Initial Refinement, Promotion to an Important Post (Monthly Pass Request)

The Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony was the greatest event within Azure Dragon Province, held once every ten years.

The month-long Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony would feature all manner of accompanying activities.

Moreover, during the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony, there would be the largest auction of the decade. Even across several provinces, the items up for auction would all be of the highest grade.

Though several days remained before the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony began, the streets, alleys, taverns, and elegant gardens of the provincial city were already abuzz with fervent discussion of the event.

"Top-tier auction! I heard they're auctioning off a top divine weapon!"

"A top divine weapon? What kind!?"

"No one knows yet. It'll probably be saved for the finale."

"What else is there!?"

"High-grade spiritual materials, Breakthrough Secret Pills, Demon Beast Cores, scales and armor plates, as well as sea shells and precious ores from the North Sea. I heard there are even high-grade cultivation arts and secret techniques!"

"Interesting. Are there Longevity Pills?"

"Nonsense! It's a top-tier auction—how could there not be any!"

"..."

Azure Dragon Province City was exceptionally bustling. From time to time, unfamiliar faces with wildly differing temperaments appeared throughout the city.

At a top event for an entire province, all sides gathered, and winds and clouds converged.

Buzz~

Chen Ping'an's Spiritual Light trembled faintly as he put away the deep vertical pupil before him.

A flash of black light streaked past, and the deep vertical pupil vanished from where it had been.

"Initial refinement successful!"

Chen Ping'an's eyes shone with delight, joy welling up from the depths of his heart.

After more than half a month of refinement, he had finally completed the initial refinement of this inherited treasure of the Evil Extremity Path.

Compared to divine weapons, treasures were undoubtedly much harder to refine. But his spirituality was no longer what it had been in years past. After pouring his entire being into the refinement, he had naturally achieved Not Bad results.

At this pace, another month or two should be enough for him to fully absorb this treasure.

Once the Evil Extremity Pupil had been completely refined, he would turn the portion of his attention freed up to the Blood Devouring Demonic Jar.

Whether it was a treasure or a Pseudo Treasure, so long as it was properly refined, it could be stored within the Mind and Spirit Platform between one's brows.

At that time, Spiritual Light would blaze brilliantly, spirituality would coil around it, and it would rest atop the Spirit Platform.

No matter the circumstances, it could be activated in an instant and reveal its divine wonders.

However, there was a limit to the number of treasures the Mind and Spirit Platform could hold. It was not without bounds. Once a certain threshold was exceeded, it would affect one's daily cultivation.

How many treasures one could bear depended on a cultivator's foundation.

An ordinary Martial Dao Great Grandmaster, for instance, would struggle to bear a treasure within their Spirit Platform. At the very least, one needed to be at the Pseudo Celestial level.

Yet the world was vast and never lacked exceptional talents. Some who entered the Third Stage of Breakthrough with seven, or even eight, spirit patterns might also be able to carry a treasure while still at the Great Grandmaster realm.

Chen Ping'an's gaze shifted slightly, and a screen of light appeared before him.

Name: Chen Ping'an

Realm: Jade Balance Late Stage - Third Stage of Breakthrough (Break the Shell Stage)

Martial Arts: Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method Entry Level (1765/5760), Turbulent Phoenix Dance - Yin-Yang Pivot Entry Level (152/8640), Guanghan Sword Skill (Incomplete) Small Accomplishment (0/7680), Grand Void Wind Riding Step Small Accomplishment (3079/5760), Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist Great Accomplishment (0/9600), Tyrant Saber Perfection, Seven Absolute Divine Skill Perfection, Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art Perfection

After more than half a month of cultivation, both the Grand Void Wind Riding Step and the Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method had progressed. Of the two, the Grand Void Wind Riding Step had already passed the halfway mark. In another month or so, it would officially enter the Great Accomplishment stage.

The Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method was progressing much more slowly, but its overall advancement remained steady.

Over these days of cultivation, Chen Ping'an's stock of Snow Spirit Leaves had dwindled considerably once more.

Though he still had some to spare, he needed to prepare for a rainy day for the sake of the long term.

Chen Ping'an held extremely high expectations for this Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony, hoping to use the opportunity to purchase some Snow Spirit Leaves.

