吧。”
说着，他看向黎文昌，问：“黎道友，你可还有什么想说的？”
Lí Wénchāng pursed his lips and said:
"Gě Dàoyǒu is right, my consideration was inappropriate."
"Gě Píng" stared at him for a few seconds before turning to look at the others, saying:
"You guys should discuss it as well. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas and benefit from collective wisdom."
Under his guidance, the group discussed for a while and ultimately voted to pass another resolution.
Actually, an additional prerequisite has been added to Li Wenchang's proposal, which is that each profession should have a guaranteed quota of three spots.
Of course, if a certain profession cannot even gather three newly promoted professionals at the third stage, there is nothing that can be done.
After discussing the matter, more than twenty third-tier professionals gathered here dispersed quickly.
With their departure, the intense waves they brought were also taken away to various places in the Qingxuan Territory.
……
Wucailing.
This second-order spiritual vein is approximately 70,000 miles away from Qinglin Peak, and it was originally one of the three cultivation sites located in the outer ring area of Qingxuan Domain.
During the outbreak of the beast tide that swept through the entire Qingxuan Domain, this place was the front line.
A number of teams of different sizes and strengths, based at Wulicailing, roam the vast wilderness and dangerous veins in the surrounding areas.
They gradually weaken the successive waves of gathered beasts as if peeling off fruit skin, little by little.
Despite this, a large number of monsters still broke through numerous interceptions and fierce battles erupted within the range of Wucailing.
But now, the concept of "beast tide front" has unknowingly pushed outward for thousands of miles.
Even before the outbreak of the beast tide, Wucailing, which has always been plagued by monster disasters, has not suffered from monster attacks for more than half a year.
Even if the monster is lucky enough to escape the heavy sniping interception, it is difficult to get close to the two-thousand-mile range of Wucailing.
Even a few stray fish that have escaped the net will be easily killed before they enter the Wucailing.
Geographically speaking, Wucailing, located in the outer ring area, seems to have a somewhat secure rear area.
The intense and frequent battles did not make Wucailing desolate, but instead presented a lively prosperity different from ordinary times.
After long-term adjustment and operation, as long as they survive to this day, from individuals to teams, they have already been able to skillfully and tacitly find each other's positions.
From birth to death, the heart that never stops beating seems extremely busy in the eyes of others. However, only by truly understanding it can one realize that the seemingly busy heart actually has plenty of rest time.
Similarly, in the imaginations of the cultivators in the rear, the team fighting on the front lines against the tide of beasts is always on the brink of life and death, constantly in a high-intensity and tense environment.
Perhaps at the beginning of the beast tide outbreak, some inexperienced teams did indeed experience such a situation in a state of confusion.
However, once they truly adapt to the rhythm of frontline combat, they will find that under the macro-level "rolling" scheduling of the Qingxuan Sect, all forces roll like wheels. In each complete rolling process, the time spent confronting the beast tide is very short.
Just like a point on a wheel, it needs to rotate 360 degrees to touch the ground once.
Outside of intense battles, every team has plenty of time for healing, rest, training, resupply, and recreation.
Previously, Wucailing itself was on the frontline, with these battles taking place within the first and second-grade spiritual veins in the central region adjacent to the outer region.
Now, with the "frontline" moving forward, Wucailing has become the new rear area, and the teams that used to have to go to the central region for rest after fighting on the frontline naturally won't choose to go far away. Therefore, Wucailing has become the best choice.
This makes Wucailing exceptionally bustling and prosperous.
Every day, groups of cultivators enter, and groups of cultivators also leave.
When entering, their conditions vary greatly, including injured and even disabled cultivators, with a strong scent of blood and evil lingering.
When they left, each one of them became vibrant again, their eyes seemingly burning with flames of passion, radiating an exuberant spirit from the inside out.
Upon entering the Wucailing team after intense battles, besides tending to their injuries, adjusting their condition, and seizing the time for cultivation, they also paid close attention to the overall situation and changes, interacted with other teams, and received new combat missions. There was also one extremely important task, which was to spend their earned military merits and contributions from the previous battle mission as much as possible.
- For the vast majority of individuals and teams, they do not have the intention of accumulating military merits.
- It is not that they distrust the military merits given by the Qingxuan Sect, but it is determined by objective reality.
In the face of a tsunami-like wave after wave of endless and never-ending beast tide, few people can be certain that they will definitely stand until the end.
In such a situation, naturally, few people will think about saving their military merits and contributions like saving money.
At the first moment of earning, you are eager to immediately convert it into resources that have a clear impact on combat, survival, and cultivation.
For resources that require a large amount of military merits to exchange, it is also common to borrow and transfer between each other.
The military meritorious exchange area, located in the city center, is almost always crowded and noisy.
Whether during the day or late at night, there are always groups of cultivators hanging around.
……
Du Cheng traveled alone and left the Wumong Sea, his figure turning into a fleeing light. He swiftly traveled until he reached the Five-Color Mountains where he could see the outline of a city from a distance, and only then did he slow down.
However, just as he slowed down, in the next moment, two powerful divine senses swept towards him consecutively.
After encountering him, there was a slight pause, followed by a subtle expression of welcome, and these two divine senses quietly disappeared.
Having interacted multiple times before, Du Cheng, who was already familiar with the process, did not feel surprised. After nodding slightly in return, he strode towards the military merit exchange area in the city center.
During the first time he did this task, he actually had some opinions in his heart, especially when the Qingxuan Sect disciple, knowing his identity, still rigorously conducted a divine sense inspection on him. Such an undisguised guarded attitude did not make him feel happy at all?!
"We put in effort and shed both sweat and blood, helping you gnaw on the toughest bones, so that you can relax and watch the show like a big shot behind the scenes."
"And this is how you repay us?"
