12: The city lord's invitation

In the center of Xuantian City, the City Lord's Manor was magnificent and resplendent.

Di Shenglong stood before the manor gates, looking up at the two ten-meter-tall bronze Qilins. The Qilins' eyes were embedded with blood-red rubies, shimmering with an eerie luster under the sunlight. It was said that these were Divine Beasts bestowed by the founding Emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty to guard the residence, capable of discerning loyalty from treachery and suppressing evil spirits.

"Clan Leader Di, sorry to keep you waiting."

A resonant voice came from within the manor. A middle-aged man dressed in purple and gold official robes strode out. He had a refined appearance with a long beard flowing over his chest, carrying the natural majesty of a high-ranking official in every gesture. He was the City Lord of Xuantian City—Zhang Tianyou.

"City Lord Zhang." Di Shenglong nodded slightly, neither overly formal nor showing any neglect.

This Zhang Tianyou actually possessed a cultivation of the Purple Mansion Realm Tenth Level, only one step away from entering the Heaven-Reaching Realm.

Zhang Tianyou's smile remained, but his gaze swept over Di Shenglong imperceptibly. When he felt the terrifying Aura emanating from Di Shenglong, his pupils contracted ever so slightly.

"Please! The banquet is ready, and we were just waiting for the main guest, Clan Leader Di."

Di Shenglong followed Zhang Tianyou through nine successive courtyards. Unlike the simple and heavy atmosphere of the Di Clan Ancestral Land, the City Lord's Manor was the height of luxury. White jade paved the ground, golden silk cedar formed the pillars, and even the lamps along the path were carved from whole pieces of crystal, burning thousand-year-old merman oil that emitted a refreshing fragrance.

"City Lord Zhang has quite the grand style," Di Shenglong said calmly. "Just this walk here must have cost no less than a hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, right?"

Zhang Tianyou laughed heartily. "Clan Leader Di has a sharp eye. But compared to your prowess in killing a Heaven-Reaching Realm expert with a single finger, what does this little display matter?"

As they chatted and laughed, the two arrived at the main hall. A banquet had already been prepared inside. Eighteen musicians played soothing court music in the corner, and twenty-four maidservants stood silently on both sides, each with a beautiful appearance and extraordinary temperament.

Even more eye-catching were the other three guests in the hall—Luo Qingyue was prominently among them, along with a white-haired old man and a general clad in armor.

"Allow me to introduce them." Zhang Tianyou gestured. "This is the Young Miss of the Luo Family, whom Clan Leader Di is likely already familiar with. This is General Zhao Jun, the Garrison Commander of Xuantian City, responsible for the Dynasty's northwestern border defense. And this—" The white-haired old man stood up of his own accord and cupped his hands. "This old man is Zhou Xuantong, an Elder of the Pill Cauldron Sect. I have long heard of Clan Leader Di's great name."

Di Shenglong's eyes flickered. The Pill Cauldron Sect was one of the three major Alchemy Sects within the Great Qi Dynasty, holding a transcendent status. And Zhao Jun was a powerful general of the Dynasty, commanding a border army of a hundred thousand. That Zhang Tianyou could invite these two to accompany him, the underlying intention was self-evident.

"Everyone is too kind." Di Shenglong returned the greeting calmly and took the seat of honor to Zhang Tianyou's right.

After three rounds of wine and several courses of food, the people at the table chatted and laughed, yet no one mentioned the main business. Di Shenglong was in no hurry, tasting rare spiritual fruits and delicacies while observing secretly.

He noticed that an inconspicuous stone pillar stood at each of the four corners of the hall, covered in fine runes. Had it not been for his keen perception after the Awakening of his Eternal God-Demon Body, it would have been almost impossible to notice that those runes were emitting faint fluctuations of spiritual power.

"Clan Leader Di." Zhang Tianyou finally got to the point. "With the Wang and Yang families recently evacuating Xuantian City, I wonder how the Di Clan plans to handle the industries and territories they left behind?"

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Di Shenglong unhurriedly wiped his hands. "What brilliant ideas does City Lord Zhang have?"

"I wouldn't call them brilliant ideas." Zhang Tianyou stroked his beard and smiled. "I just feel that rather than having these industries carved up by various forces and causing disputes, it would be better if... they all belonged to the Di Clan."

As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Qingyue frowned slightly, showing a look of surprise. She clearly didn't believe Zhang Tianyou would be so generous.

