157: Chapter 157: Fiefdom

Sure enough, that afternoon.

News came from the Deacon Hall that Mo Yuan had summoned Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran changed into a set of clean robes and flew toward the Deacon Hall.

Deacon Hall.

Mo Yuan sat in the main seat, a map laid out before him.

He smiled and greeted Xiao Ran when he saw him enter.

“Come, sit.”

Xiao Ran took a seat.

Mo Yuan pushed the map in front of him.

“Take a look.”

Xiao Ran looked down.

It was a map showing the distribution of the Eternal Night Demon Sect's forces.

The core areas of the Sect were labeled with names like “Inner Sect,” “Outer Sect,” and “Forbidden Ground.”

Outside the core areas were vast stretches of blank space.

Mo Yuan pointed to a region on the map.

“According to Sect rules, once a Disciple achieves a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation, they can be promoted to an Elder and receive a fiefdom.”

He looked at Xiao Ran.

“You have two choices.”

Xiao Ran looked up.

“Which two?”

Mo Yuan's finger slid across the map.

“The first one, the Far North Land.”

Xiao Ran followed the direction of his finger.

It was at the northernmost edge of the Eternal Night Demon Sect's sphere of influence, near the Northern Desolation border.

The map was labeled with words like “Chaotic Zone,” “Unexplored,” and “Infested with Yao Beasts.”

Mo Yuan said.

“The Sect has never fully controlled this piece of land.”

“It's large and rich in resources, but the danger is also great.”

“Yao Beasts, Loose Cultivators, bandits... it has everything.”

He paused.

“Of course, the potential for profit is also high. If you can manage it well, the returns will be more than triple those of other places.”

Xiao Ran nodded, looking at Mo Yuan and waiting for him to continue.

“And the second one?”

Mo Yuan's finger moved to the center of the map.

“The Central Province.”

That was the core heartland of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, near the Sect's headquarters.

The map was labeled with words like “Developed,” “Prosperous,” and “Safe.”

Mo Yuan said.

“The Sect has managed this land for hundreds of years.”

“It's safe and stable, with a fixed income every year.”

“But there isn't much extra profit to be made.”

“Furthermore, several Families have been entrenched in this land for many years. If you take over, you'll inevitably have to deal with them.”

Xiao Ran looked at the map, lost in thought.

The Far North Land was chaotic and dangerous, but the potential rewards were great.

The Central Province was safe and stable, but the rewards were small.

Moreover, the Central Province already had masters.

Taking over would be like snatching food from someone else's mouth.

Although with his current strength and background, he could snatch it if he wanted, it would still be a hassle.

Whereas the Far North Land...

It was a blank sheet of paper, perfect for painting.

“I choose the Far North Land.”

Xiao Ran looked up, his gaze firm.

Mo Yuan looked at him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“I have.”

Mo Yuan nodded and drew a circle on the map.

“This area spans three thousand miles; from today onwards, it is yours.”

He pushed a token in front of Xiao Ran.

“This is the Fiefdom Token.”

“By holding this token, you are the master of that land.”

Xiao Ran took it and put it into his Storage Ring.

“Thank you, Hall Master.”

Mo Yuan waved his hand.

“No need for thanks, but I must remind you that the Far North Land is no pleasant place.”

“If you go alone and want to establish a power base, I'm afraid it won't be enough.”

Xiao Ran nodded.

“Rest assured, Hall Master, I won't go alone.”

“That's good.”

Mo Yuan paused.

“There's one more thing.”

Xiao Ran: “What is it?”

Mo Yuan said.

“Since you've achieved a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation, according to Sect tradition, a Soul Transformation Banquet must be held.”

Xiao Ran was taken aback.

“A Soul Transformation Banquet?”

Mo Yuan nodded.

“Yes, first to celebrate your achievement of Soul Transformation, and second to provide some benefits to the other Disciples of the Sect.”

“You provide a portion of resources to feast the entire Sect; it can also be considered a way to build connections.”

Xiao Ran thought for a moment and nodded.

“It's only right. When does the Hall Master think is appropriate?”

Mo Yuan said.

“In three days.”

“During these three days, prepare well.”

Xiao Ran stood up.

“As you command.”

He bowed and took his leave.

Walking out of the Deacon Hall, Xiao Ran took a deep breath.

The Far North Land...

The Soul Transformation Banquet...

Next, there would be much to do.

...

The news spread quickly.

The news of Xiao Ran's Breakthrough to Soul Transformation spread throughout the entire Eternal Night Demon Sect that very day.