By his calculations, the Snow Spirit Leaf picking season was nearly here as well.

Chen Ping'an had an exceptionally clear plan for his own cultivation.

Once the Grand Void Wind Riding Step reached Great Accomplishment, he would shift his cultivation efforts to the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist. Based on the aid the Golden Finger Panel had given him before, once the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist was complete, he would be able to ride the momentum into the Martial Dao Celestial realm!

Martial Dao Celestial, Unity of Heaven and Man!

He would ascend to Celestial with a peerless foundation and power refined to the utmost purity!

Then, with abundant resources, he would embark upon a road to heaven, all the way until he knocked upon the Ask Heaven Pass.

Chen Ping'an turned his spirituality inward and sensed the changes in the spirit fruit upon his Spirit Platform.

A divine soul lay dormant within the spirit fruit. Though it could not yet be used, its quantity was already quite substantial. If it received further nourishment, it would surely grow even stronger.

Besides cultivation, over the past half month Chen Ping'an had also studied the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Restriction and gained some understanding of its essential principles. Though he had yet to fully penetrate it, he had made considerable progress compared to half a month ago.

However, he had achieved little in his study of the Soul Guiding Art. Clearly, compared to it, the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Restriction was less difficult.

These days, Chen Ping'an had been busy with such matters and had not yet had time to study the high-grade Spirituality Restriction he had obtained from the cave dwelling at the bottom of the pool.

Compared to the previous two, the difficulty of the high-grade Spirituality Restriction rose by leaps and bounds. With Chen Ping'an's current foundation, studying and cultivating it was not a matter of mere months.

It would take years at a time, requiring a long accumulation of effort.

After merely consulting it for a while, Chen Ping'an set it aside for now. Once all these matters had been absorbed and settled, he would consider it again.

"There really isn't enough time." Chen Ping'an sighed softly.

Still, his lifespan was abundant now. The days ahead were long.

So long as he accumulated steadily, one day he would completely absorb and master the high-grade Spirituality Restriction.

Just as Chen Ping'an was wholeheartedly in seclusion and diligently cultivating, he received a summons from the Deputy Division Head with Real Authority of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.

"Zhang Tianyuan wants to see me?" Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered as a guess surfaced in his heart.

Seated in the carriage heading for the Province Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an could clearly sense that Azure Dragon Province City was far livelier than before.

From time to time, he could feel one unfamiliar aura after another, each utterly distinct.

"Quite a few people have come," Chen Ping'an said with a smile.

Though Azure Dragon Province City could not compare with Mystic Spirit Major City as a center of trade and commerce, the overall influence of the once-in-a-decade Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony was still quite substantial.

Especially the Azure Dragon Auction prepared for the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony. In terms of scale and grade, it was nearly half a tier above the Mystic Spirit Auction Chen Ping'an had attended before.

After all, one was a grand event held once every ten years for an entire province, while the other had been an auction in Mystic Spirit Major City whose specifications had not been especially outstanding.

The effort invested in the two differed, as did the importance attached to them. Even if their commercial standards varied, a gap had naturally emerged.

Without any mishap, Chen Ping'an smoothly met the Mystic Yellow Absolute Sword, Zhang Tianyuan.

"Greetings, Master of Affairs."

"Ping'an, congratulations."

This time, Zhang Tianyuan was extremely warm the moment he saw him. Yet due to his temperament, even when Zhang Tianyuan was being warm, it was difficult to tell from his expression alone.

"The Northern Territory has sent word. There are new arrangements for you."

As he spoke, Zhang Tianyuan handed over a relayed official letter.

Chen Ping'an accepted the official letter and gave it a quick read, revealing a timely look of surprise.

Promoted to an important post, to assume office when the time was right?

The official letter mentioned his merits and stated that they intended to promote him to Deputy Division Head. Yet it said nothing about a specific appointment, merely mentioning that he would assume office when the time was right.

The surprise Chen Ping'an revealed was not entirely feigned; a small part of it was genuine.

When he came to meet Zhang Tianyuan, he had already guessed what it was about.

His merits had been reported earlier, and by now, the Northern Territory's reply should indeed have arrived. Combined with what had happened before, if nothing unexpected occurred, he was likely about to be promoted.

