Chapter 410 The Whereabouts of the Molten Core Evolution Materials!

Under the guidance of Iron Mountain Liu, Jiang Yun...

...walked through the corridors of the City Lord's Manor toward the Assembly Hall.

Along the way, there were pavilions, terraces, towers, painted beams, carved pillars, rockeries, flowing water, and rare flowers and herbs; everything one could imagine was present.

The scale and grandeur of this City Lord's Manor were even greater than he had imagined.

Compared to the Su Family's estate, a second-rate Family in the provincial capital's Qingmu District, it was not only comparable but even more luxurious and exquisite in some of its decorative details.

"It seems Iron Mountain Liu put quite a bit of thought into this."

Jiang Yun nodded inwardly.

He felt a bit more approval for this newly recruited subordinate.

Elder Liu Lan walked through the air, her water-blue long dress fluttering gently with every ripple she stepped out, like a Fairy treading upon waves.

She walked beside Jiang Yun, half a step behind; though her posture was casual, it faintly exuded a sense of respect toward Jiang Yun.

Or rather, respect for the identity of Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu followed behind to his left and right, their expressions respectful.

The group passed through the corridor and arrived in front of the Assembly Hall's doors.

The hall's doors were two heavy Sandalwood doors, carved with lifelike patterns of auspicious clouds and Auspicious Beasts.

Two guards stood on each side of the door. Seeing Jiang Yun and his group approaching...

...they immediately knelt on one knee and said in unison, "Greetings, City Lord!"

"Rise."

Jiang Yun spoke indifferently, his tone calm.

He did not feel that he was unworthy of the title.

The guards hurriedly stood up and pushed open the heavy doors.

*Creak!!*

The heavy hinges emitted a low sound, and the interior of the Assembly Hall came into view.

The hall was extremely spacious, enough to accommodate over a hundred people.

In the center was a path covered with a red carpet, leading directly to the main seat at the far end.

On both sides of the path, two rows of seats were arranged, all crafted from high-quality Spiritual Wood and exquisitely carved.

At this moment, many people were already waiting inside the hall.

Seeing the doors open and Jiang Yun walk in, everyone stood up in unison, their gazes simultaneously falling upon Jiang Yun.

In those gazes, there was awe, curiosity, nervousness, and also expectation.

Jiang Yun glanced around; there were about thirty people in the hall, with Ranks ranging from Gold Rank to Amethyst Rank.

There were even one or two Diamond Rank experts.

They were all mid-to-high-level backbones of the previous four major forces.

Iron Mountain Liu stepped forward quickly and bowed. "City Lord, these are the managers and deacons from the previous four forces who stayed behind and are willing to serve you. I have already performed a preliminary screening, and they are all usable people."

Jiang Yun nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, every step steady and powerful. His silver-white mask glinted coldly under the spiritual light within the hall.

The mask hid his face, but it could not hide the invisible Aura about him.

It was a temperament forged through life-and-death combat and slaughter from a sea of blood, as well as the majesty of a superior who controlled a city and decided life and death with a single word.

Inside the hall.

The gazes of the thirty-plus people moved with Jiang Yun's steps. No one dared to make a sound, and even their breathing unconsciously became lighter.

Jiang Yun walked to the main seat.

It was a high-backed chair made entirely of Obsidian Spirit Rock. A lifelike, majestic, and domineering exotic beast with wings spread as if to fly was carved on the back.

A fist-sized spirit crystal was embedded in each armrest, emitting a faint glow.

This was the seat of the City Lord.

The symbol of the master of Black Rock City.

Jiang Yun did not hesitate and sat upon it as a matter of course.

His back was straight, his hands rested on the armrests, and his gaze calmly swept over the entire room.

At that moment, a single thought rose simultaneously in the hearts of the thirty-plus people in the hall.

This youth was their City Lord.

He was the existence who had caused one death and two cripplings among three Peak Meteor Tier 9 Old Ancestor-level experts.

The existence who had made the four major forces of Black Rock City a thing of history.

The existence who had a Eclipsing Moon Rank expert from the Liu Family backing him.

The existence who had caused the collapse of the three major forces with a single sentence.

Although his cultivation seemed to be only Gold Rank and his face was hidden by the silver-white mask, the Aura emanating from his very bones made everyone present feel palpitations.

