301: Chapter 301: A Well-Planned Strategy

Meanwhile, in the Far North Land.

Sword Qi Great Wall, City Lord Manor.

Xiao Ran sat behind the desk, a massive map of the Northern Territory spread out before him.

His fingers moved slowly across the map, from the Far North Land to the Sword Qi Great Wall, from the Sword Qi Great Wall to the Eternal Night Demon Sect, from the Eternal Night Demon Sect to the Supreme Dao Palace, and from the Supreme Dao Palace to the Great Qian Dynasty.

His gaze fell upon the Eternal Night Demon Sect in the center of the map, his eyes deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.

He had already integrated all the factions in the Far North Land.

The Six Great Demon Clans had submitted, the various Sects had pledged allegiance, and the Sword Qi Great Wall was as stable as a rock under his control.

The City Defense Army, the Patrol Guard, and the intelligence network had all been replaced by his own people.

Those who refused were dead, and the rest had obediently accepted his Divine Soul curse.

Now, he was the one who called the shots in the entire Far North Land.

"My Lord, a message from the Eternal Night Demon Sect."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing pushed open the door and entered, holding a Jade Slip in her hand.

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing was wearing a cyan dress, her hair tied into a high bun, looking much more capable.

She was now the Internal Affairs Manager of the City Lord Manor. Although her Cultivation was only at the Golden Core Stage, she handled matters efficiently and was deeply trusted by Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

A voice came from within.

"Xiao Ran, the Sect Master has important matters to discuss. Return to the Eternal Night Demon Sect immediately."

Xiao Ran put down the Jade Slip, instantly understanding the situation.

Important matters? What important matters?

He had stayed in the Eternal Night Demon Sect for so long and had never been summoned by the Sect Master.

Being summoned suddenly, one could figure out what was going on with their toes.

The Third Supreme Elder could not wait any longer.

"My Lord, is there something happening at the Sect?" Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing asked curiously.

Xiao Ran leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

"It is nothing. The Sect Master misses me and wants me to go back for a visit."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing blinked, not quite believing him, but she did not dare to ask further.

"Then when will you depart, My Lord?"

Xiao Ran thought for a moment: "No rush. Let me settle the matters of the Far North Land first before leaving."

"Yes, I will go and prepare."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing turned and left.

Xiao Ran sat behind the desk, closing his eyes in contemplation. He contacted Li Changsheng through the Soul Link.

"Changsheng, how are things on your end?"

Li Changsheng's voice came through quickly, carrying a hint of excitement.

"I am still Cultivating inside the law seed. My Cultivation has already reached the Fusion Stage Early, but I have not finished digesting the power of the Law. It will probably take a few more days."

"This thing is too nourishing. I feel that if I absorb it for a few more days, I can reach the Peak of the Fusion Stage Early."

Xiao Ran nodded, although Li Changsheng could not see it.

"We cannot wait any longer. The Eternal Night Demon Sect has summoned me back. The Third Supreme Elder is about to make a move."

In the Soul Link, Li Changsheng was silent for a moment.

Then his voice became serious: "So soon? Are you sure?"

"I am sure. Sect Master Li Jiuyou sent the message personally, saying there are important matters to discuss."

"I have been in the Eternal Night Demon Sect for three years, and he has never looked for me. What could he possibly want by suddenly summoning me?" Xiao Ran's voice was very calm.

Li Changsheng was silent for a while longer.

"Then what do you plan to do? Go back alone? Isn't that just throwing your life away?"

"The Third Supreme Elder is an old monster at the Peak of the Body Integration stage who has lived for over nine thousand years. How can you, having just broken through to the Fusion Stage Early, fight him?"

"Who said I was going to throw my life away alone?" Xiao Ran laughed.

"I have a plan."

"What plan? Let me hear it."

Xiao Ran picked up a Jade Slip from the desk, recorded his plan into it, and then transmitted it to Li Changsheng via the Soul Link.

After reading it, Li Changsheng was silent for a long time.

"Are you crazy? This plan is too risky."

Li Changsheng's voice carried concern.

"You want me to hide in the law seed as an ambush? What if he discovers me?"

"He won't. The law seed is mine. As long as you restrain your aura to the limit, he will not be able to sense you." Xiao Ran's voice was very firm.

"Then what if his Possession speed is too fast and I don't have time to make a move?"

"That is why you must seize the time to Cultivate. The flow of time inside the law seed is slower than the outside world."

"For every year you stay inside, only one hour passes in the outside world. You have plenty of time to prepare."

Li Changsheng thought for a moment: "Are you sure you can hold out until I make a move?"

Xiao Ran laughed: "Rest assured, I am at the Fusion Stage Early, after all."

"Although I cannot beat him, holding him off for a while is no problem."

