Dimension Paradise, I am a summoning apostle

Chapter 200 Mouth Substitute (Guo Ming Version)

"The quality of the Great Five Elements Auspicious Beast Scripture is still questionable. It seems we'll have to wait until Brother Chu reaches level 2 before we can authenticate it." Guo Ming took out a jade slip, his expression not very good.

As he spoke, he handed the jade slip to Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing took it and said, "It's probably difficult. The amusement park points may decrease, but the ratings will still be good."

He estimated that he would need at least an A-level evaluation, but the problem was that evaluations were precious, and Chu Danqing had used them all in the training room, so where would he find any extra evaluations?

"It's alright, stay here with Brother Chu for now. If you can't afford it, just come back with me," Guo Ming comforted him.

He didn't actually have a high opinion of Chu Danqing's wallet.

"On another note, although I haven't received any family resources while following Brother Chu for the past half month, my progress has actually been a bit faster."

"Is it because of this spiritual attribute?" Guo Ming asked.

Xiong Zhigang, standing to the side, echoed in agreement: "Yes, the Divine King is indeed capable, but my mind has been much more active than usual these past fifteen days."

“That’s right. Before, it was all about fighting and killing, so you weren’t able to experience the effects of spirituality,” Chu Danqing confirmed.

Thanks to their Five Elements Spiritual Foundation, Spiritual Control Basic/Mastery, and Spiritual Wisdom, Guo Ming and Xiong Zhigang also gained 27 points of spiritual attribute.

Although it was temporary, the benefits were considerable.

Upon receiving confirmation, Guo Ming's face lit up with joy: "Then we'll have to rely on Brother Chu a lot in the future."

"Although there are famous teachers in the family to guide you, the master can only lead you to the door, and the practice is up to you."

"With the 27 points of spiritual power that Brother Chu gave me, it felt as if I were in harmony with the heavens and man. I could now navigate the places that were once obscure and difficult to understand with ease."

"This is far more valuable than any progress in magical power."

Guo Ming attributed all the credit to Chu Danqing.

It was indeed the teachings of the Divine King that allowed him to unleash his spiritual potential, but it was Chu Danqing who paid for it.

Whether it was inviting him to cultivate or paying the salary of the Divine Might Heavenly King, Chu Danqing paid for it all out of his own pocket.

“Yes, otherwise my cultivation of military strategy would not only be fraught with difficulties and uncertainty, but I would also be facing a host of problems right now.” Xiong Zhigang echoed, “This time, I’ve saved myself at least three years of hard work.”

Unlike Guo Ming, Xiong Zhigang did not improve his abilities through magical cultivation, but rather through his military strategy. Therefore, cultivation was secondary; learning was what could improve his command value.

"You're too kind. Next time I get an S-rank rating, I'll invite you to train with me again," Chu Danqing said with a smile.

Since both ratings and Paradise Points are needed anyway, it makes perfect sense for a summoner to bring their permanent summons and allies into the training room for training.

The only drawback is that temporary summons generated from equipment cannot be trained along with the equipment.

He had tried; the Heavenly King said he could release it, but he ignored him.

Then Chu Danqing didn't summon them, because his mana was being used to power Da Bai's cultivation, and he didn't have any other mana to maintain these summoned creatures.

So we'll leave it at that.

"Then there are two things," Chu Danqing said, "that relate to the future development of the three of us."

Upon hearing Chu Danqing's words, Guo Ming and Xiong Zhigang's expressions turned serious, as they were about to discuss serious matters.

"The next trial I want to do is a talent awakening task, which will definitely be difficult."

"Its importance is the same as the assessment for promotion, and it may even be more important," Chu Danqing said.

"Don't worry, Brother Chu, I'm on standby 24/7," Guo Ming said immediately.

Previously, Chu Danqing was merely a resource channel, but now he is also imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts.

Even disregarding the effect that his spiritual attributes brought him, which was similar to the unity of heaven and man, the guidance he received alone far exceeded his expectations.

As the strongest person present, he could sense that even if it was just a clone of the Divine Might Heavenly King, he could easily crush the Lord of Peace with a single finger.

Such a powerful figure condescended to teach them in such detail; they were only able to enjoy this kind of treatment because of Chu Danqing's influence. Otherwise, where would they find such treatment?

The closer things get to this point, the deeper the bond between these allies and Chu Danqing becomes.

The stronger Chu Danqing is, the more advantageous it is for them.

Although Xiong Zhigang did not have the same background and vision as Guo Ming, his rapid growth was undeniable.

"I will instruct my men to assemble and arrive within 15 minutes." Kumashiro simply couldn't respond immediately.

He couldn't possibly have hundreds of men, clad in heavy armor and armed, following him around the whole time.

Soldiers are human too; they simply couldn't withstand the strain.

"General Xiong, you don't need to be in such a hurry. I'll always summon you in advance."

"To avoid making mistakes due to being flustered." Chu Danqing did not have overly strict requirements.

Xiong Zhigang and Guo Ming are in different situations; they generally don't contact him for urgent matters.

"The second matter concerns Xiong Jinglue," Chu Danqing said, taking out a basic skill crystal and then explaining the strategic bonus and the speculation about the failure of treasure-type items.

These words silenced Kumashiro.

“These days, His Majesty has indeed been wary of me, and has been weakening my military and political power both openly and secretly.”

