Journey to the West Creation Technique

Two days later.

Cai Yiheng brought gifts and personally visited his apprentice.

Push open the courtyard gate.

I saw Lu Chengjun with his sleeves rolled up, digging in the yard like a farmer.

The courtyard was originally a place for people to rest, but he reclaimed it, leaving only narrow field ridges.

The square ridges of the fields were filled with medicinal herbs.

On the sunny, fertile soil, the morning cloud flowers grow luxuriantly; in the slightly shady spot, the earth spirit treasure is planted; in the shaded corner of the courtyard, a solitary Jingyun Lingzhi grows alone, its luster restrained, its spiritual energy abounding.

The garden is full of vitality, with each element nurturing the others, making the spiritual energy in the courtyard even richer than that outside.

"Excellent!" Cai Yiheng looked around and exclaimed sincerely, "What a wonderful place for quiet cultivation! Chengjun, I never imagined you had such abilities."

Lu Chengjun put down the iron hoe in his hand and smiled, "Master, what brings you to my humble abode?"

Cai Yiheng raised his hand and shook the wine jar in his hand: "You said last time that the fruit wine I brewed was good, so I specially brought some for you."

"Master, you're too kind!"

"Of course, of course..." Cai Yiheng carried the fruit wine, crossed the paddy field ridge, and entered the house.

Lu Chengjun patted the dirt off his clothes, put down his farm work, and went into the house: "I haven't thanked Master for what happened with Amiya last time."

"Sigh... You're being too polite, too formal!" Cai Yiheng waved his hand. "We were master and disciple, there's no need for thanks."

Lu Chengjun sat down silently and asked directly, "Master, what is it? Please speak freely."

Cai Yiheng knew that his apprentice was usually taciturn, so he stopped beating around the bush and said frankly, "There is indeed something."

"If I can do it, I will never refuse."

"Is this really true?" Cai Yiheng narrowed his eyes.

"nature."

Cai Yiheng slowly spoke: "As you know, the Southern Underworld Guard is now isolated overseas, making it difficult for us cultivators to break through the barrier."

Lu Chengjun pondered for a moment: "Master, could it be that you are looking for ingredients to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Cai Yiheng shook his head and sighed, "Refining Foundation Establishment Pills is not just about the ingredients; nowadays, we don't even have the formula. I gave up on that idea a long time ago."

"So, what does Master mean?"

"Right now, the top priority for the Southern Underworld Guard is to find a natural spirit stone vein," Cai Yiheng said with a burning gaze.

Lu Chengjun frowned.

Cai Yiheng continued, "The Southern Netherworld Guard is isolated in the sea, where spirit stones are depleted, making it difficult for its disciples to make any progress in their cultivation. More importantly, newly formed mineral veins often contain earth vein essence, which is an excellent opportunity for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to break through to the Golden Core realm."

"It was Commander Shen who instructed my master to come."

"That's right." Cai Yiheng did not deny it: "The biggest beneficiaries of the emergence of the mineral vein are the three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Southern Underworld Guard. But if they can break through their limitations and enter the Golden Core stage, then the Southern Underworld Guard can truly gain a foothold and prosper. We all prosper together, and we all suffer together. You should understand this principle."

"Of course I understand. But... we can't go to Crocodile Dragon Bay."

"Why? Crocodile Dragon Bay is rich in spiritual energy, making it the most likely place to hide a natural spiritual vein." A calculating glint flashed in Cai Yiheng's eyes. "Besides, isn't the High Priest of Crocodile Dragon Bay right beside you? If Amiya mediates between us, this matter might be resolved..."

Lu Chengjun shook his head: "Amiya was forced to flee; turning back would be courting death."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yiheng's expression darkened: "So there's such a hidden story..."

"Amiya's entry into Crocodile Bay will only invite her to be hunted down."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yiheng could not hide his disappointment, but he quickly composed himself and forced a faint smile.

"It's alright, I already understand the difficulties involved. I will report this matter truthfully to Commander Shen and will not insist further."

After saying this, Cai Yiheng bid farewell to the courtyard and went straight back to the Nanming Guard Office. He entered the official residence to meet Shen Li and truthfully explained the matter of Crocodile Dragon Bay and Amiya's hidden story.

A few days later...

When it was Lu Chengjun's turn to participate in the patrol, he found that there was an extra person in the team when he arrived at the training ground.

