Chapter 227 - 129: Minister
Ji Feng chose the True Fire Pure Spirit Technique.
It was a Daoist Technique that used True Fire to purify Magical Power and solidify one’s foundation. It could also be used to burn away the Elixir Poison that accumulated in one’s Magical Power from long-term consumption of elixirs.
While it didn’t mean one could recklessly consume Spirit Pills to advance their Cultivation, it did lower the risks of taking elixirs to a minimum.
Yang Jing nodded in satisfaction. The Daoist Techniques his four disciples had chosen were all highly compatible with them, and they would be of great use to him as well.
He hadn’t used up all his chances to select Spiritual Qi and Daoist Techniques. The rewards for slaying a True Disciple of the Demon Sect could also be used within the Five Elements True Spirit Sect to choose Daoist Techniques and Spiritual Artifacts.
"Thank you, Masters."
Yang Jing bowed respectfully to the two Golden Core cultivators.
Meng Sima stroked his long beard and nodded, looking at Yang Jing with satisfaction.
"Yang Jing, would you be willing to shoulder more responsibility?"
Yang Jing’s eyes lit up. He could smell a promotion and a fortune in the air. The Merit Point redemption system in the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion had thresholds, just like the one in the Five Elements True Spirit Sect. However, the Five Elements True Spirit Sect’s system was divided into three tiers—Outer Disciple, Inner Sect Disciple, and True Disciple—while the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion’s was divided by official rank.
His authority as a Demon Patrol Envoy was equivalent to that of an Inner Sect Disciple. If he could be promoted one more rank, his authority would be on par with a True Disciple’s.
"Wu Siming was killed, and his position as the Seven Kingdoms Minister has remained vacant ever since. Although many have their eyes on this post, I believe none of them are up to the task. Yang Jing, would you be willing to temporarily take on this Minister’s role and oversee matters concerning the Demon Cultivators in the Northern Domain Seven Kingdoms?"
The recent turmoil had raised Meng Sima’s vigilance.
The Northern Army Governor’s Mansion and the Northern Domain Seven Kingdoms were inextricably linked; if one fell, the other would be in peril. If the situation in the Northern Domain Seven Kingdoms were to deteriorate, the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion would not be able to stand on its own. The importance of the Seven Kingdoms Minister position skyrocketed in his eyes.
This position could not be filled by some mediocrity. It required a sharp and capable talent to manage the situation in the Seven Kingdoms and cut off the infiltration of the Four Demon Sects.
In Meng Sima’s mind, Yang Jing was the most suitable person for the job.
’It’s just a pity he can’t stay long in the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion. Once his five-year term is up, he’ll have to return to the Five Elements True Spirit Sect.’
"I would not have dared to ask, but it is my greatest wish."
Yang Jing would naturally not refuse this appointment. The rank of Minister was a core, mid-level position with significant authority, both in the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion and the Five Elements True Spirit Sect.
The salary and privileges were both a step above those of a Demon Patrol Envoy.
Once he assumed this post, he would be able to easily redeem Spiritual Objects like One-Element Heavy Water from the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion.
"The Northern Army Governor’s Mansion has expanded the roster of the Seven Kingdoms Bureau, adding two Yu Hou, forty-eight Demon Suppression Army soldiers, and one Martial Power Level Flying Boat."
Meng Sima said to Yang Jing:
"It takes great power to accomplish great things. The Seven Kingdoms Bureau now has command over three full battalions, making it the most powerful among all the bureaus. I hope that in these next four years, you can sweep away the demonic presence in the Northern Domain Seven Kingdoms."
Having been a leader for a long time, he naturally knew that the most important part of motivating a subordinate was dangling a carrot.
"I have served as a Sima for many years and have accumulated a fair amount of Merit Points in the Supreme Profound Upper Yang Sect. Yang Jing, if your performance as Minister is deemed high-level, I will redeem the remaining seven thunder techniques of the Celestial Thunder Technique from the Sect for you as a reward."
Yang Jing hadn’t expected Meng Sima to make such a significant promise. ’He’s clearly trying to promote my career.’
