158: Heading to the City Lord's Mansion

This voice... this tone?!

Mu Baitie was struck like a bolt from the blue, his eyes widening as he stared at Yao Delong in disbelief!

Scenes of the first time he met Yao Delong in the restaurant flashed through his mind—

That was a dying old man at the Qi Condensation stage with a decaying aura!

Later, when he successfully reached Foundation Establishment in White Cloud City and his appearance returned to that of a middle-aged man, it had already astounded him.

But the person before him... young and handsome, with an aura as deep as the sea, his cultivation level was completely indiscernible!

Was... was this really the same person?!

But seeing Lin Qingxue's look of confirmation and hearing the other's familiar tone, Mu Baitie had no more doubts!

He immediately composed himself, a look of profound respect appearing on his face as he bowed deeply to Yao Delong.

"Junior Mu Baitie pays his respects to Great Master Yao! I did not know of your arrival, Great Master, and failed to welcome you properly. I beg for your forgiveness!

You must come to the City Lord's Manor for a visit, Great Master! My father and Uncle Liu have both been hoping to thank you in person!

Especially Uncle Liu; if not for the Profound Dao Pill refined by the Great Master, his chances of a Nascent Soul Breakthrough would have been slim!"

Yao Delong looked at Mu Baitie's respectful attitude, which was like that of a completely different person,

and the sincere gratitude in his words. He felt moved, thinking that the kid had truly turned over a new leaf.

This place wasn't far from the Yin Yang Sect, so a short delay wouldn't hurt. He nodded. "Very well, then I shall trouble you."

Mu Baitie was overjoyed, his face turning red with excitement.

"Great Master, you are too kind! Your presence is an honor for the City Lord's Manor! Please, come this way! Please!"

He quickly stepped aside to lead the way, keeping his posture extremely humble.

On the way to the City Lord's Manor, Yao Delong and Lin Qingxue both noticed that when the residents along the way saw Mu Baitie,

they no longer shrank away in fear as before. Instead, many people took the initiative to greet him warmly.

"Greetings, Young Master Mu!"

"Young Master Mu, are you bringing distinguished guests back to the manor?"

"Young Master Mu, thank you for helping with the mediation last time!"

Mu Baitie also nodded and responded to each one with a smile, his attitude calm and even somewhat humble.

"It seems this kid has changed quite a bit recently."

Yao Delong sent a transmission to Lin Qingxue.

Lin Qingxue also nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes as she looked at Mu Baitie's back.

It seemed that the life-and-death crisis and his father's attack had truly transformed this playboy Young Master.

Mu Baitie enthusiastically led the three of them into the main hall of the City Lord's Manor.

Inside the hall, Mu Long was pointing at a sand table with a burly middle-aged man who had a powerful aura and a resolute face,

discussing the layout of the defensive works on the outskirts of White Cloud City.

That middle-aged man was none other than Liu Tiezhu, who had recently achieved a Nascent Soul Breakthrough!

Hearing footsteps, the two of them looked up.

Mu Long recognized the cold and elegant Lin Qingxue at a glance. A smile immediately broke out on his face as he cupped his hands and came forward to greet her.

"Fairy Lin! Since we parted at Ten Thousand Miasma Valley, your grace is even more radiant than before!"

"City Lord Mu, you overpraise me." Lin Qingxue nodded slightly in return.

Mu Long finally turned his gaze toward Yao Delong and the red-eyed Xin Yuelan, who was wearing a fox demon mask.

He looked at his son with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

The young man before him had an extraordinary bearing and was dressed elegantly, and his cultivation was even more unfathomable; he actually didn't recognize him for a moment.

Mu Baitie quickly stepped forward, his voice filled with excitement and respect.

"Father, Uncle Liu! This is Yao Delong, Great Master Yao!"

"Great Master Yao?!"

Mu Long and Liu Tiezhu exclaimed in unison, their gazes instantly focusing on Yao Delong.

Mu Long's eyes were filled with unbelievable shock.

A few months ago in White Cloud City, Yao Delong still looked middle-aged. Although he had reached Foundation Establishment, his aura was nowhere near as deep and unfathomable as it was now.

But the person before him was young and handsome, with an inner divine radiance. Every movement he made carried an air of captivating grace.

This change... it was practically a complete transformation, a return to youth!

Liu Tiezhu's reaction was even more direct and eager.

He lunged forward and gave Yao Delong a deep bow. His voice was loud and filled with sincere gratitude.

