Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 156 - 125 Rewards and Planning! [Thanks to ’Miracle Demon Hunter’ for the 10000 reward!]

Chapter 156: Chapter 125 Rewards and Planning! [Thanks to ’Miracle Demon Hunter’ for the 10000 reward!]

"General Liu."

Chen Jichuan looked at Liu Baohua.

"At your command!"

Liu Baohua stepped forward respectfully, his heart filled with unease.

The Lishui Navy had been established, and many regulations had been set. His role was likely to diminish significantly going forward.

Moreover, he was still stuck at the sixth layer of Inner Strength, far inferior to the Shrimp and Crab Generals, and even the recently appointed Gold and Silver Generals surpassed him.

In water-based combat, even the Water Mansion Fourteen Commanders could easily outmatch him.

Liu Baohua worried he might be sent back to the Martial Alliance.

If that happened,

his efforts would have been for nothing. Upon return, his position within the Martial Alliance would become awkward.

"I hope for some rewards in merits to quickly advance to the Innate Realm."

Thoughts raced through Liu Baohua’s mind.

At the top seat,

Chen Jichuan noted Liu Baohua’s unease and smiled, saying, "The Lishui Navy has been established, and General Liu has put in great effort. The continued development of the navy will require your contributions."

Liu Baohua immediately understood that the Lord in charge of both land and water intended to keep him in the Lishui Water Mansion.

A surge of joy filled his heart.

He had been away from the Martial Alliance for four months, missing its initial chaotic growth phase. Returning now would pose challenges in both seniority and integration.

Staying in the Water Mansion, even as the instructor for the three divisions, would grant him a high and solid standing within the organization.

Much better than returning to the Martial Alliance.

With newfound confidence, Liu Baohua felt much more at ease and immediately said to Chen Jichuan, "The Lord flatters me. The rapid establishment of the Lishui Navy is due to the collective efforts of the generals and civil and military colleagues. I only contributed minor efforts and dare not claim undue credit."

Humble and composed.

Neither arrogant nor boastful.

Such a subordinate was truly rare. Chen Jichuan did not prolong the suspense. With a wide sweep of his sleeve, a scroll and four jade bottles appeared before Liu Baohua.

The gathered civil and military officials reacted strongly, all staring at the scene.

"My Lord—"

Liu Baohua hurriedly reached out to receive the items. Avoiding excessive scrutiny, he merely glanced up at Chen Jichuan.

"General Liu’s diligent efforts in training soldiers cannot go unrewarded."

"This scroll, titled ’Water Dragon Chant,’ is a water-based cultivation technique I acquired earlier. It far surpasses the ’Divine Pouncing Saber’ and the ’Wusheng Saber,’ capable of cultivation to the Innate Extreme Realm, excelling especially in water-based combat."

"The four bottles of pills are ’Innate Pill,’ ’Qi Union Pill,’ ’Qingyu Pill,’ and ’Qi Circulation Powder.’ The Innate Pill can open the Dantian, allowing one to achieve the Innate Realm. Qi Union Pill and Green Cloud Pill enhance Inner Strength, saving the arduous effort of accumulation. Qi Circulation Powder increases True Qi and True Yuan, an exceptionally rare item."

Among these pills,

the ’Innate Pill’ was the most precious, followed by ’Qi Circulation Powder.’

However, the Innate Pill contained only one pill, whereas Qi Circulation Powder came in a bottle of twelve pills, making its overall value surpass the Innate Pill.

The ’Qi Union Pill’ and ’Qingyu Pill’ were also highly valuable, each bottle worth over a hundred Spirit Stones.

Besides the pills,

there was the cultivation scroll ’Water Dragon Chant.’

This water-based technique, obtained by Chen Jichuan from Jade Spring World, might not be comparable to the ’Water Classics,’ but it undoubtedly outshone other techniques like ’Divine Pouncing Saber’ and ’Wusheng Saber.’

Liu Baohua’s future role as a commander in the Water Mansion made switching to a water-based cultivation technique inevitable.

The sooner, the better.

As for the ’Water Classics,’

"Refined-level cultivation techniques are invaluable and rare even in the Jade Spring World; they cannot be casually bestowed."

Chen Jichuan had his considerations.

Liu Baohua had trained troops for four months; gifts of four bottles of pills and one scroll of ’Water Dragon Chant’ were already exceedingly generous. Any more would be excessive.

As it turned out,

these rewards alone were enough to delight Liu Baohua greatly.

