Chapter 136: One Year, One Withering and Flourishing
Chapter 136: One Year, One Withering and Flourishing
With different thoughts in their minds, the four Inspector Envoys, through a brief conversation, directly decided the candidate for the highly profitable position of the new Logistics Commander of Two Realms Mountain.
Lu Hangzhi never imagined that after making great contributions in the Core Battle Zone, his first reward would not be material benefits, but instead the position of “Two Realms Mountain Headquarters Logistics Commander,” which was second only to the four Inspector Envoys!
Honglian knew that Lu Hangzhi probably didn’t understand the details of the Logistics Commander position. Since entering the Core Battle Zone went more smoothly than planned and there was some free time, she quickly transmitted a voice message to explain:
The Logistics Commander was also known as the “Housekeeper of Two Realms Mountain”!
This position not only managed the massive resources provided by the Seven Great Sects and other major sects to aid Two Realms Mountain, but also had the authority to freely allocate and distribute them.
Many years ago, this position was held by a Vice Sect Leader of the Seven Great Sects, who had gathered thousands of Spirit Coalescence Elders at the Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage and Late Concentration Stage as followers.
Even the four Inspector Envoys were frequently constrained by this role.
Later, when that person was promoted to the position of Tribute Guard of the Seven Great Sects, focusing on seclusion to break through to the Mystic Light realm, countless people fought fiercely to inherit the role of Housekeeper of Two Realms Mountain.
However!
Following Baimei’s suggestion, the four Inspector Envoys quickly united and jointly pushed through the abolishment of the procedures for branch departments to draw supplies from the headquarters logistics. They also mandated a rotation every ten years, greatly limiting the authority of the Two Realms Mountain Housekeeper. Essentially, the role only retained the power to balance supplies for the four major Marketplaces and some small profits from the Auction House…
Even so, the position of Logistics Commander remained a highly coveted and lucrative post.
“A lucrative post?”
Lu Hangzhi looked confused.
Honglian naturally didn’t know that Lu Hangzhi had once served as a housekeeper at the Zhu Residence in Violet Cloud Town and had been very successful. She assumed that Lu Hangzhi was just a cultivator who only knew how to cultivate and had never been involved in worldly interests. She explained:
“Take the Matrix Towers for example. The Reinforcement Department receives two hundred towers from the Yuding Sect every year. In the past, when the pressure was low and losses were minimal, all these Matrix Towers would be held in reserve by the Reinforcement Department, managed appropriately by the Logistics Commander. Additionally, the Nectar Immortal Elixir provided annually by the Imperial Wine Sect to the logistics headquarters, and the Elixirs from the Danxia Sect, only require a symbolic small amount of materials… The Talismans from the Painting Sect are also sold to the Two Realms Mountain logistics headquarters at low prices…”
Hearing this, even though Lu Hangzhi had anticipated it, he was still shocked speechless by the vast resources Honglian listed one by one.
“Besides these!”
Honglian continued: “Every year, the Seven Great Sects take out some rare treasures, Spiritual Artifacts, Magical Artifacts, treasures, and secret Codexes from their treasuries as rewards for those who have performed meritorious deeds. Actually, these rewards had long been distributed by the four major branches themselves… But the logistics headquarters still receives similar resources every year.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi’s breathing became rapid.
“The three Inspector Envoys arranged for you to take the position of Logistics Commander. Although they partly intended it as a move against me, it is an excellent opportunity for you. Grasp it firmly, and you will benefit greatly.”
“I understand.”
Lu Hangzhi nodded silently.
Honglian continued:
“This attack on Two Realms Mountain is unpredictable. Before we came, we already gave instructions and appointed acting Inspector Envoys. So, I will urge the three envoys to finalize your appointment. No matter the outcome, you will directly become a high-ranking member of the Two Realms Mountain Reinforcement Department headquarters, with the right to directly participate in major decisions concerning Two Realms Mountain.”
Hearing this, Lu Hangzhi suddenly felt a strange sense of how much things had changed.