"I am grateful for Mr. Chu's help, but I absolutely cannot allow myself to plot a coup." Xiong Zhigang's tone was troubled. He knew that Chu Danqing's kindness to him was too great for him to repay, but he could not rebel.

“I’m not asking you to rebel. You can expand your territory and bring those neighboring foreign countries into your domain,” Guo Ming said before Chu Danqing could speak.

"Whether to maintain the status quo or to expand the territory, your Emperor Taichang must know which is more beneficial to him."

Guo Ming's words sound reasonable at first glance, but there are big problems behind them.

They were already deeply feared, and now you want him to continue expanding? You're just adding another debuff of "his achievements overshadowing the ruler," aren't you?

If Emperor Taichang had made even the slightest mistake, or if Xiong Zhigang's intentions had been misunderstood by his subordinates, the next step would have been the Chenqiao Mutiny and the act of him being forced to wear the yellow robe.

At that point, it wouldn't be a question of whether Kumashigeka wanted to rebel or not, but rather whether his men wanted to claim credit for joining the rebellion and save their own lives.

Having reached this point, if Kumashigeka didn't rebel, he would be the first to die.

At that time, his subordinates will only want to follow the dragon, but they won't care who that dragon is.

Now that things have come to this, they are either heroes who helped the emperor rise to power or victims of his blade; they have no choice.

How could Emperor Taichang possibly let go of Xiong Zhigang, who was extremely powerful, had made great contributions, and commanded a large army, among other things that posed a real threat to him?

The soldiers and troops will be scattered, and Xiong Zhigang and his loyal followers will surely die.

"This is me." Xiong Zhigang had been an official for so many years, how could he not understand Guo Ming's words, which were like boiling a frog in lukewarm water?

"Why are you so hesitant? You're unwilling to rebel, and you're unwilling to expand our territory either?" Guo Ming provoked the other party.

This involves Chu Danqing's growth, so Guo Ming naturally needs to choose the right side.

Chu Danqing couldn't say these things, so it was up to him to say them.

Guo Ming isn't ignorant; how could he not see the importance of basic-level skill crystals?

Whether used to synthesize master-level skills or sold, it can bring Chu Danqing a lot of profits.

The stronger Chu Danqing becomes, the greater their own interests will be.

“Brother Chu has worked tirelessly for us. He can’t say anything unpleasant, so how about I do it?” Guo Ming continued, “You’ve seen for yourself what the trials at Paradise are like.”

"The Apostle Cave God in the last trial was fortunate to be saved by the Son of Heaven who sacrificed himself; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to kill him."

"Later, there was the Holy Mother Empress Dowager, who was transformed from a great demon from another realm. It was Brother Chu who had the foresight to urge me to break through to the third level."

"Otherwise, even if Brother Chu manages to escape with his life, he will suffer heavy losses."

"Twenty thousand amusement park points and one random attribute point—do you know how hard Brother Chu had to work to get them back?"

"When Brother Chu gifted you military strategy and elixirs, he spent 10,000 Paradise Points without batting an eye."

"An S-level training room is nothing more than a Paradise Point at this price." Guo Ming immediately resorted to a double blackmail of morality and gratitude.

Chu Danqing will have to continue summoning Xiong Zhigang. Although he will feel uncomfortable, he will give up when Xiong Zhigang is unwilling.

This is where Guo Ming's role as a third party comes into play.

Xiong Zhigang was speechless and deeply ashamed.

They didn't ask you to rebel, they just asked you to expand their territory, but you're unwilling to do that.

"I think we still have to," Chu Danqing said, suggesting that they try a peaceful evolution approach, since fighting would ultimately harm the common people.

Before he could finish speaking, Xiong Zhigang said first, "Brother Guo is right. It was I who did not consider Mr. Chu's difficulties."

"I am studying the military strategy that Mr. Chu obtained through connections, and I am using the elixirs that Mr. Chu gave me."

"But the amount of reward given to Mr. Chu was very little."

"Expanding territory is a good thing, and now that we've prepared our troops, it's time to put our skills to use." Xiong Zhigang decisively agreed.

He still understands his own position.

Even without him, Chu Danqing can still receive help from Guo Ming.

In other words, his advantage stemmed from his own troops and the relatively low cost of Paradise Points.

However, compared to Guo Ming, he not only has lower strength, but also has disadvantages such as slow response and bloated staff.

"Then I'll have to trouble General Xiong." Chu Danqing ultimately chose to go with the flow.

He knew that doing so would lead to war, but he believed that when one is poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; with his current strength, he could not yet reach the point of helping others.

"Mr. Chu, you're too kind. I'm just trying to earn a good reputation for myself that will be remembered in history," Xiong Zhigang said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Upon hearing Xiong Zhigang's agreement, Guo Ming subtly changed his tone: "After all, it's a matter that benefits the country and its people."

"I'll get you some technologies and policies to increase productivity, and I'll also find you some improved crops and livestock," Chu Danqing suddenly said. "With sufficient productivity, we'll have the foundation to create a peaceful and prosperous era."

You don't need anything too fancy; just find a life skills apostle from the planting or animal husbandry departments and buy it with money.

Examples include modern improved varieties of sweet potatoes and corn, as well as breeds such as white-feathered chickens and Landrace pigs.

(End of this chapter)