Although the Supreme Profound Upper Yang Sect did not forbid the Nine Great Thunder Techniques from being taught to outsiders, obtaining the complete collection was still as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
If the Nine Great Celestial Thunders Technique and a Magical Treasure were placed before him, Yang Jing wouldn’t hesitate for a second. The power of the Celestial Thunder Technique was limited on the Western Continent—performing the ritual to summon lightning could, at most, call down True Thunder of the Golden Core Level. Even so, its power surpassed that of a Magical Treasure.
And once his Cultivation increased, the boost it would provide to his Power would far exceed any Magical Treasure.
"The official appointment will be announced in a few days,"
Meng Sima said, his hands clasped behind his back.
Yang Jing bowed respectfully to Meng Sima. ’Here in the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion, Meng Sima really treats me like a nephew. He doesn’t even support the juniors of his own Supreme Profound Upper Yang Sect this much.’
After returning to his residence, Yang Jing had Chi Yu hand over the Red Blood Saber for him to inspect.
The saber was, after all, originally a Magical Treasure from the Demon Sect. Although it must have been inspected by the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion, he wouldn’t be at ease without examining it thoroughly himself.
Chi Yu obediently took out the Red Blood Saber and presented it to his master.
But unexpectedly, the Red Blood Saber, which had been as still as an inanimate object, seemed to come alive the moment it fell into Yang Jing’s hands and began to struggle violently.
"HUMMM!"
The sharp blade vibrated intensely, letting out a piercing shriek.
Yang Jing’s Body Refinement was accomplished; how could he possibly let a mere Spiritual Artifact break free? No matter how the Red Blood Saber trembled, his palm held the hilt tight.
A blinding red light flashed, and the Red Blood Saber actually unleashed a bolt of Saber Qi that shot toward Yang Jing’s face.
Yang Jing blocked with his other hand, catching the Saber Qi directly in his palm. With a firm squeeze, he completely snuffed it out. His Great Capturing Hand, enhanced by the Copper Head and Iron Arm Divine Technique, could catch even a Flying Sword bare-handed, let alone a mere bolt of Saber Qi from a masterless Spiritual Artifact.
The Red Blood Saber’s Blade Spirit had never witnessed such a scene. After a shudder, it fell completely silent.
Since it was his disciple’s Spiritual Artifact, Yang Jing didn’t make things too difficult for the Red Blood Saber. Instead, he condensed his Celestial True Gang into fine needles and flicked them into the Red Blood Saber’s Restrictions with his fingers.
Through his connection with Ji Feng, he shared her Five Elements Refining Technique, giving him profound skill in the Artifact Refining Technique. Only after confirming that there were no hidden tricks like remnant souls within the Red Blood Saber’s Restrictions and blade did he return it to his disciple.
The moment the Red Blood Saber was back in Chi Yu’s hands, it began to tremble unceasingly.
Chi Yu had no choice but to continuously stroke the blade with his chubby palm, soothing the Blade Spirit.
Even though Yang Jing had constrained his Celestial True Yang into needles as fine as an ox’s hair, the Red Blood Saber’s Blade Spirit had still felt a suffocating pain.
"A Spiritual Artifact is, in the end, just a tool. You must not become obsessed with the saber," he said, looking at Chi Yu.
"Reaching Foundation Establishment as soon as possible and beginning your study of the Sea Covering Blade Scripture is the Righteous Dao."
This saber was, after all, forged from the Profound Yin Blood Demon and the Heavenly Capital Bone Demon. Yang Jing was afraid that if Chi Yu became obsessed with it, the Evil Qi that the Black Death Seven Tribulations Scripture had worked so hard to eliminate would make a comeback.
Unfortunately, while the Sea Covering Blade Scripture was indeed wondrous—a Saber Technique on the same level as the Fire Dragon Sword Scripture—one could only begin to practice it after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Yang Jing had only briefly read through the blade scripture, but he already discovered that some of its saber techniques could be adapted into sword techniques and integrated into his Water Dragon Sword Scripture.
"Ji Feng, take my Identity Jade Token and redeem some Spiritual Materials from the Governor’s Mansion’s secret vault. Forge a scabbard for this saber to seal the evil and killing auras on it."
The Red Blood Saber was only a blade with no scabbard. The reason Chi Yu hadn’t been hurt by its edge was that the saber’s Blade Spirit had already acknowledged him as its master.