Journey to the West Creation Technique

This is normal...

Even in the Central Plains, the leaders of large sects are often only Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

The Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul elders are all in seclusion, cultivating diligently.

Now that Zhao Xiong has taken the lead in reaching the Golden Core stage, it must be quite a shock to Commander Shen.

Over the years, Lu Chengjun had met Commander Shen many times, and every time he was dignified and beaming.

now……

Zhao Xiong formed his Golden Core, giving the Southern Underworld Guard a powerful backer. He himself said it was a happy occasion, but he looked dejected, his disappointment evident in his expression.

Human nature, the human heart...

Having served as a moral education official for more than half a year, how could Lu Chengjun not understand this sense of loss?

I just didn't know how to comfort her for a moment...

Ultimately, one must rely on oneself to overcome this hurdle.

Silence spreads...

Shen Li sighed and broke the silence: "Now that True Person Zhao has achieved the Golden Core stage and possesses a lifespan of five hundred years, he can protect the Southern Underworld Guard for ten generations. I am not willing to waste any more years and plan to resign from worldly affairs, venture into the wilderness, seek opportunities, and break through to the Golden Core stage."

He fixed his gaze on Lu Chengjun, his expression earnest: "I intend to pass on the position of Commander of the Southern Underworld Guard to you."

"What!?" Lu Chengjun looked astonished and immediately stood up, saying, "This subordinate is unwilling to serve as an official. I beg you, sir, to reconsider."

Shen Li frowned slightly: "I see you've been quite diligent in your role as an official in charge of moral education..."

"I just can't stand the messy relationships between men and women and want to clean up the atmosphere," Lu Chengjun said insincerely.

Shen Li's tone held a hint of confusion: "Those are all trivial matters, why are you so concerned?"

"This...this is a scandalous matter, how can it be a trivial matter?"

Shen Li: "..."

"Lord Shen..." Lu Chengjun bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, "Even if you don't want to do it, there are still six Foundation Establishment cultivators in this garrison. Why choose a mere Qi Refining cultivator like me?"

Shen Li sighed: "None of them want to do it."

"There's no reason for me to do it. What do you think of my master?" Lu Chengjun immediately recommended Cai Yiheng.

Shen Li rolled his eyes: "He's the one who recommended you."

Lu Chengjun: "..."

"Then...you can't make me do it. Nanming Guard is stationed in a remote city, and the lives of everyone in that city are at stake. How can you put that on my shoulders? Is that appropriate?"

Shen Li gave Lu Chengjun a deep look and said meaningfully, "The responsibility doesn't lie with you, but with Master Zhao. Whoever comes, in the end, they will listen to Master Zhao."

Lu Chengjun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and roughly guessed why Shen Li was unwilling to do it.

Shen Li used to be Zhao Xiong's superior, but now that their roles have reversed, it's naturally awkward for him no matter what.

Although Zhao Xiong did not order him to leave, he should know what to do. It would be best to retire gracefully and focus on his cultivation.

Lu Chengjun pondered for a moment, then said firmly, "My master doesn't want to do it, which is probably out of humility. Why don't you continue to hold the position of commander and hand over the specific tasks to my master, and just set up the position of deputy commander? As for me... I really like doing those trivial things. I hope you will grant my request."

Seeing Lu Chengjun's resolute attitude, Shen Li remained silent for a moment before sighing softly, "Very well... I will handle this matter properly. There is another important matter I need to discuss with you."

Lu Chengjun sat up straight: "Please speak, sir."

"It is said that the golden lotus emerging from the earth deep in the Black Stone Wasteland should break through the soil soon. In terms of the wonders of creation, this thing is in no way inferior to the earth vein essence."

Lu Chengjun's heart skipped a beat: "Does my lord perhaps intend to take advantage of this Golden Lotus?"

Shen Li nodded slightly: "Without the help of such a treasure of heaven and earth, I would have had no chance of breaking through the Golden Core barrier."

"That's absolutely impossible!" Lu Chengjun immediately shook his head: "The place where the Golden Lotus of Earth Emerges will be born will definitely be guarded by the Black Pig Demon King on time, and no one else can interfere."

