I run a casino in the immortal realm.

With the disaster relief fund of 500 billion gold coins in place, the post-disaster reconstruction work in the entire Tanzhou Prefecture started operating rapidly, like a machine wound up to its full potential.

Money makes things easier; this is an age-old truth.

As the prefect, Zhu Zhenbang personally oversaw the reconstruction efforts at the prefectural government office, detailing the reconstruction tasks down to each county and town.

The mobilization of laborers, the purchase of building materials, and the distribution of resettlement allowances were all carried out in an orderly manner.

As the imperial envoy, the Ninth Prince Long Yuan was supposed to be inspecting the area and supervising the progress, but he delegated the task to several trusted officials and instead immersed himself in the Tiangong Academy branch.

The reason was quite high-sounding: the reconstruction of the disaster area required a large number of healing pills and miasma-avoiding pills, and the imperial envoy wanted to personally supervise the refining of the pills.

But in reality, the people in the Criminal Investigation Department and the Prefectural Governor's Office all knew in tacit terms that the Ninth Prince was after the youngest seventh-level alchemist in the Heavenly Crafts Academy.

Tiangong Academy Branch, Class A Earth Fire Elixir Room.

This is the alchemy room with the most vigorous earth fire and the most solid formation in the entire branch.

At this moment, the alchemy room was sweltering, filled with a rich aroma of medicine and a hint of burnt smell.

"It's overcooked, so take it back a bit. Bring over that 'Purple Jade Dragon Saliva Grass,' remove the roots, leaving only the leaves, and cut them into three-inch lengths with a jade knife."

Zhao Ling stood in front of the half-person-high purple-gold alchemy furnace, her eyes fixed on the leaping flames at the bottom of the furnace, and gave the order without turning her head.

"Okay!"

A clear voice immediately came from the side.

The dignified Ninth Prince of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, Long Yuan, was dressed in a coarse cloth short jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his face was covered with two streaks of black ash.

He deftly took the jade box containing the Purple Jade Dragon Saliva Grass from the medicine shelf next to him, took out a small jade knife, and although his technique was a little clumsy, he carefully cut the herb and then quickly handed it to Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling took the herbs, flicked her finger, and the herbs transformed into a stream of light that flew into the alchemy furnace.

She quickly formed hand seals, casting a series of fire-controlling spells, and the flames inside the furnace began to rotate rhythmically.

Long Yuan stood to the side, staring intently at Zhao Ling.

He discovered that this seemingly gentle and quiet girl exuded a powerful confidence and focus once she stood in front of the alchemy furnace. Her undeniable aura was even more captivating than that of the generals he had encountered on the battlefield.

"Bang!"

Half an hour later, a muffled sound came from inside the furnace, and a plume of black smoke emerged from the vent.

Zhao Ling sighed, dispelled the magic seal in her hand, and wiped the sweat from her forehead: "Failed again."

Long Yuan quickly handed over a clean towel and comforted him, "It's alright. No one can succeed in alchemy every time. You're already very skilled. If this furnace is ruined, I'll clean it."

As he spoke, he skillfully rolled up his sleeves, drew water from the side, and began to clean the dregs from the bottom of the alchemy furnace.

Zhao Ling took the towel and wiped her face. Watching the prince, who was at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, washing the alchemy furnace in front of her like a servant, she couldn't help but feel a strange sensation.

For the past two weeks, Long Yuan has been going to the alchemy room every day.

At first, Zhao Ling was a little reserved, after all, the other party was a prince.

But Long Yuan had no airs at all and took the initiative to take on the chores that apprentices usually did, such as sorting medicinal herbs, controlling the earth fire, and cleaning the alchemy furnace.

Once Zhao Ling enters a state of alchemy, she becomes completely absorbed in the world around her and often casually orders him around. Long Yuan not only doesn't get angry, but actually enjoys it.

"Your Highness, these rough tasks can actually be done by the apprentices in the courtyard."

Zhao Ling said softly.

"That won't work."

While using his spiritual power to evaporate the moisture in the alchemy furnace, Long Yuan said without looking up, "How can an apprentice be as quick as me? Besides, I am a Void Refining Realm cultivator. I can use my spiritual power to help you control the earth fire, and the temperature will be absolutely precise."

"Just focus on refining your pills, I'll assist you, that's fine."

Looking at his serious profile, Zhao Ling couldn't help but smile slightly.

She didn't mind having Long Yuan by her side; on the contrary, having someone with profound cultivation and meticulous care to help her saved her a lot of energy.

"The success rate of obtaining a top-grade Breakthrough Pill is extremely low."

Zhao Ling walked to the table next to her and frowned slightly as she looked at the several prescriptions for pills laid out on it.

