519: Chapter 519 A Carefree Life

"Good! We love such a straightforward temperament in Our officials."

"Then, the matter of Star and the Candle Dragon will be fully entrusted to you. We can then go into seclusion to cultivate and break through to the Ninth Tier as soon as possible. When that time comes, it will be the moment the Underworld marches against the Source Realm."

Yama's hand, holding the wine cup, paused mid-air. He glanced at Her Majesty's overly bright eyes, then turned to Ling Qi.

The Secretary-General was lowering her head to sip tea, her eyelashes drooping, adopting an attitude of 'this has nothing to do with me.'

"Your Majesty," Yama set down his cup and said mockingly, "This King only officially took office yesterday. The communication with Star and the Candle Dragon involves cross-dimensional disguise, maneuvering around high-level gods, maintaining plotlines... This King stayed up all night just to finish clearing up the annual budget accounts for the Finance Department!"

"Mm, We know."

Shang Wan Ning smiled even more brightly and took a sip of the Carefree Brew. "That's why We feel at ease handing it to you. For someone who can clear up a budget sheet, what is this little matter with the Candle Dragon? It's a piece of cake!"

Yama's brows twitched, as if he wanted to say something but swallowed it back. He looked down at the half-eaten Ice-Pattern Abalone in front of him, which finally turned into a sigh.

[As expected, there is no such thing as a free lunch.]

Ling Qi finally looked up and played the role of the peacemaker: "Lord Yama, there is no need to worry."

"The communication records, script archives, and character profiles for Star will be compiled into a volume by the Secretariat Office and delivered to your desk tonight."

"The Candle Dragon's habitual phrasing style and probing tactics have all been highlighted."

She paused. "Oh! And the playlist of songs He loves to sing during His livestreams."

Yama turned to look at her, his expression carrying scrutiny. "Has the Secretary-General been preparing for this all along?"

"How could it be called preparing all along?" Ling Qi picked up a piece of osmanthus cake unhurriedly.

"Her Majesty's plan for seclusion has been mentioned for nearly half a year; those of us working under her must always do some homework in advance."

Yama's eyes narrowed slightly. Finally, he picked up that cup of Carefree Brew, threw his head back, and drank it all in one gulp, full of heroic spirit: "Fine, this King accepts!"

"We knew you were straightforward." Shang Wan Ning reached out her right hand halfway, then sheepishly pulled it back. "Um... let's skip the toast, you just finished yours."

Yama: "..."

Xiao Si in the System Space was laughing so hard its code was glitching. The surface of its light sphere was frantically scrolling with bullet comments saying 'Host, you are truly a hands-off boss (big swindler),' and it was only silenced after Shang Wan Ning slapped it away.

Old Granny Ghost's third main course, 'Cold Spring Jade Scale Carp,' was brought up. The translucent fish meat trembled in the steam, its surface shimmering with a pale cyan luster.

Yama picked up a chopstick-full and put it in his mouth. After chewing twice, his eyes flickered slightly. "This spiritual energy... is purer than this King anticipated."

"Of course it is." Shang Wan Ning also picked up a piece. "Old Granny Ghost steamed it with crystal salt. The coldness in the salt and the spiritual essence of the fish meat just happen to neutralize each other. When you swallow it, the spiritual energy flows down your throat; it's more comfortable than drinking any kind of tonic soup."

Ling Qi was drinking tea quietly on the side, watching the two of them exchange comments on the dishes, and prompted: "Your Majesty, what about the arrangements for A-Yu?"

Shang Wan Ning's chopsticks hovered over the plate. "Hmm~ Sister Meng is watching over her, so there won't be any major mishaps. She needs at least six months of soaking in the Chaos Primordial Spirit Pool, so she won't come out until at least half a year later."

"As for Black and White Impermanence, they are perceiving for fifty years in the Nine Nether Soul Refining Cave, which is two years in the outside world. We cannot interfere during this period."

"So, Your Majesty intends to break through to the Ninth Tier before Black and White Impermanence emerge from their seclusion?" Yama asked.

"That's right."

Shang Wan Ning put down her chopsticks and rubbed the rim of her cup with her fingers.