As long as we go outside of the Tianqi Mountain, Wumon Sea, and Heizeyuan areas, they treat us like thieves!
It's absolutely outrageous, they're being too deceitful!
However, as the initial "sensitive period" passed, he gradually became indifferent.
It seems that even the concealed Qingxuan Sect's foundation building cultivator can sense his emotional changes. That guarded attitude has faded, and instead, they would actively release goodwill every time their divine sense reached out.
Such changes made him unable to help reflecting in his heart: "Maybe I used to be too sensitive."
Just as he stepped into the street to exchange his military merits, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Comrade, do you want military merit?" He looked at Du Cheng and asked in a low voice.
Du Cheng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, "What do you mean, are you trying to give me military merit?"
"Yes, as long as you need it, I can find a way to get you as much as you want!" The man said confidently.
"Really giving things away? No lies?"
"Um... there is a small fee, but don't worry, ah, please don't leave..."
With just these two sentences, Du Cheng already understood the other party's trick. He didn't have the time to play along with them.
This kind of narrow-minded person, if in the Spirit Domain, he could kill him with one hand.
But now, he had to restrain his temper and choose to ignore it.
Both sides of the road were lined with shops, and from time to time, you could see cultivators coming in and out.
These shops can all be used to exchange military achievements.
Not everyone is eligible to open a shop here for military achievement exchange.
Every force that is able to settle here has to be approved by the Qingxuan Sect.
Every item that is placed on the shelves also goes through a rigorous review by Qingxuan Sect.
It is noticeable that as you go further inside, the number of cultivators coming and going in each store gradually increases.
When he arrived at the deepest place and saw the scene in front of him, his brows furrowed tightly.
Here, three independent buildings stand erect.
In the center, the largest one is surrounded by a circle of open space, filled with all kinds of cultivators.
The sound is noisy and bustling, everyone is either planning military achievements or discussing what to exchange.
Those who have discussed well are queuing up to enter through a big gate.
Meanwhile, groups of monks occasionally come out of another big gate with excited and joyful expressions on their faces.
Every face is filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest.
This is the branch office of the Administration Hall of the Qingxuan Sect, located in the Five-Color Hill. With such liveliness, there is nothing more to say.
On the left side is a slightly smaller standalone building, with many cultivators coming in and out. Each cultivator coming out has an excited expression as if they have won a big prize.
Although he instinctively felt displeased, he could reluctantly understand - even if he couldn't understand.
Even though the majority were in the Wu Meng Sea, through exchanges with those who formed a Dan in the Qing Xuan Sect, they also knew that the Professional Association, which had already gained fame, became even more arrogant with a man named "Qi Huang Zi" as its president.
Although the disciples of Qingxuan Sect who built the foundation never explicitly stated it, he could sense from their tone and expression that with the existence of the "Yellow Emperor's Disciple" professional association, it is gaining momentum in the minds of Qingxuan Sect and surpassing the status of the Spirit-Taming Army.
This discovery greatly displeased him and made him feel offended.
However, it also elevated his view of this professional association in his heart, and he would not start trouble with it for no reason.
What made him frown was another standalone building.
Not only was the surrounding area desolate, with very few cultivators coming in and out, but also those few cultivators who came out wore disappointed expressions as they entered directly into the building run by the adjacent professional association.
Du Cheng's heart skipped a beat when he saw the situation, something must have happened!
With this thought in mind, Du Cheng strode into the midst of it.
……
An old man, with his head down and lost in thought, suddenly felt a terrifying aura pressing against him from just a few steps away.
He quickly looked up and saw Du Cheng standing just a short distance in front of him, his eyes fixed firmly on him.
The old man was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Senior Master, you're here!"
Du Cheng stared at the old man as he respectfully greeted him, but there was no sign of softening in his expression.
"What's going on? What mistake has been made?!" Du Cheng asked.
The hint of blame in his tone was very obvious.
The old man hurriedly said, "Master Uncle, this is not our problem. I have already sent a message to Qianling Island... don't you know?"
Qianling Island is a spiritual island that the Spirit Control Army found in the Wumong Sea. It has now been set up as a permanent base for the Spirit Control Army.
"It must have been a missed opportunity... It's not your fault? What exactly happened?"
Du Cheng's expression softened, but his confusion grew stronger.
The old man hurriedly explained, "Here's what happened..."
……
After a while, a cold-faced Du Cheng appeared in another crowded hall
Because of the strong and cold aura emanating from him, those cultivators who were waiting in line to exchange military achievements quickly dispersed and watched from afar
In the hall, the bustling atmosphere suddenly became silent.
"Who is in charge? Come out and speak!" Du Cheng said coldly.
An old man at the late foundation establishment stage quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Senior, may I ask..."
Du Chengyi flicked his sleeve, and this old man suddenly flew out, banging heavily against the wall behind him.
Seeing the ferocity of his momentum, if it hadn't been for the formation hidden in the wall being triggered, the front wall would have collapsed.
The elderly man with a late-stage foundational cultivation spewed out a mouthful of blood with a loud "wow".
"Is there not a single respectable person in the esteemed Professional Association who can stand up?!"
Other than Du Cheng's cold voice tinged with sarcasm, the entire hall was as quiet as a pin drop.
All fell silent.
Seeing no one responding, Du Cheng, with a cold expression on his face, slightly curved his mouth, revealing a hint of indifference and ruthlessness, sneered:
"Such a worthless person, dares to compete with me from the Spirit Control Sect?"
He had already sensed it with his divine awareness, there were two Core Formation cultivators in the room just one wall away from the hall.
Yet until now, they didn't even dare show their faces, which made him extremely disdainful.
Such a person, dare to provoke the tiger's beard of the Spirit Sect?!
Simply ignorant of life and clueless!