After receiving the Profound Yin Crystal Marrow, the two prepared to leave.
After leaving this place and returning to the central stone pillar, Chen Shuangbai was about to leave when his spiritual sense was slightly triggered. He swept aside the charred body of the Mushroom Demon and saw a small mushroom.
Although it acted very convincingly, Chen Shuangbai still realized that it had gained intelligence and become a demon.
Zhao Shiyong also noticed it, and looking at the little Mushroom Demon, he said, "Huh? There's one that slipped through the net!"
Just as he was about to cast another spell to summon the crimson fire and burn it to ashes, the little Mushroom Demon suddenly ran up, gurgled to Chen Shuangbai's feet, tugged at the corner of his robe, and trembled.
Seeing that it was fairly well-behaved, Chen Shuangbai thought it could be taken back to be Feiguang's companion, so she stopped Zhao Shiyong. The latter shrugged and didn't say anything more.
It's not a big deal for cultivators to keep a few spirits or demons.
On the open river surface, two huge splashes of water suddenly erupted, and Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong emerged from the water, still dry.
Chen Shuangbai handed over the water-repelling pearl, but Zhao Shiyong waved his hand and said, "It's worthless anyway, fellow Daoist, keep it."
Chen Shuangbai didn't stand on ceremony with this disciple of the Profound Firmament Sect and put him into her Storage Bag.
Besides the water-repelling bead, the other haul from this trip included several demonic crystals from the bodies of Water Salamander. The quality was quite good, and they should fetch a good price.
However, Chen Shuangbai planned to deal with it after returning to the sect.
Besides that, the biggest gain should be the Profound Yin Crystal Marrow, which is a second-tier spiritual material.
Zhao Shiyong raised his head and looked at the sky.
As dawn broke and the first light of day appeared, the river remained still and deep, with splashes rising from the rapids. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Shuangbai and said sincerely:
"My friendship with you began with a misunderstanding, and I greatly admire your character and cultivation. However, my departure from the sect has taken too long, and I fear my elders within the sect may be worried. Therefore, I must take my leave."
Chen Shuangbai also thought that Zhao Shiyong was a wonderful person, quite open-minded, and very much in line with the image of a disciple of the righteous path.
Such people are rare in today's cultivation world.
"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I also feel that we have met too late in life."
Neither of them were indecisive people. Although they had developed some friendship, it was not yet at the level of close friends. After exchanging a few words, they parted ways.
Before his departure, Zhao Shiyong presented Chen Shuangbai pendant bearing the pattern of a Crimson Fire Black Bird, solemnly saying, "If you ever have the chance to visit Zhao Kingdom in the future, be sure to seek me out. Bring this token, and I'll grant you free passage throughout the territory of my Profound Firmament Sect."
Chen Shuangbai watched as the man's feet rose into flames and he rode away on the crimson cauldron before turning back to the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy.
Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy.
Zhuang Wen respectfully welcomed Chen Shuangbai back, accompanied by two Daoist academy students whom Chen Shuangbai had previously studied.
Chen Shuangbai gave a slight support, and the three of them straightened their backs.
"During my absence these past few days, has there been any important matter in the county or within the administrative area that you were unable to handle?"
Zhuang Wen replied with a smile:
"Nothing bad has happened; on the contrary, good things are happening one after another."
"Oh... tell me about it."
On the way to the Listening to the Waves Pavilion, Zhuang Wen recounted the events that had occurred in the county in the past few days, especially the good things that had happened at the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy.
"In the past few days, the number of students at the Daoist academy has doubled. Many well-off families in the county have chosen to send one of their children to study at the academy. Putting everything else aside, the atmosphere is gradually improving."
"In addition, two prominent families in the county fled, and their properties were taken over by the Daoist temple and the county government, each taking half, so they won't continue to lose money indefinitely."
He went on and on.
Despite being a cultivator, he talked on and on like a nagging old woman, but Chen Shuangbai saw that he was enjoying himself, so she didn't interrupt him.
As Chen Shuangbai listened, she slowly walked towards the Listening to the Waves Pavilion, nodding slightly to Meng Fu and Fei Liyan, signaling them to follow.
Chen Shuangbai occasionally chimed in with a few words, but didn't interfere much.
Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng may not have any talent in cultivation, but they genuinely love their hometown, Wind Howling County.
Since both of them have their own plans, one focusing on internal affairs and the other on external affairs, he can let go.
after all.
Chen Shuangbai never forgot that cultivation was his primary duty as a cultivator.
"You two are very decisive and act with great tact. I think that's excellent."
Upon hearing Martial Uncle Chen's praise, Zhuang Wen smiled so broadly that his face crinkled into wrinkles, resembling a golden chrysanthemum.
Everything at the Listening to the Waves Pavilion remains the same.
Chen Shuangbai sat at the tea table by the window, and only after he sat down did the other three dare to sit down.
Chen Shuangbai suddenly remembered something and asked, "How is the ferry crossing?"
The ferry crossing is vital to the livelihood of the people in Wind Howling County, and it is also the key to whether Chen Shuangbai can obtain Higher Vehicle rating in the town's defense mission three years later.
Zhuang Wen's smile remained unchanged as he said:
" The Bai Brothers, who were in charge of the Azure Flood Dragon Society, have already been executed. The remaining members are just a handful, not much of a threat."
"Now the ferry crossing has returned to the county government's control, and the Dragon King Levy has been abolished. Those with serious crimes have been thrown into the dungeon and will be dealt with according to the laws of the Jing Kingdom; those with minor crimes will either be punished with hard labor or fined; and the rest of the underlings have all been dismissed."
"The ferry crossing is peaceful and quiet now, and there are noticeably more boats moored there..."
In short, everything is thriving.
Chen Shuangbai was quite satisfied with what she heard.
He has only been stationed here for a little over a year, and there are still nearly two years left. If things continue to develop like this, he can use the remaining time to become a hands-off manager and concentrate on alchemy and cultivation.
very good!
Not long after, Bi Sheng received a summons and returned from the county.
Chen Shuangbai said, "The couple from the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance won't be coming back. Take some people and bring that area under the Daoist Academy's control... As for that Yu Laoliu... if you can find him, bring him to see me."
Upon hearing this, Bi Sheng suddenly looked up, his eyes seemingly shooting out golden light. But seeing his senior uncle's nonchalant attitude, his heart pounded even harder.
"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!"
"Go, but be gentle and focus on appeasement."
"Those Rogue Cultivator who come in, don't offer them high salaries. After observing them for a period of time, if they prove loyal, we can also grant them access to some of the academy's Law Technique."
Most of the Law Technique at the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy come from the Jade Spring Sect. They are harmless Law Technique that can be taught to many lineages. They are naturally insignificant to cultivators of major sects, but for those Rogue Cultivator... they are priceless treasures.
Bi Sheng then led these people and successfully brought the Sha Province in the river, which had lost the protection of the Han Shouke couple, under the jurisdiction of the Daoist temple.
Putting everything else aside, the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance's method of raising Silver Light Fish is quite profitable.
The Daoist temple needs this training method to increase its income from Spirit Stone.