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Chapter 182: Nalan Piao Xue

The title of City Lord was slipping away from him, and this rootless and drifting Shui Tianya was about to take command of Wushuang City, becoming the new City Lord.

From a fourth-rank official to a City Lord, Shui Tianya would be honored by the imperial court, blessed with fortune, and supported by the entire city. This accumulation of fortune would allow his cultivation speed to be nearly four times faster than usual.

Carrying his frail body, Shui Tianya approached the City Lord's Mansion. From now on, this would be his residence and workplace.

"Shui Tianya pays respects to the Princess and the Shizi," Shui Tianya bowed respectfully to the two.

Princess Qianyou smiled slightly, while Gu Lin wore a dark expression, nodding begrudgingly.

From now on, besides the Princess and the Shizi, Shui Tianya would be the most powerful person in Wushuang City.

After bowing to the two, Shui Tianya immediately moved to the front of the floating island. Looking down at the mass of people below, he took a deep breath, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction.

"Thank you all for your support. Once the official decree from the court arrives, I will take defending Wushuang City as my duty and repay your votes. I want everyone to know that your vote was the right choice!" Shui Tianya declared forcefully.

There was an array at this spot that could broadcast his voice throughout the city, and everyone heard Shui Tianya's passionate speech.

"Lord Shui!"

"Lord Shui!"

... Though cultivators are generally reserved, the calls from below were audible even from the City Lord's Mansion.

Shui Tianya laughed heartily, though some people couldn't share his joy and looked at him with dark expressions.

Shui Tianya was previously the most inconsequential and least influential among the four city factions. Without the intervention of Zhong Shan, Gu Lin, Princess Qianyou, and Mr. Shuijing, he would have been the least likely candidate to win the election.

But now, Shui Tianya's situation was different. This election's outcome was a complete shock to everyone. The East and West factions supported Mo Baili, meaning Shui Tianya was up against three factions. Despite this, he won resoundingly, leading by more than a million votes—a staggering number.

This day was destined to be the most glorious in Shui Tianya's life. At least in Zhong Shan's eyes, Shui Tianya had reached the pinnacle of his life. With his level of wisdom, becoming the City Lord was likely his limit. Climbing higher would be exceedingly difficult.

A month later.

On the floating island where Zhong Shan resided, Ah Da's clothes were covered in dust, and Zhong Shan's hair was disheveled with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. The two walked side by side.

"Ah Da, with your high level of cultivation, can't you take care of me a bit?" Zhong Shan said as they walked.

"Sir's fighting style is too strange. Ah Da was forced to struggle," Ah Da replied with an innocent look.

"Never mind. It seems you still don't have full control over your power. You need more practice," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Yes, sir," Ah Da smiled and nodded, understanding that Zhong Shan was not truly angry. However, every time he sparred with Zhong Shan, Ah Da felt a sense of frustration.

Golden Core Stage 2? He himself was at the peak of Nascent Soul! Although he intentionally held back, did it always have to end with him in such a sorry state?

Princess Qianyou sat at a stone table not far away, sipping tea. Ah Er and Shui Tianya stood beside her.

"Ah Da, did you suffer another loss at the hands of Mr. Zhong?" Princess Qianyou asked with a smile.

"Yes, Princess," Ah Da nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.

Princess Qianyou chuckled softly.

Zhong Shan picked up a cup of tea from the stone table and drank it directly. This tea could heal injuries and strengthen the body, more effective than ordinary elixirs, so Zhong Shan didn't hesitate to drink it.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhong," Shui Tianya stepped forward and said.

"Oh? Has Lord Shui's appointment come through?" Zhong Shan asked as he set down the tea cup.

"Yes, it came this morning," Shui Tianya replied excitedly.

"That's good. In the future, I'll need to rely on Lord Shui's support," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Mr. Zhong, you're joking. If you have any instructions, I will do my utmost," Shui Tianya responded immediately.

"Good. I have one last piece of advice for you," Zhong Shan said.

