Chapter 316 - 171: The Immortal-Mortal Divide, World-Shaping Might

Fortunately, the pressure emanating from the distant field of power began to weaken as the earth-vein Cultivator completed the initial terraforming. Then, the earthy yellow mystical glow around the Cultivator abruptly retracted before he silently burrowed into the ground to carry out deeper modifications. This process would last for several days, but without any further commotion of this scale.

"Haaa…"

Yang Wenqing subtly let out a breath, his fingers around the wine glass relaxing slightly. His fingertips had turned white from how hard he had been gripping it.

On the viewing platform, the brief silence was broken by a low murmur of discussion filled with awe and reverence. A water curtain materialized beside the technical officials from the Provincial Hall, displaying deep-level data fed back from the monitoring Array. The officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau, on the other hand, were beaming as they imagined the grand blueprint for the port's future.

"Director Yang, today has truly been an eye-opener!" Liao Tianming, the office director from the Civil Affairs Bureau, walked over with a wine glass and a broad smile. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Yang Wenqing, gazing toward the port.

"Human strength has its limits, while the power of heaven and earth is infinite. This senior's Cultivation is truly a sight to behold." Yang Wenqing reined in his emotions, his face returning to its usual gentle smile as he raised his glass and lightly clinked it against Liao Tianming's.

Liao Tianming took a sip of wine, then leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Director Yang, there's something... The supervisor from the Provincial Hall arrives tomorrow afternoon."

He gave Yang Wenqing a meaningful look. "We at the Civil Affairs Bureau plan to work through the night, sorting and re-checking all the recent key accounts to make sure everything is perfect. I was wondering, Director Yang, would it be possible for you to send a couple of your experienced veterans to help us with a final check? After all, it involves cross-referenced items like mining concession fees and so on."

'He's trying to drag the City Defense Bureau into this, to face the supervisor together. He might even be planning to use our people and our name to make some... technical adjustments.'

Yang Wenqing understood perfectly, but he put on a look of calculated reluctance and shook his head. "Director Liao, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just that the City Defense Bureau is a public security and law enforcement department. Auditing accounts, especially the internal financial affairs of the Civil Affairs Bureau, is something we really shouldn't interfere with. We have neither the authority nor the expertise."

"Interfering would leave us open to accusations of overstepping our authority. When the supervisor arrives, the City Defense Bureau will, of course, provide our full support regarding security and cooperation with the investigation. But financial accounts are the specialty of our colleagues at the Civil Affairs Bureau. We shouldn't get in the way."

His tone was sincere, and with those words, he skillfully extricated the City Defense Bureau from the mess.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Liao Tianming's eyes, but he quickly concealed it with a hearty laugh. "You're right, Director Yang. I wasn't thinking straight. Well then, I guess we at the Civil Affairs Bureau will just have to burn the midnight oil ourselves!"

Just then, Deputy Director Wang Hai finished his conversation with an official from the Provincial Hall and walked over. Yang Wenqing seized the opportunity to change the subject, smiling as he said to Wang Hai, "Director Wang, Director Liao and I were just saying that since the initial terraforming of the port is complete, we must coordinate the follow-up work well with the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Wang Hai immediately nodded and said gravely, "Rest assured, Director. Director Liao, we have already drafted three potential plans on our end. We can send them over this afternoon, and we can all discuss them together."

The conversation successfully shifted to concrete matters of cooperation, and Liao Tianming's spirits lifted as he began discussing the details with Wang Hai.

The atmosphere on the viewing platform became lively and pragmatic once more. Everyone mingled and toasted, exchanging views on the port's construction and other matters, presenting a picture of perfect harmony and unity.

Yang Wenqing navigated it all with a smile.

…

An hour later, the banquet concluded, and a Flying Shuttle carried Yang Wenqing and Liu Qin back to the branch office.

The brief silence inside the cabin was broken by a faint sigh from Liu Qin. Her voice held a rare note of confusion and longing. "Director, do you think people like us... will we ever have a chance in this lifetime to cultivate to the Entry realm and witness such cosmic power?"

Yang Wenqing, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them at her words and glanced at Liu Qin. She had only recently broken through to the Qi Cultivation stage and was at that point where hope for the future was inevitably mixed with apprehension.

