Chapter 59

(Thank you to the brothers at Tieba, Mo Cheng, Bai Ze, Separate Travel, Xingye, the Sea, Drunken Guest, Mad Blade, Fan Le, Hu Hao, Leopard, Niuniu, Skinny Yao, Chasing the Vulgar, Learning to Play the Piano, Big Fool, Haiyue, and others for your consistent support and love. Today, we continue with four updates! This is the first one!)

The next day at noon, Qian Wenyi rushed back to Huanglong Abyss with the letter from Chen Lie. In addition to Qian Wenyi, six veteran soldiers from the Escort Camp, who were at the middle to late stages of the Mystic Realm, also came to Huanglong Abyss, ostensibly to cultivate at the Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy. However, they were all old hands around Chen Lie, and Chen Lie was actually worried that there weren't enough people around Chen Hai.

Including Wu Meng, Qian Wenyi, and Zhao Shan, these people would all be under Chen Hai's command in Huanglong Abyss in the future.

Qian Wenyi brought the letter from Chen Lie back to Huanglong Abyss, and Chen Qing was also present. Her face turned pale with anger.

Originally, Zhao Shan and Qian Wenyi were both at her disposal, but she never expected her father to transfer these two from her side to Chen Hai, and even to send Wu Meng and six other capable hands to serve this rogue. From now on, this rogue would have the air of a legitimate clan heir.

Chen Qing hastily read the letter her father had entrusted Qian Wenyi to bring back. Her beautiful face, bright and clear as jade, was now covered in a cold frost. She coldly snorted and stormed out in a huff.

Chen Hai didn't bother with her. In the letter, Chen Lie mentioned that the construction of the Alchemist Garden would be entirely up to Chen Hai's discretion.

The 50,000 points of sect merit earned from the demon python's corpse were shared by Chen Hai, Zhou Jun, Ge Tong, Shen Kun, Zhou Jingyuan, and others. Chen Hai had already obtained the most precious python horn, so he couldn't take more of the merit.

To turn Snake Valley into a clan property where the Chen family had the majority share, Chen Lie privately gave Chen Hai 20,000 points of sect merit. This way, Chen Hai and the others only needed to contribute another 10,000 points of sect merit to secure Snake Valley and the surrounding core area for the reconstruction of the Alchemist Garden.

Chen Lie also suggested that Chen Hai and the others distribute the remaining sect merit to exchange for resources and accelerate their cultivation...

Zhou Jun, Ge Tong, Shen Kun, and Zhou Jingyuan had no objections to this.

Others might not know the details, but they all knew that whether it was the pre-battle preparations or luring the demon python into their trap, Chen Hai had made the greatest contribution. Wu Meng and the others had only provided support.

Initially, Zhou Jun, Ge Tong, and the others, like Wu Meng, had been more inclined to rely on personal combat strength, believing that the hooks, ground stakes, and capture nets Chen Hai had devised wouldn't be of much use. They were surprised to find that these were the key to their success.

Without the Chen family's name, it would have been impossible to secure a few miles of spiritual land near the Dao Academy for the reconstruction of the Alchemist Garden. With the Chen family having the majority share, Zhou Jun and the others could each obtain dozens of acres of spiritual land within the Alchemist Garden to build their own residences, which exceeded their initial expectations.

More importantly, they could now cultivate under the protection of the Chen family, a towering tree, without worrying about being squeezed out by other clan heirs.

Chen Hai and Zhou Jun discussed and decided to reserve 10,000 points of sect merit for the reconstruction of the Alchemist Garden. The remaining 30,000 points would be divided among Chen Hai, Wu Meng, Zhou Jun, Ge Tong, Shen Kun, and Zhou Jingyuan, with each receiving 4,000 points. The remaining 6,000 points would be distributed among the thirty-odd soldiers who had contributed to the battle.

These thirty-odd soldiers were officially incorporated into the Escort Camp, becoming private troops under Chen Hai's command.

**************

With this settled, the Dao Academy officially sent people to survey the boundaries of the Alchemist Garden, including Snake Valley and two mountain ridges.

