Having swiftly dealt with everything, Xin Bairen came to the Central Army's treasure ship as Qing Chen had ordered.
He strode to the door of the makeshift quiet room, bowed, and cupped his fists. "Reporting to the Sect Leader."
The door stood open. The furnishings inside were simple: just a couch and a low table.
Qing Chen sat cross-legged on the couch, his eyes half-closed. An azure thunder cauldron and a dark green wind banner hovered beside him, slowly revolving. Lightning patterns flickered into view, and the breath of wind murmured softly as he carefully nourished and ritually refined them with his own true essence.
At the sound, he merely gave a faint nasal "Mm" without opening his eyes.
"With the help of Zhaoshenzi and Yanluo, all remaining resistance on the island, including the rogue cultivators, has been suppressed."
Xin Bairen dared not waste a moment. "There were over forty thousand rebels in total, including fifteen at the Golden Core Stage and roughly a thousand in the Foundation Establishment Realm. The rest were all at Qi Refining. Our Cangming Army also suffered severe casualties. At least ten thousand cultivators fell."
He paused, lowering his voice. "As you instructed, all have been packed up. Those who fell from the Tianshui Sect are ready to be sent to the Blood Hall. The remains of our fallen Cangming Army cultivators are being transported to Jade Rock Mountain, where burial sites will be chosen."
His words were artfully phrased.
Only then did Qing Chen open his eyes. His gaze swept over the two magic treasures floating beside him, and satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
In this first test of their edge, the Purple Mansion Thunder Cauldron and Xun Wind Banner had suited him quite well. Their power was adequate.
"You handled this reasonably well."