Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

The winds of hard work swept through every corner of the Demon Palace.

Newcomers who had been here less than ten years were training in the Clear Embrace Hall, while veterans with over ten years of experience assisted outside. Besides this, they had to complete the doubling of mining quotas set by the hall leaders, and some were even reassigned to construct new buildings in the Demon Palace.

Suddenly, their mining time went from just four hours a day to at least five hours spent outside laboring.

Qin Juan floated by, feeling that six hours would be the best training for cultivators.

System: “Why must you build new buildings? Are the current ones unusable?”

The Demon Palace was a place where demonic energy sometimes erupted; the underground sealed demonic dragons would stir, shaking the earth and collapsing structures. Building new halls consumed materials but served no practical purpose. With such leisure time, it would be better to cultivate, for more spiritual energy could delay the out-of-control bursts of the spirit jade orb.

Qin Juan replied calmly, “Only if I leave landmarks will future generations know I was here. Who will remember me after ten thousand years? But great architecture will become an indelible monument, standing forever on the Demon Palace grounds. Since Granny Dragonheart left the Clear Embrace Hall, I will at least leave behind a Tower of Ascension.”

Only then did the system realize Qin Juan wasn’t just building a single structure, but a whole complex.

The soon-to-be-constructed buildings rose from the ground as carts upon carts of earth and stone were delivered and piled on the vacant land. Foundations were dug, everything prepared.

System: “As a newcomer, massive construction risks losing the people's support. Please consider carefully.”

Electric currents surged through her body as Qin Juan stood tall and proud atop the Clear Embrace Hall. “Those who come after will only remember the monument I leave behind.”

It was the third day of training, but for everyone else in the Demon Palace, it felt like their third year.

Courses ended only after the final hour of the night, yet new classes began at dawn. They not only had to attend lectures and learn, but also complete assignments—writing reflections, insights, and self-criticism.

Heaven knows how many hadn’t held a pen much in their lives, barely recognizing a few characters.

Although cultivators could inscribe on jade tablets with spiritual energy, in the demon realm, spiritual energy was precious and could not be frivolously wasted on trivial tasks like writing. Losing a hand was nothing compared to losing one’s life.

You ask why they didn’t resist?

How could they? The Palace Master’s token was always on them; any resistance meant punishment—at best hard labor, at worst activation of penalties sealed within the token, annihilating their souls.

It was only mental suffering—no spirit energy lost, no exposure to wind and sun, no physical toil. What was so unbearable?

...But truly, it was hard to endure!

Xie Wangfei, one of the seven hall leaders, raged inwardly.

He didn’t understand how the disciples below could endure the lectures; as the instructor himself, he was near breaking.

Madness, madness—I’m going mad!

He opened his mouth: “Empowerment to improve efficiency,” closed it: “Align your hands,” his eyes glazed over: “class,” and in his dreams, he was grading reflection reports.

Cultivators didn’t need sleep!

Xie Wangfei felt his soul had ascended; though standing at the podium, his spirit had long since fled.

He wanted to rebel! He had to rebel!

Suddenly, he saw Pei Yan standing at the edge of the podium, clutching a stack of materials.

This pretentious traitor was dressed sharply, his hair meticulously combed, full of vigor, ready to lecture.

Pei Yan even dared to smile at him? Was this a provocation? Surely a provocation!

Xie Wangfei ground his back teeth, continued casting spells on the shadow screen, demonstrating his mastery of refining techniques. According to the new Palace Master Qin Juan, the Demon Palace would vigorously promote the application of refining techniques to increase demon crystal mining yields and related industries, empowering demon crystal production.

And yet, he was tempted.

He didn’t want his unique skill to rot unseen in the demon realm. After all, Xie Wangfei, the proud heir of the Thousand Machines Tower, shouldn’t be stuck teaching basic refining laws here!

His gaze swept over the drowsy students below, fueling his anger: a bunch of ungrateful fools!

By the podium, Pei Yan pointed to the clock hanging at the back, smiling at him—time was up; it was his turn to teach.

Xie Wangfei snorted in frustration, ignored him, and pressed on.

Each and every one who attended his class, he vowed to recruit as his disciple.

Not one would be left for Pei Yan!

At the back of the classroom, the listless Zhu Changliu still sat where he had before, right beneath the clock, yawning as Xie Wangfei droned on. It was hard to tell if he enjoyed the class or was annoyed. He never missed an assignment and always barely passed.

Diligently, he just played the role assigned.

As the class’s end drew near, Zhu Changliu’s sleepy eyes gradually cleared. The moment the bell rang, he stood and left the Clear Embrace Hall without looking back.

Xie Wangfei: “...”

Pei Yan: “See? People have already stopped listening to your droning.”

“Vulgar!” Xie Wangfei snapped his lesson plan shut. “Vulgar mortals! Ignorant!”

“Class dismissed!”

Then stormed off, bumping hard into Pei Yan’s shoulder.

Unfortunately, Pei Yan, who spent his days mining, was strong and robust—no match for Xie Wangfei, a cerebral technician.

Pei Yan didn’t flinch; Xie Wangfei took a step back.

They locked eyes.

In Xie Wangfei’s fiery gaze, Pei Yan smiled slightly.

Angry, Xie Wangfei swept his sleeves and left.

...

Qin Juan, preparing to announce good news, saw Xie Wangfei’s angry retreat. She blinked, then entered the Clear Embrace Hall as if indifferent.

Xie Wangfei’s anger deepened when he realized he was ignored.

During the break, people came and went. Though Pei Yan urged Xie Wangfei to end class, he wasn’t in a hurry to start teaching.