Elder Liu Lan also unceremoniously found a high seat and sat down.

It was the first seat to the right below the main seat, closest to Jiang Yun and the highest in status.

When she sat down, her water-blue dress spread out like waves. Although she did not intentionally release her Aura, the pressure unique to an Eclipsing Moon Rank expert still made the air in the hall feel a bit heavier.

Everyone glanced at her, but no one said anything.

They didn't dare say anything.

This was an Elder of the Liu Family, and moreover, a terrifying Eclipsing Moon Rank existence.

Less than half an hour ago, they had witnessed this Elder Liu Lan kill two Peak Meteor Tier 9 beasts in an instant with a casual strike, without even summoning her own beast.

That terrifying scene was still deeply etched in their minds, impossible to shake off.

Faced with such an existence, they didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, let alone have any objections.

Jiang Yun settled in, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

The thirty-plus people below understood simultaneously. They all knelt on one knee, cupped their fists, and shouted loudly.

"Subordinates greet the City Lord!"

The voices of the thirty-plus people converged, echoing in the hall and making the air hum.

The voices were full of awe and submission.

Jiang Yun looked at the people kneeling on the ground, and the corners of his mouth under the mask curled up slightly.

This was the taste of power.

A single word could make dozens of people kneel in submission.

But his heart did not experience much of a stir.

Having gone through so much, he was no longer that fledgling youth.

He knew that the submission of these people included both sincerity and pretense.

Some were because they were in awe of his methods, some because they feared Elder Liu Lan's strength, and some because they had no other choice but to rely on him.

However, none of that was important.

As long as he was strong enough, the loyalty of these people would be real.

Jiang Yun raised his hand, his tone flat.

"Rise. There is no need for such ceremony."

"Thank you, City Lord!"

Everyone responded in unison and stood up, but they still stood with their hands down, not daring to take a seat.

Jiang Yun's gaze swept across every face, taking in all their current expressions.

There were those so nervous their foreheads were sweating, those so excited their faces were flushed, those cautiously not daring to look up, and those secretly sizing him up.

All sorts of demeanors were visible at a glance.

Jiang Yun spoke.

"Since you all have chosen to stay and serve this City Lord, then you are my people."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

The tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"My rules are very simple."

"There is only one."

He held up one finger.

"Loyalty."

He said these two words very slowly and heavily.

"To those loyal to this City Lord, I will naturally not treat you poorly. Cultivation Techniques, resources, status—as long as you have the ability and merit, I will never be stingy."

At this point, he paused, and his tone suddenly turned cold.

"But if anyone dares to betray me..."

His gaze was like a blade, sweeping across everyone present.

"You have seen the fate of Old Granny Han, Jin Buhuan, and Old Ghost Bai."

As soon as these words were spoken, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.

Everyone couldn't help but shiver, the scene from the square not long ago flashing in their minds.

Old Granny Han, a Peak Meteor Tier 9 Old Ancestor-level expert, had fallen.

Jin Buhuan and Old Ghost Bai, also Peak Meteor Tier 9 experts, had their beasts crippled, their cultivation plummeted, and they had fled in a sorry state.

And all of this was because they had offended the young City Lord wearing the silver-white mask before them.

"Subordinates will swear loyalty to the City Lord unto death!"

It was unknown who shouted first, but immediately everyone knelt again and shouted in unison.

"Subordinates will swear loyalty to the City Lord unto death! If we have a change of heart, may heaven strike us with lightning!"

The sound shook the heavens, echoing in the hall for a long time.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly and gestured for everyone to rise.

Then, he turned to Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu.

"Blood Lady, Iron Mountain Liu."

"Present!"

The two of them stepped forward together and knelt on one knee.

Jiang Yun's voice rang out in the hall, solemn and majestic.

"From this day forward, you two shall be the Left and Right Elders of the Black Rock City Lord's Manor."

"Blood Lady shall be the Left Elder, and Iron Mountain Liu shall be the Right Elder."

"Your authority and status will be second only to me. If I am not in the city, all matters of Black Rock City, large and small, will be handled by you two with full authority. Your orders will be as my own."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

The gazes of the thirty-plus people fell upon Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu, their eyes filled with envy and awe.

Left and Right Elders!

