182: Chapter 181 Discussion

Outside the quiet room on the second floor.

Jiang Hanzhou had just walked out of the room when he saw Huo Qingfeng hurrying over from the stairs.

"Junior Brother Jiang!" Huo Qingfeng called out from afar. "Perfect, I was just looking for you!"

Jiang Hanzhou stopped and looked at him.

Huo Qingfeng walked quickly to his side, lowered his voice, and said, "We received news from Elder Wu Yong. The Duty Hall admitted their intelligence error and is compensating us with double contribution points—forty points. Additionally, they are giving us a chance to comprehend a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique."

Jiang Hanzhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

Forty contribution points, plus the twenty from the original mission, made sixty points. Plus a chance to comprehend a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique. This compensation was certainly generous.

"But—" Huo Qingfeng changed the subject, "there is a condition."

Jiang Hanzhou looked at him quietly, not speaking.

Huo Qingfeng continued, "The Sea Quelling Department wants us to accompany them to mop up the remnants of the Blood Bone Venerable. They say this is one of their conditions. Elder Wu Yong's intention is for us to go along, as a way to repay the Sea Quelling Department for saving our lives."

He paused, then added, "I have already notified Teng Yuzhi, Zhao Yuanjing, Song Hu, and Liu Ningshuang. The six of us will go to my cabin to discuss it."

Jiang Hanzhou was silent for a moment, then nodded.

...

Huo Qingfeng's cabin was much more spacious than the quiet room on the second floor. A round table was placed in the center with six chairs around it.

Teng Yuzhi, Zhao Yuanjing, Song Hu, and Liu Ningshuang had already arrived.

When Jiang Hanzhou entered, Teng Yuzhi was holding a teacup, her expression cold, with no joy or anger visible.

Zhao Yuanjing sat beside her, his complexion much better than yesterday; clearly, his injuries were recovering well.

Song Hu leaned back in his chair, his bare arms wrapped in bandages, with traces of medicinal ointment faintly visible beneath the bandages.

Liu Ningshuang sat next to him, her complexion still somewhat pale, but her spirit was decent.

Huo Qingfeng walked to the main seat and sat down, cleared his throat, and recounted Elder Wu Yong's words exactly as they were.

"... That is the situation." He spread his hands. "You have all heard the conditions given by the Duty Hall. Forty contribution points, and a chance to comprehend a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique. The condition is that we accompany the Sea Quelling Department to mop up the remnants of the Blood Bone Venerable."

He scanned the room and said in a deep voice, "I cannot make this decision alone. The six of us accepted the mission together and went through life and death together; now, we must discuss this together as well. Those who agree, raise your hands; those who do not, speak up. The minority shall obey the majority."

There was silence in the cabin for three breaths.

Song Hu was the first to speak: "I have no objections. Following the Sea Quelling Department is safe. Besides, that Blood Bone Venerable killed so many innocent people; his remnants are no good either. I've wanted to kill a few more of these beasts for a long time!"

As he spoke, he waved his bandaged fist, which pulled at his wounds, making him wince in pain.

Liu Ningshuang pondered for a moment and said slowly, "I also agree. Forty contribution points, plus the previous base of twenty, makes sixty points. A key medicinal ingredient I need for my Cultivation requires fifty contribution points to exchange. I don't want to miss this opportunity."

She paused, then added, "And... the people of the Sea Quelling Department act righteously, and Inspector Xu is a rare figure. Following them shouldn't carry too much risk."

Zhao Yuanjing looked at Teng Yuzhi, and seeing she didn't speak, he said, "I also agree. However—I have a question."

He looked at Huo Qingfeng: "Senior Brother Huo, does the Sea Quelling Department want us to go along as the main force, or just to follow? If we are to be the main force, the few of us are probably not enough. If it's just tagging along, then that's fine."

Huo Qingfeng nodded: "I asked Elder Wu Yong this question. He said the Sea Quelling Department's intention is for us to follow, mainly to assist in mopping up those low-level evil cultivators and Blood Puppets; the true main force will still be their own people. Inspector Xu will also personally oversee it."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuanjing breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Teng Yuzhi put down her teacup and said faintly, "I agree."

Her voice was still cold, but there was a hint of firmness in her tone.

Everyone looked at Jiang Hanzhou.

Jiang Hanzhou was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I also agree."

He didn't state the reason, but he knew it himself.

The tiger soul saber had devoured the dragon heart and absorbed the dragon essence, needing time to slowly digest it.

The Heart Blade had just taken form and also needed to be tested in actual combat.

Following the Sea Quelling Department to mop up the remnants would allow him to earn contribution points, hone the Heart Blade, and comprehend a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique—three birds with one stone.

Why not?

Seeing him nod, Huo Qingfeng immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good! Six people, passed unanimously!" He stood up and picked up the communication mirror. "I will reply to Elder Wu Yong now."

He channeled his True Qi, the light on the mirror's surface flashed slightly, and Elder Wu Yong's face appeared again.

"Have you discussed it?" Wu Yong asked.

"Yes," Huo Qingfeng said. "The six of us all agree."

Wu Yong nodded, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes: "Good. Since that is the case, I will reply to the Sea Quelling Department. Tomorrow morning, a flying ship from the Sea Quelling Department will come to pick you up. You will follow them to mop up the remnants, and after the matter is done, you can return directly to the Dragon Abyss Palace."

He paused, then added, "Oh, by the way, your contribution points have already been credited to your respective tokens. The opportunity to comprehend a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique will be arranged after you return."

As the words fell, the light on the mirror flashed, and the call ended.

Huo Qingfeng put down the communication mirror and let out a long breath.

"Alright, everyone go back and rest." He waved his hand. "The Sea Quelling Department's flying ship will arrive early tomorrow morning. Get some rest tonight; don't drag us down when the time comes."

Everyone got up and dispersed.

...

Jiang Hanzhou returned to the quiet room but did not rest.

He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, closed his eyes, and sank his Divine Sense into his Sea of Consciousness again.

The Heart Blade floated quietly, its dark golden blade trembling slightly, as if expecting something.

With a slight movement of his mind, the Heart Blade trembled gently, then slowly swam through the Sea of Consciousness.

At the edge of the blade, that touch of cold light flowed endlessly; every time it flowed, it caused the surrounding Void Realm to twist slightly.

He stared at that touch of cold light, and a thought suddenly arose in his mind.

If he could combine the Heart Blade with the tiger soul saber—one to slash the Physical Body, one to slash the Divine Soul—

Who could stop him?

He opened his eyes, and a smile slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

Tomorrow.

Mopping up the remnants.

It's perfect to try out the blade on those evil cultivators.

...

The next morning, just as the sky began to pale with the first light of dawn.

A profound black flying ship about eight zhang long streaked across from the eastern horizon and hovered steadily above the warship.

The flying ship was engraved with the Sea Quelling Department's emblem—a profound black flood dragon walking on the waves, its mouth wide open, spitting out thunder.

A captain wearing blue armor stood at the bow of the ship and cupped his hands in a salute:

"Righteous heroes, please board the ship!"

Jiang Hanzhou and the other five rose from the waves and boarded the flying ship.

The flying ship trembled slightly, changed direction, and sped off toward the western horizon.

Behind them, the four huge profound black warships slowly turned their bows, broke through the waves, and followed closely behind.

The sea breeze whistled, and clouds surged.