Chen Hai entrusted Zhou Jingyuan and Qian Wenyi with the specific tasks, while he continued to cultivate and train his troops at Nantian Gate Fort.

Half a month later, Zhou Jingyuan had drafted the reconstruction plan for the Alchemist Garden in Snake Valley. When Chen Hai visited Snake Valley again, he specifically asked Qian Wenyi and Zhao Shan to invite Chen Qing to consult on the matter.

The conditions at Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy were still quite harsh. Chen Qing, as a teacher, lived in a small, cramped courtyard. However, no matter how difficult the conditions, Chen Qing was unwilling to live under the same roof as Chen Hai.

When Zhao Shan and Qian Wenyi came to invite her, she restrained herself from lashing out at these two "traitorous" old servants, but she certainly didn't show them any good face.

"Miss, after the Alchemist Garden is built, in addition to the main residence for the young master, Wu Meng, Zhou Jun, Shen Kun, and others, there will also be large estates. The thirty-odd fierce soldiers incorporated into the Escort Camp, the poor scholars who will join the Chen family, and the Chen clan disciples arranged to cultivate at Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy can all be concentrated in the Alchemist Garden," Zhao Shan earnestly persuaded Chen Qing not to be angry with Chen Hai at this time, saying, "This is why the Alchemist Garden will gradually become a force that can stand on equal footing with the Chai clan disciples in Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy. Otherwise, the clan head wouldn't support the young master so much!"

Chen Qing had only disliked Chen Hai, but she hadn't realized the many intricacies behind the Alchemist Garden. Now, hearing Zhao Shan explain, she found it somewhat reasonable.

The new Protector General had not yet taken office, and at the moment, only Chai Teng and his father were confirmed as Deputy Protectors of Yulong Camp.

Although they were both Deputy Protectors, the initial phase of Yulong Camp mainly involved drawing elite forces from Tieliu Camp.

Chai Teng directly led 6,000 elite cavalry into Yulong Camp, while his father only led a 200-man Escort Camp into Yulong Mountain. As for Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy, it was directly split from Tieliu Ridge Dao Academy, which had been dominated by the Chai family for many years...

No matter how naive or simple Chen Qing was, she could understand that her father's position as Deputy Protector was far from solid compared to Chai Teng's, and his influence in Yulong Camp was still quite weak. He needed to work hard to consolidate his position.

While mid-to-high-level officers could be transferred from elsewhere, a battle-hardened army always needed grassroots military officers as its backbone. As the training ground for grassroots military officers in Yulong Camp, the importance of Huanglong Abyss Dao Academy was evident.

From this perspective, the significance of the Alchemist Garden was naturally significant...

Hearing Zhao Shan's words, Chen Qing could understand the importance of the Alchemist Garden, but the way Zhao Shan called Chen Hai "young master" grated on her ears. She still refused to give in, saying, "Why do you need me to get involved in these matters? You can handle them yourselves."

Zhao Shan inwardly sighed. He couldn't speak harshly like Chen Hai.

Qian Wenyi said, "The Alchemist Garden will also have a residence built for the clan head. When the clan head comes to the Alchemist Garden for cultivation, it will be much more convenient than returning to Jianyun Cliff. Miss, you usually live at the Dao Academy, but you should spend a few days with the clan head when he comes. Moreover, you know what the clan head likes and what kind of residence he wants, so you should be the one to make the decisions..."

Su Ziling, with her beautiful eyes, softly added, "Miss, what harm could it do to take a look?"

Qian Wenyi's words were more soothing to hear. Chen Qing, frowning slightly, said, "Fine, I'll take a look."

**************

Qian Wenyi and Zhao Shan had to ride horses through the rugged mountain paths, while Chen Qing, accompanied by Su Ziling, rode a black-feathered spirit eagle. It took them less than an hour to reach the sixty-mile distant Snake Valley, where she saw Chen Hai and Wu Meng standing on the left mountain ridge. She stiffly directed the spirit eagle to fly over.