He simply had not expected them to raise his rank without issuing a concrete appointment.

It seemed there was something more to it.

Zhang Tianyuan noticed Chen Ping'an's expression but did not rush to speak. Only after Chen Ping'an had finished reading the letter did he ask, "Finished reading it?"

"Yes, my lord. I have." Chen Ping'an nodded.

"Tell me your thoughts." Zhang Tianyuan wore an evaluative look.

"They only mentioned the promotion in rank and issued no appointment. Ping'an believes the Northern Border Pacification Bureau may have another assessment in mind," Chen Ping'an said truthfully.

"What assessment?" Zhang Tianyuan asked with interest.

"Perhaps they intend to grant a position of great authority, but Ping'an's seniority is still shallow and his prestige insufficient, so they have not announced it for now. Or perhaps there are differing opinions within the Northern Border Pacification Bureau, and the matter is still under review."

"You are very clever." Zhang Tianyuan praised him. "That is precisely it. Under the rules of the Province Town Pacification Office, as long as one has sufficient merit and enters the Great Grandmaster realm, one may hope to be promoted to Deputy Division Head.

"But that is only in theory. Most Deputy Division Heads rise after being assessed as vassals of the sequence. They temper their seniority, build connections, and wait until the time is right before considering promotion. However"—Zhang Tianyuan changed the subject—"you are different. You are a Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent, a monstrous genius of the dynasty. Even within the Pacification Office System, among those of your generation, you are a rare talent. Your previous registration with the Northern Border Pacification Bureau and inclusion in the preparatory assessment plan for Deputy Division Heads are proof enough. So long as you have enough merit and seniority, you may be promoted to Deputy Division Head.

"In fact, if not for the previous impeachment by the Universe Control Division, the Thunderclap Mountain Range affair alone would have been enough to promote you to Deputy Division Head and assign you a corresponding posting. But the Universe Control Division's impeachment came at exactly the right time, and in the end, the matter was delayed.

"But things are different now. The impact of that affair has faded, and you slew a top Great Grandmaster of the evil path. Your merit is outstanding. Even if you were directly promoted to Deputy Division Head, no one would have any objections.

"Still, you should know that though all are Deputy Division Heads, their assignments differ, as do their duties. Positions of every kind carry vastly different authority. If you were newly promoted according to the rules, you would be assigned the lowest tier of duty, then spend time being worn down before gradually advancing, until one day you leapt up to become a Deputy Division Head with Real Authority like this Division Head.

"But that would be far too slow. It is so for ordinary people, and even more so for a Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent like you.

"You were impeached by the Universe Control Division before and suffered an undeserved injustice. You were wronged. Someone above has taken this opportunity to press the issue and secure benefits for you.

"This appointment has yet to be issued, likely for that very reason.

"If this Division Head's expectations are correct, then if all goes smoothly, the position you receive will likely be a second-tier office. You will hold exclusive authority, oversee various matters, and be Ranked with him alongside the likes of Ning Zhengyue!"

Zhang Tianyuan spoke slowly and explained everything in great detail.

The workings of the system contained countless twists and turns. The same rank could mean different duties, the same duty could come with different ranks, empty posts held no power, and real posts were no false fame. Such confidential matters could not be fully explained in just a few words.

Chen Ping'an understood.

What Zhang Tianyuan had said coincided with some of his own thoughts.

"Second-tier authority..." Chen Ping'an thought to himself.

Judging from the circumstances of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, Deputy Division Heads holding second-tier authority were basically all Peak Great Grandmasters. With his current combat strength, he was reaching beyond his station.

However...

Chen Ping'an's thoughts stirred, then quickly vanished.

It did not matter. It was only a matter of sooner or later anyway.

Once his true strength broke through again, it would be time to raise his publicly known realm as well.

A twenty-seven-year-old Martial Dao Great Grandmaster—what kind of stir would that cause?

Having learned this important news from Zhang Tianyuan, Chen Ping'an naturally expressed his gratitude and spoke respectfully.

Zhang Tianyuan was very satisfied with Chen Ping'an's attitude.

"The announcement will be issued tomorrow. Make your preparations as well. You have been idle for so long; it is time to report for duty. But since you have not yet received an appointment, there is no need to put too much pressure on yourself. Put cultivation first in all things."

