Chapter 525 - 42: Generous Reward

"Master?" Zhuang Yuechan cried out in alarm.

Muu Guibai’s expression suddenly turned severe. He shot her a glare before looking at Song Changsheng and saying gently, "If you join my Luoxia City, with your aptitude, you could become the City Lord."

Song Changsheng’s heart leaped. ’Luoxia City... City Lord.’

He gave a bitter laugh. An offer like that was truly hard to refuse.

He recalled his first visit to Luoxia City, where he had seen Zhuang Yuechan’s many admirers. They were all there because of a rumor that she was to inherit the Great City Lord’s mantle.

That was why they had pursued Zhuang Yuechan so fanatically.

Now, Muu Guibai had personally made the offer. All Song Changsheng had to do was nod, and the position of City Lord would be his in the future.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted, but... he also had his own clan to protect.

"Teacher, forgive me, but I cannot." Song Changsheng glanced apologetically at Zhuang Yuechan, then knelt on one knee before Muu Guibai, bowing his head to ask for forgiveness.

"You cannot?" Muu Guibai’s expression darkened. A powerful pressure instantly erupted from him, weighing down on Song Changsheng’s shoulders like a mountain.

A cold sweat broke out in a flash, instantly soaking his back. Large, bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down from his temples, quickly dampening the floor before him.

"You won’t reconsider?" Muu Guibai’s voice had grown heavy.

"I... will accept my punishment!" After saying this, Song Changsheng surprisingly felt a sense of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted.

He had known from the very beginning that marrying a woman from Luoxia City would not be easy. He had worked hard, striving to avoid following in Song Xianming’s footsteps, yet he had still arrived at this point.

"Master, please calm your anger." Zhuang Yuechan quickly knelt before Song Changsheng. She had not expected things to come to this, especially when Muu Guibai had seemed to be giving his tacit approval before.

Unexpectedly, the pressure on Song Changsheng vanished.

Muu Guibai’s expression softened as well. He looked at the two trembling figures kneeling before him, shook his head, and said, "Get up. If you are unwilling, then so be it. There is no need for all this."

The moment he spoke, Song Changsheng understood. This had been another test from Muu Guibai.

This made him want to complain. ’Why do these powerful seniors always love testing people?’

"Changsheng, although your talent is extraordinary, you should know that all who have not entered the Purple Mansion are but ants. If you wish to become Daoist partners with Chan’Er, you must at least cultivate to the Purple Mansion Stage."

"Once you have established your Purple Mansion, have Xianming bring you to Celestial Sound Mountain to formally propose marriage."

This was tantamount to approving the marriage. Overjoyed, Song Changsheng immediately kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your blessing, Teacher!"

"Thank you for your blessing, Master." Zhuang Yuechan also gave a graceful curtsy. Muu Guibai had frightened her terribly just now; she was relieved it was only a test.

"Alright, Chan’Er, you may leave us for now. I have something to discuss with Changsheng."

"Master?" Concern filled Zhuang Yuechan’s beautiful eyes.

"It’s official business. Go on now." Muu Guibai patted Zhuang Yuechan’s delicate hand and gave her a reassuring look.

After Zhuang Yuechan left, Muu Guibai looked at Song Changsheng and said with a smile, "You’re not like your father. Instead, you take after your grandfather. You made the same choice he did back then."

"Over the years, I’ve thought about it a lot. If my Master and the others hadn’t interfered back then, would Qingwan and Xianming’s future have turned out like this?"

"My answer is... yes."

"So, when I discovered you and Yuechan were seeing each other, I investigated you in secret. I found no issues with your aptitude or your character, so I chose to wait and observe."

"Over the years, Tianxia and Zhengchun have also tested you to varying degrees. You did very well, earning all of their approval, which set my mind at ease."

"Today’s test was simply to see what choice you would make if you were in Xianming’s position. In truth, no matter what you chose, I would have supported you."

"But this answer is the one I am most satisfied with."

"Cultivate diligently. The future belongs to your generation. But no matter what heights you reach in the future, never fail Yuechan."

"Please rest assured, Teacher. If I ever fail Yuechan, may I suffer the torment of ten thousand ants devouring my heart and be struck down by the five divine thunders!" Song Changsheng declared in a solemn voice.