Chen Hai, having climbed the mountain ridge to survey the terrain, saw Chen Qing riding the eagle and said, "We have reserved 10,000 points of sect merit for the reconstruction, but after building a mountain path connecting to Huanglong Abyss and a fort in the core of Snake Valley, there won't be much left. But you don't need to worry. We can still afford to build a few fine pavilions for you in a scenic spot nearby..."

After the broken trees and debris in Snake Valley were cleared, the terrain looked even more open, with less mist. The two mountain ridges were picturesque, making it a suitable place for cultivation.

However, Chen Qing didn't want to take any advantage from Chen Hai. She thought that if her father came to stay for a few days, there was no need to build a residence, and she was about to refuse.

Chen Hai added, "Girls like Zhou Qingyun, who enter the Dao Academy for cultivation, have no one to take care of them. If you can keep them around and guide their cultivation, it will be considered payment for our efforts..."

Apart from others, Chen Hai, Ge Tong, Shen Kun, and their friends had sent over thirty children and young servants with cultivation potential, including six girls like Zhou Qingyun.

Seeing Chen Qing about to refuse, Chen Hai said, "This is also Uncle's wish. You should know that Uncle's influence in Yulong Camp is still weak, and he needs to rely more on these poor scholars. You should also contribute to the clan!"

Chen Qing recalled the harsh lesson Chen Hai had given her in Mengyi City. She guessed that Chen Hai wanted to use her to win over Zhou Jingyuan, Shen Kun, and others, but it would also benefit her father's position in Yulong Camp.

No matter how much she looked down on Chen Hai, she couldn't deny that, despite his low cultivation, he had achieved a lot in Yulong Mountain.

Even if she believed that Wu Meng had made the greatest contribution to slaying the demon python, after learning more details, she knew that Chen Hai and the others had spent a lot of effort investigating the demon python's existence. In the following half month, they also reported three secret locations of demon beasts in Yulong Mountain to the Dao Academy.

This not only earned the disciples participating in the demon beast hunt substantial sect merit, but the Dao Academy also received significant rewards from the Seven Peaks for slaying four demon beasts. The demon beasts in the western river counties were becoming increasingly rare due to the growing population.

Apart from Shen Kun, Ge Tong, and Zhou Jun, other poor scholars in the Dao Academy rarely spoke ill of him. Even high-ranking figures like Zhao Ruhui and Li Xianghai held him in high regard. Chen Qing, even if she thought they were all mistaken, couldn't say it out loud.

Moreover, the significance of the Alchemist Garden was indeed important for her father and the Chen clan.

Thinking about this, Chen Qing couldn't bring herself to refuse, but she felt a lump in her chest, unable to speak. She could only stand there in silence.

Chen Hai enjoyed seeing Chen Qing's discomfort and inability to refuse. He glanced at Su Ziling by her side, thinking that if he proposed taking Su Ziling as his concubine, Chen Qing would probably lose control.

Having a guide for cultivation in the Dao Academy made a significant difference compared to having no one to guide.

Even if Chen Hai could send Zhou Qingyun and Shen Xiu to the Dao Academy, they wouldn't receive personal guidance from the instructors until they reached the Mystic Realm.

Chen Hai and the others were busy, so they could entrust Shen Xiu and the other girls to other senior disciples for guidance. However, as the girls grew older, it wouldn't be appropriate to send them to other disciples. They could only be sent to Chen Qing.

Chen Hai also wanted to use the girls to limit Su Ziling's influence and prevent her from doing anything behind the scenes.

Although Su Ziling had successfully opened her Spirit Sea Secret Palace at a young age, Chen Hai was no longer the same. He was confident he could outmatch this young girl.

Moreover, having a guide for cultivation in the Dao Academy made a significant difference. Even if Chen Hai could send Zhou Qingyun and Shen Xiu to the Dao Academy, they wouldn't receive personal guidance from the instructors until they reached the Mystic Realm.

Chen Hai and the others were busy, so they could entrust Shen Xiu and the other girls to other senior disciples for guidance. However, as the girls grew older, it wouldn't be appropriate to send them to other disciples. They could only be sent to Chen Qing.

Thinking about this, Chen Qing couldn't bring herself to refuse, but she felt a lump in her chest, unable to speak. She could only stand there in silence.