Below one person, above ten thousand!

What level of trust, what level of honor was this!

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu were also shaken. They raised their heads, their eyes full of disbelief.

They had guessed that Jiang Yun would place them in important positions, but they hadn't expected that the authority he would give them would be so great.

When the City Lord was away, they were equivalent to the City Lord!

He was handing the entire Black Rock City over to them!

"City Lord..."

Blood Lady's voice was a bit choked.

She had struggled in Black Rock City for many years, managing to support the Blood Fiend Pavilion, but it was still only one of the four major forces.

She had failed to unify Black Rock City.

Now, Jiang Yun had not only subdued the four major forces but had also appointed her as the Left Elder, with authority second only to the City Lord.

How could she not be moved by this trust?

Iron Mountain Liu's eyes were also reddening.

Like Blood Lady, he was originally the leader of the Red Fire Mercenary Group and was considered a figure in Black Rock City, but in the end, he was also just one of the four major forces.

Now that he had become the Right Elder of the City Lord's Manor, his status was more than a level higher than before.

More importantly, it was the City Lord's trust in them.

"Thank you for your grace, City Lord!"

The two shouted in unison, their voices full of excitement and gratitude.

"We will not fail your trust, City Lord, and will swear loyalty unto death!"

Jiang Yun nodded and gestured for the two to rise.

"Rise."

The two stood up and retreated to Jiang Yun's side.

Below, the thirty-plus people watched this scene, their awe for this new City Lord deepening by several degrees.

This City Lord was not only ruthless and decisive in slaughter, but he also used people without suspicion and was clear about rewards and punishments.

Following such a master, as long as one was loyal, there was no need to worry about not having a day to rise.

Jiang Yun gave a few more simple instructions and then waved his hand. "You all may withdraw. Elder Blood and Elder Liu, stay behind."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison and filed out of the hall.

Soon, only Jiang Yun, Elder Liu Lan, Blood Lady, and Iron Mountain Liu remained in the hall.

The doors slowly closed, and the hall became quiet.

Jiang Yun leaned back against the City Lord's seat, relaxing slightly.

He looked at Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu and said, "I will be leaving Black Rock City shortly with Elder Liu to go to the provincial capital's Liu Family."

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu were both slightly stunned upon hearing this.

"The City Lord is leaving so soon?"

Iron Mountain Liu couldn't help but ask.

Jiang Yun nodded.

"There are some matters that must be attended to."

He did not explain further, and the two did not dare to ask.

"While I am away, Black Rock City is entrusted to you two."

Jiang Yun's tone became solemn.

"I require you to completely transform Black Rock City during the time I am away."

"Black Rock City has been chaotic for too long, without Laws or rules, where the weak are prey to the strong and might makes right."

"But that was in the past."

"From today on, Black Rock City will have the rules of Black Rock City."

He held up three fingers.

"First, private fighting is prohibited within the city. Any disputes shall be decided by the City Lord's Mansion."

"Second, protect the safety of the city's commoners and merchants. Anyone who dares to oppress the people or seize by force will be severely punished."

"Third, rectify the order within the city. Shops, streets, and city gates must be guarded and managed by personnel from the City Lord's Mansion."

At this point, his tone paused, and his gaze swept over the faces of the two.

"Can you two manage these three rules?"

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu exchanged a look and cupped their fists simultaneously.

"Rest assured, City Lord! Your subordinates will do our utmost to manage Black Rock City in an orderly fashion!"

"Your subordinate will not fail the City Lord's trust!"

Jiang Yun nodded, satisfied with their attitude.

Then, Blood Lady spoke again: "City Lord, there is one more matter I need to ask for your instructions."

"Speak."

"It's like this: previously, the four major powers each had their own industries and shops in Black Rock City, such as Spirit Medicine Shops, Medicinal Pill Pavilions, Beast Core Trading Houses, Rune Workshops, and so on. These shops bring in quite a bit of Spirit Crystal revenue every month."

As Blood Lady spoke, she counted on her fingers to give examples.

"Like the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group's Spirit Medicine Shop, it specializes in selling various grades of Spirit Medicines and Spiritual Plants, with a monthly net profit of about five hundred thousand Spirit Crystals."