He paused in thought for a moment before replying, "Theoretically, everyone has a chance to reach the Entry realm. In the Qi Cultivation Stage, your lifespan extends to one hundred and eighty years. As long as you have enough resources, choose the right Cultivation Technique, and possess a sufficiently tenacious will, it's not impossible to overcome the two great hurdles of Bone Marrow Cleansing and Foundation Establishment, even with mediocre aptitude. It's like dripping water wearing away stone."

"And once you succeed in Foundation Establishment, your lifespan increases again, giving you more time to push for the Entry realm. Ultimately, the path of cultivation is long. Often, it's not about a momentary burst of talent, but about who can persevere to the end."

Liu Qin listened intently, a hopeful light flashing in her eyes, but it quickly dimmed. She gave a wry smile. "What you say is true, Director. But cultivating arduously for centuries as if it were a single day, without any distractions... that's an ideal. In reality, those of us in public service are bogged down by endless official duties. It's common to get injured and damage our very essence during cultivation."

"I've heard many seniors say that for most Qi Cultivators in public service, reaching a lifespan of even one hundred and twenty years is considered good. Those who make it to Foundation Establishment are exceedingly rare, to say nothing of the Entry realm."

Such was the predicament of the common person. Without entering public service, one had almost no chance for advanced cultivation and would, at best, remain in the Qi Cultivation Stage for life. Yet, once in public service, one became entangled in worldly affairs and had to climb the ranks step by step; otherwise, one's cultivation resources would never be enough.

But for this very reason, those who managed to rise to the top were all individuals of great perseverance and profound wisdom.

So, Yang Wenqing didn't argue. Instead, he acknowledged her point. "The situation you described certainly exists. But within the City Defense System, there are also plenty of people who have risen from the lowest ranks to the Entry realm..."

The two continued to discuss the topic until the Flying Shuttle landed, bringing the conversation to a natural close.

Back in his office, Yang Wenqing poured himself a cup of tea. He didn't actually have any urgent matters that required his personal attention that afternoon. He had originally delegated the more tedious tasks to Wang Hai so he could focus on solving several major cases. However, after learning of the complex interests entangled in them, he had been forced to step back, despite his eagerness to crack the cases.

He glanced at the documents on his desk awaiting his attention—files on security training and equipment management—and set them aside. His mind was still replaying the display of immense power from the Second Realm Cultivator.

He then eagerly activated the branch office's Gathering Spirit Array to gather Five Yang Qi, as if seizing every possible moment to cultivate would hasten his own breakthrough to the Second Realm.

Time passed unknowingly. Just after four in the afternoon, a light knock sounded on his office door.

"Come in."

Liu Qin opened the door and stood at the threshold to report. "Director, Team Liu is here to see you. They say there's a new development in the bombing case and they need to report it in person."

"Let her in."

"Yes, sir!"

The door swung fully open, and Liu Xin strode in, clutching a file. She handed it over and began her report. "We found two new leads in the ledgers..."

The new leads Liu Xin reported pointed clearly toward Huang Heng. But just as Yang Wenqing was about to ask for further details, her next words made him frown.

"...After several hours of investigation, we discovered that Huang Heng left Lingshan New District and returned to Coral City three days before the bombing."

"We're still verifying his exact movements..." Liu Xin said, her face eager and her words tumbling out in a rush.

"Director, this lead on Huang Heng could be connected to a city-wide network. Should we formally report it to the municipal special task force and request a joint interrogation of Huang Heng?"

'I don't blame her for being eager. She wants to use this case to get noticed by the municipal leadership, to make a play for the deputy director position.' Yang Wenqing calmly considered this, studying Liu Xin for a moment.

'But reporting this to the municipal bureau would take it out of my control. What if Director Shen issues some headache of an order that drags me into this internal power struggle? What would I do then?'

"What about the tailor shop? Did you..."

Before Yang Wenqing could finish his question, the communication Token from the municipal bureau's special case office, which he carried, pulsed with Spiritual Qi. A thought struck him, and he motioned for Liu Xin to wait. He then rose and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, his back to the room, and activated the Communication Array within the Token.

"Director Yang, this is Qiu Zheng, leader of Squad One in the special case office. We..." The voice first explained the direction of their investigation, then continued.

"...After taking a few detours, Li Xiulan entered a secluded courtyard in the northern part of the city, a property she purchased years ago. Shortly after she went inside, our agents observed her offering a brief prayer to an unnamed divine statue inside. The statue showed an abnormal Spiritual Attribute reaction, which we believe was a form of long-distance communication similar to a Divine Art. Therefore, I recommend we arrest her immediately."