Seeking a Job!

At first, Qian Xunzong found it novel, but after reviewing memorials for two hours straight, his wrist was sore and his eyes stung. Even the Jade Balance Xiejing Beast in his arms had sprawled across the desk and fallen asleep.

He picked up another memorial, only to find its contents even more absurd: a soul master from Eastern Domain Medicine Valley had cultivated century-old herbs, but a neighboring soul master's fire martial soul gave off scorching heat during daily cultivation, drying out the medicinal fields and ruining a large batch of herbs. The two sides could not settle their dispute, so they had sent a memorial across a thousand miles, asking the Pope to rule on it.

"Couldn't they settle such a trivial matter privately? Did they really have to run all the way to Spirit Hall to submit a memorial?"

Qian Xunzong put down his pen and let out a long sigh. He slumped into his chair, completely losing his sense of novelty.

Qian Daoliu glanced at him, saw through his thoughts, and spoke calmly:

"Who was the one clamoring for a job just now? Already finding it boring?"

"I thought it would be something important, like reorganizing sects or inspecting cities. Who knew it would all be trivial nonsense like neighborhood quarrels and soul beasts stealing vegetables? It's unbearably dull, even more boring than fishing at the manor."

Qian Xunzong waved a hand, his face full of disdain.

Beside him, Qian Xunji repeatedly agreed. "Exactly, exactly. Handling these trivial matters every day is making me go bald. Whoever wants to be Pope can do it. I just want to return to Falling Dust Pavilion and cultivate in seclusion."

Qian Daoliu looked at his two sons, both wearing expressions of utter resignation, and felt both annoyed and amused. After thinking for a moment, he came up with a suitable assignment—one that could occupy Qian Xunzong's time without trapping him in the hall reviewing memorials, while also fitting Spirit Hall's current renovation plans.

He set down his jade pen and said slowly, "Since you find reviewing documents in the hall too dull, I'll arrange an outside assignment for you."

Qian Xunzong immediately sat up straight, his eyes lighting up. "What mission? Inspecting the seven great sects? Or heading to the Far North to survey soul beasts?"

"Neither." Qian Daoliu shook his head and explained at length,

"Spirit Hall oversees many supporting Mimicry Training Grounds, including the cultivation secret realms of major branch halls, affiliated academies, Spirit-Gathering Valley, and Attribute Training Platforms. After enduring the constant washing of soul masters' Soul Power over the years, their formation materials have suffered severe depletion. The spirit-gathering effect at many sites has greatly weakened, while parts of the floors and protective formation walls have cracked or been damaged."

"Your task will be to take full responsibility for renovating, rebuilding, and upgrading all the mimicry cultivation environments at Martial Soul Academy in Spirit City."

Qian Xunzong paused slightly. The assignment did not sound dangerous, but it was certainly complicated and tedious. He asked, "What exactly do I need to do?"

"First, personally inspect every site awaiting repairs. Record every damaged location, the degree of formation wear, and the amount of missing spiritual materials. Organize a complete survey dossier and submit it to the Papal Palace for filing;

Second, coordinate with Spirit Hall's dedicated Engineering Division. Oversee the craftsmen, materials, and schedule, and finalize the reconstruction plan for every site. All old discarded spiritual materials are to be collected, melted down, and reused. You will coordinate with the Engineering Division to requisition new Spirit-Gathering Ore and Light-Pattern Formation Plates;

Third, supervise the renovation process from start to finish. Ensure that the Mimicry Formation is laid to standard and that its spirit-gathering effect is restored to, or even surpasses, its original level. Inspect each site upon completion and issue acceptance documents. You will verify and sign off on all accounts, material lists, and craftsmen's wages."

Qian Daoliu paused, then added, "The head of the Engineering Division is an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo. He has several thousand craftsmen under him, most of whom are proficient in formations, construction, spiritual materials, and forging. If you have disagreements over material allocation or scheduling, discuss them directly with him. If you cannot make a decision, return to the Papal Palace and find me.

The overall renovation schedule is generous. It only needs to be completed within half a year, which will be more than enough to occupy plenty of your free time. It won't be as dull as reviewing memorials, and you'll be able to walk around and clear your mind."