"The conditions?" Di Shenglong asked bluntly.

Zhang Tianyou laughed loudly. "Straightforward!" He clapped his hands, and the maidservants immediately left the hall, while the musicians also stopped playing. After the doors were closed, Zhang Tianyou continued, "There is indeed a small request."

"Has Clan Leader Di heard of 'Prince Qi'?"

A gold and red light flashed through Di Shenglong's eyes and vanished. Prince Qi was the younger brother of the current Emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty, holding thirty percent of the Dynasty's military power. It was said his cultivation had reached the Heaven-Reaching Realm Ninth Level, making him one of the most powerful princes in the Dynasty.

"I've heard a little."

"His Highness Prince Qi admires Clan Leader Di very much." Zhang Tianyou's words were startling. "He specifically sent word to me, hoping to... cooperate with Clan Leader Di."

The temperature in the hall seemed to drop suddenly. Zhao Jun and Zhou Xuantong's expressions remained unchanged; they were clearly already aware. Luo Qingyue, however, frowned deeply.

"Cooperate on what?" Di Shenglong's voice was calm.

Zhang Tianyou did not answer directly. Instead, he took out a roll of golden parchment from his sleeve and slowly unfurled it. "This is Prince Qi's Personal Decree. As long as Clan Leader Di nods, all the industries left by the Wang and Yang families will immediately be transferred to the Di Clan's name. Furthermore—"

He paused intentionally. "Prince Qi is willing to treat you with the position of 'Guest Elder,' enjoying the offerings of the Prince's Mansion and an annual grant of a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. If Clan Leader Di is interested in an official career, he can even be directly appointed as 'General Who Guards the State,' governing an entire province."

Such conditions could not be described as anything but generous. Even the well-traveled Zhou Xuantong couldn't help but be moved.

Di Shenglong laughed. "Prince Qi's great favor is surely not as simple as just admiring me, is it?"

Zhang Tianyou exchanged a look with Zhao Jun and finally revealed the true purpose. "Prince Qi is thirsty for talent and wishes to recruit the world's heroes. With Clan Leader Di's strength, if you are willing to help, in the future... you might even be Enfeoffed as a King or Appointed as a Prime Minister."

The hint in his words was already very obvious—Prince Qi intended to contend for the throne and was recruiting powerful experts from all sides.

Luo Qingyue couldn't help but speak up. "City Lord Zhang's words are treasonous!"

"Young Miss Luo, watch your words." Zhao Jun said coldly. "Prince Qi is the Emperor's younger brother and is loyal and devoted. How can you speak of treason?"

Zhang Tianyou looked at Di Shenglong with a smile. "What does Clan Leader Di think?"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Di Shenglong. The hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, and even the runes on the four stone pillars in the corners seemed to brighten a bit.

Di Shenglong toyed with his wine cup and pondered for a moment. "I am grateful for Prince Qi's favor, but my Family is currently in a state of neglect and has just experienced a disaster. I fear I do not have the fortune to enjoy such things."

A flash of disappointment crossed Zhang Tianyou's face, but he quickly regained his smile. "Clan Leader Di is quite right."

"Come, let us continue drinking!"

The atmosphere of the banquet became lively again, but undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.

When they were halfway through the wine, Zhang Tianyou suddenly said, "Elder Zhou, haven't you always wanted to see Clan Leader Di's Divine Ability? Why not take this opportunity to ask for some guidance?"

Zhou Xuantong understood and rose to cup his hands. "Clan Leader Di, this old man is a few years older and has some insights into the Dao of Alchemy. Recently, I happened upon an ancient method that requires a special true essence to activate. I wonder if I might ask for Clan Leader Di's guidance?"

As he spoke, he took out a Small three-legged cauldron from his robes. The cauldron's body was pitch black, but its surface was covered with golden patterns that vaguely formed a strange Formation.

Luo Qingyue looked at the cauldron. "Elder Zhou, is this the 'Spirit Refining Cauldron'? It's one of the three treasures of the Pill Cauldron Sect. Using it to 'ask for guidance' seems a bit like overkill."

Zhou Xuantong chuckled. "Young Miss Luo is very knowledgeable. Indeed, this cauldron does have the power to refine the Divine Soul, but this old man is merely using its sturdy properties to give a demonstration, with no other intentions."

Di Shenglong knew this was a test and did not refuse. "Please."