Lu Ye was unaware that more than two years ago, the Military Supplies Department had already negotiated several times with Qian Wudang regarding the issue of Explosive Fire Spirit Stones.

In the view of the Military Supplies Department, such a strategically significant and widely applicable killing weapon should be under their unified allocation rather than controlled by the Justice Department. The Military Supplies Department's role is precisely this, while the Justice Department should focus on law enforcement, and managing such strategic resources clearly oversteps their bounds.

But what kind of person is Qian Wudang? Naturally, he deflects the responsibility. Others might not know the secrets of the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, but he does. Only Lu Ye can refine this item, and if it were to be managed by the Military Supplies Department, then Lu Ye himself would have to be handed over entirely.

How could he agree to that?

"No problem." Lu Ye agreed readily. "But, sir, I have a treasure I'd like you to see."

Qian Wudang chuckled, "A treasure? What kind of treasure?"

With his high status, he's seen all sorts of treasures, yet Lu Ye's mysterious demeanor piqued his interest.

Immediately, he saw Lu Ye take out an array disc and hand it over.

Qian Wudang received it and inspected it with a glance. The array disc seemed crudely refined, its maker unknown, and even without careful scrutiny, its quality seemed evidently not high.

What kind of treasure is this?

But he knew that the surface can't determine the worth of an array disc, the internal structure counts, and since Lu Ye brought it out, it was worth the anticipation.

He injected his spirit force into the array disc.

A faint humming sound emerged, and a layer of radiance expanded, covering a radius of ten zhang around it.

When in the Blood Refinement World, the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc refined by Lu Ye could only cover a five-zhang radius. But as his cultivation improved, the newly refined array disc could clearly have a greater effect, at least doubling the coverage diameter.

This item played a crucial role in resisting the Blood Race's massive siege in the Blood Refinement World and can be equally useful in the Nine Provinces, especially at the current moment.

Therefore, Lu Ye immediately requested a batch of materials from Cheng Xiu for refining the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc.

Qian Wudang's expression gradually turned serious, and he couldn't help but sit up straighter. He sensed the mystery of the array disc and looked at Lu Ye, with a hint of excitement in his eyes, "Can this borrow power?"

Under the array disc's cover, he easily linked his energy with Lu Ye's, sensing that if Lu Ye was willing, he could effortlessly borrow energy from Lu Ye for his own use.

"Correct." Lu Ye nodded.

In an instant, Qian Wudang thought of many strategic applications for this array disc, realizing that its greatest function was not just borrowing power. The ability to allow different cultivators' energy to easily connect was its most profound feature.

If, by using this item, cultivators could connect energetically and form an array...

What Feng Wujiang could imagine, Qian Wudang also thought of, while Lu Ye, the crafter, took quite some time to realize this potential himself.

This is the difference in vision and experience.

"Don't tell me you crafted this thing," Qian Wudang looked at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye grinned at him.

Qian Wudang was speechless. Who is this person? Easily crafting Explosive Fire Spirit Stones and now this mysterious array disc as well.

Since joining the provincial guard, strange and curious items have come one after another, and whether it's the Explosive Fire Spirit Stone or this inexplicable array disc, they all have strategic implications of immeasurable value.

"You also know, sir, that I am proficient in the Path of Spirit Runes. Whether it's the Explosive Fire Spirit Stone or this As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc, their cores are spirit runes, just different kinds of spirit runes. As long as spirit runes are constructed, they can be refined."

Qian Wudang wouldn't think it as simple as he said, not mentioning the array disc for the moment, just the Explosive Fire Spirit Stone. Though Bingzhou doesn't have a large number of spirit runes masters, there's still a considerable foundation of cultivators. Most can construct Explosion Spirit Runes.

Yet the only one who's been able to refine Explosive Fire Spirit Stones in large quantities thus far is Lu Ye. Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М|V|L0ЕМРYR) hоsts thе оriginаl.

Because constructing Explosion Spirit Runes on a fire spirit stone requires high standards, it's not something just anyone can do.

Long ago, the Nine Provinces also had the Explosive Fire Spirit Stone, not invented by Lu Ye, but due to the difficulty in refining and substantial risks, no spirit runes master dared to venture it over time.

The array disc is even more demanding; upon slight inspection, he sensed its complex spirit runes within. Only someone deeply versed in the Path of Spirit Runes could construct it, let alone applying it in Artifact Refining, which is even harder.

"As-Close-As-Siblings..." Qian Wudang nodded slightly, "That's a good name, is this the name of the spirit rune?"

"Yes."

"When you requested materials from Cheng Xiu, it was for crafting this item?"

Lu Ye nodded.

"What's the production output?"

The item is excellent, but if the production is insufficient, it can't be widely distributed, limiting its effectiveness and can only be equipped by a very select few elites.

"Producing seven to eight hundred pieces a day is not a problem," Lu Ye replied.

The refining process requires practice and skill. In the Blood Refinement World, Lu Ye refined this item with the cultivation of True Lake Level 9, with a daily output of two hundred pieces. Now that he reached the Divine Sea Realm, the output naturally increased significantly.

