CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: ADDING BRICKS AND TILES

"Xingshan has been captured?"

Although the letter contained few words, the information it revealed left Song Tingye slightly shocked.

Those who could leave the family were all carefully selected ’seeds.’ Although they had not yet entered the Initiate Realm, if they truly fought without restraint and unleashed the Hibernating Dragon Cultivation Skill, they might even be able to contend with someone in the Initiate Realm.

What kind of demon could have actually captured Xingshan alive?

Turning his head to look at Jia Yufei, Song Tingye said in a deep voice, "Sister, it seems you might need to make a trip for this. The family probably sent the blood letter here because they know you’re present."

Concerned for her own kin, Jia Yufei uncharacteristically suppressed her unruly and flighty temper, nodding. "Got it. Geez, I hardly ever get to go out, and it hasn’t even been peaceful for two days."

Muttering to herself, Jia Yufei walked to the side and sat down, hugging her knees and whispering things like, "Don’t let me catch you," "I’ll skin you," and "I’ll pull your tendons."

Clutching the blood letter, Song Tingye frowned slightly.

It seems that more and more demons are fleeing into Dianchuan Province, and their overall strength is starting to rise. I must accelerate my progress and enter the Initiate Realm as soon as possible. Dongli County isn’t too far from Baoho County. Otherwise, Xingshan’s fate could be a precursor to my own.

"Mr. Song, the number of refugees lingering outside the city has now exceeded twelve thousand, and the stockpiled grain can last at most three more days. I have already dispatched men to the neighboring county for emergency procurement. However, the entire Huang Tan Manor has been extremely chaotic recently, making it difficult for merchant caravans to operate normally. All county towns are running low on grain. I fear it will be quite difficult to purchase a sufficient amount."

Reporting on the recent situation, the Agricultural Registrar handed Song Tingye a ledger of grain provisions. It clearly recorded Baoho County’s grain expenditures and income during this period. Overall, expenditures outstripped income. The arrival of numerous refugees, coupled with Song Tingye’s extensive establishment of congee sheds, had depleted the city’s grain reserves to a dangerous level. If this continued, not only would these refugees face starvation, but perhaps even the food distribution within Baoho County itself would face problems.

"I understand. You may leave," Song Tingye said.

Dismissing the Agricultural Registrar, Song Tingye summoned Sun Yueting. "How long until the family’s grain shipment arrives?"

"It was supposed to arrive in two days, but now the entire grain convoy is stuck at Tiger Roar Pass. A group of rebel cultists from the Golden Flower Maternal Sect is entrenched there. If we try to force our way through recklessly, I’m afraid we’ll lose both our men and the grain," Sun Yueting explained.

"Can’t we take a detour?"

"Huang Tan Manor has been very chaotic lately, with demonic calamities spreading everywhere. A detour would take an extra ten days, and we might encounter other unforeseen dangers."

"Young Master, perhaps..." Sun Yueting hesitated.

"Speak your mind."

"We could ask Mr. Ye to escort the convoy. With his strength, ordinary rebel forces are no match for him. He can definitely ensure the safe return of the grain."

"Ye Wen?" Song Tingye raised an eyebrow, falling silent in contemplation.

Ever since Jia Yufei warned him that this man was very dangerous and should not be provoked excessively, he had reduced his contact with Ye Wen. Furthermore, the subtle implications of him marrying into the family had affected their relationship; they hadn’t met in nearly ten days.

"Go and request Mr. Ye to come here."

After a moment of reflection, Song Tingye instructed Sun Yueting to invite Qi Xiu.

Grain is the most pressing matter. As long as there’s enough food, I can incorporate these refugees into the city as citizens of Baoho County, further accelerating my cultivation. With the help of these ten thousand-plus people, achieving the Initiate Realm is well within reach. In that case, undertaking some risks is acceptable.

"Escort the grain convoy?"

Upon hearing Song Tingye’s request, Qi Xiu was slightly taken aback.

