126: Chapter 126 Returning to the City and Rewarding the Monument, the Revival of the Grotto-Heaven

Seven days later.

At the North Gate of Luoxia City, drums and music roared.

The honor guard dispatched by the City Lord's Residence lined up on both sides of the city gate, gongs and drums blared simultaneously, and banners fluttered. New silk ribbons were hung on the city walls, flapping loudly in the morning breeze.

The streets were crowded with expectant commoners and Cultivators, all faces filled with excitement and reverence.

The news that Lin Yue was leading the Sharp Soldiers Camp back in triumph had spread throughout the city three days prior.

The battle at the Corrupt Dragon Pool not only destroyed the Black Lotus Cult's Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual but also killed a Nascent Soul Stage Spirit Devouring Sacrificer. Such a feat was legendary in the thousand-year history of the Southern Territory.

“They're here! They're here!”

Someone shouted, and the crowd immediately burst into a frenzy.

On the distant horizon, a procession slowly approached.

Leading the way were Lin Yue and Star Radiance, both riding “Cloud-Treading Steeds” gifted by the Qinglan Sect. These spiritual steeds were pure white, with clouds forming around their hooves, capable of traveling three thousand miles a day, and were rare mounts bred by the Qinglan Sect.

Lin Yue had exchanged his black tight-fitting attire for the formal City Lord's Robe, which was dark cyan with gold threads embroidering the Luoxia City Emblem—an ancient tree rooted in the mountains with spreading branches and leaves. Although his face was still slightly pale, his eyes were bright and his demeanor composed.

Star Radiance had changed back into the Star Gazing Emissary attire of the Star Track Pavilion. Her star patterns white robe was spotless, but she wore an extra dark gold token at her waist—the “Luoxia Guest Elder Token” gifted by Lin Yue, representing her special status in Luoxia City.

Behind the two, the one hundred Cultivators of the Sharp Soldiers Camp and the three hundred Disciples of the Qinglan Sect formed neat ranks. Although most were injured, they were high-spirited and marched with powerful steps.

“Welcome the City Lord back in triumph!”

“Welcome Star Radiance Star Envoy!”

Cheers surged like a tide.

Lin Yue dismounted before the city gate and nodded slightly toward the three welcoming Elders: Lin Shi, Lin De, and Lin Laosan.

“Is everything well within the city?”

“All is well.”

Elder Lin Shi stepped forward and whispered, “As per the City Lord's instructions, post-battle compensation has begun distribution, wall repairs are halfway complete, and all markets are operating normally. However...”

He paused, “Sect Master Mo Chen of the Qinglan Sect sent a message yesterday stating that the Seven Star Alliance in the Central Domain has officially issued the ‘Southern Territory Crisis Notice,’ classifying the Black Lotus Cult and the Spirit Devourer Alliance as ‘Class A Threats,’ and has dispatched an Investigation Delegation led by three Nascent Soul Immortal Masters. They will arrive in the Southern Territory soon.”

Investigation Delegation... Lin Yue frowned slightly.

The Seven Star Alliance's intervention was expected, as the Spirit Devouring Clan was the public enemy of the entire Human Race.

But three Nascent Soul Immortal Masters coming personally—the scale was a bit too high.

He feared it wouldn't be as simple as just an investigation.

“I understand. Let's return to the city first.”

Lin Yue flipped onto his horse and slowly rode toward the City Lord's Residence amidst the welcoming crowds... inside the Council Hall.

The ceremony for awarding the triumphant forces was simple yet grand.

Lin Yue sat in the main seat, Star Radiance occupied the principal Guest Elder seat, followed by the three Elders of the Qinglan Sect, while the Elders and Deacons of Luoxia City lined up on both sides.

“In this battle at the Corrupt Dragon Pool, all of you have made great contributions.”

Lin Yue's voice was clear and resonated throughout the hall.

“The Sharp Soldiers Camp suffered seven dead and forty-three injured. All those who died will receive triple compensation, and their immediate family members will be supported by the City Lord's Residence until they reach adulthood. The injured will be rewarded with Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, depending on the severity of their injuries.”

“The Qinglan Sect suffered nineteen dead Disciples and eighty-seven injured. Compensation will be jointly borne by Luoxia City and the Qinglan Sect. Additionally, the ‘Luoxia Friendship Token’ will be presented to the Qinglan Sect, allowing them to enjoy a 20% discount at all Luoxia City businesses and receive priority access to scarce resources.”

