Changsun Tingzhi said nothing more. After giving a salute, he turned and headed toward the inner hall.
Wu Tingzhi silently followed.
The two entered the inner hall, passed through another layer of forbidden barriers, and stepped into a deeper chamber. The jade figure was still seated there. Though it was clearly not flesh and blood, its gentle features were strikingly vivid, as if it were meditating quietly and might finish at any moment and open its eyes.
Indeed, if not for the crimson heart, crystal-like bones, and golden blood flowing within, one could almost have mistaken it for a living person.
Wu Qingxu gazed at it for a moment and asked, "How much more is needed?"
Changsun Qian said, "If it is to be used on ordinary people, much remains to be done. It already has some effect on those with a little aptitude. But if the original requirements are lowered somewhat, it can be put to use."
Wu Qingxu asked gravely, "Are there any dangers?"
Changsun Qian replied evenly, "After all, this is a transformation from within to without, like administering a fierce medicine. Those who can endure it will gain an opportunity; those who cannot may not preserve their lives."
Wu Qingxu said decisively, "No. Human lives are paramount. Not even the slightest harm can be permitted. We are doing this to create people, not to sacrifice them at will. If we turn the principal and the subordinate upside down, then this undertaking loses all meaning."
Changsun Qian said in a calm voice, "Then there is no need for you to hurry at all. We have plenty of time for this. There has already been initial progress, and there is no shortage of precious materials. Celestial Xia presently has no major foreign enemies. We need only investigate it