"The Black Wind Stronghold's Beast Core Trading House buys and sells various Beast Tamers' beast cores, with a monthly net profit of around seven to eight hundred thousand Spirit Crystals."

"The Red Fire Mercenary Group's Rune Workshop produces and sells various runes and Formation Plates, with even higher profits, bringing in over a million Spirit Crystals a month."

"And our Blood Fiend Pavilion's Intelligence Trading Post, which sells all kinds of intelligence and news, also makes three to four million Spirit Crystals a month..."

She listed seven or eight types of shops in one breath, explaining each one clearly.

Jiang Yun nodded inwardly as he listened.

No wonder the four major powers could occupy Black Rock City for so long; relying solely on fighting and killing wouldn't work.

These shops and industries were their true Foundation, the economic lifeblood that supported thousands of subordinates.

"Now that the four major powers have all submitted to the City Lord's Mansion, these industries naturally belong to the City Lord's Mansion as well."

Blood Lady continued.

"It's just that I would like to ask for the City Lord's opinion on how these shops should be allocated and managed. Should the City Lord's Mansion manage them uniformly, or..."

Jiang Yun waved his hand, interrupting her request.

"You two can arrange these matters yourselves."

His tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable trust.

"This City Lord only looks at results."

"As long as the monthly revenue does not decrease and the order of Black Rock City gets better and better, you are more familiar with the specific operations than this City Lord."

After all, Jiang Yun's least lacking resource now was Spirit Crystals.

This pittance of income.

Jiang Yun was too lazy to manage it.

Hearing this, Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu were both stunned.

Immediately, an indescribable feeling of being moved welled up in their hearts.

The monthly Spirit Crystal revenue from these shops and industries added up to several million.

In any power, this would be a massive amount of wealth.

Any other City Lord would surely keep it firmly in their own hands, inquiring about every detail.

But Jiang Yun had handed it over to them without hesitation.

This level of trust...

The two knelt again, their voices trembling slightly.

"The City Lord trusts us so much, your subordinate... your subordinate really doesn't know how to repay you!"

"Rest assured, City Lord, your subordinate will do our utmost and never fail the City Lord's trust!"

Jiang Yun looked at the excited pair.

His heart was also slightly touched.

He wasn't trusting them blindly.

Earlier in the plaza, when Jin Buhuan and Old Ghost Bai made their final counterattack, and the Golden-Winged Thunder Eagle and Frost Gray Wolf attacked him with full force, Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu had shielded him with their bodies without a second thought.

At that moment, Jiang Yun had already determined it.

These two were absolutely loyal to him.

One must know, at that time, the Golden-Winged Thunder Eagle and Frost Gray Wolf were beasts at the Peak Meteor Tier 9, while Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu's beasts were only at the low Falling Star Rank.

By blocking them, they were practically gambling with their lives.

Or rather, if Elder Liu Lan hadn't intervened, they would have used their lives to buy even a split second for Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun kept such loyalty in mind.

"Alright, stand up."

Jiang Yun raised his hand, his tone softening a bit.

"When there are no outsiders in the future, there's no need for so much etiquette."

The two stood up, their eyes slightly red.

Jiang Yun spoke again: "There is one more thing I want you two to do for me."

"Please give your orders, City Lord!"

The two immediately turned serious.

Jiang Yun leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, and said slowly: "You have wide connections and are well-informed in Black Rock City. I want you to help keep an eye out for the whereabouts of several Materials."

"Please speak, City Lord!"

Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and began to list them one by one.

"First, the heart of molten fire. A fire attribute supreme treasure, the grade must be at least Falling Star Rank or above."

"Second, the thunder soul crystal. A Rare lightning attribute material, also at least Falling Star Rank."

"Third, Necrotic Crystal. A dark attribute material, Falling Star Rank."

"Fourth, Shadow Core. dark attribute, Falling Star Rank."

"Fifth, Abyss Blood. dark attribute, the higher the grade, the better."

With every item he mentioned, Blood Lady's and Iron Mountain Liu's expressions grew more solemn.

After Jiang Yun finished, the two looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock.

"These... these Materials..."

Iron Mountain Liu couldn't help but gasp.

"City Lord, although the grade requirements for these Materials aren't particularly high, every single one of them is an extremely rare existence!"

