Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chen Xi spoke confidently.

It wasn't just a rough plan, but which people to start with, what kind of oversight organization to establish, and how internal rules should be structured.

How to coerce or incentivize Xiantian and Masters, which Xiantian could be outright killed to shock others, and which Xiantian and Masters must be promised significant benefits and persuaded with good words...

Jiang Ding showed a look of admiration.

These were not things one could know from mere armchair strategizing; they required actual management of an organization and a deep understanding of it.

The former royal family of Yue Country had unexpectedly excelled in the education of their younger members.

"By the way, Brother Ding, I am not very familiar with the mortal families of the inner disciples or some of the elders; I'll need someone to help with that."

Chen Xi revealed a problem.

Jiang Ding looked at Liu SanQi.

"Little Ancestor Uncle, rest assured," Liu SanQi said respectfully, "I will dispatch a disciple well-versed in these matters to assist Miss Chen with this issue."

"...As for the budget, set it at two hundred and twenty-one spirit stones per year."

Chen Xi finally stopped speaking, looking at the youth in blue clothes before her.

Every action has its costs.

To win over Xiantians, assigning more inner disciples to inspect various places annually, influencing hundreds of millions of mortals in the vast lands of Yue Country—even if they are just mortals—the expense was astronomical.

This was only possible with the high status of Little Ancestor Uncle, which allowed many initiatives to be implemented without obstruction; otherwise, there would be even more difficulties.

"Ask Manager Liu for it."

Jiang Ding answered, without reluctance.

It was also considered another way of taking from the people to use for the people.

"Yes, Little Ancestor Uncle," said Liu SanQi respectfully, "For the newly established... Mortal Realm Oversight Department, it would be best to send one or two trusted individuals to monitor whether your spirit stones are being spent properly and whether the tasks are being completed effectively."

Two hundred plus spirit stones a year was a significant amount for Qi Practitioners, enough to tempt many minor cultivators into taking risks.

"Do you have any recommendations?"

"One of the Winter Three Servant Girls can take on this role; they are the most skilled in Formation Methods among the maids. Just choose one to accompany, and rotate every April."

"Good."

"There is another matter that Miss Chen has not considered."

Liu SanQi looked at Chen Xi with some dissatisfaction, making the latter tense up.

"The inner and outer disciples have families of various sizes in the mortal realm, and few are supervised or restricted. Hence, there are many who act tyrannically, bullying men and overpowering women. This is part of the compensation given by the Sect for their arduous cultivation efforts."

"You wish for good governance in the mortal realm, restricting local gentry and powerful families from their violent exactions."

"They cannot and dare not resist, but this will further lower your reputation among a large number of middle and low-level disciples."

"Further?"

Jiang Ding asked with some curiosity.

"Yes," Liu SanQi stated gravely, "In recent months, Three Spiritual Roots and Quadruple Spiritual Root cultivators of Dizifeng Peak have successively harnessed mana and become cultivators while you still exude the aura of a Xiantian Martial Artist."

"Therefore, rumors have been spreading within the Sect that your Xiantian foundation has been damaged and your potential exhausted, leaving you disqualified from becoming a cultivator."

"The rumors spread quickly throughout the Sect for unknown reasons," he hinted.

Jiang Ding nodded slightly.

This was the consequence of directly offending two high-ranking Foundation-building cultivators, indirectly causing the discontent of a large number of other Foundation-building cultivators.

"Of course, these are baseless talks, unlikely to affect you in the least. You only need to pay a bit of attention," Liu SanQi added.

"Will this offend a large number of middle and low-level Qi Practitioners further?"

Jiang Ding said indifferently, "That's of no concern."

