Return, Off to the Engineering Division!

The next day, at the Blazing Flame Sect.

Ma Mingshan had prepared excellent guest rooms for Qian Xunzong and the others to rest in.

Since they had yet to find a suitable location to build a city, Qian Xunzong had not temporarily bestowed the Throne of Guardian and Mercy upon Ma Mingshan. However, Ma Mingshan had gained another year of life and was not in much of a hurry.

Sitting in his room, Qian Xunzong took out the External Soul Bone awarded by the system—the Sacred Flame Wild Palm. As for the other six major Soul Bone slots, his minimum requirement was one hundred thousand years, perhaps even starting with Ferocious Beasts.

An External Soul Bone could continuously increase in age alongside a Soul Master's cultivation, so Qian Xunzong did not have particularly high demands for it.

After pressing the Soul Bone against his right palm, Qian Xunzong activated his Soul Power and began absorbing it. The intertwining golden-white flames gradually converged as the Sacred Flame Wild Palm slowly fused into his flesh through the meridians in both his arms.

In less than half the time it took an incense stick to burn, Qian Xunzong successfully absorbed it. His right palm was enhanced by the Soul Bone, granting him an exceptionally powerful Soul Bone skill: Wild Palm.

With a single palm pressed forward through the air, energy transformed into an endless giant hand that covered the sky. Savage runes covered its palm, while crimson killing intent surged like a tide.

Its five massive fingers resembled five pillars that held up the heavens as they crashed down. One finger could crush an army formation, scorching flames burned, and the earth collapsed layer by layer. It could be used for ranged attacks, close combat, control, and defense.

Afterward, Qian Xunzong and the others prepared to leave and return to Cloud-Treading Villa. As they neared the mountain gate, Qian Xunzong turned to Ma Jinyan and said,

"Jin Yan, why not stay at the sect for now and handle the accumulated affairs? Once you're done, return to the villa and follow me. There is no need to make you travel back and forth."

Just as Ma Jinyan was about to agree, heavy footsteps came from within the mountain gate. Ma Mingshan, dressed in a crimson sect master's robe, strode out with an incomparably resolute expression and directly blocked their path.

"Absolutely not!" Ma Mingshan waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for discussion. "Jin Yan now follows Young Master. His duty is to serve as his personal guard. This old man will handle all the Blazing Flame Sect's trivial affairs. I can personally check the mines, branch halls, and warehouse accounts one by one. There will not be the slightest mistake. Why should he stay behind and divide his attention?"

Ma Jinyan hesitated. "Father, but your health..."

"Your old man is perfectly healthy. I can handle these minor matters alone." Ma Mingshan patted Ma Jinyan's shoulder, then bowed toward Qian Xunzong.

"Young Master, please take Jin Yan back with you. The Blazing Flame Sect is now one of Young Master's forces. This old man will remain here and safeguard our foundation, and I will never cause Young Master trouble. Jin Yan is devoted to protecting his master. If he returned to the sect and delayed Young Master's journey, that would be putting the cart before the horse."

Seeing Ma Mingshan's firm attitude and recalling his decades of experienced sect management, Qian Xunzong stopped trying to persuade him.

"Since Sect Master Ma has his own arrangements, we will depart at once."

Overjoyed, Ma Mingshan hurriedly packed up fire-element resources and soul tool supplies for Ma Jinyan. He repeatedly reminded him to stay by Qian Xunzong's side and protect him well, watching their group vanish down the mountain path before turning back to handle the sect's affairs.

The group traveled at full speed and finally reached Cloud-Treading Villa by dusk.

After a day of travel, Qian Xunzong was somewhat weary in body and mind. He ate a simple dinner and retired early.

Unexpectedly, just as dawn broke the next morning, Shen Ye's voice sounded outside the door. "My Lord, His Holiness the Pope sent word for you to visit the Papal Palace."

"Damn, why are these old men all so energetic?!"

Qian Xunzong rubbed his sleepy eyes and silently complained that his old man was far too diligent, refusing to let anyone rest peacefully so early in the morning. After sleeping another two hours, he casually gathered his clothes, washed up, boarded the Cloudstep Light-Carriage, activated autopilot mode, and drifted leisurely toward the Papal Palace.

Upon reaching the palace doors, he could not be bothered to raise a hand and push them open. Instead, he lifted his leg and kicked hard.

"Bang—!"

The heavy carved palace doors flew open from the kick, their panels slamming against the stone walls on either side and making the light pendants hanging within the hall jingle.

Qian Daoliu, seated on the jade throne inside, did not even lift his eyelids. He leisurely took a sip from his soul tool teacup, clearly long accustomed to his son's unrestrained and willful nature, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Qian Xunji was not handling official business today. After all, cultivation was still the most important thing for him right now. Even harvesting leeks had to wait until they had grown another crop before he could...

However, the middle-aged man waiting beside the jade throne trembled from head to toe. He staggered half a step, nearly falling flat on his backside, while the engineering documents clutched in his hands scattered all over the floor. His face instantly turned pale as he hurriedly bent over to gather the papers, scarcely daring to breathe.

