NOVPUBHu Zaixi, however, smiled and said, "No problem. We can’t just stop cultivating, can we? Besides, once your master finishes his retreat, he should have a solution. Let’s do it this way for now."
Seeing Wang Ba still hesitating, he firmly patted Wang Ba’s shoulder:
"Alright, don’t overthink it, just remember to come over."
Wang Ba hesitated, felt Hu Zaixi’s sincerity, and finally nodded his head.
Then he couldn’t help but ask, "But Uncle Master, won’t this affect your cultivation?"
"Me? Haha, my cultivation has already reached the end of the Nascent Soul stage. I’m no longer refining mana but contemplating the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, in the hopes of condensing the Dao Secret."
Hu Zaixi said with emotion.
"Dao Secret?"
He had heard this term several times before.
But he didn’t understand what it really was.
It must, however, be an important condition for achieving Immortal Ascension.
Before he had time to think more, Zhen Boen finally arrived late. Upon seeing Wang Ba, his face immediately showed surprise and joy.
"Patriarch, Uncle Master!"
"Haha, Boen."
After briefly stating his purpose, Zhen Boen immediately clapped his chest in agreement.
Another spot was confirmed.
Wang Ba thought for a moment and subsequently went to Qingmu Peak, Jinhuang Peak, and Renshuifeng.
He met Ling Weizi and Wei Rong but did not see Shen Ying.
The latter was currently still in the southern region of the West Sea Country and had not yet returned.
However, it was said that because of his proficiency in the Water Method, he was thriving in the southern West Sea Country, with an influence no less than the past Xumi.
When Ling Weizi learned that Wang Ba wanted to select people from Qingmu Peak, the look in his eyes softened into one of quiet relief as he spoke to Wang Ba.
He even offered proactive advice about cultivating the "Green Emperor Kind God Tactics."
"This tactic, once you reach the Golden Core Realm, you must prepare for the Nascent Soul stage’s Divine Skill ’Wood Creation.’ Do not rush for quick success and be sure to advance step by step…"
His tone remained as cold as ever. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
However, after Wang Ba left, Ling Weizi’s face rarely showed a hint of a smile.
But this smile soon turned into pondering:
"Song Dongyang is using Wang Ba as a pawn... is it because of Yao Wudi?"
"But within the twenty-five departments of the Five Elements Division, not everyone will fear Yao Wudi. Wang Ba only has a Golden Core, and with Yao Wudi not present, it’s doubtful he has enough authority."
Ling Weizi’s expression became slightly serious.
His gaze flickered as if he had come upon some idea.
Not long after, Wang Ba flew out from Jinhuang Peak and Renshuifeng.
His eyes held a hint of contemplation:
"Ruyi, Luye, Boen, Lou Yi, plus two each from Qingmu Peak, Jinhuang Peak, Renshuifeng, and Enforcer Li with his disciples, that makes twelve people... That should be enough."
In fact, in his heart, fewer than ten people would suffice.
But having an extra one or two would make things easier.
Upon returning to Wanfa Peak, he prepared seriously for a while.
Very soon.
One day later.
Under Wang Ba’s summons, thirteen people, including himself, all headed toward the Five Elements Division.
...
Diwu Hall.
Song Dongyang sat behind his desk, staring at the scroll in front of him, his brow often furrowing in concentration.
But at that moment, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew over to him.
Song Dongyang, without even lifting his head, casually caught the Sound Transmission Talisman and scanned it with his Spiritual Sense; surprise inevitably appeared on his face.
"So soon?"
"Let me see... he actually chose the Spirit Mineral Department?!"
As he read the Sound Transmission Talisman sent by Enforcer Li, Song Dongyang couldn’t help but sit up straight, his eyebrows knitting together:
"This Wang Ba, I thought he was prudent, but why did he choose the Spirit Mineral Department right away, so recklessly and unwisely."
"Qi Rulian is not someone easy to deal with. Even I have to proceed cautiously with indirect approaches."
Actually, the storerooms of all the departments are somewhat like personal treasuries for the ministers.
Diwu Hall is now set to bring these treasuries back under the control of the Sect, which would inevitably be met with resistance from the ministers.
That’s one of the reasons he specifically arranged for Enforcer Li to be at Wang Ba’s side.
Someone like Qi Rulian would without a doubt resist even more fiercely.
If Qi Rulian was the first to be chosen by Wang Ba, it would be fine if he cooperated. But if he didn’t, and the first barrier was not overcome, watching one after another, the other ministers would be even less likely to cooperate.
Thus, the investigation into the departments would become a joke.
Thinking this, he instinctively stood up, intending to go straight to the Five Elements Division.
But soon, he stopped himself.
With a grave expression:
"No, I can’t. This is the first department Wang Ba has encountered. If I go now and Qi Rulian still disrespects me, it won’t only be embarrassing, I’ll have even less room to maneuver later..."
"I must wait!"
"Let Enforcer Li send me updates in a timely manner."
At the same time.
Earth Division, Spirit Mineral Department.
Wang Ba and the others landed one after another in front of the Spirit Mineral Department’s buildings.
Everywhere, towering chimneys, huge furnaces, and large cauldrons could be seen.
Occasionally, cultivators would use their mana to control a small mountain of ore, pouring it into the furnace.
One could also see cultivators carefully sorting and packaging the refined and separated spirit materials and spirit ores.
It was a hive of activity.
As one of the two fundamental departments among the twenty-five, alongside the Spirit Plant Department,
it is responsible for cultivating, mining, and smelting all kinds of spirit ores.
The goods it produces supply nine-tenths of the products for the divisions within Diwu Hall.
For example, many elixirs from the Pill-refining Department require the supplementary ores produced by the Spirit Mineral Department.
Such as the artifact embryos from the Tool-refining Department, the spirit vermilion used in Talismans, and so on.
Even the Spirit Food Department occasionally needs the aid of certain special spirit materials to process spirit beast flesh.
