Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

”Young Master,”

A few days later, a peak of Foundation Building maiden on duty came before him, hand on the hilt of her sword, and bowed slightly in greeting, ”The investigation on Kong Yu Ling and Bai Hualing, the two candidate maidens, has been completed once again.”

In fact, every candidate maiden went through this process, especially these two with sensitive identities, who had already been thoroughly investigated. Only because there were no suspicious findings did they appear in the report.

At this time, it was also personnel from the relevant agencies who personally led the team for one more verification.

”Back in the day, under your assault, the Three-tailed fox tribe and the Five-Colored Peacock Clan were almost wiped out. Direct descendants of the King Kong Que and the Demon King Bai Hua from the Demon Country’s direct lineage suffered heavily and were under the scrutiny of many, with their direct offspring long gone.”

”Both Kong Yu Ling and Bai Hualing were born into collateral lineages of the former Demon Country’s royal bloodline, with no direct grudges against you, and at least three generations have passed among the people they interact with.”

”They were born during the Hei Clan’s rule, with a lack of inheritance.”

”After multiple conscience tests, no resentment was detected, politcally qualified.”

As for indirect grudges,

All of the Demon Race bore those against Ancestor Tushan from that time, which goes without saying. It’s a given, something that’s always been there.

”Then let it be so, cultivate them as usual, no discrimination, nor undue favor.”

Jiang Ding said indifferently, preferring to gloss over the matter.

Maidens from Tushan were reliable, but their abilities were limited, confined to the Foundation Building realm.

However, he had no intention of spending a great deal of time conducting a Golden Pill or Nascent Soul level investigation to rule out a one in ten thousand chance.

It wasn’t necessary.

For cultivators, their mighty power was inherent, and even if there were dissenters, they could be suppressed with a flip of the hand. The oath of the Taoist Soldiers also greatly confined them, ensuring they couldn’t turn the heavens.

”Yes.”

The maiden on duty bowed and retired, her figure gradually fading away.

A sweep of Jiang Ding’s Divine Sense revealed the school for the candidate maidens had already begun classes. Gong Caiyu, Dong Cang, and other maidens at the peak of Foundation Building were instructing the inexperienced human and demon race girls in the cultivation knowledge they needed to prepare for the future cultivation of the Tushan maiden inheritance, ”Sun Sword Spectrum.”

He himself would teach a class every few months.

It’s not that he couldn’t do it more frequently, which could accelerate the maidens’ growth.

It was just, laziness.

It was unclear whether it was the inherent laziness of the original body, or the characteristic of this strand of Soul Fragment, but the outcome was the same regardless.

As for providing the official Tushan maidens with the quasi-third rank Taoist Soldiers’ Flying Swords, he could just commission the Xianmen Sect Refining Masters to forge them, ensuring they were both affordable and made by ancient methods.

The expense was negligible for him nowadays.

”That’s how it is with the Taoist Soldiers in the Three Kingdoms, next is administration...”

Jiang Ding rubbed his temples.

This was the first time in six years that he was dealing with administrative matters, and it only started after he faintly sensed the attention of his main body. Usually, he would daydream, allowing the Tushan maiden group to handle matters on their own, which had led to a buildup of issues.

”There’s someone from the Li Clan named Fang Zhi Shan at the Foundation Building level... um, Ancestor, who is about to make a breakthrough to Golden Pill. Anyway, he has the ability to provoke a heavenly tribulation, and the person has some opportunities. I wonder whether to deal with him the same way as the Qiyu Sect, Xuetu Hall and other forces...”

”No need.”

Jiang Ding made a note: ”Let him break through, then warn him, it’s not allowed to develop any forces in the Three Kingdoms. If there is any overstep and the evidence is conclusive, annihilate him after making a public decree.”

”That’s how all future cases should be handled.”

In that respect, Jiang Ding was generous.

But he wouldn’t allow anyone to dip into his pocket. However, working and earning money for the Tushan Immortal City was acceptable.

