Jian Huaishuang did not understand why, but he now had absolute trust in Chen Zhou.
He immediately withdrew his will and even took the initiative to guide the residual power of the White Jade within his body to touch the external array and the paper talismans.
Excruciating pain struck again, but this time, it was under controlled guidance!
The light of the array, the deathly qi of the paper cuttings, and the remnants of the White Jade were forcibly blended together under the guidance of a soul stabilized by three Soul-Shaping Pills. They hammered at Jian Huaishuang's body and soul like a blacksmith forging iron!
The process was agonizing, but miraculously, it did not lead to a collapse.
When the last glimmer of the array's light was exhausted and the paper cuttings had completely turned to ash, Jian Huaishuang snapped his eyes open. Clad in paper armor, a flash of jade-colored brilliance flickered in his eyes before vanishing.
He had merged with General Zhenjiang.
But he was still himself.
As the fusion completed, the residual souls and flesh energy of the Sword Sect disciples—previously absorbed by the White Jade—were actually expelled. They twisted and transformed in the air, finally turning into expressionless paper men that drifted lightly to the ground.
Having lost all energy sources and targets, the great array let out a low hum before falling completely silent. The patterns on the ground turned dull and lusterless, stripped of all evil aura.
Chen Zhou looked at Jian Huaishuang, whose aura had changed drastically, and then at the eerie paper men on the ground. "It seems you've stabilized for now. For this next month, stay by my side and get used to your new body."
"As for whether you want to clean house, that's for you to decide."
Hearing this, the pale faces of the paper men stiffened.
Jian Huaishuang nodded heavily.
Soon after, Chen Zhou and the Plague Rat vanished from the spot.
Before long, a slight commotion came from the city gates.
Shitou and Hong Ling appeared there, and following behind them was a massive, snow-white snake—their transport, Nie Chaoxi.
Wang Er recognized Shitou and Hong Ling at a glance. He was so excited he nearly wept, rushing forward to bow deeply.
"Immortal Masters! It really is you! Thank you for saving our lives! Thank you, Lord Auspice, for your life-saving grace!" He babbled incoherently, moved to tears of gratitude.
Accompanying Shitou was Qin Kuan, the fisherman who had stood up on the boat earlier.
He brought along several equally capable refugees, specifically following along to help Hong Ling gather the panicked refugees outside the city.
Under Hong Ling’s direction, Qin Kuan went into the crowd to explain the situation.
With Qin Kuan, one of their own, testifying and giving his word—combined with their utter disappointment in White Jade City and their desperate desire for survival—the remaining refugees hardly hesitated. One after another, they expressed their willingness to follow.
Inside the city, Wang Er went to great lengths to boast of the divine's power and mercy. He gave vivid descriptions of the demon-slaying at Lakeglow Ridge and the rescue on the river. Combined with the nightmare of the Immortal Celebration Day the people had just experienced followed by the miraculous reversal, there were almost no objections.
Almost no one raised a dissenting voice; all were willing to leave this land of nightmares for a new sanctuary.
The relocation was organized and efficient. The massive Bone Snake and Nie Chaoxi took turns carrying people in batches toward the Dead Man’s Forest.
Hong Ling’s efficiency was incredibly high.
After basically receiving all the ordinary citizens willing to leave, she and Shitou quickly took control of the remnants of the City Lord’s administration. This included the ashen-faced Su Zhiyuan and several officials who hadn't died in the chaos. They were brought before Chen Zhou to await judgment.
Chen Zhou’s gaze swept over them. To varying degrees, they were all entwined with the bloody aura of sin.
He showed no mercy, summoning netherflame to directly dismantle those with the deepest karma and most cruel records into new materials for his warehouse.
To the survivors, Chen Zhou said, "Though your crimes do not warrant death, I cannot forgive you on behalf of the souls you persecuted."
Therefore, labor reform was the answer.
Chen Zhou handed the matter to Shitou, who accepted the task with solemn joy.
Soon, these former elites and the eerie paper men were thrown together into the deepest parts of the Wailing Mine to begin their 007 lifestyle.
With that handled, Chen Zhou began arranging the division of labor for the new population. The Test Immortal Stone was brought out once more.
Between the citizens of White Jade City and the surrounding refugees, there were over thirty thousand people. It was time for another aptitude test.
Zhang Cuigu stood in the crowded throng, nervously rubbing her calloused hands. She had dealt with farmland her entire life and never imagined she would leave her hometown.
White Jade City, where she had lived her whole life, had turned into a nightmare on Immortal Celebration Day, and the territory of this unknown god seemed equally grim and ghostly.
At this moment, Zhang Cuigu was filled with terror and unease. She tremblingly pressed her hand against the cold Test Immortal Stone.
A faint but life-filled green light rippled across the surface of the stone.
【Name: Zhang Cuigu】
【Aptitude: Yellow Grade Wood Spiritual Root (Green): Increases cultivation and work efficiency by 20%】
【Bumper Harvest (Blue): Long-term companionship with the earth has granted an extraordinary affinity for crop growth. Yield of managed farmland increased by 40%】
【Leizu Incarnate (Red): Possesses a thin trace of the ancient Silkworm Goddess's blessing. Extraordinary affinity and control over all work related to weaving, nurturing, and growth. Within her jurisdiction, growth speed of all crops increased by 100%, yield increased by 100%, and there is an extremely low probability of inducing beneficial mutations in spiritual plants.】
A majestic male voice rang out across the field: "Zhang Cuigu."
Zhang Cuigu flinched in fear and quickly knelt. "T-this humble woman is here."
She didn't know what had happened. The Test Immortal Stone hadn't reacted much to the people before her, yet it was different for her alone.
"From this day forth, you shall be responsible for managing the Thick Earth Spirit Fields, coordinating with the black snakes for irrigation, tilling, and other matters."
Zhang Cuigu was instantly dazed, her head shaking like a rattle.
"N-no! My Lord! This humble woman is just an ordinary farmer. How could I... how could I manage a spirit field?"
She looked at the small black snakes obediently tilling the soil in the distance and felt her legs go weak.
Those were genuine demons; how could she dare go near them?
A low murmur of discussion rippled through the surrounding crowd.
These former residents of White Jade City looked at this dark-skinned peasant woman whose hands were covered in the marks of hard labor. Their eyes inevitably showed a hint of confusion.
The spirit field was clearly no ordinary place—it must be a precious treasure of the immortals. Why would the Lord entrust such a heavy responsibility to an ordinary peasant woman?
However, a few neighbors who knew Zhang Cuigu spoke up, saying that her fields really did grow well and her yield per acre was much higher than everyone else's.
Hong Ling walked to her side and gently helped her up, her voice warm yet firm.
"Zhang Cuigu, managing the spirit fields doesn't require literacy or high status. It requires the decades of blood, sweat, and intuition you've accumulated with the land and crops."
"Those black snakes are the Lord's servants. Like you, they serve the Lord and will follow your arrangements. Do not belittle yourself, and more importantly, trust that the Lord's vision is never wrong."
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