“Star Radiance Star Envoy...”

Lin Yue looked at Star Radiance.

Star Radiance stood up and bowed slightly: “The Star Track Pavilion inherently holds the responsibility of eliminating demons and upholding the Dao. This was merely part of my duty. The City Lord need not bestow such generous rewards.”

“Merit must be rewarded; this is the rule of my Luoxia City.”

Lin Yue took out a jade box and used Spiritual Qi to float it in front of Star Radiance.

“Inside the box are three drops of ‘Star Marrow Spiritual Liquid,’ which I refined from the essence of the stars using a secret technique, and they have miraculous effects on Cultivating star-based Cultivation Techniques. Furthermore, the Star Track Pavilion may establish a ‘Star Gazing Branch Pavilion’ in Luoxia City. All resources required for site selection, construction, and operation will be borne by the City Lord's Residence.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Star Radiance's eyes.

She had heard of Star Marrow Spiritual Liquid. It was a rare spiritual material that required cultivation above the Nascent Soul Stage and the expenditure of large amounts of star Origin to refine, making it priceless to Star Track Pavilion Disciples.

And establishing a branch pavilion... this meant that the influence of the Star Track Pavilion formally extended into the Southern Territory, which was hugely significant for the Sect's future development.

“Such a generous gift... Star Radiance thanks the City Lord on behalf of the Star Track Pavilion.”

She did not decline again and solemnly accepted the jade box.

After the awards were distributed, Lin Yue looked at everyone.

“For the next period, Luoxia City will enter a phase of rapid development. I have reached a deep cooperation agreement with the Qinglan Sect, and both sides will fully exchange resources, talents, and technology.”

“In addition, the Seven Star Alliance Investigation Delegation will soon arrive in the Southern Territory and may inspect Luoxia City. All of you must prepare for their reception, but at the same time, hold the bottom line—Luoxia City's affairs must be decided by Luoxia City itself.”

“As you command!”

Everyone answered in unison... Late at night, in the quiet room of the City Lord's Residence.

Lin Yue sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, sinking his consciousness into the Cavern Heaven.

After seven days of rest, coupled with the healing Medicinal Pills gifted by Star Radiance, his injuries had recovered by 80%.

The sight within the Cavern Heaven surprised him even more.

The pale golden crack mark on the main trunk of the World Tree had completely vanished. Fine dragon scale patterns appeared on the trunk's surface, subtly emitting Dragon Might—this was the mutation after absorbing the Dragon Soul Origin.

The Spiritual Field had regained vitality; most of the withered Spiritual Plants had revived, and the newly sown high-grade Spiritual Plants had also sprouted.

The Spirit River flowed again. Although the water volume was only 70% of what it was before, the water quality was purer, and the concentration of Spirit Marrow Crystal powder contained within had actually increased.

Among the seven major Mineral Veins, the companion spirit iron ore vein and the thunder pattern crystal ore vein had resumed mining. Although the output was only half of its Peak period, it was enough to support current needs.

Most importantly, the face on the main trunk of Haotian was now radiant, its eyes gleaming with wisdom.

“Master, the Cavern Heaven has essentially recovered. Moreover, due to absorbing the Dragon Soul Origin, the World Tree has acquired the ‘Dragon Qi Affinity’ characteristic. In the future, spiritual materials produced by the Cavern Heaven will carry a faint Dragon Qi attribute, offering extra benefits for Cultivators in tempering their Physical Body.”

“In addition, under the nourishment of the Dragon Soul, my intelligence core has unlocked a new ability—‘Dragon Language Rune Analysis.’ It can decipher most Restrictions, Formations, and Legacies related to the Dragon Clan.”

Dragon Language Rune Analysis... Lin Yue's heart stirred.

This ability came at exactly the right time.

Deep within the Burial Dragon Abyss, there was still the Seal core left by the Star Lord, which must involve a large number of Dragon Clan runes. With this ability, his confidence in the final battle a year from now increased slightly.

“Very good. However, the Spiritual Qi concentration in the Cavern Heaven seems to be slightly lower than before?”

