I Cultivate in a Government Office

Inside the Quiet Chamber.

Yang Wenqing wasn’t actively cultivating, just focusing his mind and regulating his breath. After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly heard a faint tapping sound from outside the window.

He opened his eyes and saw an elegant, sapphire-blue figure outside the window, gently tapping the window frame with the tip of its wing. It was Lan Ying’s mother, Lady Shuanghua.

"Chirp?"

Lan Ying, who had been dozing on Yang Wenqing’s lap, lifted her head and mumbled reluctantly. Still, she flew over and deftly unlatched the window with her claw.

Lady Shuanghua flew into the room and landed on the low table in front of Yang Wenqing.

She paid Yang Wenqing no mind, meticulously preening Lan Ying’s slightly ruffled feathers with her long beak. At the same time, a wave of Divine Sense flowed between mother and daughter, clearly a form of communication only they could understand.

Taking the hint, Yang Wenqing rose to his feet and quietly exited the Quiet Chamber, leaving the space to the mother-daughter pair.

Out in the courtyard, he walked to an open, flat area. With a thought, the newly refined Qingfeng Sword flew out of his Storage Bag, transforming into a streak of azure-gold light that danced nimbly around him.

He wasn’t forcing it, simply practicing the combination of the Wind Manipulation Technique and his Sword Formulas as he pleased. He immersed himself in the rhythm of the wind and the sword, his mind entering a state of ethereal focus.

After finishing his sword practice, he still felt wanting more. He recalled some new insights into the transformation of the Five Elements he’d gained while studying the Yuqing orthodox law. He then brought two fingers together like a sword, Spiritual Qi flowing to their tips as he drew in the air.

As he traced the pattern, a complex and profound, crimson Dharma Seal gradually took shape in mid-air. This Dharma Seal used Fire Element Spiritual Qi as its core, but its structure subtly incorporated the principles of the Five Elements’ creation and destruction cycles.

At the center of the Fire Seal was a single, incandescent white point like a core, surrounded by layers of fiery patterns. Yet, between the gaps in the patterns, faint wisps of azure Spiritual Qi, representing the Wood Element, could be seen.

This was the Fire Attribute attack Dharma Seal, the ’Burning Sun Seal.’ Once activated, it could instantly erupt with a searing impact hot enough to melt gold and iron. It could also be adjusted through Five Elements transformation for sustained burning or area-of-effect suppression.

Once formed, the Dharma Seal hovered in the air, emitting a scorching yet stable Spiritual Light, showcasing Yang Wenqing’s significant progress in the art of Five Elements Magic.

After dispersing the Dharma Seal, beads of sweat had formed on Yang Wenqing’s temples, but his spirits were higher than ever.

By now, the sky had brightened, and the sounds of voices and footsteps could be heard in the distance.

"Martial Uncle!" Qin Feng strode over, his face alight with excitement. "Come with me to the main hall. Sixth Grandpa’s friends have started to arrive, and he sent me to ask you to come and greet them."

Yang Wenqing straightened his robes and, with a somewhat listless Lan Ying—who had eaten her fill and received a lecture from her mother—in tow, followed Qin Feng toward the main hall. Lady Shuanghua had already departed in a streak of light.

...

The spacious main hall was already filled with people.

Some were colleagues from the Coral City Bureau system or officials with whom Qin Huaiming was on very close terms. Deputy Director Qi Yue, for instance, was present and chatting quietly with a kind-faced old man.

Director Shen Wenyuan had not come in person but had sent a junior member of the Shen family to attend the ceremony. Deputy Director Zhao Shouzheng had likewise sent a member of the Zhang Clan, and He Zhou had sent a gift via a messenger.

Gao Zhen had also sent a gift, but he could not attend as he was at a critical juncture in his cultivation.

Another group of guests was mostly dressed in the distinctive attire of their respective sects and lineages. Looking at them, Yang Wenqing felt as if he had dreamt his way back to ancient times.

There was none of the scheming or false pleasantries typical of official circles. Instead, people gathered in small groups of two and three, their conversations mostly revolving around cultivation.

Some were exchanging insights on cultivating a rare Cultivation Technique. Others brought out a zither, discussing with fellow enthusiasts the calming and mind-purifying effects of its music, even playing a short piece on the spot to rounds of applause.

One elderly man in a brown tunic was proudly showing off a new miniature runic array he had developed to stabilize the core Array of a small Flying Shuttle, drawing a crowd of interested Cultivators to observe and comment.

What caught Yang Wenqing’s attention most was the high-ranking official from the Provincial Government beside Qin Huaiming. His hair and beard were completely white, and his aura carried both a distinct twilight air and the solemn dignity of a Divine Art practitioner. He was speaking with Qin Huaiming in low tones.

Qin Feng explained in a low voice from the side, "That’s Vice Director Liu from the Provincial Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau. I heard he came from a poor family. After joining public service, he received a great deal of help and support from Sixth Grandpa, which is how he was able to rise to his current position step by step."

Yang Wenqing looked over. His master, Qin Huaiming, had a deep and steady aura, exuding the bearing of a transcendent immortal. In contrast, although Vice Director Liu held a high position, he was clearly nearing the end of his life, with one foot already in the grave. The two of them sitting together presented a stark contrast—the most direct illustration of the difference between a long-lived orthodox Cultivator and a short-lived Divine Art practitioner.

Sensing the profound Cultivation of the people in the hall, Lan Ying instinctively pressed against Yang Wenqing’s cheek before taking flight and returning to the back courtyard to seek a sense of importance among the weaker birds.

Yang Wenqing didn’t pay her much mind, simply reminding her in his Spirit Sea not to wander too far.

Just then, Qin Huaiming saw Yang Wenqing and immediately beckoned him over. He then took him around and introduced him to everyone one by one, earning Yang Wenqing a great deal of praise.

Time passed quietly in the harmonious atmosphere.

"The auspicious time is upon us—"

A Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator acting as the master of ceremonies announced loudly.

The chatter in the hall gradually subsided as everyone’s expression turned serious and they rose to their feet.

Qin Huaiming also stood up and clasped his hands in salute to the crowd. Then, his gaze fell upon Yang Wenqing, and he said gently, "Wenqing, come with me."

Yang Wenqing took a deep breath and, under the watch of countless eyes, walked with steady steps to stand behind his master. As they reached the back courtyard, Lan Ying sensed Yang Wenqing’s mood, spread her wings, and landed on his shoulder, drawing many envious glances.