Lu Li into seclusion.
The period of seclusion was not long, only about three years in total.
But no one expected that the birth of the seventh-tier Spirit Artifact, Primordial Beginning, would take only three short years.
The changes in the entire Dao Court were enormous.
The cultivators within it even unconsciously sensed a hint of a changing era...
Spring came earlier this year than usual in Litian Prefecture City.
The chimes of the closing bell echoed gently through the city.
Chen Beihai walked out of the towering spirit tower of the Spirit Source Division.
Standing on the stone steps at the entrance of the yamen, he habitually stretched his back.
"Deacon Chen, are you off duty?"
"See you tomorrow, Steward Chen."
"Deacon Chen, I've placed the report from the Spirit Plant Division III on your desk. Please remember to review it tomorrow."
Nodding in response to his colleagues' greetings, Chen Beihai descended the stone steps.
The main street in front of the government office, made of bluestone, is called Chongwen Street.
This time of year is usually the peak of the scattered value, with flying swords streaking wildly.
The scene of the fellow disciples returning home on their swords was quite spectacular.
However, since the no-fly zone was imposed on the inner city last year, Chongwen Street has become much quieter.
Nowadays, private magical Law Artifact are prohibited from being used to fly freely in the inner city. To travel, one must either walk or ride a public flying spirit beast or a rail-mounted magical Law Artifact.
At first, many cultivators complained.
Chen Beihai, however, thought the regulation was quite good.
At least we won't have to hear that incessant whistling sound every day anymore.
He shook his head and walked to the bus stop on the street.
This is a small pavilion made of white jade.
A crystal screen is embedded on top.
The arrival time of the next public Law Artifact is displayed in a scrolling manner.
Several people were already waiting at the platform.
There were stewards dressed in official robes and ordinary cultivators in plain robes.
Two mortal female cultivators were also chatting and laughing in hushed tones.
A short while later, a deep humming sound came from the street corner.
Those are public Law Artifact of the Dao Court.
A long, shaped chariot suspended in mid-air.
The entire piece is a streamlined silver-gray.
Its exterior is engraved with dense, floating Talisman Inscription.
It has no wheels or any mechanical structure; it is suspended purely by the repulsive force of the spirit array.
It is almost silent when driving.
The carriage came to a complete stop, and the doors slid open silently.
Chen Beihai followed the crowd up and swiped his identity jade token on the spirit crystal card reader on the side of the door.
With a soft "beep," two contribution points were automatically deducted from the card.
The carriage was already quite full.
He found a seat by the window and sat down. The Law Artifact then started up again and flew steadily along the predetermined direction.
The Litian Prefecture City the window in the twilight light and shadow.
Chen Beihai looked out the window, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
He is not from this world.
He was one of the compatriots of the Great Xia Spirit Descent.
I've been here for several years now.
I remember when he first came here a few years ago, Litian Prefecture City wasn't like this.
Although the prefectural city was quite magnificent at that time, the students and their culture were also quite interesting.
But deep down, he's still simple and unassuming.
Back then, Dao Court exuded the primal charm of a fantasy world.
Simple, rugged, and with a rigorous humanistic spirit.
To be honest, Chen Beihai quite liked that feeling when he first arrived.
Everything in this world feels new and exciting.
Back on Blue Star, he was a researcher at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, specializing in crop genetic improvement.
Later, due to his outstanding contributions, although he was just a mortal, he was fortunate enough to participate in Spirit Descent.
His research experience is invaluable here.
The systematic experimental methodologies on Blue Star are like a game-changer in this cultivation world where cultivators rely on experience and intuition.
In just two years, he progressed through the ranks of low-level disciple, intermediate disciple, and high-level disciple, becoming a steward of the Spirit Plant Hall of the Spirit Source Division.
He also oversees three very active research groups.
They are specifically responsible for the large-scale cultivation of medicinal herbs.
In just a few short years, my life has been full of colorful experiences.
The changes in the last two years have been the most significant.
"People are saying that Primordial Beginning was upgraded last year."
"It has risen to the seventh-tier Spirit Artifact level, judging from the various changes in this city now."
"Perhaps the rumor is true."
"I just wonder... just how powerful a seventh-tier Spirit Artifact really is?"
Recalling the rumors circulating about that Lord Primordial Beginning, Chen Beihai became extremely curious.
The Dao Court has undergone tremendous changes in the past year or so.
New regulations are constantly emerging.
The cooperation mechanism between various departments is constantly being optimized.
Even the Litian Prefecture City has been expanded again and again.
Inner city, middle city, outer city.
Each city is further divided into several rings, like a moon encircling the moon, extremely magnificent.
