Chapter 403: Chapter 403

The incessant CLANG, CLANG of hammers striking filled the air. Da Bai stood with his hands behind his back, observing a group of Fire Qilins. "Remember," he said, "we are the great Fire Qilins. For us, Artifact Refining is a trivial matter."

"What do you think you’re doing, slacking off? Do you still want this job? If not, you can head to the front lines. When you get roasted and eaten there, don’t come crying to me that I didn’t look out for you!"

The Fire Qilin, rubbing the back of its head where it had been smacked, gave a dopey smile. "Chief," it said, "I’m just a bit thirsty."

"Then drink up and get back to work."

Watching his clansmen laboring diligently, a hint of satisfaction touched Da Bai’s face. He leisurely returned to his small office, retrieved a bag of potato chips and a bottle of Blissful Lazybones Soda, and happily settled onto a reclining chair. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NoveI~Fire.net

These Fire Qilins possessed very diluted Bloodlines. Da Bai had requested them from Chen Jiuge.

After the Golden Finger merged into the Tao Fruit, Chen Jiuge discovered that the number of times he could extract Bloodlines was no longer limited. Furthermore, he could perceive even more subtle Bloodlines. He had found traces of Fire Qilin blood within numerous Spiritual Beasts and had attempted to synthesize one.

The result was, unsurprisingly, not ideal. After all, these were Qilins—Five Elements Qilins, no less. If one could so easily create powerful, pure-blooded Five Elements Qilins, then what would be the point of building the City of Cornered Shadows? One could simply find a secluded spot, wait for the Qilins to mature, and become unbeatable.

Although the Bloodlines of this batch of Fire Qilins were diluted, they were Fire Qilins nonetheless. Their innate Spiritual Fire was naturally potent. Da Bai had spotted this business opportunity, and thus, the Fire Qilin Artifact Refining Workshop had quietly come into being.

When Su Mei, accompanied by Artifact Refiners from the Purple Clothes Clan, arrived at the workshop, the first thing she saw was a veritable mountain of Magic Artifacts piled outside.

Peering inside at the bustling Fire Qilin Artifact Refiners, she shook her head vigorously, muttering in confusion, "Did I come to the wrong place?"

Stopping a Fire Qilin that was swinging a large hammer, Su Mei asked hesitantly, "Where’s Da Bai?"

"The Boss is inside." This group of Fire Qilins was a bit dopey, a side effect of their synthesis.

Pushing open the office door, she found a laid-back Da Bai and the Sorrowful Girl happily munching on potato chips, drinking cola, and playing Flying Chess.

Su Mei’s face darkened. "Da Bai, what do you think you’re doing?"

With a twitch of his small hand, the game piece—a miniature fighter jet—crashed. Da Bai, seeing Su Mei’s displeased expression, tried to hide the Flying Chess board with his small frame. "Manager Su," he said awkwardly, "what brings you here?"

Su Mei pointed at Da Bai, clearly unamused. "Everyone’s swamped out there while you’re in here playing games! Have you finished refining the Magic Artifacts needed for the front lines?"

Da Bai’s eyes darted around. "Almost, almost."

"You’d better not fail to deliver on time. I’ve brought a group of Artifact Refiners from the Purple Clothes Clan. Make arrangements for them."

"Understood, understood. Manager Su, care for a drink?" Da Bai earnestly offered an ice-cold cola.

Su Mei glanced sideways at Da Bai. Her throat was indeed rather dry. She took the cola and said, "As long as you deliver the Magic Artifacts on time, I won’t tell the City Lord."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now."

Watching Su Mei’s swaying figure depart, Da Bai heaved a sigh of relief. "That scared me. I thought it was the City Lord."

Hearing the Sorrowful Girl’s urging from behind him, Da Bai quickly composed himself. "That round didn’t count! Now, watch me crush you!"

The sounds of miniature fighter jets crashing and exploding instantly filled the small office.

Chen Jiuge had originally intended to proceed with his existing plan. However, the other clans in the dense forest were no fools. Led by the Sky Bear Clan, they had formed a defensive alliance.

Looking at the intelligence brought back by the Scouts, Chen Jiuge’s brow furrowed deeply.