Blood Lady also nodded: "Yes, City Lord. The heart of molten fire, as far as I know, is a fire attribute supreme treasure that can only be bred in extreme volcanic environments over hundreds or even thousands of years; it's extremely rare. The thunder soul crystal is a lightning attribute treasure formed only when heavenly lightning strikes special Ores in places with dense lightning; it's simply not seen in ordinary places."

"And the Necrotic Crystal and Shadow Core are Materials that only appear in dead lands or abysses where dark attribute energy is extremely concentrated."

"Abyss Blood is even more of a Legendary item, said to be the essence blood of an Abyss Demonic Dragon or a being of the same level; it would probably be hard to find even a single drop in the entire Provincial City."

The more they spoke, the more alarmed they became.

Any one of these Materials, if taken out, would be enough for countless Beast Tamers to fight over.

Yet Jiang Yun asked for five in one go!

Jiang Yun nodded, not surprised by their reaction.

These Materials were indeed extremely rare items.

Otherwise, the second evolution of Little Fire, Little Skylark, and Nether Abyss wouldn't have been stuck on the material requirement.

"This City Lord knows these Materials are hard to find."

Jiang Yun's tone was calm.

"So I don't require you to definitely find them, just keep an eye out. If there are any leads or clues, inform me immediately."

"Your subordinates understand!"

The two responded in unison.

Just then, Blood Lady suddenly frowned, as if she had remembered something.

She muttered to herself.

"heart of molten fire... heart of molten fire..."

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and her voice rose.

"City Lord! I remember!"

Jiang Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Remembered what?"

"The whereabouts of the heart of molten fire!"

Blood Lady said excitedly.

"A few days ago, I heard my subordinates mention something. The Provincial City's Beast Tamer Federal Government officials have taken control of a newly discovered Secret Realm called the Molten Cavern. I heard that in that Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, there are clues about the heart of molten fire!"

"What?"

Jiang Yun suddenly sat up straight.

Molten Cavern!

Molten Cavern again!

The dragon blood bodhi needed for Little Fire's evolution was in the Molten Cavern.

Now, the clues for the heart of molten fire also pointed to the Molten Cavern!

Two core evolution Materials were actually in the same Secret Realm?

"Are you sure?"

There was a hint of urgency in Jiang Yun's voice.

Blood Lady nodded solemnly.

"Positive! Because among the personnel involved in exploring that Secret Realm at the time, there were people from our Blood Fiend Pavilion."

She paused and recalled: "When the Provincial City's Beast Tamer Federal Government discovered the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm, they organized a group of people to go in and explore. Because our Blood Fiend Pavilion had some friendship with a power in the Provincial City, we also sent two people along."

"The people who went in stayed in the Secret Realm for three days. Although they didn't get the heart of molten fire, they did hear others mention that in the depths of the Secret Realm, there is a place that is very likely to breed the heart of molten fire. That is a Core Area of the heart's magma, where the temperature is extremely high, and even Amethyst Rank beasts cannot approach."

"However..."

Her tone shifted, sounding a bit regretful.

"The people from the Federal Government monitored it too strictly, and the Core Area was held by them. Our Blood Fiend Pavilion's people were just peripheral explorers and had no chance to go deep. So they don't know the specific location of the heart of molten fire."

Jiang Yun leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, falling into deep thought.

Molten Cavern...

Federal Government...

Core Area...

It seemed that if he wanted to get the heart of molten fire, he had to enter the Core Area of the Molten Cavern.

And to enter the Core Area, he needed a slot.

At this time, Iron Mountain Liu also spoke up.

"City Lord, speaking of slots..."

He scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Our Red Fire Mercenary Group originally had one slot to enter the Molten Cavern. Not just the Red Fire Mercenary Group, the Blood Fiend Pavilion also had one, and the Black Wind Stronghold and Blood Thorn Mercenary Group each had one or two slots."

"It's just that now that the four major powers no longer exist, these slots probably..."

He gave a sheepish smile and didn't continue.

Hearing this, Jiang Yun said indifferently: "It's not that the four major powers are gone, but that they have now become part of the Black Rock City's City Lord's Mansion."

"These slots naturally belong to the City Lord's Mansion as well."

Upon hearing this, both Iron Mountain Liu and Blood Lady's eyes lit up.

That's right!

