Chapter 424: Chapter 321: People with Extraordinary Traits! (Double Length) (Part 2)

The companions acknowledged that Song Changming had an excellent physique, but his rather low Qi Refining cultivation left them somewhat unimpressed, indifferent even.

In the past, coming and going, he had not failed to encounter fierce warriors who were equally exceptional in body refinement.

But such individuals were limited as well, reaching a bottleneck after which they would stagnate completely, becoming complacent, unable to truly rely on body refinement to progress further in Martial Tao.

This companion had a certain disdain for such Body Refining Martial Artists.

After all, Qi Refining was the most orthodox and correct practice in this era.

Fang Tianyan shook his head, with nothing more to say.

Martial Artists who chose pure body refinement mostly did so due to severely limited Qi Refining aptitude, leaving them no other choice.

Anyone with decent Qi Refining aptitude would usually choose to pursue the path of Qi Refining, perhaps supplemented by body refinement.

However, Song Changming was the opposite. Due to his unique physique, Fang Tianyan’s spiritual perception was exceptionally strong.

In just two brief encounters, he had already determined that Song Changming’s Qi Refining aptitude was not lacking at all, and his affinity with Spiritual Qi and energy was even quite excellent.

In this situation, he chose the cultivation style of focusing on body refinement and supplementing with Qi Refining.

"Either he went astray, or his aptitude for body refinement far exceeds that of Qi Refining, a natural result of his practice..."

Out of curiosity, Fang Tianyan had such a favorable attitude towards Song Changming.

He had a hunch that Song Changming might be just like him!

An extraordinary person with unique qualities!

...

Nearly two months passed before the ongoing demon disaster in Cui Bai Dao was finally fully quelled.

During this time, the Demon Race emerged sporadically, like indestructible cockroaches, endangering the lives of the Human Race across various regions.

The peaceful and serene atmosphere Prince Cui painstakingly established over decades was instantly shattered.

No wonder the monarch was furious and thunderous during this period.

Now that the demon disaster had ended, Song Changming, who had remained in one place, had to follow the team and return to the main city with the army.

On the return journey, Xing Tiexin rode on his warhorse, not in the best of spirits.

The quelling of the demon disaster was certainly good news, but over these two months, the losses in the demon extermination operation he led were considerable.

Out of a thousand cavalry, only slightly over six hundred returned to the main city.

Three hundred of the trained soldiers under his command had perished, and as the commander of the troops, he naturally felt sorrowful.

These soldiers were no ordinary troops; every soldier who made it into the Cuiqi Army had great potential, not a single one was a mediocre talent.

Especially the elite troops in the team, who were at least skilled Martial Artists with Inner Qi!

The loss of each such soldier was enough to make one grieve.

The condition of Xing Tiexin’s troops was reflective of many other military units.

The demon disaster was challenging because it was hard to deal with.

Not to mention the terrifying Great Demons Song Changming encountered twice before, but many powerful demons were causing trouble below the Great Demons, such as the Eagle Demon clan led by the giant eagle.

Many powerful demons made Song Changming’s troops retreat three steps upon sight and had to be handled by Banner Master-level generals or the elite forces of the imperial Army.

Because of this, every troop had considerable casualties, and it would take at least a year or two to recover the lost Primordial Qi.

Song Changming’s mood was also quite ordinary.

The fallen soldiers were familiar to him, and he interacted daily with them, assisting Xing Tiexin in various military duties like preparation, training, and assessments.

Losing nearly half the familiar faces wouldn’t make anyone happy.

Even though he achieved the desired breakthrough of Five Dragon Power in the past two months, he was not as overjoyed as he imagined.

"Still not strong enough," Song Changming thought to himself.

If he were stronger, so many soldiers wouldn’t have died...

It was difficult to imagine how brutal the battles in the main war zones of Thunder and Yan states were, considering how fierce the local, small-scale demon disaster was.

