Chapter 342 - 184: Provincial Government
Yang Wenqing took a deep breath and answered with great solemnity, "I understand, Master. I will be sure to remember your teachings."
"Mm," Qin Huaiming said, his expression softening when he saw that Yang Wenqing had taken his words to heart. "The fledgling’s temperament is still unknown. It might be gentle, aloof, or mischievous. What you need to do is show your truest self and let it choose you, not try to conquer it. Everything depends on fate."
"Yes."
As they spoke, they arrived at the exclusive rooftop landing pad.
"Let’s go. We still have some time on the way, so you can adjust your state of mind," Qin Huaiming said, boarding the Flying Shuttle first.
Yang Wenqing followed close behind.
The cabin door closed. The Flying Shuttle ascended lightly, quickly piercing the clouds. It then adjusted its course and sped toward the capital of Donghai Province.
Outside the viewport, the silhouette of Coral City rapidly shrank, eventually vanishing beneath the vast sea of clouds.
The Flying Shuttle sped above the clouds for about an hour and a half before a massive island suddenly appeared in the vast ocean below.
Unlike Coral Island, with its mountainous, reef-filled terrain and fragmented, winding coastline, this island’s overall outline was much more uniform. It resembled a meticulously carved piece of jade. At its center, a vast inland lake shimmered under the sun with a dreamlike turquoise luster—this was Bilan Lake, from which Bilan City took its name.
A wide, man-made canal, like a silver ribbon, connected Bilan Lake to the azure sea. At the canal’s mouth, one could faintly make out the silhouettes of a massive fleet and the bustling traffic of ships. This was an important repair and supply base for the Southern Navy, its grim, orderly atmosphere perceptible even from high above.
The most striking feature was the ring of white sandbanks encircling the entire island. From a distance, the fine white sand looked like silver powder, drawing a perfect arc between the turquoise sea and the green island, like a natural jade ring.
Only upon closer inspection could one see that the sandbanks had been reinforced, constructed into a colossal, ring-shaped fortification that served both defensive and production purposes.
The inside and outside of the embankment were divided into countless cultivation zones brimming with Spiritual Qi. In some zones, special Arrays partitioned the seawater to create enormous pearl farms, where innumerable mollusks silently grew, nourished by Spiritual Qi. Other zones were vibrant coral forests where artificially guided ocean currents delivered rich nutrients, allowing all sorts of coral and symbiotic life to flourish.
Deeper still, vast underwater Spirit Plant Gardens could be seen. The entire "Jade Ring" was a marine resource production chain encircling the island, continuously supplying Bilan City and all of Donghai Province with rare cultivation resources and wealth.
The main body of Bilan City was situated on a colossal, towering mountain on the eastern shore of the central lake.
This mountain was named ’Dragon Ridge,’ which sounded like a deliberate slight to the Water Race of the sea. The mountain’s form was magnificent and imposing. From its base to the midway point, a sprawling complex of buildings stretched for tens of kilometers. The architectural style here was vastly different from Coral City, possessing less of the coast’s lively, carefree feel and more solemnity and strict order.
The buildings were mostly dark gray or warm white, laid out with rigorous precision. Beyond the architectural complex lay endless stretches of fertile fields and manors that glowed with a faint Spiritual Light. Farther out still was a compound Spirit Gathering Array so vast it was staggering. Like a giant inverted bowl with the entire island as its foundation, it firmly locked the abundant Spiritual Qi from the ocean within its confines.
The peak of Dragon Ridge Mountain was wreathed in clouds and mist, obscuring any ordinary buildings. Only a few magnificent halls and pavilions loomed in and out of view within the sea of clouds, their upturned eaves seeming to pierce the very heavens. The most striking sight of all was at the center of the summit: a colossal pillar of pure golden light, condensed from the power of faith, shot straight into the sky, connecting with the intangible national destiny of the Wanxuan nation.
The pillar of light was solemn and majestic, exuding a warm yet immense pressure. This was the focal point that sustained the faith of the countless people of Donghai Province. Beneath it lay the Provincial Government’s core Central Hub of power and its most forbidden grounds.
As the Flying Shuttle entered the city’s warning perimeter, it began to adjust its attitude, entering a flight path projected by an outer beacon and descending toward a relatively secluded and densely vegetated area on the central mountainside.
Here, ancient trees reached for the sky, Spiritual Springs trickled, and strange flowers and exotic herbs were everywhere. The Spiritual Qi was so dense it was nearly a tangible mist. This was the Forbidden Garden behind the Provincial Government, the habitat of the Blue-feathered Night Owls.