"Yes." Chen Ping'an respectfully responded, cupping his hands in salute. "Thank you, Master of Affairs, for your cultivation."

Zhang Tianyuan smiled and said no more.

Seeing this, Chen Ping'an took his leave at the proper moment and departed the office.

Zhang Tianyuan's eyes were gray-white as he watched Chen Ping'an leave.

"An unparalleled prodigy. So long as he does not fall halfway, he has hope of becoming Celestial! In one or two sixty-year cycles, perhaps even this Division Head will need to look up to him."

After leaving Zhang Tianyuan's office, Chen Ping'an did not linger long at the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.

He would report for duty tomorrow, so there would be plenty of time. There was no need to rush now.

He could visit Old Zhong tomorrow as well.

As for the authority of a Deputy Division Head that Zhang Tianyuan had mentioned, Chen Ping'an had gained quite a bit of understanding from his time in the Town Pacification Office. Previously, he had held an assigned post in the outer city of Wei River County City.

He had once served for a time as a jail chief in South City. In terms of rank, the jail chief's position was equal to that of a Neighborhood Constable Director, but their duties were different.

Yet in terms of authority, the Neighborhood Constable Director clearly wielded greater power than a jail chief. Whether in the scope they oversaw or the benefits beneath them, the Neighborhood Constable Director was undoubtedly superior.

However, for the Chen Ping'an of that time, the position of jail chief had better suited his interests.

There were not too many dealings with powerful factions. He only needed to manage matters internally and develop steadily in peace.

But now, he had different ideas.

It would depend on what appointment was truly issued.

As Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted, he walked toward the exit of the Province Town Pacification Office.

From afar, he sensed an aura. It belonged to an acquaintance.

However, this so-called acquaintance did not come over after seeing him. Instead, he chose to leave at once.

Chen Ping'an gazed into the distance and narrowed his eyes.

Fang Zhengyu, vassal of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.

Previously, relying on Li Wusheng's influence, he had once provoked Chen Ping'an with his words. Now that Li Wusheng was dead, Fang Zhengyu was still doing perfectly well within the Province Town Pacification Office.

Chen Ping'an smiled, his heart calm.

At his current realm, a mere Grandmaster vassal could no longer stir his emotions.

If he wished, he could destroy him with one hand.

But...

Was there any need?

For some people, death might not be the best punishment. Living through regret was.

"Huff!"

After turning through several corridors and confirming that the other party could no longer see him, Fang Zhengyu let out a long breath.

"Even this can happen?"

A faint nervousness rose in his heart.

There had been friction between him and Chen Ping'an. When Li Wusheng had still been around, he had a backer to rely on. He had neither gone to apologize nor lowered his head to admit fault, choosing instead to let the standoff continue.

But now that Li Wusheng was dead, his situation was far from good.

However...

Fang Zhengyu's eyes flickered.

Fortunately, Chen Ping'an was now like a dragon trapped in shallow waters. Impeached by the Universe Control Division, he was idling at home.

So long as Chen Ping'an held no official post, no matter how formidable his combat strength was, Fang Zhengyu was within the Province Town Pacification Office. There was nothing Chen Ping'an could do to him.

Before long, a smile returned to Fang Zhengyu's face.

"A plucked phoenix is no match for a chicken; a tiger fallen onto the plains is bullied by dogs."

Though Chen Ping'an's combat strength was formidable, his current circumstances were likely no better than Fang Zhengyu's.

With that thought, Fang Zhengyu's heart instantly found balance. After adjusting his mood, he headed toward the Vassal Pavilion.

This time, when Chen Ping'an came to the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, he did not sense any unfamiliar aura at the Pseudo Celestial level. Aside from Zhang Tianyuan, there was only old Qingfan's.

Clearly, the Chief Administrator of the Province Town Pacification Office had yet to return. It was unknown whether he was in Bicang or occupied with some other important matter.

Chen Ping'an did not dwell on it.

At his current realm, a Chief Administrator who held the authority of a provincial Town Pacification Office was no longer enough to make him overly wary. Given his capabilities, one day he would inevitably be transferred to a provincial domain and take up the post of Department Head.

And that was merely a matter of time.