Although the four major powers were gone, the City Lord's Mansion was still there!

Those four slots would naturally merge into the four slots of the City Lord's Mansion!

Jiang Yun continued: "Arrange the slots for the Molten Cavern. Select the talented and potential younger generation in Black Rock City to enter. Their cultivation must be at least at the Gold Rank or above, and their Heart-Nature must pass the test."

"At the same time, tell them that after entering the Secret Realm, help keep an eye out for the heart of molten fire. If anyone can find clues for the heart of molten fire for this City Lord, I will surely reward them handsomely."

He held up three fingers.

"First, a reward of one Falling Star Rank beast-taming Cultivation Technique."

"Second, a reward of one Falling Star Rank treasure."

"Third, this City Lord will personally take action for them once."

Hearing this, Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu...

...both gasped.

This reward was simply too heavy!

Falling Star Rank beast-taming Cultivation Techniques and Falling Star Rank treasures were both priceless treasures that couldn't be bought even with money.

As for the City Lord personally taking action once.

After witnessing Jiang Yun's methods, they knew full well how much weight this promise carried.

"Rest assured, City Lord! Your subordinate will go and arrange it now!"

"Your subordinate will definitely select the most elite younger generation and do our best to find the heart of molten fire for the City Lord!"

The two promised in unison.

Jiang Yun nodded.

He pondered for a moment more and then spoke: "One more thing."

The two immediately pricked up their ears.

"Black Rock City has just been established, and everything is waiting to be rebuilt. We cannot rely solely on us; we must Cultivate fresh blood so that Black Rock City's strength can be continuously replenished."

"Select a group of talented young people from the city, regardless of their background or status. As long as their talent is sufficient and their Heart-Nature is upright, bring them into the City Lord's Manor for training. The City Lord's Manor will provide the Cultivation Techniques and resources."

"I will leave this matter to the two of you."

Hearing this, Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu felt their hearts tremble once more.

The City Lord was planning to... build a true power!

It wasn't like the previous four major powers that each occupied a corner; he intended to truly integrate Black Rock City into a single entity and Cultivate his own strength.

In this way, Black Rock City would no longer be a heap of loose sand, but a true organization!

A power with a Foundation, heritage, and a future!

The two looked at each other, seeing excitement and exhilaration in each other's eyes.

"The City Lord is wise!"

"Your subordinates will certainly go all out to Cultivate a group of elites for the City Lord!"

Jiang Yun nodded with satisfaction.

"Alright, that is all. Go and attend to it."

He stood up.

"It is time for this City Lord to leave."

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu hurriedly bowed.

"Your subordinates respectfully see off the City Lord!"

Jiang Yun turned to look at Elder Liu Lan, who had been waiting quietly by the side.

From beginning to end, Elder Liu Lan had sat in a high position without saying a word, quietly watching Jiang Yun handle various affairs.

The corners of her mouth held a faint smile, and her eyes were full of appreciation.

Seeing Jiang Yun look over, Elder Liu Lan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Master Jiang, finished with your work?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

"I have kept Elder Liu waiting. We can set off now."

Elder Liu Lan stood up, her water-blue dress flowing like ripples of water.

"Then let us go."

She stepped toward the hall entrance, and Jiang Yun followed by her side.

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu followed closely behind.

They escorted them all the way outside the hall.

"Respectfully seeing off the City Lord!"

The two bowed again, their voices full of reluctance.

Jiang Yun looked back at them and nodded slightly.

"Black Rock City is in your hands."

With that, he turned and followed Elder Liu Lan outside.

They walked out of the City Lord's Manor's main gate.

Jiang Yun suddenly stopped.

"Elder Liu, this Junior has one more presumptuous request."

Elder Liu Lan turned her head to look at him.

"Speak."

"I have a partner who is currently Cultivating in seclusion at the Blood Fiend Pavilion. I wish to take her with me to the Su Family."

Jiang Yun said.

"I wonder if it would be convenient for Elder Liu?"

Hearing this, Elder Liu Lan's eyebrows rose slightly.

"Partner?"

She looked at Jiang Yun with a half-smile.

"To be called a partner by Grand Tutor Dongxuan, she must not be an ordinary person, right?"

Jiang Yun said frankly, "She is a beast companion."