Just a moment ago, he was just an ordinary nobody in the southern region of Two Realms Mountain…
Now, he had already become the fifth most important figure on Two Realms Mountain.
Soon after.
Honglian discussed and decided with the three Inspector Envoys to jointly recommend Lu Hangzhi as the new Logistics Commander, stationed in Combat Zone 618, and commanding a team of over a thousand Mind Focusing Cultivators in logistics.
“This is a Magical Artifact-grade Storage Ring. Its interior space is extremely vast, capable of holding a small world. It was specially drawn from the logistics headquarters for this operation. Please check its contents; it’s best to have an idea.”
Honglian handed the Logistics Commander’s Identity Tablet to Lu Hangzhi in front of everyone, then passed over a purple Storage Ring, saying:
“After we enter the peak of Two Realms Mountain, you must do your best to stabilize this area until we return.”
At this point, Honglian paused slightly.
“Of course!”
“We cannot rule out the possibility that all of us might fall in the Monster Lair.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi was shocked by her words. Then, seeing the resolute and determined looks in Honglian’s and the other three Inspector Envoys’ eyes, he felt a surge of solemn respect.
“At that time, we will send a signal to you. The Reinforcement Department will immediately activate the Chain Sacrificial Detonation Array, eliminate all Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts on Two Realms Mountain, and rearrange personnel to establish a new defensive line… At that time, you will be responsible for leading everyone to break through and descend the mountain.”
“Hangzhi understands.”
Lu Hangzhi took a deep breath and said firmly, “I wish you all success and a safe return. I will hold the Core Battle Zone! Even if the Chain Sacrificial Detonation Array is activated, I will definitely block the Monster Beasts’ path down the mountain, buying time for the Reinforcement Department below to reorganize the defensive line.”
After speaking, without waiting for the four to try to persuade him otherwise, he resolutely turned, tapped his feet, and leapt to the top of the Matrix Tower, drawing the attention of all the Spirit Concentrating cultivators.
“Everyone!”
Lu Hangzhi announced loudly:
“Hangzhi has been recommended by the four Inspector Envoys and appointed under critical circumstances to succeed as the Logistics Commander of Two Realms Mountain, in charge of all material allocation and arrangements for logistics!”
“Lu Hangzhi solemnly promises to all the seniors heading to the Monster Lair! Lu Hangzhi vows to carry on your will, taking the elimination of Monster Beasts, the defense of the Two Realms Mountain front line, and the protection of the Human Race as his mission! I will guard this place and never let the Monster Beasts break through easily down the mountain. No matter how desperate the situation becomes, Hangzhi is willing to follow the example of the countless heroes who sacrificed themselves over the centuries, defending this place to the death, awaiting your triumphant return.”
Whether it was the logistics Mind Focusing Cultivators or the Spirit Concentrating powerhouses participating in the assault plan, they all stopped to listen, their faces showing appreciation, and morale was greatly boosted.
Cultivators do not make promises lightly.
Now that Lu Hangzhi had made a public promise, it was akin to giving an important commitment to all the cultivators attacking the Monster Lair, relieving them of worries about the rear.
The four Inspector Envoys looked at each other and smiled.
“He’s a promising seedling.”
“Whether in character or strength, he is worthy of us entrusting our backs to him.”
“It’s a pity he isn’t under my command. If he were, I could assign him the role of acting Inspector Envoy…”
“I agree.”
After making his promise, Lu Hangzhi did not immediately come down from the Matrix Tower. Amid the congratulations from the crowd of Spirit Coalescence Elders, he smiled slightly and announced resolutely:
“Thank you, everyone!”
“Hangzhi is young. If my words are unpleasant in any way, please forgive me…”
“Additionally! On my first day taking office, Hangzhi cannot be impolite to everyone. Here, I will take out one thousand bottles of Spirit Honey as a small token of my appreciation. I wish all you heroes success in this operation! And a safe return!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the thousand-plus Spirit Concentrating cultivators were all astonished!