A student who had just graduated from the academy, with only the fifth level of Qi Refining, was named Qian Jin.

A hunting expedition typically involves five people...

This patrol went very smoothly, and the mission was completed without any trouble.

However, Lu Chengjun knew very well that he wouldn't be staying long...

Not long after he returned, Shi Qing came to his door: "Fellow Daoist Lu, Commander Shen has summoned you to his residence."

Lu Chengjun then accompanied Shi Qing to the government office residence.

Upon entering the inner hall, Shen Li was sitting upright at his desk. Seeing the two enter, he raised his hand to signal Shi Qing to leave.

Only the two of them remained in the hall. Shen Li looked at Lu Chengjun and suddenly sighed, "It seems we have no way to proceed with Crocodile Dragon Bay..."

"Hmm." Lu Chengjun nodded helplessly.

"You have experience dealing with indigenous people, and I have something I'd like you to do."

Lu Chengjun cupped his hands in greeting: "Please give the order, Commander."

Shen Li stood up and pointed to the map of the Southern Underworld behind him: "This place is called the Black Stone Wasteland, about eight hundred li away from the Southern Underworld Guard..."

"According to Fellow Daoist Zhou's reconnaissance, two major indigenous tribes are currently engaged in a fierce battle within this wasteland..."

"Our Nanming Guard is poorly informed and urgently needs to investigate the full truth."

"We've already built a post here, but there are only two people there right now. They're both weak and can't do anything just guarding the post..."

"The garrison hopes you can explore the Blackrock Wasteland. All actions are up to you, so act within your capabilities."

Lu Chengjun listened intently...

"Your mission is reconnaissance. Besides investigating the tribal war situation, the most important thing is to search for cultivation resources, collect spiritual herbs and ores, and ideally find a spirit stone mine..."

At this point, Shen Li's tone became more helpless: "If we can't find any usable resources for the garrison, there's one more thing you can handle as you see fit."

"...If you encounter a docile tribe in the wilderness that is willing to submit, you may recruit its population as appropriate."

"Our Nanming Guard still has three thousand able-bodied men working in the mines, who have no families to rely on. If we could relocate a group of peaceful and docile tribal women, it would stabilize the people's hearts, increase the population, and strengthen our foundation..."

Lu Chengjun was silent for a moment: "After I gather the intelligence, how do I transmit it to the garrison?"

"You just need to deliver the intelligence to Blackrock Outpost, and the monks stationed there will naturally relay it."

"How long will I be gone?" Lu Chengjun asked, frowning.

"Your decision-making regarding this intelligence gathering at Blackrock Outpost is entirely up to you. There is no one to supervise or restrain you, and there is no time limit."

"I understand. When do we depart?"

"Tomorrow, at the drill ground, Lieutenant Zhao will escort you to the Black Stone Outpost." With that, Shen Li took something out of his pocket and handed it to Lu Chengjun.

Determining the star chart!

With this item, and by consulting the stars, you will never get lost, no matter how far you travel.

Lu Chengjun reached out and took the star chart, bowed, and left.

……

In Lu Chengjun's small courtyard, a row of aardvarks sat neatly in place.

The old ones are as strong as bears, while the young ones are as soft and fluffy as a ball.

Amiya also quietly squatted to the side.

Lu Chengjun plopped down on the stone steps and began to explain, "Amiya and I will be away for a while, so this courtyard will be locked and sealed off. Once the earth spirit treasures inside have matured, you may take them as you see fit."

"Besides that, you should still try your best to search for spirit stones on your daily lives. You don't need to hand over the spirit stones you find; just keep them safe. When I return, you can use the spirit stones to exchange for earth spirit treasures."

Amiya, who was standing nearby, translated and relayed what was said.

The aardvarks nodded repeatedly, behaving exceptionally obediently.

After seeing off the aardvarks, only Lu Chengjun and Amiya remained in the courtyard.

"The Nanming Guard is truly pragmatic and opportunistic. Knowing that you cannot go to Crocodile Dragon Bay, they immediately transferred you to the Black Stone Wasteland, eight hundred miles away."

Lu Chengjun said calmly, "That's good."

Amiya raised an eyebrow and teased: "I'm warning you, don't just settle down and farm when you get to Blackrock Wasteland, and do nothing but drift through life."

Lu Chengjun: "No."