Chapter 266 - 149: Another Promotion?

Chapter 266: Chapter 149: Another Promotion?

A moment later, the group was led to an elegant and quiet side room.

"For a cultivation update, the rules require two individuals of equal or greater rank to verify it on the spot and record the Spiritual Qi signature for the files," Vice Director Qian explained with a smile, his gaze shifting to Qin Huaiming. "Director Qin, you are naturally one of them. As for the other..."

He paused for a moment, an expression of both reluctance and honor on his face. "Normally, I’d have to ask another director to come over. However, since this is the prized disciple you’ve brought personally, Director Qin, and his foundational aura is plain to see... if I take the liberty of serving as the second witness, I imagine that would still be in line with procedure."

Vice Director Qian’s words were flawless.

Qin Huaiming smiled faintly. "Vice Director Qian is a veteran of the records department. Your sharp eye is well-recognized throughout the Bureau. In that case, we’ll have to trouble you."

"Not at all, not at all! It’s my duty. To be of service to Director Qin and Director Yang is my honor." Vice Director Qian waved his hands dismissively. His expression then turned serious as he said amiably to Yang Wenqing, "Director Yang, please relax your mind. There’s no need to be tense. Just circulate your energy as you normally would."

Yang Wenqing nodded and relaxed. The Nine Refining Secret Skill began to circulate naturally within him, causing his three hundred and sixty-five acupoints to resonate faintly. The uniquely pure and well-rounded aura of his Purity Body emanated from him, and the nascent Five Qi Cycle among his five organs produced a distinct sense of gentle, balanced warmth.

Vice Director Qian’s Divine Sense spread out like warm water, gently enveloping Yang Wenqing to carefully perceive the rhythm of the Spiritual Qi circulating through his body.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, the astonishment in them completely genuine. He clapped his hands in praise. "Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Your aura is deep and enduring, like the very earth. Your Spiritual Qi circulates smoothly and without obstruction, flowing like quicksilver on a smooth surface. And what’s even rarer, the qi of your five organs is already showing signs of harmony. Can it be that you’ve already touched the threshold of the true Yuqing method?"

His words were full of praise. "In all my years at the records department, I’ve seen countless young talents, but you, Director Yang, absolutely rank among the top three. To be practicing the Yuqing Secret Skill at your level of cultivation... you’re an absolute rarity, even within the entire City Defense System."

Yang Wenqing could only offer a few modest replies, and the two exchanged another round of pleasantries.

While exchanging pleasantries with Yang Wenqing, Vice Director Qian was already updating the City Defense System. After finishing, he looked to Qin Huaiming. "Director Qin, if you would?"

Qin Huaiming smiled and nodded, using the aura from his own badge to record his name on the new file.

Vice Director Qian was all smiles. "Congratulations on your great advancement in cultivation, Director Yang! And congratulations to you, Director Qin, on having such a fine disciple. In the future, if Director Yang needs anything coordinated by the records department, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to serve meritorious heroes like you, who fight on the front lines!"

Qin Huaiming thanked him with a smile and politely declined Vice Director Qian’s enthusiastic invitation to "try some new tea," then led Yang Wenqing out of the records department.

With a broad smile still on his face, Vice Director Qian escorted Qin Huaiming and Yang Wenqing all the way to the main entrance of the records department. Only when the figures of the master and disciple had completely vanished did the effusive smile on his face slowly recede.

He then strode back to his office and activated the highest-level internal Communication Array, connecting to Bureau Chief Shen Wenyuan.

"Chief Shen, it’s me, Qian from the records department," he said, his voice filled with deference. "Just now, Director Qin Huaiming personally brought Vice Director Yang Wenqing from the Lingshan New District to update his cultivation file."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by Shen Wenyuan’s calm, steady voice. "Oh? And the result?"

"After joint verification by Director Qin and myself, it is confirmed that Vice Director Yang Wenqing has entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Furthermore, during the verification, I clearly sensed that the qi of his five organs has begun to harmonize and cycle, carrying a distinct, pure, and orthodox essence. My preliminary judgment is that Vice Director Yang has already touched the threshold of the true Yuqing method." ℴℴ𝘮

This time, the silence on the other end lasted even longer.

"To have begun the orthodox Yuqing path before the age of thirty..." Shen Wenyuan’s voice finally came through again, tinged with pleasure. "Good. Very good. Director Qin has taught him well, and Yang Wenqing himself is diligent. This is a fine development. He is a model for the new generation of our Coral City City Defense Bureau. You’ve done well, Vice Director Qian."

"I don’t deserve such praise. It was merely my duty," Vice Director Qian said hurriedly.

After ending the communication, Shen Wenyuan sat behind his spacious desk. His personal secretary, standing beside him, reminded him in a low voice, "Chief, with Yang Wenqing’s great advancement in cultivation, do you think Director Qi’s faction will take this opportunity to push for him to replace Gao Zhen as the Director of the Lingshan New District?"

Shen Wenyuan didn’t answer right away. His gaze drifted out the window as if he were contemplating something. After a moment, he shook his head, a faint, enigmatic smile even touching his lips.

The secretary was confused but didn’t dare to press the matter.

"Go," Shen Wenyuan instructed. "Send a message to Yang Wenqing in my name. Congratulate him on his cultivation progress, and encourage him to keep up the good work and contribute more to the stability of the New District."

"Yes, Chief." The secretary acknowledged the order and immediately turned to carry it out.

Shen Wenyuan then activated the communication device again. This time, he connected with Zheng Yan from the records department, the man who was truly in charge there, who possessed a cultivation at the early Entry Stage.

"Old Zheng, you know of Yang Wenqing from the Lingshan New District, right?"

Shen Wenyuan got straight to the point.

Zheng Yan’s voice was steady. "I do."

Shen Wenyuan said in a casual tone, "The strategic importance of the Lingshan New District is growing daily, and Gao Zhen is at a critical juncture in his closed-door cultivation. It’s time for the Bureau to start reconsidering candidates for the Director position. Formally add Yang Wenqing to the list of candidates under consideration for the next Director of the Lingshan New District."

"Has he advanced to the Marrow Cleansing Realm?"

"His file was just updated. You’ll see when you look at it."

Zheng Yan was silent for two seconds on the other end. Then, choosing his words carefully, he offered a reminder. "Chief, if Yang Wenqing competes, I’m afraid it will be very difficult for anyone to surpass him. Won’t that..."