With both hands casually held behind his back, Qian Xunzong strolled into the grand hall. His steps were leisurely, without the slightest restraint expected of a junior greeting his elders, as he casually said,

"Dad, why'd you call me here so early?"

Only then did Qian Daoliu put down his teacup. He raised a hand and pointed toward Zhou Heng, who was hurriedly collecting the documents, introducing him in an even tone.

"Let me introduce someone. His name is Zhou Heng. He was originally the deputy manager under Su Jian, the Engineering Division manager. Su Jian was recently transferred elsewhere, and the Engineering Division cannot go a day without a manager, so I promoted him to fill the position."

Zhou Heng hurriedly gathered the documents into his arms and stepped forward to bow. His back bent extremely low, and he had yet to recover from the fright of that kicked-open door. Even his voice trembled slightly. "This subordinate, Zhou Heng, greets Second Young Master."

Qian Daoliu continued, explaining Zhou Heng's outstanding qualities in detail.

"This Zhou Heng is steady by nature and conscientious in his work. Back when he assisted Su Jian, he never made a mistake in projects large or small. Originally, in terms of his attainments in formations and spirit plant cultivation alone, he was indeed slightly inferior to Su Jian.

"But some time ago, he studied under Yun Yan. After only a few days of diligent cultivation, his formation deductions and illusion-realm spirit plant cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. His foundation has now surpassed Su Jian's, so I am quite at ease leaving the Engineering Division in his hands."

Zhou Heng scratched his head, somewhat bashful. "It was all thanks to Master Yun Yan's careful guidance. This subordinate was merely lucky enough to think things through a little more."

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xunzong and gave his instructions. "You oversaw the construction of the Mimetic Cultivation Base from beginning to end. All documents, materials, and illusion-realm formation blueprints are in your hands.

"Today, accompany Zhou Heng to the Engineering Division and fully hand over all remaining project matters. The subsequent site maintenance and equipment reporting will be Zhou Heng's responsibility."

Qian Xunzong waved his hand carelessly. "What a hassle. Fine, I would have had to make the trip sooner or later. Let's go now."

"Second Young Master, this way!"

The two left the Papal Palace together and took a teleportation soul tool vehicle straight to the Engineering Division in the main city.

Documents were piled like mountains inside the Engineering Division. Countless craftsmen and clerks hurried back and forth, creating a bustling scene. The moment Zhou Heng entered, he skillfully took out a complete set of standardized inspection documents and thoughtfully brewed Qian Xunzong a cup of calming spirit tea. It was clear that he was usually meticulous and considerate in his work.

"Second Young Master, let us verify everything item by item according to procedure. You only need to take out the documents, and this subordinate will compare them one by one."

Qian Xunzong spread out the thick stack of neatly bound documents from his storage space. Site survey blueprints, procurement lists for high-grade mimetic barriers, records of consumable spirit plants for cultivating illusion realms, monthly wage details for a hundred craftsmen, and final payment account books filled the entire large desk. Every expense and every illusion-realm formation node was clearly marked.

Zhou Heng was exceptionally serious in his work. Whenever a formation pattern or the number of spirit plants on a blueprint was even slightly unclear, he would pull Qian Xunzong aside to ask in detail. He even deduced the illusion-realm formations on the spot, refusing to record anything until he confirmed there were no hidden dangers.

Qian Xunzong maintained a relaxed posture, leaning against the long desk and responding intermittently. No matter what questions Zhou Heng raised, he could immediately produce the corresponding proof. The two worked in perfect tandem. Although the verification process was tedious, it did not stall in the slightest.

Partway through, Zhou Heng even pulled Qian Xunzong into conversation. He marveled at how exquisite the formation techniques Master Yun Yan had taught him were, then complained that Su Jian had always liked cutting corners when cultivating spirit plants. Now that he had improved the cultivation methods, the survival rate of illusion-realm vegetation had doubled outright. He rambled on for most of the day, like an apprentice eager to show off newly acquired skills.

After a full two hours, all ten thousand documents had been checked without a single error. Zhou Heng took out the Engineering Division's exclusive official seal and heavily stamped the inspection document. He respectfully returned it to Qian Xunzong with both hands, letting out a long breath of relief.

"The handover is finally complete! With the complete documents left behind by Second Young Master, this subordinate will have it a hundred times easier managing the mimetic site afterward. If any problems arise with the illusion-realm barriers or spirit plant maintenance in the future, I will visit Master Yun Yan to seek his guidance."

After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Zhou Heng busied himself arranging for his clerks to organize the documents, then turned and got back to work.

Only Qian Xunzong remained in the vast inspection hall. He summoned the system.

"System, get up and work."

[ Ding. Detected that the host is at the Spirit Hall Engineering Division. Check-in successful. Location cooldown: one year! ]

[ Check-in successful. Reward obtained: Level-Ten Soul Engineer—Kong Deming ]