The County Magistrate sought me out just for this?

"Yes. Actually, if it weren’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t wish to trouble you, Sir. After all, I still feel guilty for my sister’s previous indiscretion," Song Tingye said, a hint of apology in his expression as he took the initiative to speak, attempting to dissolve the rift between himself and Qi Xiu.

"The matter is in the past; there’s no need for you, Sir, to dwell on it."

It had always been a relationship of mutual benefit, so Qi Xiu didn’t dwell on it. He wanted to use Song Tingye’s background to provide various forms of assistance for his cultivation. Song Tingye wanted to use his strength as a safeguard. Both parties were willing, each getting what they needed. The only unexpected variable had been the sudden arrival of that perverse woman, Jia Yufei.

"That’s good to hear. This grain transport is critical for the lives of the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city. The matter is critical and brooks no delay, so I can only ask you, Mr. Ye, to make this trip," Song Tingye continued. "Of course, I wouldn’t let you make this journey for nothing. Should you require anything, please state it, and I will do my utmost to provide it."

His meaning was now crystal clear. Song Tingye wanted to hire him to escort the grain convoy.

Since it was put so plainly, Qi Xiu no longer feigned ignorance. He took out a list he had prepared in advance. Apart from some medicinal herbs, it also detailed specific requirements for True Cultivation Powers and cultivation methods.

Song Tingye glanced over the list. Upon noticing the annotations for True Cultivation Powers and cultivation methods, he subtly lifted his gaze to Qi Xiu.

He’s still trying, indeed. Unfortunately, if it were that easy, there wouldn’t be such things as prestigious clans and powerful sects in this world.

Having settled the terms, Qi Xiu departed with a True Cultivation Power scroll in hand: the Red Tiger True Skill, which Sun Yueting cultivated. This was considered a partial advance payment for this operation.

Qi Xiu returned home with the True Cultivation Power scroll and immediately began his cultivation.

The Red Tiger True Skill, cultivated by Sun Yueting, Song Tingye’s personal bodyguard, was of higher quality than any True Cultivation Power Qi Xiu had previously encountered. Furthermore, it was a Yang-attribute art.

As he committed the entire contents of the True Cultivation Power to memory, Qi Xiu’s aura surged, and his skin glowed with a faint red luster that seemed to flicker.

On the proficiency panel, the proficiency of the Red Tiger True Skill was rapidly increasing.

Nearly a year of relentless and unwavering cultivation had made Qi Xiu’s foundation frighteningly solid. This, combined with two Dao Seeds and the enhancement from the Hunyuan Longhu Zhenjing Mi Yi Zonggang, made his current cultivation rate incredibly fast.

Although the Red Tiger True Skill was of very high quality, it couldn’t compare to Qi Xiu’s current level of understanding. It was like a mathematics Ph.D. solving high school math problems; not only was his approach broader, but the techniques and methods at his disposal were also far richer.

A True Cultivation Power that once took days of arduous effort to merely begin to grasp—as firm and unyielding as metal or stone—now seemed like a soft, sweet pastry to Qi Xiu. One bite, one chew, and the essence contained within was already clear to him.

Merely six hours later, Qi Xiu’s aura pulsed, and from within him, tiger-like roars seemed to emanate, shaking the very air with immense, majestic power.

At the same time, within his dantian, a crimson, nebula-like wellspring of Qi formed.

Red Tiger True Skill.

Condensation Realm.

As soon as the wellspring of Qi formed, Qi Xiu immediately focused his consciousness into his dantian, intently watching the Purple Extreme Dao Seed, wary that this ’rebellious son’ might try some petty trick.

A quarter of an hour passed.

All was calm within his dantian.

The Purple Extreme Dao Seed remained coiled in its place, showing no interest whatsoever in its new neighbor, completely ignoring it.

Seeing no reaction from the Purple Extreme Dao Seed, Qi Xiu breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Next is to continue laying the foundation, piece by piece, and forge my Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery as soon as possible.