The news of Ji Qianqing's breakthrough to the realm of divine powers spread rapidly throughout Tai Cang. The entire nation celebrated, with the citizens singing and dancing, creating an atmosphere of great joy.
Although many of the people of Tai Cang didn't fully understand the power of the divine realm, they could grasp the significance of how rare such individuals were. Just the fact that a divine master was far stronger than the high-ranking officials and generals in the army was enough to make them proud.
After learning that Tai Cang previously only had the ruler as its divine master, Ji Qianqing's status among the people grew even more significant.
With the reward of five days' worth of food, the humble people of Tai Cang were filled with joy, almost everyone smiling with satisfaction. They eagerly went to receive their food, and after collecting it, they naturally made their way to the royal court to salute, placing their hands on their chests in reverence. From the palace towers, Ji Xia and Ji Qianqing looked down at the joyful crowd, and a warmth blossomed in their hearts.
"Are the people of Tai Cang not the most lovable people in the entire vast wilderness?" Ji Xia said, his tone full of emotion. "They never complain, and as long as they have enough to eat, they're content. If they have more, it's a great blessing, enough to be remembered forever, with endless gratitude."
"And yet, such a gentle race can show the ferocity of beasts when their people face extinction. They would rather die than retreat an inch, willing to sacrifice their lives to protect their homeland, their people!"
Ji Qianqing, hearing Ji Xia's words, nodded in agreement. "The human race truly deserves respect. No matter how harsh the environment, they can always survive."
"Tai Cang is actually one of the luckier human kingdoms because we aren't surrounded by powerful, brutal races. I once read in an ancient travelogue that many human kingdoms, from their very inception, were trapped and controlled by stronger races, like how we raise chickens and sheep. In these kingdoms, humans were used as sacrifices, as food, or as test subjects for evil magic..."
"But the human race always survives with resilience. In the boundless wilderness, spanning across endless eras, every historical period has had the presence of humans. Countless powerful races have perished, but humans have endured like locusts, continuing to survive."
Ji Xia grew worried. "Humans may be weak in terms of talent, but aren't their numbers not too few? Have there been no powerful human kingdoms born over the course of history?"
Ji Qianqing thought for a while before responding. "In the ancient legends of the human race, there is a story about a kingdom called Zhaohuang in the Sky Abyss, where the human race was powerful and governed the Sky Abyss alongside other strong races. However, that's just a legend, and its truth is unknown. Besides that, no historical records mention a powerful human kingdom. It seems there hasn't been one."
"I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right," Ji Xia said, frowning. "If all human races in the boundless wilderness were as resilient, tough, and determined as the people of Tai Cang, how could they have been enslaved by powerful races for so long?"
"The human race's innate talent is simply too weak," Ji Qianqing replied.
"In the vast wilderness, races like the Dog and Wolf Kingdom or Zhou Qing's people are among the weakest. But even they are born with tougher bodies, iron bones, sharp claws, and fangs. When compared to them, the human body is simply too frail."
"Not to mention when compared to the Great Fu, Chongyue, and Lingqiao races. These races are born strong. Although their appearances are similar to ours, their talents are something the human race can never match."
As Ji Qianqing spoke, a hint of envy appeared on her usually stern face. "It's said that powerful races like the Chongshen and Tianqi are born with divine powers. Even the weakest child in these nations possesses the strength of a divine master…"
Ji Xia, shocked, asked, "What? Born with divine powers?"
"It's true, Your Majesty," Ji Qianqing confirmed, her gaze filled with certainty. "This is no mere legend. In distant regions, there are indeed nations that defy belief."
Ji Xia fell silent for a long time before speaking. "If that's the case, the road for the human race will be very long—so long that we may never see the end."
"The immediate priority, aside from dealing with the pointless disasters caused by the Great Fu Kingdom, is to ensure the people of Tai Cang are well-fed. Only when we no longer have to worry about survival will the people of Tai Cang have the energy to focus on martial arts. Then, Tai Cang will truly become strong."
Looking at the people of Tai City, who were smiling joyfully at the reward of five extra days of food, Ji Xia silently made a resolution in his heart.
"How is the strength of the Cang Guard now? The effect of the Tai Lai Spirit Water should be exhausted by now, right?"
When the Cang Guard was mentioned, Ji Qianqing's face finally showed a trace of happiness. "Report to Your Majesty, the ones who cultivated quickly have already fully absorbed the Tai Lai Spirit Water's power, and those who were slower still retain some of its effects."
"How about the overall strength of the Cang Guard? I've been busy with small matters and haven't been to the barracks for several days," Ji Xia asked.
Ji Qianqing answered, "The Cang Guard now has 9,000 soldiers, with over 1,900 having broken through to the Sixth Heaven realm. Additionally, more than 3,500 have reached the Fifth Heaven, and the remaining soldiers have also made significant progress in their cultivation."
Ji Xia was stunned when he heard the numbers. "The Cang Guard has made such remarkable progress?"
Ji Qianqing nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "All thanks to Your Majesty's Tai Lai Spirit Water. Tai Cang's overall strength is now even greater than when the Cang Guard was at its peak."
Ji Xia was overjoyed. "Over 1,900 Sixth Heaven experts, plus 500 Shadow Army soldiers—that gives us 2,500 soldiers who can stand against the Dog and Wolf Army!"
"Exactly. Besides those 1,900, the remaining soldiers have also made impressive improvements. I believe that if it comes to a defensive battle, the remaining 7,000 Cang Guard soldiers might not be able to defeat the 15,000-strong hunting army of the Dog and Wolf Kingdom, but they certainly have the strength to fight them."
Ji Xia laughed heartily. "No wonder Generals Rong Lu, Meng Yan, and the other commanders have been smiling all day. When they talk with the other ministers, their backs are so much straighter. It turns out it's because of this."
"Indeed. Now, even the high-ranking officials in the army, the Commanders of Fate, all have over 20 individuals who have broken through to the Seventh Heaven of the Domain Building stage. It's a truly formidable force," Ji Qianqing replied.
Ji Xia nodded in satisfaction. "The Tai Lai Spirit Water is indeed powerful. While its effects may not be as obvious for high-ranking cultivators, if Tai Cang can field an army of 10,000 Sixth Heaven soldiers, we'll no longer have to fear the smaller neighboring kingdoms."
He then thought of the looming threat of the Great Fu Kingdom, which hung over Tai Cang like a guillotine. A coldness surged in his heart.
"These powerful races love to decide the fate of weaker races with a single word. They don't care that entire kingdoms may perish just for the sake of some spiritual gold. They are utterly despicable."
A cold glint flashed in Ji Xia's eyes. "If I survive this trial, one day, I'll make the Great Fu Kingdom feel what it's like to be on the receiving end."
Ji Qianqing seemed to sense Ji Xia's growing bloodlust and her expression turned serious.
Ji Xia glanced at her and suddenly smiled. "You look better when you smile. Life is already hard enough. We don't need to see a face filled with bitterness and hatred all the time—it's enough to depress anyone."
Ji Qianqing paused, thought for a moment, and to Ji Xia's surprise, nodded and said, "Alright."