Chapter 516 – Lord's Meeting, Advancement Trial

Taixuan Great Domain, Capital City.

The nine-colored tower stood at the city’s center, its faint halo spreading like a rainbow encircling it.

The sky here was azure blue, with no trace of the crimson river spanning the heavens nor a single wisp of crimson mist. Everything was tranquil and peaceful.

However,

“Outside the city, occasional wisps of crimson mist can be seen now, something that would never have occurred before.”

Mu Yuan murmured as he approached the base of the nine-colored tower.

This place served as the central hub of all Taixuan, housing both the Pioneer Group and Taixuan Liangyi headquarters.

Today’s Advanced Lord Conference was also being held here.

The tower’s open gates saw constant traffic—hurried staff members and lords striding in with their attendants.

“It’s the Red Dust Lord and their Red Ruby Guard.”

“The White Shark Lord has arrived in person.”

Beside the White Shark Lord, who wore a Western-style suit, followed six burly merman saber masters.

Several lords immediately approached upon spotting White Shark.

Mu Yuan’s attire was relatively simple—casual wear with a self-regenerating inner armor. He was accompanied by only one attendant, Moli, the junior secretary from the City Lord’s Mansion.

Currently, some of Tianyuan City’s generals were still occupied elsewhere, while others were assisting Dolai and Isloria with major territory construction projects. Since Mu Yuan didn’t care for pomp, he saw no need to bring any guards.

After all, traveling from his territory to the Taixuan Capital was just a matter of stepping through a Star Gate.

Once the meeting concluded, he could return directly to his own residence.

“Tianyuan.”

A cool voice reached his ears.

Mu Yuan turned to see a blue-haired woman leaning against a grand stone pillar in the distance, wearing sunglasses.

“You are… Cold Moon City Lord?”

Mu Yuan didn’t recognize her at first glance.

Cold Moon City Lord let out a surprised “Oh?” and pointed at her sunglasses, “These glasses are actually an epic-grade item that obscures facial features and physique. You managed to recognize me regardless—truly worthy of being the junior I’ve taken notice of.”

Mu Yuan studied Cold Moon City Lord.

Her slender figure was clad in silver-white battle armor and a combat skirt, with ice-blue hair cascading like a waterfall. Her aura remained cool and distant, and even with her presence suppressed, ice element particles in the surrounding atmosphere naturally gathered around her like personal guards.

With such distinctive appearance and presence, it would be hard to find another like her across all Taixuan. How could he possibly fail to recognize her?

“Is there any difference whether you wear those sunglasses or not?”

He muttered under his breath, though he had to admit the glasses were effective—other lords completely overlooked Han Yue, Taixuan’s major celebrity.

“Quite fitting for a superstar who sliced through two Law Realm monsters. You really do need some disguise.”

“You’re not doing too bad yourself, kid. I’ve heard you’re capable of eliminating Soul Realm Grand Dukes now.”

As Cold Moon City Lord spoke, a playful smile suddenly curved her lips, “You’re quite the rising star among lords yourself. Want to bet if I shouted ‘Tianyuan is here!’ we’d immediately get surrounded?”

The corners of Mu Yuan’s mouth lifted in response, “Then I’d just have to yell ‘Cold Moon City Lord is here!’ back.”

After all, she had far more fans than he did.

He was just an ordinary, low-key, and unpretentious lord.

Cold Moon City Lord’s smile twitched, “Forget it. I was actually a bit concerned about your situation, but it seems my worries were unnecessary.””However…”

She paused and said, “Your territory borders the Land of Red Mist, doesn’t it?”

Mu Yuan nodded.

Han Yue continued, “At this stage, due to the influence of the Heavenly Rift Cataclysm, powerhouses at the level of Hunting Grand Dukes can already enter the Ten Directions Island Region. I know you can handle Hunting Grand Dukes now, even several at once, but you still need to be careful. When these monsters are stronger than you, they’re fierce and violent, choosing the most direct methods. But when they’re weaker than you, they become cunning and sinister, not necessarily confronting you head-on.

“Moreover… this is only the current situation. Don’t forget that the Crimson Moon Disaster is just a few months away.

“With the dual influence of the Heavenly Rift Cataclysm and Crimson Moon Disaster… I know you definitely won’t retreat – I wouldn’t either in your position – but don’t die.”

Die?

He valued his life more than anything.

Meanwhile, this Cold Moon City Lord was both reckless and frequently risked her life.

Mu Yuan wanted to advise her, but it would be useless. Everyone had their own combat style, and he was still just a minor Pioneer Lord.

Better to surpass Cold Moon City Lord first.

…

The Lord conference convened quickly.