Once he became a provincial Department Head, the stage before his eyes would truly open a corner of the Vast Northern Territory.

Since he had emerged from seclusion and made a trip to the Province Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an did not mind making another trip to the Gu Family.

"I wonder whether Gu Qingcheng has emerged from seclusion yet?"

With a faint measure of anticipation, he hurried to the Gu Family, only to learn that Gu Qingcheng had yet to emerge from seclusion.

Was she truly in seclusion, or did she simply not wish to see him?

She did not want to see him? That should not be the case!

She had even sent him a sword art before. Their feelings were mutual—there was no reason for things to suddenly turn out this way.

Chen Ping'an was completely baffled.

Perhaps, just as he had guessed, Gu Qingcheng truly was in seclusion.

But if she was in seclusion, then Xiyue should have time to come out, right?

With that thought, Chen Ping'an deliberately made a trip to the Rear Garden Elegant Pavilion from before.

What he was doing now naturally violated propriety. In a family like the Gu Family, where discipline was strict and rules weighed heavily, if an ordinary son-in-law dared act like this, no one would even need to give the order before he was beaten out with a flurry of clubs.

But since this person was Chen Ping'an, everyone naturally turned a blind eye.

And in truth, the husbands of the Gu Family's ordinary legitimate daughters were not even called sons-in-law by the others.

Now, among the younger generation of the Gu Family, the title of son-in-law had practically been monopolized by Chen Ping'an alone.

He had deliberately made a trip to the rear garden, but after all that fuss, it ultimately proved to be an empty journey.

He wanted to use spiritual perception to sense things out, but recalling his previous experience, he ultimately did not do so.

Inside the warm pavilion, Xiyue stood to one side with both hands holding a sword.

She looked at the Beautiful Woman in the Moon Skirt beside her, a trace of curiosity flashing through her bright eyes.

The son-in-law had come twice. Why would she not see him even once?

Xiyue was a bit curious.

But mindful of appearances, she could not bring herself to ask.

Gu Qingcheng's eyes were cold and deep, like secluded waters. Her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall, like moonlight condensed into dew and scattered across the Human World. She stood there with a chill as though Guanghan had descended into the mortal realm, yet the slanted wooden hairpin lent her a few touches of worldly grace.

Guanghan was dim and cold, mist congealed over a frigid abyss, and secluded light sank deep, chilling the remnants of dreams.

Though he had not seen Gu Qingcheng, Chen Ping'an had not been idle during his trip to the Gu Family. Upon mentioning the upcoming Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony, he asked several Elders for a quota for a VIP seat at the auction.

Given his current status, even at this kind of top-tier auction, he could naturally enjoy a private box. But if he sought one out on his own, it would still waste some of his energy.

His time was precious now, and every day he felt there was never quite enough of it. Naturally, he could not waste it on such matters.

At the very least, before he had fully digested the corresponding accumulations and transformed them into a solid foundation, he had no mind for such things.

With the Gu Family's influence in Canglong, accomplishing this was no more than a casual gesture. They agreed to it on the spot.

Furthermore, Chen Ping'an took the accumulations he had obtained from the Golden Ring Protector and used this opportunity to hand them all over to the Gu Family, letting them handle the corresponding resources. As for that Golden Ring Divine Weapon, he asked the Gu Family to consign it for auction at the Azure Dragon Auction.

As a Powerful Divine Weapon of premium quality, the Golden Ring Divine Weapon could still be auctioned as a precious item even at a grand event as top-tier as the Azure Dragon Auction.

With every matter properly settled, Chen Ping'an left the Gu Family.

Early the next morning, the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office issued an announcement, notifying all parties and sending official dispatches throughout the province and to the local Administration Bureaus.

Senior Division Head Candidate of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, former Thunderclap Town Pacification Office Chief Inspector, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, possessed both wisdom and courage, planned with precision, suppressed evil and slew demons, and had rendered outstanding merit. By resolution of the Northern Border Pacification Bureau, he was hereby promoted to Deputy Division Head of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, to assume office when the time came and be prepared for important use.

The moment the news emerged, the entire province was shaken.

With the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony underway, the news spread to all sides at astonishing speed.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had been promoted to Deputy Division Head of the Province Town Pacification Office, becoming one of the province's top magnates!