This is a conservative estimate; if he puts in full effort, a thousand pieces a day is achievable. The core of the array disc lies in the As-Close-As-Siblings Spirit Runes, which he can construct at will. The array disc's appearance doesn't matter; it's just a carrier for the spirit runes. He just needs to craft a rough model.

"This is truly a treasure!" Qian Wudang exclaimed excitedly, "A great treasure!"

It is foreseeable that once this thing becomes widespread, it will significantly enhance the overall strength of the Bingzhou cultivators. If enough are crafted, they can even be sent to support other Haotian Alliance cultivators in different provinces.

Currently, the disaster of the Insect Race is troubling the Nine Provinces, and what is lacking is such external forces that can directly enhance the cultivators' capabilities.

Qian Wudang's expression turned serious, and he said, "Lu Yiye, hear my command!"

Lu Ye cupped his fists and said, "At your service."

"I order you to immediately begin refining the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs. Dedicate yourself entirely to this task. All necessary materials will be supplied by my Justice Department without fail."

"Yes," Lu Ye accepted the order and then added, "As for the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones..."

"Let's set those aside for now. Focus solely on refining the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs."

"Oh, come on," Lu Ye quickly interjected, "If I only refine one thing, I might get tired. By alternating between two things, I can stay refreshed and be more efficient."

The main issue was that if he didn't refine Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, where would he take that thirty percent deficiency? Without the deficiency, where would he replenish the Talent Tree's fuel?

Qian Wudang looked at him meaningfully, "Since you have an idea, I'll allow it, but you must prioritize ensuring the supply of the array discs."

While Explosive Fire Spirit Stones are useful, they are ultimately consumables. By comparison, the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs undoubtedly have a greater role.

"Thank you, Sir."

Upon leaving the Justice Department hall, Lu Ye knew he would be busy for some time.

Back when he refined Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, he had bargained with Qian Wudang and secured a reward of five battle merits for each stone made. This time, however, he didn't mention any battle merit requirements.

The infestation of the Nine Provinces by the Insect Race concerns the fate of the entire human race. Contributing to this effort was not something he could shirk, nor was it appropriate to treat it like a business transaction.

Moreover, he knew that Qian Wudang's side would not treat him unfairly. If he successfully refines the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs, he wouldn't lack battle merit rewards.

Some things didn't need to be stated explicitly.

As soon as Lu Ye returned to his courtyard, Cheng Xiu arrived with a large supply of fire spirit stones and the materials needed for refining array discs. After a brief explanation, he informed Lu Ye that he would collect a batch of finished products every three days and quickly left.

This is the benefit of having organizational support. If you were alone, even with great skills, you would still expend a lot of effort gathering resources, wasting both time and energy.

Closing the door, Lu Ye began refining.

Previously, he didn't put much effort into controlling the output of Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, but now that was no longer an issue, and refining Explosive Fire Spirit Stones was extremely simple for him, merely a hand-passing effort.

By comparison, refining the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs required a bit more thought.

With mental consciousness surging, he worked both hands simultaneously, one refining the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, the other the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs. Lu Ye even had the spare capacity to check on the situation of his doppelganger, Li Taibai.

One must admit, after advancing to the Divine Sea, his mental consciousness became significantly stronger.

Although his cultivation is only at the Divine Sea Level 1, both the physical foundation and the strength of his psyche were unmatched by ordinary Divine Sea Realm cultivators.

On Li Taibai's side, all was well. As a Divine Sea Realm cultivator and the minor chief of the Dark Moon Forest Pass, he usually didn't need to act unless a Divine Sea Realm Insect Race was discovered and reported.

And with Lin Yue switching on patrols, they could ensure the safety of the soldiers at the mountain pass.

In recent days, Li Taibai had acted twice, completing his tasks with ease. The doppelganger possesses all of the main body's abilities, except for the Talent Tree's impurity-burning ability, since the doppelganger only had a root of the Talent Tree and no fuel storage.

Therefore, to maintain his own power, the doppelganger needed to meditate and cultivate after each confrontation to quickly recover the spent spirit force.

This way, as long as the battles weren't too frequent, there wouldn't be much impact.

Day by day passed, and every three days, Cheng Xiu would come to the courtyard to collect many finished products from Lu Ye.

Lu Ye wasn't just refining Explosive Fire Spirit Stones and As-Close-As-Siblings Array Discs; he was also actively cultivating.

He had his own rhythm when it came to cultivation. Generally, after making significant progress, he would stabilize for a time, waiting for his foundation to solidify before moving on to the next step. This approach ensured his foundation grew more robust, which was one of the reasons he could often defeat opponents of higher levels.

Months of accumulation in the Blood Refinement World had stabilized his foundation at Divine Sea Level 1, so naturally, now he had to advance his cultivation.

With the activation of the gold-hued spirit fortune stick, a golden vortex slowly rotated before him, and the root of the Talent Tree plunged into it, voraciously absorbing the pure and surging energy within.