"Great Master Yao! This Liu thanks the Great Master for the grace of remaking me!

If not for the Profound Dao Pill refined by the Great Master, I fear I would have had no hope of glimpsing the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime!

This kindness, I will keep in my heart and never forget for all eternity!"

He knew well the preciousness of the Profound Dao Pill; in the entire Ba Xia Dynasty, the number of them in circulation was likely no more than five!

Countless great clans would exhaust their fortunes and still struggle to obtain one, just to pave the way for the Genius Juniors of their families.

To be able to obtain this pill was truly a heaven-sent Opportunity!

Yao Delong gave a faint smile and reached out to help him up.

"Senior Liu, you are too kind. A Medicinal Pill is ultimately an external object. That you were able to succeed in one go

is entirely due to your own deep Foundation and sufficient accumulation. This Yao, merely added the finishing touch."

Beside him, Xin Yuelan's red eyes flickered under her mask.

The Profound Dao Pill... it was because of this Profound Dao Pill that she had been hunting Yao Delong,

and as a result... she glanced at Yao Delong with mixed emotions. It was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice; she had even ended up getting herself caught.

"Great Master Yao is too modest!"

Mu Long also came to his senses, suppressing the shock in his heart, and quickly greeted them.

"Great Master, Fairy Lin, and this... distinguished guest, please take the seats of honor!

Baitie, quickly go and tell the steward to prepare a banquet of the highest standard!"

The banquet was soon ready, with delicacies and fine spiritual wine, showing the utmost hospitality.

During the banquet, host and guests were all happy, and the gratitude of the Mu father and son and Liu Tiezhu toward Yao Delong was beyond words.

Yao Delong was now at the Middle Golden Core Stage, and his Divine Sense was sharp. During the meal, he had already noticed an abnormality in Mu Long's left arm—

it appeared intact, but there was no sign of essence power flowing through it, as if it were dead.

After a few rounds of drinks, he set down his wine cup, looked at Mu Long, and said straightforwardly,

"City Lord Mu, forgive This Yao, for being presumptuous, but looking at your left arm, it seems there is an old injury?"

Hearing this, Mu Long was suddenly startled!

The problem with his left arm was something that no outsider could possibly know, except for a few core members of the manor and Physician Hua!

Great Master Yao could actually see through it at a glance? A bitter smile appeared on his face, and he did not hide it.

He detailed how he had been intercepted and attacked by demonic cultivators in White Cloud City that day, his left arm having been severed, and though Physician Hua's skilled hands had reattached it,

it left behind the sequelae of severed Spiritual Veins and the inability to circulate essence power.

Only then did Yao Delong realize that the Nascent Soul battle that broke out in the city that night was actually caused by the attack on Mu Long.

He pondered for a moment and said, "City Lord Mu, if you trust This Yao, may I examine it more closely?"

Hearing this, a strong light of hope instantly erupted in Mu Long's eyes!

Not only was Great Master Yao an Alchemy master, but he also understood medical principles?

He quickly stood up and said excitedly, "If the Great Master is willing to help, Mu Long couldn't ask for more! Great Master, please!"

Yao Delong motioned for Mu Long to sit down, then extended three fingers of his right hand and gently placed them on Mu Long's left wrist.

A wisp of pure and gentle essence power, like the most nimble probe, slowly entered Mu Long's left arm's Meridians.

After a moment, Yao Delong withdrew his fingers, understanding the situation:

"Indeed, after the severed arm was reattached, the Spiritual Veins were not perfectly connected, causing both ends to be blocked and preventing the essence power from flowing through.

This condition requires a Grade Seven Medicinal Pill, the 'Vein-Shaping Profound-Connecting Pill,' to be completely cured."

The fire of hope that had just ignited in Mu Long's eyes dimmed a bit, and he smiled bitterly.

"What the Great Master says is consistent with Physician Hua's diagnosis. It's just... a Grade Seven Medicinal Pill, how precious is that?

Looking at the entire Ba Xia Dynasty, I'm afraid only a few can be found.

Mu Long is but a city lord; in this lifetime... I fear I will never have such an Opportunity."

His tone was filled with deep helplessness and loss.

"A Grade Seven Medicinal Pill is indeed difficult for This Yao, to refine with my current cultivation."

Yao Delong changed the subject, looking at Mu Long with a calm gaze.

"However, This Yao, does have a method that might be able to attempt to reconnect the severed Spiritual Veins for the City Lord. It's just..."