"The more trump cards the Underworld has, the stronger our backbone will be when facing those immortals and gods from the Source Realm in the future."

"Now that Star is maneuvering around the Candle Dragon, you are watching over the government affairs, and A-Yu and Black and White Impermanence are all breaking through their cultivation... If We don't hurry up and break through, what difference would there be between Us and a salted fish?"

Yama was a bit triggered when he heard the word 'salted fish,' but he didn't dare say much and obediently shut his mouth.

Shang Wan Ning: "AQi, while We are in seclusion, you and Yama discuss and handle all matters, big and small. For major issues you aren't sure about, use the Phoenix Pattern Jade Pendant We gave you to send a message. It contains a strand of Our divine sense, which can be awakened in critical moments."

Ling Qi nodded. "Has the location for Your Majesty's seclusion been decided?"

"The underground secret room of Jiaotai Palace. The spiritual energy there is the densest, and it's close to the hub of the Underworld's core authority, so We can borrow more Origin Power when breaking through."

Shang Wan Ning stood up, stuffed the last piece of osmanthus cake into her mouth, and clapped her hands. "Official, the materials regarding Star will be delivered to your desk tomorrow morning. Get familiar with the government affairs first, then slowly take over the Candle Dragon line. No rush."

"Whether it's urgent or not, it's not up to this King to decide." Yama had resigned himself to his fate. "Since Your Majesty has set the steps, this King will just follow the rhythm."

Shang Wan Ning patted his shoulder. "Great attitude; worthy of a deity who has once governed the Netherworld." She turned and waved as she walked out. "Put tonight's meal on My private tab. Tell Old Granny Ghost to keep the soup; if you want to drink it, just order it anytime."

...

The next morning, Shang Wan Ning entered the secret room for seclusion beneath Jiaotai Palace.

The secret room was about three zhang square. In the center of the floor stood a jade platform half a person's height, its surface as smooth as a mirror, rippling with a faint golden light.

The spirit-gathering array at the top of the secret room slowly began to operate, and the Origin Power of the Netherworld seeped into the bottom of the jade platform along the rune patterns.

She sat cross-legged on the jade platform, adjusted her breathing for the time it takes an incense stick to burn to clear her meridians, and then called out in her heart: "Xiao Si."

"I'm here, Host." Xiao Si's voice was excited. "Are we finally going to buy that? I've been coveting it for a long time."

"Mm."

Shang Wan Ning tapped the void, and the product page automatically jumped.

[Name: Time Abyss Wheel (Ninth Tier Exclusive · Acceleration Version)]

[Description: A cultivation auxiliary device forged with the Sands of Time from the Abyss as the core, supplemented by fragments of the Law of Reincarnation. Once activated, it can construct an independent time flow, with a maximum ratio of one day outside to one thousand days inside.]

[Price: 980 billion incense points.]

[Note: Consumes a large amount of Origin Power during use. Spiritual energy consumption is amplified synchronously during the acceleration period. We are not responsible for side effects such as instability of the Dao Heart or cognitive confusion caused by excessive acceleration.]

Shang Wan Ning glanced at her account balance and stopped when she counted to the ninth digit. It was enough, but after spending this sum, her little treasury would basically be bottomed out.

"Host, are we buying it or not?"

Xiao Si urged from the side in a low voice.

"Buy!" She poked her finger heavily on the buy button.

A system pop-up window jumped out: [Are you sure you want to pay 980 billion incense points? This operation will consume 89.7% of your current account balance.]

"...Does this number even come with self-deprecating commentary?" Shang Wan Ning stared at the line of text and poked 'Confirm' again.

A bronze wheel half a person's height appeared before her eyes. Embedded in the center of the wheel was a pale golden sand crystal the size of a fist, looking like a galaxy compressed into the size of a fist.

"Time Abyss Wheel activated. Acceleration will start in ten breaths. Ten, nine, eight..."

Shang Wan Ning sat steadily again, formed the Meditation Mudra with her hands, and regulated her breathing to the slowest, calmest rhythm.

"...Three, two, one. Time Abyss Wheel activated."