"A beast companion?"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Elder Liu Lan's eyes.

"Fine, I would like to see what is so special about a beast companion that Grand Tutor Dongxuan values so much."

She raised her right hand and made a grasping motion.

A surge of water-blue Law power spread from her palm like a ripple, enveloping Jiang Yun and herself.

Jiang Yun felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scenery began to retreat rapidly.

Wind Rush!

It was a speed akin to shrinking the earth into inches!

In just a breath or two, the surrounding scenery had completely changed.

The City Lord's Manor had vanished, replaced by a pavilion complex built against a mountain.

The Blood Fiend Pavilion!

Jiang Yun's heart was shaken.

From the City Lord's Manor to the Blood Fiend Pavilion, the distance was dozens of miles.

Yet, under Elder Liu Lan's spatial techniques, it took less than two breaths!

Is this the power of an Eclipse Moon Rank Expert?

Controlling the power of Law, shrinking the earth, and crossing space as if strolling through a courtyard.

Compared to the methods of the Immortals in the legends of his previous life, it was probably no more than this!

Jiang Yun was shocked, gaining a more direct understanding of the power of the eclipsing moon Rank.

Elder Liu Lan withdrew her Law power, and the water-blue light dissipated.

She glanced at Jiang Yun, and seeing the shock in his eyes, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, seemingly satisfied with his reaction.

"Go ahead, I will wait for you here."

Elder Liu Lan said calmly.

Jiang Yun snapped out of it and cupped his fists to Elder Liu Lan, "Thank you, Elder Liu."

With that, he turned toward the Blood Fiend Pavilion and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, where there was a faint contract connection.

The Fox Heart Moon Vow.

Although Fox Immortal was not his contracted beast, through this vow, they shared a mental connection that transcended ordinary contracts.

"Fox Immortal, you can come out now. We are going to another place."

Jiang Yun thought to himself.

He transmitted this thought through the vow.

Deep within the Blood Fiend Pavilion.

Inside a quiet room shrouded in five-colored light.

Fox Immortal sat cross-legged, surrounded by Five-Colored Divine Light.

The power of the Five Elements Origin Law—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—intertwined and flowed, wrapping her in a brilliant cocoon of light.

Her Aura was climbing at an extremely slow but steady pace.

Peak Third Stage of Meteor Rank... advancing toward Meteorite Level 4.

The medicinal power of the nine-leaf purple lingzhi had been mostly refined by her, and the remaining essence had integrated into her limbs and bones, quietly changing her Physique and potential.

Just then, a familiar thought entered her Sea of Consciousness.

Fox Immortal's eyes opened slightly.

In those eyes, a five-colored light flashed and vanished.

"Jiang Yun is calling me..."

She murmured softly to herself.

Then, she stood up, and the Five-Colored Divine Light around her slowly retracted.

She glanced at the quiet room that had accompanied her for a long time.

A faint smile appeared on Fox Immortal's lips.

"It is time to go."

As her voice fell.

Her figure transformed into a five-colored stream of light, flying out of the quiet room, passing through the layers of buildings of the Blood Fiend Pavilion, and heading outside.

Outside the Blood Fiend Pavilion.

Jiang Yun was waiting quietly when he suddenly saw a five-colored stream of light streak out from the depths of the Blood Fiend Pavilion.

The light was as fast as a lightning bolt, landing in front of him in the blink of an eye.

The light dissipated, revealing Fox Immortal's figure.

Dressed in white as pure as snow, with hair like a waterfall, her exquisite face shimmered with a faint luster in the sunlight.

Her temperament was even more ethereal than before her seclusion, and a five-colored halo faintly flowed around her body—a phenomenon of the Five Elements Origin Law power integrating into her very marrow.

"Jiang Yun."

Fox Immortal looked at Jiang Yun.

Her expression remained cold.

Jiang Yun nodded and looked her up and down.

"How was the refinement?"

"The medicinal power of the nine-leaf purple lingzhi is mostly refined; in a few more days, I can fully absorb it."

Fox Immortal said softly.

"By then, I should be able to Breakthrough to Meteorite Level 4 or even the fifth stage."

Jiang Yun nodded with satisfaction.

Then.