Listening to Chen Jichuan’s explanations of the pills and cultivation technique, he first felt overwhelming joy and then knelt before Chen Jichuan in excitement, loudly proclaiming, "This humble servant thanks the Lord deeply for your great kindness and cultivation!"

Unlike Chen Jichuan,

Liu Baohua had long struggled in the mundane world and the Martial Alliance; he understood deeply what it meant to become an ’Innate Master.’

The other pills and ’Water Dragon Chant’ were invaluable surprises to Liu Baohua.

But the most thrilling reward was undoubtedly the ’Innate Pill.’

"The Innate Pill."

"Opening the Dantian and ascending to the Innate Realm!"

While the Gui Prime Minister and Shrimp and Crab Generals remained calm, Fang Dong and Tan Zhang on the eastern side immediately became red-eyed and began breathing heavily.

They knew Liu Baohua had earned considerable merit this time.

But they hadn’t expected the rewards to be so phenomenal.

Watching Liu Baohua bow fervently, they felt intense envy and jealousy.

Not just those two,

but also the eight civil officers sitting below them looked on with tightly restrained envy. Having come from the land-bound roles, they knew well the prestige of the Innate Realm.

In the past, organizations like the Lishui Gang, Wusheng Sect, and Golden Sun Sect had Innate Masters as at least Vice Sect Leaders.

Similarly, in the Martial Alliance, its three Alliance Leaders were all Innate Masters.

Liu Baohua had just barely cultivated the sixth layer of Inner Strength, and now he was at the threshold of the Innate Realm—a change that naturally stunned the hearts of many.

"Haha."

"General Liu, quickly rise."

Chen Jichuan, noting Liu Baohua’s excitement, raised a hand to assist him up and earnestly said, "Going forward, the navy will greatly depend on your efforts."

"This humble servant will perform my duties without fail!"

Liu Baohua responded immediately, his spirit brimming with determination.

"Good."

Chen Jichuan nodded with a smile, letting Liu Baohua step back before turning to the Shrimp and Crab Generals: "Both of you have worked tirelessly to purify Lishui; your merits are no less than those of General Liu and equally deserve reward."

As he spoke,

a scroll and two bottles of pills appeared before each of them.

The cultivation technique remained ’Water Dragon Chant.’

The pills were two bottles of ’Qi Circulation Powder.’

These two generals were already at Level 8; the ’Qi Union Pill’ and ’Green Cloud Pill’ had limited effects for them, and the ’Innate Pill’ was unnecessary. Two bottles of ’Qi Circulation Powder’ were far more appropriate.

"Thank you, Lord!"

The two generals were delighted, eagerly accepting the rewards and bowing deeply to Chen Jichuan with grins.

The past days had indeed been exhausting for these two.

But leading battles and purging Lishui had been glorious and exhilarating. They did not resent the hardship, and the rewards now made it all the sweeter.

Chen Jichuan offered a few words of encouragement as usual.

Then he continued to reward the remaining officials.

For instance, the Gui Prime Minister received ’Water Dragon Chant’ and one bottle of ’Qi Circulation Powder.’

Meanwhile, Fang Dong and Tan Zhang each received a copy of ’Water Dragon Chant,’ one bottle of ’Qi Union Pill,’ and one ’Innate Pill.’

Other civil and military officials also received rewards, mostly cultivation techniques and pills.

Firstly, these were tangible benefits.

Secondly, boosting these individuals’ strength indirectly increased the strength of the Water Mansion, making it highly worthwhile.

The expansive Lishui water system was too large to rely solely on the five existing Innate Masters: Gui Prime Minister, Shrimp and Crab Generals, and Gold and Silver Generals.

More needed cultivation.

Beyond this,

Chen Jichuan held particular hopes for Liu Baohua, Tan Zhang, and Fang Dong.

...

"Within White Jade City, Yann Building and Liang Building are both responsible for intelligence. Yann Building operates covertly, focusing on espionage and talent recruitment. Liang Building works openly, governing the mundane world and controlling power structures. The two collaborate, supervise, and compete simultaneously."

"Before Mr. Yang departed, he recommended the three of you to me. During this time we’ve worked together, I’ve found your talents extraordinary and your dedication admirable. To avoid distractions, I recently contacted Mr. Liaoo Hua from Yann Building and Mr. Cao from Liang Building, transferring your records to Liang Building. As of now, you are members of Liang Building. Once you ascend to the Innate Realm, the Water Mansion will undergo significant transformation, at which point I will recommend you to the commander for promotion to the Earth Evil Series."

With the rewards settled,

Chen Jichuan kept Liu Baohua, Fang Dong, and Tan Zhang behind to notify them of personnel and record changes.