As an important training coordinator, Pei Yan understood the importance of harmony with employees. He guessed that after training, assessments would evaluate not only the trainees but also the seven hall leaders teaching them, with results linked to their performance reviews.

It would also affect mutual selections between leaders and employees.

Though all came to work in the Demon Palace, people were fundamentally different—some had high cultivation, some were clever, some sociable, some efficient. Choosing the most suitable person was crucial.

The promise of a 20% production increase still echoed in his ears; he didn’t want to be left behind once they restarted.

Pei Yan said nothing but was thoughtful until Qin Juan entered.

He froze; the dozing employees inside also snapped awake.

Qin Juan was indeed beautiful, but it was hard to find any expression beyond impassiveness on her face—as if nothing could affect her mood. Pei Yan had often thought such a person was best suited to the Path of Ruthlessness.

But today, Qin Juan smiled as she entered the Clear Embrace Hall!

The sun was rising in the west? No, there was no sun in the demon realm. What was happening?

Qin Juan smiled enigmatically.

No matter how much Pei Yan wanted to cling to her for promotion, he couldn’t help but feel a deep respect—and a little fear—for his direct superior.

Qin Juan walked briskly into the classroom, pleased to see the newcomers sporting dark circles under their eyes—the true mark of strivers.

“Palace Master!”

No matter how exhausted from hardship, seeing Qin Juan filled the Demon Palace people’s hearts with fighting spirit.

Work hard, and you will earn the Palace Master’s favor; work hard, and you can become as outstanding as she is!

Qin Juan stood at the podium, raised her hand for silence.

“Today I have two pieces of good news. First, the Demon Palace will organize tests for all of you.”

“Don’t worry; it’s not to test your innate spiritual roots but to assess your personality and work habits—what tasks you are best suited for. I call this the Workplace Personality and Mental Health Assessment. We want you to thrive in positions best suited to you, making full use of everyone’s talents and empowering your path to the Heavenly Academy.”

Her words were met with thunderous applause.

Qin Juan nodded in satisfaction.

“Second, to facilitate communication, the Demon Palace will fund upgrades to your Palace Master tokens. Starting immediately, a ‘Demon Nail’ function will be loaded into your tokens: clock-in with location tracking, instant messaging, and report submission—no more handwriting. Technology will give wings to the Demon Palace’s rise and your brighter future!”

As the crowd cheered for the launch of Demon Nail, Xie Wangfei, who was supposed to leave, lingered outside the Clear Embrace Hall, eavesdropping. Hearing Qin Juan’s words, he pulled out his Palace Master token, puzzled by its new features and unable to grasp their use.

Qin Juan smiled and summoned the system online.

The utterly drained system tiredly came online at her call; if it had a physical form, its red orb would have shriveled into a dry dot.

System: “Can this knockoff program truly make the Demon Palace dominate the demon realm?”

Qin Juan: “Products tested by the market always outperform those made behind closed doors. Don’t you want to see what your efforts can achieve?”

System: “...Yes.”

Qin Juan produced her Palace Master token; with a flash of electricity, everyone’s tokens transformed.

The palm-sized token, originally engraved with the Demon Palace’s totem on both sides, now had only one engraved side. The other was smooth like a mirror. As the lightning faded, text and content slowly appeared on this mirror-like surface.

In the cultivation world, there were communication tokens for transmitting sound and messages, but one that displayed text was unprecedented.

At present, the Demon Nail interface was simple, with only clock-in location and reporting functions.

Qin Juan: “According to plan, the version will update every two weeks, each time adding a new feature. By year’s end, we aim to launch the full-featured Demon Nail, realizing all functions in our roadmap.”

System: “...I don’t think I can do it.”

“I believe in you,” Qin Juan said. “You must believe in yourself. Your potential is limitless. With such an efficient system entering the industry, success and fame are just around the corner.”

“Really?” The system stirred excitedly.

Qin Juan smiled. “Of course.”

The system, more thrilled, discharged electricity, flourishing through Qin Juan’s Palace Master token.

As the lightning faded, Qin Juan watched the number of online users on the token steadily increase, revealing a very satisfied smile.

“Now, I will distribute the test questionnaire to your Demon Nails. Remember to complete and submit it by the end of today. The Demon Palace will strive to assign you the best roles according to your unique traits.”

The system thought Qin Juan’s words were full of nonsense yet felt the future was bright. Torn by this contradiction, it wasn’t sure whether to continue assisting the host.

Ding—

Demon Nail rang; a small red dot appeared on everyone’s token interface.

[Workplace Personality and Mental Health Test has been delivered~ Please click to see what traits you have~ ->>]

Qin Juan raised an eyebrow. The system, nervous, feared its questionnaire was flawed and would require rework.

“...Not bad. Next time, make it livelier to reflect our tense, serious, lively, and earnest work attitude.”

The system breathed a sigh of relief, almost expecting another scolding.

...

Zhu Changliu, napping outside the Clear Embrace Hall, heard a strange sound.

His wide peach blossom eyes opened reluctantly, shimmering with helplessness. He had come to the Demon Palace seeking peace, but instead found only trouble.

He looked down at himself and realized the sound came from his Palace Master token, which had been inexplicably altered by a flash of lightning, now showing a mysterious little red dot.

Then a series of baffling words appeared.

Click?

Zhu Changliu tapped once.

Instantly, a screen filled with text popped up.

[Do you consider yourself kind and friendly? A) Definitely yes B) Not sure C) Definitely not]

[If a colleague framed you, what would you do? A) Return kindness for harm B) Turn dark on the spot C) Keep evidence and report to HR]

?

Is he the Great Buddha of the Floating Earth Sect or still a suckling child?