Only Pioneer Lords, Taixuan Liangyi Lords, and a few major team leaders were qualified to attend this meeting.

The Lords took their seats, with the vast majority participating via projection.

This was natural.

Mu Yuan sat in the second row.

The first row was occupied by Pioneering Generals like Cold Moon City Lord, Arrow Sword Master, and Heartfelt City Lord.

Further forward, on the podium, there were four seats.

Three figures sat there, with one seat empty.

The first was an elderly man with wrinkled features but piercingly bright eyes.

The second was a somewhat stooped old man with white eyebrows and beard.

The third elder had a robust build, with shoulders broader than the first two combined. This was none other than Mount Luofu Master, one of the Taixuan Liangyi.

“This conference has three matters: first, to mourn the sacrificed soldiers; second, to award medals to Lords with outstanding achievements; and third…”

There were many sacrificed soldiers.

Very few powerful individuals could be resurrected through their Divine Souls, while the vast majority of the fallen had been buried in foreign lands.

But there were also many Lords who had slain great enemies and made remarkable contributions.

Cold Moon City Lord was promoted to Eight-Star Pioneer Lord.

Tianyuan City Lord was promoted to Six-Star Pioneer Lord.

White Shark Lord…

Mu Yuan stepped forward and received his medal from the white-browed, white-bearded elder.

The old man patted his shoulder and said, “Keep working hard, young man. The more effort you put in, the sooner this old man can retire.”

The award ceremony proceeded quickly.

It had been only a few months since Tianyuan Lord’s promotion to Five-Star Lord, and now he had advanced to Six-Star, making his promotion speed unmatched in Taixuan.

Even faster than Cold Moon City Lord’s in her day.

“I’m not surprised at all by Tianyuan City Lord’s promotion. He led the warzone to a brilliant major victory. If not for the fact that advancing from Six-Star to Seven-Star Pioneering General requires more merit than from One-Star to Six-Star combined, Tianyuan could probably directly assume the position of Pioneering General.”

“Indeed, I don’t envy his achievements at all. What I envy is how he managed to recruit so many capable generals!”

“Lord of the Starry Sky, Arrow God, Giant Spirit God, Lord of Netherworld… Any Lord obtaining just one of these would have hope to dance on the world stage, yet Tianyuan City Lord has five or six such peerless divine generals.”

This was enough to make anyone grind their teeth in envy.

After the award ceremony came discussions about Taixuan’s future development strategy.Affected by the celestial rift, the balance in the outer regions of the Taixuan Alliance has been shattered. The vast majority of territories are unable to hold their ground, and the Alliance cannot provide aid to so many territories.

The only path forward is to migrate inland and establish defensive perimeters.

The Eternal World is vast and sparsely populated. Setting aside rare resources, areas suitable for building cities and living are abundant.

However…

The migration of large populations is by no means an easy task.

Once they migrate, it means abandoning their own territories and the foundations they have painstakingly built over several years.

It also means falling from being noble Lords to ordinary wealthy professionals.

“This migration is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend it.”

“After all, the Alliance can no longer guarantee the safety of the outer regions.”

The meeting venue fell silent for a while.

A Lord spoke up and asked, “Can’t even Law Realm existences eliminate those crimson giant tentacles? If they could clear the crimson giant tentacles and restore the Foul Crimson Mist between heaven and earth to its normal state, we wouldn’t need to migrate our territories, right?”

In the eyes of many, Law Realm existences are like gods, almost omnipotent.

The might of Law Realm often covers an entire Island Domain. Surely they can deal with and sever those crimson giant tentacles, right?

Using that conceptual power or something!

However, they cannot.

The Mount Luofu Master said, “You should understand that Foul Crimson Mist cannot be destroyed or cleared; it can only be purified by the rules of heaven and earth at the appropriate time. And the rank of these crimson giant tentacles is even higher than that of the Crimson Mist.”

The hopes of some Lords were shattered.

Yet for the vast majority of the Lords present, this was an expected answer.

Relocating towns, building City Walls and defensive lines, and establishing city defense perimeters—this would be the strategy for the coming period.

As for the rest, it depends on how the disaster evolves.

…

After the meeting, Mu Yuan followed the guide to the upper levels of the Nine-Colored Tower, to the office of one of the Generals.

The place was shrouded in mist and clouds.

The old man who had just appeared at the meeting was now holding a smoking pipe, puffing clouds of smoke.

One of the Taixuan Liangyi, the Cloudsmoke Elder.

Or rather, the General referred to as Old Lin.

“Child, have a seat.”

Lin Guozhu waved his hand, and the smoke and clouds in the office surged out the window, transforming into a mist Dragon dancing high in the sky.