At White Jade City’s inception,

Chen Jichuan had used it merely to gather talent, form alliances, and scout intelligence.

As his cultivation grew and the dynamics within Shi’an County shifted, Chen Jichuan refined the roles and responsibilities of White Jade City, Yann Building, and Liang Building.

Going forward,

Yann Building would operate covertly, specializing in intelligence collection, talent scouting, and recruitment.

Liang Building would act overtly, wielding tangible authority. Structures like the Martial Alliance and the Water Mansion would fall under Liang Building’s direct jurisdiction. High-ranking members would undergo selection and absorption into Liang Building.

In addition,

efforts would focus on strengthening the Earth Evil Series within Yann Building and Liang Building.

With expanding operations, Chen Jichuan’s strategy of disguising members as the Heavenly Gang Series had become increasingly unsustainable, while the larger Earth Evil Series needed proper management.

Releasing control earlier rather than later would mitigate risks.

But the Earth Evil Series standards remained high, requiring minimum Innate cultivation and significant contributions.

With Liu Baohua and the others aiding in consolidating the Water Mansion and gaining full control over the Lishui water system, their accomplishments would be substantial, justifying their elevation to the Earth Evil Series without tarnishing its reputation.

"Liang Building."

"Earth Evil Series!"

Liu Baohua and the other two were visibly shaken, their expressions lighting up with delight.

They had just been rewarded, each receiving an ’Innate Pill.’

The Innate Realm was no longer out of reach.

Already ecstatic,

they now learned of potential promotion to the Earth Evil Series, filling them with joy.

Compared to the Innate Realm, the Earth Evil Series in White Jade City held even greater prestige.

Figures like ’Yangg Xiu’ in the past or the present ’Chen Lin,’

both from the Earth Evil Series, wielded immense power. The former commanded the Martial Alliance on land, while the latter controlled the Water Mansion at sea—power on an unimaginable scale. Even as newcomers, their status would far exceed typical Innate Masters.

They were thrilled.

"Thank you for your cultivation, my Lord!"

The three quickly expressed their gratitude to Chen Jichuan, bowing deeply.

"The future is bright for the three of you, but for now, you must strive diligently and avoid complacency."

Seeing their satisfaction, Chen Jichuan offered a reminder.

The three nodded repeatedly in agreement.

...

"The larger the operations, the heavier the workload."

After Liu Baohua and the others exited, Chen Jichuan stretched his body, feeling somewhat fatigued.

He spent six hours each day in Jade Spring World.

During the remaining six hours, he also trained and managed both the Martial Alliance and Water Mansion, consuming considerable energy.

Promoting Liu Baohua and others while gradually delegating authority was indeed the wise course.

Yet finding suitable talents and cultivation remained challenging, making complete delegation unlikely for now.

Fortunately, White Jade City’s framework had broadly taken shape.

Next steps involved,

gradually filling its ranks to eventually achieve the glory of ’Twelve Towers and Five Cities.’

...

Nighttime.

Stars adorned the sky.

Chen Jichuan departed the Water Mansion, heading straight for Haitang Mountain in Yangshuo County.

For a period after escaping Black Prison alongside Chen Shaohu, this had been their primary base of operations.

Recently, though, Chen Shaohu had been focusing on cultivation in Hidden Peach Valley, nurturing spiritual medicine.

Chen Jichuan had spent more time residing at Mingtang Mountain near the current ’Wu Meng City,’ formerly Muhua County.

Visits to Haitang Mountain had dwindled.

But months ago, Chen Jichuan had meticulously selected sixteen clever youths proficient in basic pharmacology and knowledgeable in cultivating medicinal herbs from the Martial Alliance’s Ministry of Industry, Drug Department, and Medical Crafts Division.

Using the identity of ’Jiang Wei, Commander of the Jade Building in White Jade City,’ he inducted these youths as the first batch of Jade Building members under training.

"The Jade Building specializes in alchemy."

"Given the rarity of Pill Masters in the real world, self-training was the only solution."

For cultivators, pills, magic artifacts, and talismans were indispensable for growth.

With limited energy, Chen Jichuan decided to prioritize alchemy by establishing the Jade Building dedicated to training Pill Masters.

Over the past months,

these sixteen youths had only reached the stage of studying theoretical texts, with no practical alchemy training yet underway.

Managing and teaching these apprentices were ’Hundred Victories General’ Xie Tao and ’Jade Qilin’ Chen Shaohu, both formerly from Yann Building.

...