Qin Huaiming then interrupted Yang Wenqing’s gazing. "We’re going directly to the entrance of the Forbidden Garden. Someone from the Provincial Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau will be waiting for us there."
"Yes, Master."
The Flying Shuttle passed gracefully through a nearly imperceptible, transparent barrier. The noise and bustle of the outside world were instantly cut off, leaving only the sounds of wind and water.
The Flying Shuttle came to a steady halt, and the cabin door slid open.
Just as Qin Huaiming and Yang Wenqing stepped out of the Flying Shuttle, Yang Wenqing found his gaze unconsciously fixed on the faint, golden motes of spiritual mist visibly drifting in the air.
At the entrance to the Forbidden Garden stood a silent gateway carved from blue jade. Beside it, an elderly man with graying hair, dressed in a formal, dark cyan suit, was already waiting. He wore an exquisite, eye-shaped silver Divine Art artifact on his chest, which currently radiated a soft glow.
When the old man saw Qin Huaiming, a familiar smile appeared on his face. He cupped his fists and said, "Director Qin, it has been a while."
"Director Li, my apologies for keeping you waiting." Qin Huaiming returned the salute, then turned to the side to introduce his companion. "This is my new disciple, Yang Wenqing."
The man known as Director Li turned his gaze to Yang Wenqing. The light from the silver, eye-shaped Magical Artifact on his chest flowed gently as an extremely faint probing wave swept over Yang Wenqing’s body.
Yang Wenqing remained composed, the Five Yang Qi and Golden Core World within him circulating naturally. He could sense that while the wave was gentle, it carried a legitimate authority and majesty originating from a Divine Artifact of National Destiny. No evil entity or intense malice could hope to hide from it.
The probe lasted only an instant. Afterward, Director Li’s smile deepened. He nodded and said, "Not bad. A solid foundation and a pure aura, untainted by any external evil. Lian Xing despises those with impure intentions. You’ve passed the first test, Director Yang."
He deactivated the Magical Artifact and made an inviting gesture. "Please, follow me. Lian Xing and Lady Shuanghua have been waiting for you at Pine Creek for some time."
The three of them walked deeper into the Forbidden Garden.
The path underfoot was paved with soft moss and unknown Spirit Grass. Gnarled ancient trees grew on both sides, their branches home to brightly-feathered Spiritual Birds that curiously watched the visitors.
A clear stream meandered by. Occasionally, a Spirit Fish would flick its tail, sending out ripples imbued with Spiritual Qi. In the distance, small Spirit Medicine Gardens could be seen, each one enveloped by an exquisite, miniature Spirit Gathering Array. The herbs within were thriving, and their fragrance filled the air.
About fifteen minutes later, the sound of a wider body of water came from ahead. After passing through a dense bamboo grove, the view suddenly opened up before them.
It was a secluded, quiet valley. At the bottom lay an emerald pool, its water so clear one could see the bottom, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding greenery. A small waterfall cascaded down a cliff on one side. Its roar was powerful but not jarring, carrying a rhythm that seemed to cleanse the soul.
On a flat, smooth boulder by the edge of the pool stood two small Night Owls.
The one on the left was slender and elegant, its feathers possessing a soft, muted sheen. He stood quietly with his head tilted slightly, his eyes gentle and wise, filled with the tranquility and insight of one who has seen the world.
Beside him on the rock face lay an open scroll, clearly custom-made for humans and written with some kind of waterproof spiritual ink. This was Lian Xing, who had lived among humans for decades and cultivated Divine Arts.
The one on the right was slightly larger. Its feathers were a brighter, more vivid sapphire blue, with each one looking like a meticulously polished gemstone that shimmered iridescently in the light. This must be Lady Shuanghua.
Her posture was erect, her head held high. Her gaze was filled with undisguised pride and scrutiny as she scanned the visitors, possessing the stern majesty of a queen of birds.
Seeing them arrive, Lian Xing gently closed the scroll before him with one claw. His movements were calm and unhurried. He then gave a slight dip of his head, which unmistakably conveyed a nod of greeting. His gaze first fell upon Qin Huaiming, then shifted to Yang Wenqing.
Shuanghua, however, merely let out a soft "TCH" sound, turning her head to preen the most brilliant tuft of feathers on her chest with her long beak. Her posture was languid, yet still radiated a standoffish pride.