“Yes. The aftereffects of forcibly burning the foundation still remain. The Cavern Heaven's Spiritual Qi concentration is currently only 60% of its Peak period. To fully recover, it requires nourishment from a large number of high-grade spiritual materials, or... finding a ‘Spiritual Vein Node’ for deep binding.”

Spiritual Vein Node... Lin Yue thought of the southern territory spiritual pivot.

Luoxia City itself was located on the main node of the southern territory spiritual pivot. If he could deeply bind the Cavern Heaven to it, not only would the Cavern Heaven quickly recover, but Luoxia City's Spiritual Qi environment would also greatly improve.

But doing so presented a problem—the binding process would generate noticeable spiritual energy fluctuations, likely to be detected by the outside world.

Especially with the Seven Star Alliance Investigation Delegation about to arrive, now was not the time to take risks.

“No rush. We'll make plans after the Investigation Delegation leaves.”

Lin Yue withdrew from the Cavern Heaven and opened his eyes.

He took out a scroll of beast hide map and spread it on the table.

This was the “Burial Dragon Abyss Deep Structure Speculation Map” that Star Radiance had drawn from memory after the battle at the Corrupt Dragon Pool.

The map marked three possible paths leading to the Seal core, as well as several dangerous areas.

At the end of one of the paths, a striking star-shaped mark was drawn.

Beside it was a line of small text:

Suspected Star Lords Relic Mansion entrance, requiring a 'star lord token' and 'Dragon Soul Resonance' to open.

Star Lords Relic Mansion... Lin Yue touched the star lord token at his waist.

After the Dragon Soul resided in it, the token's surface gained some fine dragon scale patterns, feeling warm and moist to the touch, with Dragon Qi subtly circulating.

If he could truly find the Star Lords Relic Mansion, perhaps he could gain more means to fight the Spirit Devouring Clan, or even... find a way to completely repair the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal.

But all of this had to wait for a year later.

The immediate priority was dealing with the upcoming Seven Star Alliance Investigation Delegation, and... accelerating the development of Luoxia City's strength.

“One year... it's too short.”

Lin Yue muttered softly to himself.

Within this year, he must ensure Luoxia City possesses at least three Late Golden Core Stage combatants and reserves enough resources to handle Nascent Soul-level conflicts.

This required massive amounts of Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and... talent.

“It seems it's time to launch the ‘Hidden Dragon Project.’”

A flash of determination appeared in Lin Yue's eyes.

The so-called Hidden Dragon Project was a talent cultivation plan he had conceived long ago—selecting promising young Cultivators from Luoxia City and surrounding areas, concentrating resources for focused training, and striving to Cultivate a batch of Golden Core Seeds within ten years.

He originally planned to implement it after the city was more stable, but now, it had to be brought forward.

“Lin Hu.”

He called towards the door.

“City Lord.”

Lin Hu pushed the door open and entered; he had been waiting outside for a long time.

“Issue the order: In three days, Luoxia City will hold the ‘Hidden Dragon Grand Ceremony.’ All Cultivators under the age of thirty and above the Middle Stage Qi Refining cultivation level may register for the selection. The top ten will receive one foundation establishment pill and enter the ‘Hidden Dragon Academy’ for focused training.”

“Furthermore, issue a ‘Talent Recruitment Order’ in the name of the City Lord's Residence. We sincerely invite all Loose Cultivators, Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, and Formation Masters in the Southern Territory to join Luoxia City. Treatment will be generous, and merit will always be rewarded.”

Lin Hu's eyes lit up.

“Is the City Lord planning to... make a big move?”

“Time waits for no one.”

Lin Yue looked toward the night sky outside the window.

The stars were brilliant, and the moonlight was like water.

But beneath this tranquil night, undercurrents were stirring.

Although the Black Lotus Cult was severely damaged, its residual forces remained.

The threat of the Spirit Devouring Clan had not been lifted, and the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal would collapse in one year.

The gaze of various forces in the Central Domain was also beginning to turn toward this once-barren borderland.

If Luoxia City wanted to stand firm, or even ride the wind, in this impending storm... it had to become stronger faster.

Strong enough that all covetous eyes would be forced to take notice.

Strong enough to protect the peace of a region with the strength of a single city.

“Go now. Pass down the command.”

Lin Yue retracted his gaze, his eyes now perfectly clear.

“Starting tomorrow, Luoxia City... will enter a new era.”

“And we are the founders.”