Shen Li's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he slowly spoke, "Have you considered taking the Golden Lotus of Earth before he goes to guard the treasure?"

Lu Chengjun's expression turned serious as he patiently explained, "Has Lord Shen considered another possibility? Perhaps that black boar demon king has been sitting in Death Valley, waiting for the golden lotus to bloom, and has never intended to go anywhere else?"

"Could we lure the tiger away from the mountain?"

"How can you be so naive!" Of course, this sarcastic remark only briefly crossed Lu Chengjun's mind before he dismissed it, opting instead for a more objective and rational response: "Who will adjust it? How will they adjust it?"

Persuade and guide patiently, and gradually lead them to good.

This is the basic job of the official in charge of moral education.

This time, however, it wasn't for the farmers, but to help Shen Li clean his heart courtyard.

Pure and dignified, without anger.

Only by sweeping the courtyard of your heart clean can you avoid anger, resentment, and anger.

Thus, they endured what others could not, becoming "extraordinarily patient".

The hearts of mortals are often filled with lust and immoral behavior.

The minds of cultivators are often filled with greed, especially when their cultivation stagnates and their inner balance is disrupted.

This sense of loss and disappointment, this resentment and pain, is absolutely the most difficult kind of debris to eradicate from the heart.

After some persuasion...

Shen Li still couldn't forget the golden lotus that sprang from the ground, and the longing in his eyes grew stronger.

Lu Chengjun knew that his words would be of no use, so he put on a sincere face: "Although the Golden Lotus of Earthly Emergence appears every year or two, we have absolutely no chance. If you really can't let go, why don't you wait until my master takes over the mundane affairs of the Southern Underworld Guard and stabilizes the situation, and then I will accompany you on this journey? What do you think?"

Shen Li's eyes lit up immediately, as if he had been waiting for these words.

Lu Chengjun frowned, suddenly realizing that the so-called succession was a trap. Shen Li, that old fox, had probably already dug the pit, just waiting for him to say those words.

"Great! With you accompanying me, I feel much more confident on this trip," Shen Li said, clapping his hands.

Lu Chengjun: "I..."

"It's settled then!" Shen Li wasn't about to let him go back on his word, so he immediately made his decision firm and continued, "You should go back and wait for news. Once the internal affairs of the Nanming Guard have been handed over properly, we will choose a day to set off for the Black Stone Wasteland."

Lu Chengjun: "..."

The words have already been spoken...

Left with no other choice, Lu Chengjun could only take his leave and return to his residence to await further instructions.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Nanming Guard officially announced that Cai Yiheng had been appointed by Shen Li as the deputy commander of the Nanming Guard, taking over all matters related to the guard's affairs, including city defense and people's livelihood.

Shen Li only held the nominal title of commander, completely extricating himself from complicated and trivial matters.

Meanwhile, Lu Chengjun stayed indoors and held a small meeting in his own courtyard.

On the stone platform in the courtyard, a tabby cat sat lazily.

A group of aardvarks were squatting neatly in the audience.

Lu Chengjun's gaze swept over the beasts, and he frowned as he asked, "How's your progress? Haven't you found any formed spirit stone veins yet?"

Upon hearing this, the large aardvarks drooped their heads, shook them from side to side, and shook their heads in unison.

Lu Chengjun sighed slightly, without being harsh: "It's alright, you can continue digging. One spirit stone can be exchanged for one earth spirit treasure, and you can exchange as many as you dig up."

After saying that, he took out a few more round earth spirit treasures and threw them to the earth pig beast as a reward for this meeting.

Then Lu Chengjun turned to the tabby cat: "I'm going to Black Stone Wasteland with Lord Shen. You stay here and help them exchange for Earth Spirit Treasures."

Amiya looked up and meowed softly, "Meow... You don't want me to come along?"

Lu Chengjun shook his head: "I'm only going to persuade Lord Shen to give up. There won't be any danger. You stay in the Nanming Guard and urge these fat guys to find the spirit stone mine as soon as possible."

The tabby cat nodded in agreement.