Li Qiwen hesitated. "Should we just amass our forces and engage them directly?"

"No, their numbers are too great," Chen Jiuge shook his head.

It wasn’t a matter of being unable to win; rather, a full-scale war would make controlling casualties exceedingly difficult. Once battle was joined, both sides would inevitably fight to the death. Chen Jiuge was quite interested in some of the forest clans, as their abilities were rather impressive.

"The Purple Lightning Clan has also intervened. The Myriad Beasts Sect has dispatched Elders to occupy surrounding territories. Other powerful clans are also beginning to vie for more resources."

"We cannot afford to waste too many personnel."

"So, what’s our next move? Wait for those six towns to be completed?"

"That will take too long," Chen Jiuge sighed.

"Let’s accelerate our plans. Dispatch all remaining Golden Immortals from the city. Also, I recall there are quite a few unaffiliated Golden Immortals in the city. Send someone to recruit them. Offer generous terms and ask for their assistance."

Li Qiwen shook his head. "Aside from Tian Yongshan and Titan Yun, who are relatively amicable, persuading the other Golden Immortals might prove difficult."

"Let’s try first. Keep a record of those who decline," Chen Jiuge said, a hint of cunning in his voice. Living in my city means you work for me. Those who don’t... well, I’ll just make a note in my little black book.

Alone in the secret chamber, Chen Jiuge took out Great Leader Luo Chengwu’s Communication Stone, reluctance clear on his face. He had been planning to extract the Asura Bloodline from his body in the future, to minimize his reliance on the Asura Clan’s power. He hadn’t expected to need it so soon.

Sigh, this feels a bit hypocritical.

Forget it. I can just compensate them more later. The Myriad Beasts Sect is currently focused on its own expansion and doesn’t have substantial strength to spare. They probably can’t support me. Even if they had surplus forces, it’s unlikely they would send them my way, Chen Jiuge mused with a bitter smile.

After a moment, the burly figure of Great Leader Luo Wencheng appeared on the light screen.

"This is the second time you’ve contacted me," Great Leader Luo Wencheng said, a hint of emotion in his voice.

Chen Jiuge said, slightly embarrassed, "Great Leader, I’m calling to request assistance."

Great Leader Luo Wencheng chuckled. "Assistance? I recall when Dragon Elephant first ventured out, he’d message me every few days, practically begging to pull every last clansman from our ancestral lands."

"Heh heh." Chen Jiuge gave an awkward laugh. If I were a pure Asura, I’d do the same. The crucial point is, I’m not!

"Two Immortals, twelve Golden Immortals, three hundred Heavenly Immortals, and three thousand True Immortals. This is the final batch of reinforcements."

"This should at least give you the means to protect yourself in the coming Grand Melee," Great Leader Luo Wencheng said with a touch of melancholy.

Hearing the Great Leader mention the Grand Melee, Chen Jiuge pressed, "Great Leader, what exactly is this Grand Melee?"

Great Leader Luo Wencheng’s expression turned reminiscent. "Ah, the Grand Melee. It’s an incredibly chaotic affair. Those who triumph one day might be gone the next. Regardless of your status, death is always a possibility."

"As for the specifics, you’ll likely need to experience it for yourself. In essence, it’s a scramble for the most resource-rich regions in the center of the Star Sea Realm."

"The Asura Clan wouldn’t necessarily have participated. However, the Shura War Generals currently operating outside the clan have all made significant progress, it seems. Their eyes are bloodshot with ambition, and they’re all diving into the fray. As the Asura Divine Son, you can’t avoid getting involved."

Chen Jiuge was somewhat speechless. So, I’m being dragged into this after all!

"Ah, that old fellow, the Netherworld King, is messaging me. I have to go. I’ll arrange for your reinforcements as soon as possible. Just wait a bit."

Watching the light screen extinguish, the sense of urgency in Chen Jiuge’s heart intensified.

As soon as he left the secret chamber, he summoned Sha Jun. Pointing to the six positions already captured by the Asuras, he instructed, "Your mission is to conquer all species along these routes. Those who surrender are to be relocated to the two newly established towns or to the other six currently under construction."