"Yes, I understand!" Liu SanQi said as he bowed and took a few steps back.

```

They agreed on a few more details.

"Do your best, and I shall reward you handsomely," Jiang Ding said amiably. "If you encounter irresistible factors, such as obstructions by cultivators of higher realms, you may give up; there's no need to force it."

"Young Master, we understand!"

Gong Caiyu and her companion said earnestly.

After everyone had left, the mountaintop of Jinlingshan Mountain returned to its former quietude.

There was no need to deliver water or food anymore, as the fasting pill was sufficient to meet all needs.

After cultivating for a while and spending half a day reading various books from the Sutra Pavilion, Jiang Ding disappeared from sight.

...

Firecrackers crackled and hissed, their red fragments scattering all over the ground.

There was an arch-shaped banner above the entranceway.

"Congratulations to Jiang Ding for becoming the top student in two subjects at the Xianmen Sect, and for being admitted to Qingfeng University."

In the neighborhood, a banquet was grandly laid out, everywhere abounded with joy, and constant cheerful chatter could be heard from the coming and going crowds.

Though the food was moderately priced, everyone was willing to join in the celebration of the top student's banquet, eager to partake in the festive spirit.

"Make sure all family and friends eat and drink well!"

"If our hospitality is lacking, please forgive us, forgive us!"

Elder Lin Gang was all smiles, beaming with pleasure as he weaved through the throngs, his face blossoming like a chrysanthemum, grinning non-stop, looking as though he was floating on air.

"Not at all, not at all..."

"It's all Dingding's own studying; I didn't manage that much after all..."

Lin Wanqiu, just like Elder Lin Gang, moved among groups of close friends and colleagues, making an effort to maintain a display of modesty, though in private, she reveled untold times.

A bustling neighborhood,

A quiet room.

Jiang Ding put on the newly arrived supreme magic tool reconnaissance camouflage, concentrated his mind, used inner energy as a brush, imbued his sword intent, and meticulously inscribed and embellished a mutton fat jade pendant.

[Soul Condensing Jade Pendant]

[Crafted with spirit jade and the ninth generation leaf cuttings of the Spirit Nurturing Tree, it serves to nurture the soul, calm the spirit, and clear the mind. It works even better for mortals, allowing self-engraving of formation methods.]

This was a special magic tool that had arrived alongside the supreme magic tool reconnaissance camouflage, of which Jiang Ding had ordered two pieces.

Hum!

With the final stroke applied, the sword intent withdrew.

The mutton fat jade pendant became adorned with a web of intricate lines, conveying sharpness and obliteration, which gradually receded until they completely vanished, leaving the pendant looking ordinary.

"The jade inscription inheritance I found in the library isn't difficult. Specially refined jade is a much better medium than talisman paper, supplemented by my 'Sword Intent'..."

"It should be comparable to the full-force strike of an ordinary peak Qi practitioner. Moreover, it can autonomously sense danger and activate, preventing accidental injuries."

Jiang Ding closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then uttered with satisfaction.

Even though the Xianmen Sect was stable, the rare occurrences of vicious incidents still made him uneasy. Before, when he lacked the ability, it couldn't be helped, but now that he had the capability, he wanted to prepare something for his sister and mother, to prevent the possibility of irreparable events.

About the university, the family had discussed for a long time and spent a sum of spirit coins to consult with professionals; eventually, they decided on Qingfeng University.

Qingfeng and Beidou were equally famed.

Compared to Beidou, which specialized in training war commanders and developing military formation techniques and weapons of destruction, Qingfeng University was more comprehensive and better suited to his battle system.

"Dingding, the auspicious time has come; it's time for us to serve tea to our relatives and friends," said Lin Wanqiu as she entered.

Looking at the young man before her, she saw him as the light in her life, filled with joy.

This was her son, the future Immortal of Nascent Soul.

Centuries later, even after she had long passed away and her bones had decayed to dust, people would still remember that a Nascent Soul Immortal's mother had once existed.

Who had once celebrated an important day in the young Immortal's life with him.

"Alright."

Jiang Ding's reconnaissance camouflage rapidly changed in color and style, turning into a joyously subdued red.

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