”A group of Foundation Building level Cultivators from Tushan Immortal City are seeking breakthrough methods to Golden Pill... they want merits, and with enough merits, give it to them, and proceed as usual as long as they don’t violate the laws of the Immortal City, with no need for restrictions.”

”A Golden Pill from Lingbao Commerce Association requests an audience...”

”The first to the third batch of Tushan maidens have already gone to the Northern Plains, planning to join the King’s Court battle in search of the path...”

”Agricultural Hall Counselor Nine Elements Spiritual Ginseng Chun San Wa wants to see me? After being denied access, he applies once a year...”

Jiang Ding thought for a moment and said, ”I’ve got to see this guy, as he’s a top-tier third-rank Spiritual Ginseng. What’s more, he’s worth much more than most fourth-order elixirs, capable of aiding someone in breaking through to the Nascent Soul.”

”Although I don’t need it, my fleet’s chief of staff An Siyan and deputy fleet commander Jin Lingfeng seem to need it.”

The order was given, and it didn’t take long.

Whoosh!

A yellowish-brown Escape Light skimming the ground rushed over like burrowing through the earth, revealing the palm-sized image of the Nine Elements Spiritual Ginseng Chun San Wa.

He was still small, but his demeanor had matured significantly. Dressed in a dignified robe, he indeed carried the presence of one accustomed to a high position.

Of course, that was the fact.

As a counselor of the Agricultural Hall, his orders would be followed without question by thousands of Spirit Farmers who cultivate various Spirit Fields, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Thanks to his efforts, Tushan Immortal City’s financial income has recovered so swiftly over the years, skyrocketing from thirty million Low-grade Spirit Stones to sixty million.

”Pay up!”

Chun San Wa demanded, straightforward and to the point.

”What money?”

Jiang Ding countered, ”I’ve delivered your annual salary on time every year, so don’t go spreading rumors that could damage my reputation. I’m not one to owe anyone their salary.”

”But it’s not right!”

”I’m a top-tier third-rank Spiritual Ginseng, comparable to the fourth-rank!”

Chun San Wa retorted angrily, ”You only give me second-rank Spiritual Fertilizer. Is that fair? Why don’t you give Gong Caiyu first-order Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure? She’s just at the Peak of Foundation Building!”

Having interacted with many maidens over the years, he had inquired about their salaries and immediately felt the disparity.

”You’re different from them.”

”You owe me money and are working to pay off your debt.”

Jiang Ding said with a smile, ”You remember about the rent, don’t you? Go ask around outside, who else has such a good deal where you work to repay a debt and still receive a salary each month?”

”I remember, of course, I remember.”

”You’re stronger than me, that much I’ll admit,”

Chun San Wa’s anger vanished instantly, and he said with an ingratiating smile, ”Boss, just tell me, how can I get third and fourth-rank Spiritual Fertilizer? Perhaps after I break through to the fourth-rank, I can work for you even better and faster.”

His dignity had dissipated, replaced by utter obsequiousness.

Inwardly, though, he cursed the damned skinflint, thinking that once he broke through to the fourth-rank, he’d slip away in an instant, leaving Jiang Ding with a loss of both personnel and resources, regretting and crying.

Jiang Ding stayed silent.

A promissory note floated over lazily, with an annual interest rate of thirty-six percent.

”You understand, right?”

”Understand, of course, I understand,” Chun San Wa responded, his face bitter as he signed the note, ”You just fancy this body of mine, wanting to do as you please, right? As long as I can break through to the fourth-rank, it’s all negotiable.”

”Don’t put it like that.”

”It’s a mutually agreed transaction, don’t make it sound so vulgar,” Jiang Ding said, rolling his eyes and waving his hand. A pile of third-rank Spiritual Fertilizer fell to the ground, mixed with two bags of the valuable fourth-rank ginseng Spiritual Fertilizer, obviously prepared well in advance.

”Not bad.”

Chun San Wa didn’t bother with the rest, embracing a bag of fourth-rank Spiritual Fertilizer, taking a deep breath, and revealing a look of intoxication.

”The goods are top-notch.”