"Besides, I still have the body of the Nine-Headed Snake Emperor. I have plenty of trump cards."

Li Changsheng thought about it again and finally nodded: "Alright. Then I will wait for your signal."

"Good, it is a deal."

The two cut off the link.

Xiao Ran stood up and walked out of the study. It was time to settle the matters of the Far North Land.

...

City Lord Manor, Main Hall.

Xiao Ran sat in the main seat and summoned all the core members.

Elder Gu stood by his side, Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing stood below, and Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, Captain Zhao Wuji, Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui, and others had all arrived.

There were also several Guest Elders of the City Lord Manor, the commanders of the City Defense Army, and the captains of the Patrol Guard.

Dozens of people stood in the main hall, silent.

"I am going back to the Eternal Night Demon Sect," Xiao Ran said straightforwardly.

A commotion stirred in the main hall.

Elder Gu frowned, Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing bit her lip, Deputy Commander Tie Xiong scratched his head, and Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui remained expressionless.

"My Lord, when will you return?" Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing asked.

Xiao Ran thought for a moment.

"Perhaps a few days, perhaps a few months. It is uncertain."

Elder Gu stepped forward and bowed: "City Lord, the Far North Land has just stabilized. Although the Six Great Demon Clans have submitted, they may not be sincere."

"If you leave, what if they cause trouble..."

Xiao Ran raised his hand, interrupting him.

"The Old Ancestors of the Six Great Demon Clans are all dead, and the remaining Void Refinement Stage experts have all been cursed by me."

"They dare not cause trouble. Even if they do, they won't be able to stir up any waves."

Elder Gu nodded and said nothing more.

Xiao Ran looked at Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, and Captain Zhao Wuji.

"The three of you, the affairs of the City Defense Army are entrusted to you. When I am away, everything should continue as usual."

"Whoever dares to cause trouble, arrest them first and ask questions later."

Deputy Commander Tie Xiong patted his chest: "Rest assured, My Lord. Whoever dares to cause trouble, I will punch them to death!"

Captain Leng Yue said coldly: "The security of the East City is left to me. No problem."

Captain Zhao Wuji nodded: "Understood."

Xiao Ran looked at Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui again.

"The affairs of the Patrol Guard are entrusted to you, especially keep an eye on Wan Hua Pavilion. Do not let people cause trouble there."

Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui: "Understood!"

Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui was originally the number one Sword Cultivator of the inner Sect; being a Captain of the Patrol Guard was a waste of his talent.

But now he was a person of the City Lord Manor, and Xiao Ran trusted him.

Xiao Ran finally looked at Elder Gu and Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing.

"Elder Gu, Qingqing, the internal affairs and diplomacy of the City Lord Manor are entrusted to you both. After I leave, you have full authority."

Elder Gu bowed: "This old man will certainly do his utmost."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing's eyes were slightly red: "My Lord, you must be careful."

Xiao Ran nodded and stood up.

"Alright, everyone go back to your duties. I will depart tomorrow."

The crowd dispersed.

Only Xiao Ran and Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing remained in the main hall.

"My Lord, may I ask you a question?" Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing said in a low voice.

Xiao Ran looked at her: "Ask."

"Is it really important matters that the Eternal Night Demon Sect is summoning you back for? Or... is there someone who wants to harm you?"

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment.

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing had followed him for so long, and he did not want to lie to her.

"Someone wants to make a move on me. But I am prepared."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing's tears fell.

"My Lord, can you not go?"

Xiao Ran laughed and reached out to wipe the tears from her face.

"Not go? If I don't go, how can I become the King of the Northern Territory?"

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing bit her lip and said nothing more.

Xiao Ran patted her shoulder.

"Rest assured, your Lord will not die. Wait for me to return and take you all to conquer the Northern Territory."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing nodded heavily.

The next morning.

Xiao Ran stood in front of the City Lord Manor.

He changed into a clean black robe, with the yellow spring banner tucked at his waist and the ten thousand poison bead hidden in his sleeve.

The body of the Nine-Headed Snake Emperor had already been stored in the yellow spring banner, and over six hundred yellow spring corpses were also waiting in the banner.

The law seed was left with Li Changsheng, but his connection to the seed remained, and he could still sense Li Changsheng's state.

"My Lord, the teleportation array is ready."

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing walked over.

Xiao Ran nodded and turned to look at the group of people behind him.

Elder Gu, Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing, Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, Captain Zhao Wuji, Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui... and those Cultivators of the City Lord Manor whose names he could not recall.

They were all looking at him, some with worry, some with anticipation, some with complex emotions.

"Everyone go back. Wait for my return."

After saying this, Xiao Ran turned into a gray-black streak of light and flew toward the teleportation array.

The teleportation array lit up with white light, and Xiao Ran's figure disappeared within it.