He continued, “I’ve wanted to meet the genius Lord of our Taixuan for a long time, but various unexpected events always prevented it. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a commander capable of standing on your own, even repelling the invasion from Dragon’s Slumber Valley.”

Mu Yuan: “This wasn’t my achievement alone; it was the result of all our soldiers fighting together.”

Old Lin laughed, “Of course, it’s the merit of all the soldiers, but you also bear the primary credit. Don’t be too modest, young man.”

He went on, “If we had met earlier, I might have tested your mettle to see if you were as outstanding as the rumors say. But now, there’s no need. Your battle records and achievements speak for themselves.”

“Besides…”

“You’ve already stepped into the Soul Realm, haven’t you? Your Domain must be at least thirty thousand meters in diameter. Outsiders claim you only have powerful commanders, but I don’t believe that. How could a Lord capable of commanding and subduing powerful commanders be mediocre?”

As he spoke, he took out two items.

“The first is my personal gift to you. The second is from Taixuan on behalf of the Alliance. Take a look.””True Spirit Guardian Stone”

“Description ①: Even if the holder completely perishes with their Divine Soul scattered, they can retain a wisp of their true spirit and be reborn after a period of time.”

“Description ②: Only Soul Realm experts and above can activate this treasure.”

The old man said, “I cannot deny that Taixuan greatly needs you now, you young generation powerhouses. But child, you must remember to survive. Only by staying alive is there hope—not just your own hope, but Taixuan’s hope as well.”

“We old folks still hope that one day we can completely drive out the monsters. I’m sorry that such heavy burdens can only fall upon your shoulders.”

“This second item is a Secret Realm Key, a key to a Trial Realm. As long as you can pass through the secret realm, you can enhance your Lord Power.”

The crescent-shaped key shimmered with faint golden halos.

“Trial Key”

“Description: Can open one Lord Advancement Trial. Only available to Level 5 Lords and above. Only Lords can use this.”

Lord Power could actually be upgraded?

Mu Yuan was astonished.

By passing the novice trial, Lords could obtain Lord Power—a authority bestowed by heaven and earth.

Later, after passing the Level 5 territory advancement trial, Lord Power could be enhanced once.

This was also the only enhancement.

The promotions to Level 7 major territories and Level 9 peak territories didn’t require trials, and Lord Power wouldn’t see significant improvements.

“Take it.”

Lin Guozhu puffed on his pipe, chuckling.

“Since you’ve said so, I’ll accept it respectfully.”

Mu Yuan solemnly received both treasures.

Lin Guozhu said, “Although the advancement trial says Level 5 Lords can participate, don’t underestimate it. It’s a trial that tests the Lord’s personal strength. For specifics, you can ask Han Yue or that girl Qingxin. This old man won’t keep you with idle chatter.”

“Tianyuan understands.”

Mu Yuan cupped his hands respectfully. “Then Old Lin, I’ll take my leave first.”

Mu Yuan withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Inside the office, the old man puffed on his pipe, watching the departed figure. His eyes narrowed slightly as his face gradually faded into the mist.

Suddenly, he blew out a smoke ring.

“A fine young man like Tianyuan…”

“I wonder if there’s still a chance to match him with my granddaughter. That girl just doesn’t strive hard enough.”

…

Nine-Colored Tower, dining area.

Mu Yuan thought since he had come all this way, and in person at that, he shouldn’t waste this free lunch opportunity.

He brought Moli to dine here.

Many Lords who only attended the conference through projections could only gaze longingly at the delicacies.

“Next time, I should bring Dolai.”

“But that might not work—what if Dolai eats this place empty?”

Contemplating this, Mu Yuan took out a communication pearl to contact the Cold Moon City Lord.

Clearly, the Cold Moon City Lord had undergone the advancement trial.

He dared not take this trial lightly.

Unlike the Level 5 territory promotion where failure allowed retries, the Trial Key was a one-time use item.

The trial likely had differences between passing and achieving perfection.

“Area B, Table 36.”

The Cold Moon City Lord’s voice came through the pearl. “Come over, this City Lord is treating.”

The dining area had multiple sections, with Area B being one of them.

But today’s meal was free!

Mu Yuan arrived at Area B and found Table 36.

Two Pioneering Generals were seated there.

“Advancement trial?”Cold Moon City Lord smiled confidently, “You’ve asked the right person. I am one of the few experts in the advanced trial who achieved a perfect grade. If you don’t believe me, ask a certain someone from Heartfelt City who only got a ‘good’ rating.”

The Heartfelt City Lord sitting nearby had veins bulging on their forehead.

Cold Moon City Lord said, “This advanced trial truly tests one’s personal combat prowess. How about we engage in some vigorous post-meal exercise?”

(End of Chapter)