He turned to Elder Liu Lan and introduced her to Fox Immortal: "This is Elder Liu Lan from the provincial capital's Su Family, an Eclipse Moon Rank Expert. Back in Black Rock City, it was thanks to Elder Liu's intervention that a crisis was resolved."

Fox Immortal followed Jiang Yun's gaze.

She saw Elder Liu Lan standing not far away in her water-blue dress.

Her gaze narrowed slightly.

Eclipsing Moon Rank!

The Aura on this woman was like a bottomless cold pool—calm on the surface, but containing a terrifying power capable of destroying heaven and earth in its depths.

Fox Immortal bowed slightly with an elegant posture.

She showed no sign of fear.

Elder Liu Lan did not respond; her gaze fell on Fox Immortal, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She studied Fox Immortal carefully, her eyes full of scrutiny and inquiry.

A moment later, the corner of Elder Liu Lan's mouth curved slightly.

"Interesting."

She said softly.

"Truly interesting."

She turned to Jiang Yun with a playful look in her eyes.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan actually has such a powerful beast companion by his side. Peak Third Stage of Meteor Rank... no, that's not right, your Aura has already touched the threshold of Meteorite Level 4 and could Breakthrough at any time."

She paused, her gaze returning to Fox Immortal.

"Moreover, the Aura on you... Five Elements Origin Law?"

A flash of shock appeared in Elder Liu Lan's eyes.

"A beast companion has actually mastered the Five Elements Origin Law? And has reached the level of comprehensive mastery?"

The more she looked, the more startled she became.

She even felt that the Five Elements Law power on this beast companion was somewhat familiar.

As if she had felt it somewhere before.

The Five Elements Origin Law was one of the most fundamental Laws in the world.

For an ordinary beast to master one attribute Law was already a sign of extraordinary talent, but to master five simultaneously and perfectly fuse them...

This was no longer just extraordinary talent; it was Heaven-Defying!

What shocked her even more was...

"However, your Cultivation Realm..."

Elder Liu Lan frowned slightly.

"Master Dong Xuan, you seem to only be at the Amethyst Rank? Why do you possess a Falling Star Rank beast companion? Could it be that you used some special concealment method to hide your true Cultivation Realm?"

She thought to herself.

If he really was hiding his Cultivation, then this concealment method was simply too brilliant.

Even she, an Eclipse Moon Rank Expert, could not see through it.

Fox Immortal did not explain upon hearing this.

Jiang Yun did not say much either.

It was impossible for Elder Liu Lan to guess that Jiang Yun and Fox Immortal had not actually signed a contract.

Seeing that neither of them explained, Elder Liu Lan did not press further.

She took a deep look at Fox Immortal, then at Jiang Yun, the smile on her lips deepening.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, the secrets you carry are even more than I imagined."

She said softly.

"It seems this trip to the Su Family will be very interesting."

Jiang Yun smiled slightly.

"Elder Liu overpraises me. This Junior is merely a bit lucky."

"Luck?"

Elder Liu Lan chuckled.

"To become Grand Tutor Dongxuan, to subdue a beast companion that has mastered the Five Elements Origin Law, and to make a Meteor Tier 9 Peak expert kneel and beg for mercy... that is not something that can be achieved by luck alone."

She waved her hand.

"Never mind, I will not ask further."

"Let us go, it is time to head to the Su Family."

She raised her right hand again, and the water-blue Law power spread out, enveloping both Jiang Yun and Fox Immortal.

Jiang Yun felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scenery began to retreat rapidly once more.

The Blood Fiend Pavilion and Black Rock City turned into a small dot behind them in the blink of an eye.

In the sky ahead, the water-blue light was like a long river, carrying the three figures as they flew toward the provincial capital.

The speed was so fast they covered a hundred miles in an instant.

Standing within the barrier formed by the Law power, Jiang Yun watched the mountains and rivers flash by beneath his feet, his heart filled with shock.

This was the power of the eclipsing moon Rank.

Controlling Laws at will.

Shrinking the earth into inches, making vast distances seem close at hand.

One day, he would also reach this Realm.

No, he would surpass this Realm.

Jiang Yun clenched his fists, a blazing fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.

The Molten Cavern, the dragon blood bodhi, the heart of molten fire...

These were all just stepping stones on his path of growth.

His goal was a higher sky.

A farther horizon...