Every piece of territory seized was probably marked by a bloody storm, mountains of corpses, and seas of blood. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Several days later, the main city loomed in the distance.

Nothing had changed since before the expedition, but upon seeing the giant city again, Song Changming felt differently.

This main city, like Prince Cui, was the most crucial Stabilizing Needle in the realm of Cui Bai Dao.

Throughout the long years, other places in Cui Bai Dao might fall, but only this main city would never fall, like a totem, a symbol and spiritual support of the place.

The soldiers’ previously restless emotions suddenly quieted upon seeing the giant city.

Everything will pass, and after the tribulation, peace will come.

"It’s over, the demon disaster."

"Yes, it’s over."

"..."

Each military unit passed through the massive city gate, crossed the thick city wall passage, and entered the city.

The next moment, they were greeted by an endless cheer.

The people lined the roads, laughing, welcoming the triumphant return of the troops.

Such a scene was the first Song Changming had witnessed in his more than two years of military service, showing how significant the impact of this well-known demon disaster was.

Suppressing and quelling this large-scale demon disaster was indeed like returning from a victorious battle.

Being treated as heroes was understandable because this victory concerned the life and death safety of all the people.

Now, they were safe!

Joy came naturally.

"Take a good rest; there should be a considerable period for recuperation afterward. You’ve worked hard." Fu Yuan patted Song Changming’s shoulder and said.

The troops disbanded, Song Changming took off his armor, changed into casual clothes, and returned to his residence in the Third District.

"Young Master."

Greeting him was the ever-faithful Song Ping’an, along with Dahuang and White, the two guardian dogs.

"How have things been at home these days?" Song Changming rubbed the heads of the two dogs and asked.

"Nothing much happened. According to your instructions, I have successfully acquired the small failing distillery in the city. Most of the days, I spent there studying the art of brewing." Song Ping’an reported.

"Hmm, how is the progress?" Song Changming asked as he walked into the courtyard.

Since cultivation required money in every aspect, the army salary alone was ultimately insufficient.

In the past, he had numerous enterprises established in Da Lai, relying on the Changming Association to gather wealth for him and collect resources needed for cultivation.

But upon arriving in the Ancient Abyss Country, he had to start all over again.

This small distillery was the first step.

In Da Lai, Song Ping’an had been well-trained, often playing the role of the main steward by Song Changming’s side, with his own business management skills, managing all past enterprises, which all flourished — truly experienced.

Now in the Ancient Abyss Country, Song Changming naturally continued to trust Song Ping’an, giving him full responsibility for this matter.

"No major issues; the demon disaster that spread across Cui Bai Dao caused some turmoil inside and outside the main city. It’s a good time to enter the market; it should be able to flourish.

It may not have the capital to compete with the family-run restaurants, but by collaborating with them, it can still be profitable..."

Song Ping’an reported the detailed progress.

Martial Artists often enjoyed drinking, and nobles liked tasting fine wine; it was so in Da Lai, and likewise in the Ancient Abyss Country — this tradition remained.

Thus, as long as Song Ping’an could use his brewing experience from Da Lai to brew a new liquor in the Ancient Abyss Country, it need not reach the level of spirits that seem heavenly. Just a fresh, eye-catching creation would suffice.

Song Changming did not have high expectations for Song Ping’an; it was unrealistic to expect immediate massive profits. As long as the small distillery could establish itself in the Cui Bai Main City, it would be considered a success.

Just as with his cultivation, the business needed to be built steadily and gradually.

"Woof woof!"

Dahuang circled Song Changming incessantly, filled with excitement, its thick tail pounding on the ground with a thump.

Meanwhile, White, after its joy, was much calmer, sitting obediently on the ground, quietly watching its returning master.

Song Changming took out two large chunks of demon flesh from the Qiankun Bag, no less than a hundred pounds each and handed them to the two dogs.

"This is Blazing Flame Deer Demon Flesh, a rare treat," Song Changming said with a smile, considering it a gift for the two dogs upon his return.

...