On the second day, the news that he was going to hold a Soul Transformation Banquet also spread.

For a time, the entire Sect was abuzz with discussion.

In the Inner Sect, on a certain mountain peak.

Several Inner Sect Disciples gathered together, their faces full of excitement.

“Have you heard? Lord Seventh Demon Son has achieved a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation!”

“Nonsense, didn't you see the celestial phenomenon that day?”

“A Soul Transformation Banquet! I heard Demon Son Xiao is going to bring out many good things as rewards!”

“Really? Then I must go!”

“You? You haven't even reached the Golden Core stage; you'll just be there to make up the numbers.”

“I'll go even to make up the numbers! What if I'm lucky and draw a Magic Treasure?”

“Keep dreaming.”

...

In the Outer Sect, the Utility Area.

A handsome young man was chopping wood.

He was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a thin build, but his movements were extremely skilled.

With every fall of the axe, the firewood split neatly in half.

However, there wasn't the slightest ripple of Spiritual Qi on his body.

The Utility Disciples nearby were whispering.

“Have you heard? Lord Seventh Demon Son has achieved a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation and is even going to hold a Soul Transformation Banquet.”

“What does that have to do with us? We are Utility Disciples, not even as good as Outer Sect Disciples.”

“You can't say that. The Soul Transformation Banquet is for the whole Sect. Maybe we can go and get a piece of the action too.”

“Keep dreaming.”

Listening to their conversation, the young man's axe paused for a moment.

The Seventh Demon Son... Xiao Ran.

He had heard this name.

Joined the Sect two years ago, reached Foundation Establishment in one year, Nascent Soul in two, and now Soul Transformation.

From being unknown to becoming famous throughout the Northern Region, it only took two and a half years.

The young man lowered his head and continued chopping wood.

He had once been a Genius too.

Foundation Establishment at ten, Golden Core at fifteen, hailed as a once-in-a-century Cultivation prodigy.

But in his sixteenth year, an accident caused his cultivation to be completely lost.

Since then, he had become the most ordinary woodchopper in the Utility Area.

It had been three years.

He went from a Genius to a cripple, falling from the clouds into the dust.

“Xiao Ran...”

He softly whispered the name, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.

...

In the Inner Sect, on another mountain peak.

A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl was kneeling before a tombstone.

She had a delicate face and was dressed in plain white clothes, her eyes slightly red.

“Father, Mother, your daughter will definitely avenge you.”

She kowtowed three times, then stood up and left.

At the foot of the mountain, she encountered a passing Senior Brother.

“Junior Sister, why are you here? There's a Soul Transformation Banquet in a few days; aren't you going?”

The girl shook her head.

“No.”

The Senior Brother was taken aback.

“Why? I heard Demon Son Xiao will bring out many good things; maybe you could get a Magic Treasure.”

The girl said indifferently.

“I'm not interested.”

She turned and walked away.

The Senior Brother looked at her back and shook his head.

He knew what had happened to this girl, so he had offered a kind reminder.

The girl walked far away, then her steps suddenly stopped.

She looked back toward the direction of the Eternal Night Palace.

“Xiao Ran...”

She whispered to herself.

“The Seventh Demon Son... Spirit Severing Stage...”

She clenched her fists.

“If I take him as my master, would I be able to get my revenge?”

She grit her teeth and turned to walk toward the Eternal Night Palace.

...

Eternal Night Palace.

Xiao Ran was taking stock of his belongings.

In his Storage Ring, Spirit Stones were piled like mountains, Magic Treasures were a dazzling array, and Medicinal Pills were too many to count.

“The Soul Transformation Banquet shouldn't be too stingy.”

He muttered to himself.

He took out a portion of items and placed them on the table.

Three Earth Rank Low Grade Magic Treasures.

Ten foundation establishment pills.

Five Golden Core barrier breaking pills.

One hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

“That should be enough.”

Xiao Ran nodded.

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing watched from the side, her eyes wide.

“Lord, aren't you being a bit too generous?”

Xiao Ran smiled.

“It's better to be generous; anyway, I have no use for these things.”

He looked at Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing.

“Go, help me write the invitations.”

“Invite everyone in the Sect who has a name.”

“By the way, tell all the Disciples that there are no cultivation limits or entry requirements.”

“If we're going to do it, let's do it big.”

Domestic Manager Liu Qingqing nodded hurriedly.

“Is!”

She turned and ran off.

Xiao Ran leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.

In three days, the Soul Transformation Banquet.

He wondered how many people would show up then.