Qian Xunji listened from the side and secretly rejoiced. The assignment was complicated and exhausting, perfect for tossing to his restless younger brother. At last, he would not have to work overtime handling trivial matters.

After hearing it all, Qian Xunzong felt a jumble of emotions. He had thought he would land an impressive field assignment, only to end up supervising site repairs, coordinating with the Engineering Division, checking accounts, and surveying construction sites. It sounded unbearably tedious, but he had been the one to ask for work in the first place. He had no way to refuse now.

"Dad, uh... can't I switch to an easier assignment?" Qian Xunzong tried to bargain.

Qian Daoliu folded his arms across his chest, putting on the Pope's imposing manner:

"You barged into the Papal Palace to ask for a job, and now that an assignment has been arranged, you're being picky? Either take this renovation coordination task, or stay here and review memorials with me and your elder brother every day for the next half year. Choose one."

The moment Qian Xunzong remembered the mountain of bizarre memorials from earlier, his whole body shuddered. He immediately raised both hands in surrender:

"I'll choose renovating the mimicry grounds! I'll coordinate with the Engineering Division, survey the sites, supervise the work, and check the accounts!"

Beside him, Qian Xunji held back his laughter so hard that his shoulders kept shaking. Afraid that Qian Daoliu might drag him in to share the workload, he could only lower his head and pretend to organize the dossiers.

Seeing him yield, Qian Daoliu's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. He casually took out a special coordination token from his Storage Soul Tool and pushed it in front of Qian Xunzong.

"This is the Repair Superintendent Command Token. With it, all Spirit Hall branch halls and all Engineering Division personnel must cooperate with your work. You may set out tomorrow morning. First, go to the Engineering Division in the eastern part of the city to coordinate with its head and collect the materials catalog and craftsmen roster. Then conduct on-site inspections of each major Mimicry Training Ground."

Qian Xunzong picked up the cool gilded token and tucked it into his robes. The Jade Balance Xiejing Beast in his arms poked out its little head and rubbed against his neck, as though comforting him.

"Fine. At least I can leave the Papal Palace and won't have to read memorials about neighbors fighting every day. That's something." He stood, stretched lazily, and looked at Qian Daoliu.

"Got it. Tomorrow, I'll first coordinate with the Engineering Division. After that, I'll regularly send people back to the Papal Palace to report on the inspection and renovation progress."

Qian Daoliu nodded and waved a hand, signaling that he could leave.

Qian Xunzong turned to head out. Just as he reached the hall doors, Qian Daoliu's reminder came from behind him:

"Remember, do not be casual or careless when coordinating with the Engineering Division. Carefully verify all spiritual material accounts. There must be no shortages, embezzlement, or mistakes. If anything goes wrong, you will still return here to review memorials every day as punishment."

"Got it!" Qian Xunzong waved a hand. He lifted one foot, but this time he did not dare kick the door open. Instead, he carefully pushed it open and walked out.

Silence returned to the hall, and Qian Xunji finally could not hold back his laughter any longer.

"Father, you really know how to handle him. You sent that restless brat off to supervise construction, so now no one will barge into the Papal Palace every day to make trouble."

Qian Daoliu looked at the pile of dossiers on the desk, now reduced by more than half, and let out a long breath. He picked up his jade pen again, his eyes full of relief.

"That child has too much energy and cannot sit still. If I don't give him some complicated chores to temper his temperament, who knows what trouble he'll cause in the future? This renovation task requires him to travel everywhere and deal with people. It is just right for polishing that impulsive, playful nature of his."

Outside the window, Qian Xunzong stood beside the Cloudstep Light-Carriage with the Jade Balance Xiejing Beast in his arms, gazing at the sprawling affiliated cultivation valleys of Spirit Hall in the distance. He sighed helplessly.

He had wanted to find a carefree job to pass the time, yet he had somehow become the chief construction supervisor. He would have to deal with the Engineering Division every day, check accounts, and inspect sites. For the next half year, he feared he would never again be able to peacefully lie around, fish, and wander through the mountains.