The Breaking Void Pill is an essential seventh-tier pill for cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage who are attempting to break through to the Void Refinement stage.

Ordinary Breakthrough Pills can only increase the chance of a breakthrough by 10% to 20%, and they will leave behind pill toxins that will affect future cultivation.

Only the highest-grade Breakthrough Pill can not only increase the chance of a breakthrough by more than 50%, but also stabilize the foundation, with no side effects.

Zheng Yifei's core members, including Li Jianfeng, Su Wanqing, Wang Changsheng, Ouyang Zhan, and Ye Xiao, as well as Ouyang Tian, ​​Murong Hao, Ye Tianqiong, and Xu Tianyang and his son who came from the Southern Wilderness, were all stuck at the late or perfect Nascent Soul stage.

They are all Zheng Yifei's right-hand men; to break through, they must use the highest-grade Void-Breaking Pill.

What troubled Zhao Ling even more was Zheng Yifei.

Zheng Yifei possesses five spiritual roots, and the spiritual energy of the five elements within his body is vast and complex.

For an ordinary cultivator to break through to the Void Refinement stage, one top-grade Void Breaking Pill is enough, but Zheng Yifei needs at least five, or even more, to provide enough medicinal power to support the transformation of his Five Elements spiritual power.

Roughly calculated, Zhao Ling needs to refine at least twenty top-grade Void Breaking Pills.

Even for a genius like her, the success rate of producing top-grade seventh-tier pills is currently less than 10%.

"Take your time, there's plenty of medicinal herbs."

After washing the alchemy furnace, Long Yuan leaned over to look at the pill formula and waved his hand, saying, "I already sent a message back to the capital yesterday, asking my people to collect the materials for the Breaking Void Pill from all the major merchants. Even if it means piling up medicinal herbs, I'll help you achieve this top-grade result."

Zhao Ling turned her head and looked at Long Yuan's handsome face, which was covered in soot but still looked good. Her heart warmed, and she nodded gently: "Yes, thank you, Your Highness."

"Still calling me Your Highness? Didn't we agree that you should call me Ninth Brother when we're not alone?"

Long Yuan grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

Zhao Ling's cheeks flushed slightly, and she responded softly, "Ninth Brother."

Hearing that soft, sweet voice, the Ninth Prince felt his bones lighten, and his enthusiasm surged even higher: "Come on! Let's start another batch! I refuse to believe we can't refine a top-quality one today!"

While Long Yuan was immersed in his love affair, Zheng Yifei was extremely busy.

In post-disaster reconstruction, maintaining public order is of paramount importance.

The ten counties under the jurisdiction of Tanzhou Prefecture were severely affected by the disaster. The original order was disrupted, and some wandering cultivators, gangs, and even low-level sea beasts that did not retreat became huge hidden dangers.

Zhu Zhenbang entrusted the important task of maintaining public order in the disaster area to the Criminal Investigation Department, and Zheng Yifei accepted the task without hesitation.

The back hall of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Zheng Yifei sat in the main seat, looking down at Li Jianfeng, Ye Xiao, Wang Changsheng and Ouyang Zhan.

These four are the core fighting force of the anti-smuggling team. After half a year of bloody battles in the East China Sea, their killing intent has become more restrained, and their cultivation has been completely stabilized at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

"During the reconstruction period, there must be no chaos in the disaster area."

Zheng Yifei said sternly, "Anyone who dares to take advantage of the disaster and make a fortune, whether they are rogue cultivators or aristocratic families, will be executed on the spot without any leniency."

"Don't worry, sir, our knives aren't dull yet."

Wang Changsheng touched the hilt of the sword at his waist and sneered.

Zheng Yifei nodded, then changed the subject: "But maintaining order doesn't require all four of you to go. Your primary task now is to break through to the Void Refinement Realm."

The four men perked up and stared intently at Zheng Yifei.

"Ling'er is working hard to produce top-grade Void Breaking Pills, and she has already stored up a few."

Zheng Yifei looked at them and gave instructions: "Jianfeng and Yexiao, you two go into seclusion with the pills. Changsheng and Ouyang Zhan, you two lead the anti-smuggling team to the disaster area to carry out the mission."

Once Sword Edge and Night Owl break through their seclusion and take over your positions, you can return to seclusion. Take turns to ensure the Judicial Bureau always has high-level combat power.

"yes!"

The four of them responded in unison.

"And what about you?"

Li Jianfeng asked.

"I'm last in line."

Zheng Yifei calmly said, "I have five spiritual roots, and the resources and time I need to break through are far more than yours. Once you have all broken through and the situation in the Ministry of Justice has been completely stabilized, I will go into seclusion."