Towering stupas sprang up like mushrooms after rain, one after another.
Chen Beihai even felt as if he had returned to Blue Star.
"Passengers, we have arrived at Wenchang Ward."
Please be mindful of your belongings when you get off the bus.
"Please do not interrupt the spell. Thank you for your cooperation!"
A clear announcement sounded in the carriage, interrupting Chen Beihai's thoughts.
He got up and got out of the car. The platform for Law Artifact implements was set up at the entrance of Wenchang Ward.
He moved to this neighborhood last year; it's located in the Third Ring Road area where the inner city and mid-city meet.
The alleys inside the neighborhood are narrow, with locust trees planted on both sides.
A path paved with blue bricks runs beneath the trees.
Every few dozen steps you'll see a small building with a yard.
Chen Beihai's home is located deep in an alley; it is a two-story detached house.
As soon as I pushed open the courtyard gate, the motion-activated lights in the yard turned on.
Warm white light shone on the bluestone ground.
The photo shows the few second-tier spirit peonies in the corner of the courtyard in full bloom.
"My husband, you're back?"
A crisp sound made Chen Beihai's expression relax.
The door opened, and a figure came out to greet them.
She was a female cultivator dressed in a plain-colored dress.
With the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, she had a delicate and pretty face, and her eyes and brows carried a touch of gentleness.
She wore a silk apron tied around her waist, and the sleeves were half-rolled up, revealing half of her fair wrist.
The female cultivator smiled and took the document bag from Chen Beihai's hand with natural and practiced movements.
Su Wanqing is a local cultivator from Litian Prefecture City.
He was born into a small, declining Aristocratic Clan Rogue Cultivator.
He was responsible for selecting spiritual materials in the Artifact Manufacturing Division.
The two met at a joint meeting of the government offices.
At that time, Chen Beihai had just been promoted to steward and was full of vigor. His second-tier spirit puppet body and intelligent mind attracted Su Wanqing's attention.
What happened next was only natural.
It's funny, really.
"Back on Blue Star, I was a lifelong bachelor."
"I went on thirty-two blind dates without success, but I never expected to find love in this strange world."
"It's a pity that, being a soul in body, I have no hope of passing on my lineage."
Looking at the gentle and beautiful female cultivator in front of him, Chen Beihai touched his nose.
I sniffed the aroma filling the air, and my stomach growled in agreement.
What delicious food did you make today?
"A few simple, home-style spiritual dishes."
"Blanched bamboo shoots, steamed carp, and a pot of black-boned chicken soup with various herbs, simmering for two hours."
"The Azure Wave Carp is said to have just arrived from the Western Sea, and it's incredibly fresh! It's extremely beneficial for cultivation."
Su Wanqing said as she walked into the house.
Her image as a virtuous wife and loving mother is captivating.
Chen Beihai couldn't help but joke.
"Whose Immortal Venerable is it today? Such a lavish feast!"
"Can't we have something more substantial even on ordinary days?"
Su Wanqing turned around and gave him a reproachful look.
He placed the document bag on the long desk in the study, then turned and went back to the kitchen.
Chen Beihai smiled and shook his head, then went inside.
The interior decoration is very distinctive.
The living room light is a fist-sized luminous pearl.
A crystal-driven refrigerator sits in the corner.
The Talisman Inscription on the cabinet door emitted a faint blue light.
A crystal screen hangs on the wall, which can receive various announcements issued by the Dao Court Siya (a local government office).
Occasionally, they would also play some lighthearted operas or plays produced by the Missionary Division.
These crystal artifacts all appeared suddenly over the past year or so.
This shows that every aspect of the Dao Court is changing.
Before long, the food was served.
Chen Beihai picked up a piece of jade marrow bamboo shoot with his chopsticks. It was crisp and refreshing, Spiritual Qi melted on his tongue, sliding down his throat, leaving him feeling warm all over.
Su Wanqing's cooking skills are indeed excellent.
Her weapon-refining skills were only considered average in the department.
However, he had a real talent for cooking, and he prepared several dishes perfectly.
"We're so lucky! We're so lucky!"
He sighed repeatedly.
Su Wanqing sat opposite, but seemed somewhat absent-minded.
It seemed like he had something to say.
Chen Beihai noticed and put down his chopsticks.
"What's wrong? Something on your mind?"
Su Wanqing remained silent for a while, then bit her lower lip.
It seemed like he was carefully choosing his words.
After a long pause, she finally raised her eyes, her gaze flickering slightly as she spoke.
"I... have something I'd like to discuss with my husband."
"What is it? Please speak freely. Why must we beat around the bush like this?"
Su Wanqing took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and said, word by word.
"I wish to join the Northern Expedition Army!"