"I trust you, of course. Otherwise, I would not entrust Yuechan to you."

"Alright, the personal matters are settled. Now, let’s discuss official business." Muu Guibai’s expression turned serious as he waved his sleeve and produced a beast-hide map.

From this moment on, he was no longer a master worried about his disciple, but the Great City Lord who commanded Luoxia City!

"Please instruct me, Teacher."

"You helped my city defeat the Golden Crow Sect, so I cannot fail to show my appreciation."

"Before you is a Map of Tuo Province. As the one with the greatest merit in this battle, I will allow you to choose any Spirit Mountain—excluding the circled areas—and I will grant you the three thousand li surrounding it as well," Muu Guibai said with a smile.

Song Changsheng was startled. This was truly a grand gift.

Although Spirit and Tuo Provinces were not adjacent, the Song Clan now had a Space Transmission Array, so distance was no longer an issue. If he could choose a suitable, precious land, it would not only aid his clan’s development but also create a path of retreat for them—killing two birds with one stone.

He quickly looked down at the Map and saw it was densely covered with small characters, marking mountain ranges, ore veins, Spirit Mountains, and more.

Some locations were marked not only with names and tiers but also with their specific boundaries.

Song Changsheng spotted two Tier Four Spirit Veins and more than a dozen Tier Three Spirit Veins with just a single glance. These Spiritual Veins alone were of immeasurable value.

Unfortunately, these locations were all circled, marking them as land reserved for Luoxia City.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a Spirit Mountain in a corner of the map.

"Five Elements Peak?"

Song Changsheng murmured to himself. Looking at the annotation below, he saw that it was a Tier Three Spirit Vein. Moreover, within the surrounding three thousand li were several Tier Three Mine Veins of types that the Song Clan sorely lacked.

Furthermore, it wasn’t circled, meaning it was within the scope of his selection.

The only issue was its location on the very edge of Tuo Province, with a portion of it bordering the territory of the Demon Race. If he chose this place, they would inevitably have to contend with Demon Beasts in the future.

Muu Guibai followed his gaze. Seeing it was Five Elements Peak, he frowned slightly and asked, "You’re not thinking of choosing this place, are you?"

"This place was only recently conquered by the Allied Army, and many Demon Beasts still linger in the surrounding area. Your Song Clan would face immense pressure during the initial development."

"You could look at Mingxia Peak, five thousand li west of Dingyuan City. It’s also a Tier Three Spirit Vein and even possesses a miniature Spirit Stone Vein. It’s only a bit inferior to Five Elements Peak."

As he spoke, he reached out and tapped a corner of the map.

Song Changsheng frowned, considering both locations. Finally, he cupped his hands in a salute to Muu Guibai and said, "Teacher, I’ll choose Five Elements Peak."

"Mingxia Peak is a good location, but it is too peaceful. I was already planning to lead the clan to join the Allied Army and temper our younger generation once our affairs are stable."

"The location of Five Elements Peak is perfect for this, and it also offers room for future expansion."

Muu Guibai gave him a surprised look, then nodded. "I didn’t expect your vision to be so far-reaching. Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say any more."

"This is the Map of Five Elements Peak and the surrounding three thousand li. Take it. From now on, that territory belongs to the Song Clan."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Teacher!" Song Changsheng was once again overjoyed. He quickly rose to his feet and accepted the Map.

"Don’t thank me. This is what you’ve earned."

"What I just gave you was Luoxia City’s compensation for your efforts in the war. This, however, is a personal reward from me as your teacher."

As he spoke, Muu Guibai took an exquisite brocade box from his robes.

Song Changsheng opened it to find a thumb-sized crystal resting inside. It reflected a shimmering purple light in the glow of the candles.

"This is..."

"This is a Purple Vein Mother Crystal. You have already opened your Middle Dantian and converted the Spiritual Power in your body into Mana. You are but half a step away from the Purple Mansion. When used during the forging of your Purple Mansion, this item can enhance its quality."

Song Changsheng was stunned. He had never expected to receive such a precious reward.

With this, in addition to the Yin Yang Profound Gold he acquired before, Song Changsheng had enough to forge a high-quality Purple Mansion Melting Furnace.

"I thank you for your gift, Master!" Song Changsheng performed a Grand Ceremony, bowing deeply.

...