Lu Hangzhi did not hesitate to summon the five Sword Spirit seniors to help distribute the Spirit Honey from the Qiankun Pouch. Each Spirit Coalescence Elder participating in the assault plan received three bottles of Spirit Honey.
The Spirit Coalescence Elders who received the Spirit Honey were each immensely excited. Their gazes towards Lu Hangzhi were filled with gratitude and awe, and they spontaneously moved closer to him:
Recently, Spirit Honey had gained a formidable reputation on Two Realms Mountain for saving lives. Three bottles of Spirit Honey were like timely rain for them.
Witnessing this scene, the four Inspector Envoys were also deeply moved:
“Ha! Such grand generosity!”
“One thousand bottles of Spirit Honey… Honglian, oh Honglian, you kept us in the dark. So your major financial backer was actually Lu Hangzhi.”
“Tsk, tsk, it seems our judgment was good. We actually picked such an open-handed and generous Logistics Commander. Haha, the success rate of our attack on the Monster Lair has probably increased by ten to twenty percent! The future of Two Realms Mountain is likely to become increasingly interesting…”
“Indeed.”
The four of them were pleasantly surprised.
The two Elders from the Time Sect stood together with Long Jiao, watching the five Sword Spirits gracefully shuttle through the crowd, busy at work, their faces beaming with smiles.
“No wonder he could summon three formations of the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation’ while only at the Epiphany Stage. So he controls the Spirit Honey.”
“Honglian is quite lucky.”
“Hehe, at such a young age, he already possesses such a broad mind. Having him stay at Two Realms Mountain is a blessing for Two Realms Mountain and for the Human Race.” Long Jiao commented, which was rare for him.
After pondering for a moment, Long Jiao suddenly said with a smile:
“A junior has been promoted. Shouldn’t us old folks give him a congratulatory gift?”
“What does Immortal Lord mean?”
“Your Time Sect’s ultimate technique, ‘One Year, One Withering and Flourishing,’ can be used both ways, right or reverse. How about giving the young man a chance at Creation?”
Long Jiao hinted meaningfully.
The two Time Sect Elders were slightly taken aback, then stroked their beards and laughed heartily:
“Very well.”
“With Immortal Lord Long’s assistance in this battle, it’s likely we won’t get a chance to act. Alright, I shall make a move and grant the young friend a chance at Creation.”
Having said that, the Elder laughed lightly, and the aura around him surged wildly.
“Time ages easily, appearances fade swiftly; I use the Years to add brilliance to present splendor.”
His robe stirred although there was no wind. The Time Sect Elder made a gesture with one hand in the air. A long, thin black eyebrow hair descended from his forehead, landing between his two fingers. It was jet-black, glossy, and shimmering.
“Circumstances create heroes, commence!”
Lu Hangzhi felt his body shudder. He was startled to discover that he had suddenly been transported to another world—his body suspended in a vast, expansive Star River space. Countless brilliant Star River bands circled around him, continuously seeping into his body.
“What is this…”
Long Jiao’s voice sounded in his ear, carrying a convincing force, deep and gentle:
“Do not resist!”
“This is the Time Sect’s Creation technique, ‘One Year, One Withering and Flourishing.'”
“Time Sect Elder Long Yun is using one year of his time to grant you a Creation of knowledge. It can offset one year of your arduous cultivation. Seize the time to absorb the power within the Star River and strive to break through to the eleventh rank of the Epiphany Stage.”
Lu Hangzhi unconsciously complied. His body felt warm and comfortable, as if soaking in a warm spring.
Soon, the exclamation of the Time Sect Elder rang in his ears:
“What kind of Art Technique is this…”
“The speed at which he’s absorbing the Star River’s Magic Power is so fast! It’s astonishing!!”
“Heavens!”
“Has he broken through already?!”
Amid the exclamations, Lu Hangzhi’s body trembled slightly. Immediately after, the Spiritual Sense that had spread out expanded once more. As the Spiritual Power Pool in his mind rumbled and expanded, his Spiritual Sense rapidly extended.
Epiphany Stage, eleventh rank!
The Star River continued…