"I’ve specifically marked some of the more unique species. Try to persuade them to submit if possible, but don’t force the issue if they resist."

In the Star Sea Realm, if there’s one thing we have in abundance, it’s species.

Sha Jun grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. "Rest assured, City Lord, I will clear all paths for you!"

Watching Sha Jun’s departing figure, Chen Jiuge called out, "I recall the Ghost Shark Clan is quite powerful. They will likely participate in the Grand Melee, and so shall we."

Sha Jun’s tall figure paused. A flicker of emotion crossed his face as he kept his back to Chen Jiuge. "Thank you, City Lord."

The history between Sha Jun and the Ghost Shark Clan wasn’t complicated. It boiled down to the Clan Leader’s son coveting Sha Jun’s wife, which led to a series of oppressive incidents. These events cost Sha Jun his family and, it was rumored, even altered his sexual orientation due to a curse. Perhaps Ming Huayu can examine it and find a way to lift it later, Chen Jiuge mused.

Indeed, not all species are as straightforward as the Asura Clan. With more people and larger territories, disputes over interests inevitably arise. From this perspective, Immortals and mortals are much the same, Chen Jiuge thought with self-deprecation.

Besides the Asura troops, organized forces led by Golden Immortals from other species were scarce in the City of Cornered Shadows. Sha Jun’s unit was likely the only such contingent.

Chen Jiuge had another troop under his direct command, but without a Golden Immortal leading it, it wasn’t considered a primary force.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Li Qiwen brought news that was neither good nor bad: both Titan Yun and Tian Yongshan were willing to help. Additionally, two unaffiliated Golden Immortals were willing to take action, provided they were compensated.

The strength of Golden Immortals from other species couldn’t compare to the Asuras, and was even somewhat questionable next to Sha Jun. Thus, Chen Jiuge assigned those two unaffiliated Golden Immortals to Sha Jun’s command.

Titan Yun was exceptionally strong, and Tian Yongshan was no weakling. Both held favorable attitudes towards the City of Cornered Shadows. This was especially true for Tian Yongshan, who, upon discovering Chen Jiuge’s complete indifference to the Heavenly Yuan Pearl, had decided to reside in the City of Cornered Shadows for eternity.

Therefore, Chen Jiuge decided to place these two in command of his personal troops. With these two powerful Golden Immortals leading them, he believed they would undoubtedly achieve significant victories.

Of course, the necessary surveillance measures remained in place. Spiritual Beasts like Li Kui were already growing impatient, so they were dispatched along with them.

Chen Jiuge watched the Spiritual Beasts wave goodbye, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. This battle will be perilous, but it should also present many opportunities. I hope some of the Spiritual Beasts can break through to the Heavenly Immortal realm.

After arranging all these affairs, Chen Jiuge planned to take a brief respite. Although such matters wouldn’t physically tire an Immortal, they were mentally taxing. He felt a deep weariness of the spirit and knew he needed to rest properly.

Just as he arrived at Eden Garden, Chen Jiuge sensed a rapidly surging aura. A look of surprise crossed his face. "How is it Yue Meng again? Is she always the first to break through to Heavenly Immortal?"

Looking down at Yue Meng, who stood beneath the Heavenly Tribulation holding her Medicine Mortar with a bewildered expression, Chen Jiuge understood. She had likely broken through unintentionally while practicing Alchemy again.

Truly worthy of an ancient Divine Beast! Breaking through just by doing some Alchemy. If only that could happen to me too, Chen Jiuge said to himself with a touch of envy.

Overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation wasn’t particularly difficult for Yue Meng. The only issue was that the tribulation lightning scorched her snow-white fur, much to her displeasure. After surviving, she hid in her room for three full days until her pristine white fur had completely regrown. Only then did Yue Meng emerge, her demeanor proud and elated.

Da Bai, having just finished a game of Flying Chess, stepped out for some fresh air and witnessed this. A spark of competitiveness ignited within him. However, this fighting spirit was thoroughly extinguished by more rounds of Flying Chess within a few days.

Some people, and some beasts, are simply not the ambitious type. You can’t force them to be what they’re not.