"I am all ears," Shui Tianya straightened up, knowing that advice from Zhong Shan was extremely valuable.

"To control Wushuang City, you must first command the Wushuang Army," Zhong Shan advised.

"Understood. I will take this to heart," Shui Tianya replied promptly.

"Alright, Shui Tianya, you may go about your duties now," Princess Qianyou said.

"Yes," Shui Tianya nodded and left immediately.

"Mr. Zhong, how is your cultivation progressing?" Princess Qianyou asked, turning to Zhong Shan.

"Another year has passed. I'm at the peak of the second level of the Golden Core stage now. With fortune on my side, the best cultivation environment, and Ah Da constantly pushing my potential, I still can't break through just yet," Zhong Shan sighed.

However, deep down, Zhong Shan was very satisfied. This was the Golden Core stage, not the Innate stage. In less than a year, he had reached the peak of the second level of the Golden Core stage and could break through at any time.

"I will wait for you for another half year," Princess Qianyou said.

"Oh? Wait for another half year? Is there something happening in half a year?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Along with Shui Tianya's appointment, the Emperor also issued an imperial edict," Princess Qianyou said.

"An edict?" Zhong Shan asked in confusion.

"Yes. In two years, Emperor Nalan Piao Xue of the Dayu Dynasty will celebrate his three-thousandth birthday. The Emperor has ordered Gu Lin and me to go and offer our congratulations," Princess Qianyou explained.

"Nalan Piao Xue? His three-thousandth birthday? By custom, shouldn't the Princess not be the one to go?" Zhong Shan frowned, puzzled.

"Yes. If it were just Nalan Piao Xue's birthday, I wouldn't need to go. However, this time, Nalan Piao Xue has arranged to duel with the 'Great Mighty Dragon Bodhisattva' on his birthday. Both are 'mid-level' beings and supreme experts. This is a rare and momentous battle, a pinnacle duel. Even if the Emperor hadn't issued the edict, I would still want to witness it. It's a once-in-a-millennium event," Princess Qianyou said excitedly.

"The Great Mighty Dragon Bodhisattva? Nalan Piao Xue? Two years from now?" Zhong Shan repeated, intrigued. He felt a surge of anticipation.

A Bodhisattva and an Emperor? These were synonymous with supreme experts. Such a battle would certainly be a world-shaking event, attracting countless powerful individuals. Zhong Shan's heart was filled with expectation.

"In two years. Let's wait for you for another half year. Whether or not you break through by then, you will accompany me to the Dayu Dynasty," Princess Qianyou said.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded in agreement.

Although Zhong Shan was esteemed as "Mr." by Princess Qianyou, he knew that her pride could not be completely eroded by his strategies over the past year. Nor should it be, for she was a princess who, apart from the Emperor, could disregard all others. This journey to the Dayu Dynasty was no exception. Despite her informing him, Zhong Shan could tell from her tone that there was no room for negotiation. Decision-making did not require input from subordinates; he was merely a very useful subordinate.

Zhong Shan understood this dynamic and did not challenge it. After all, he did not mind this identity. In fact, his role in orchestrating the election for the lord of Wushuang City had repaid the favor from Bamen Mountain entirely over the past year. Additionally, he suspected that the trip to the Dayu Dynasty involved more than just celebrating a birthday and watching a duel; there were likely other secret directives from the Emperor that Princess Qianyou hadn't disclosed.

For Zhong Shan, understanding too much could be dangerous. It was best to focus on cultivation and rapid improvement—this was the most fundamental task.

Tianlang Island, Daxin Dynasty

In a side hall:

Zhong Shan, Gan Baobao, Wei Taizhong, Yinglan, Zhong Zheng, and Lin Xiao, the most important people of the Daxin Dynasty, were gathered together.

"Baobao, is the formation set?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Rest assured, no sound will escape," Gan Baobao replied confidently.

"Good," Zhong Shan nodded in satisfaction.

"Uncle, why have you gathered us all here? Is there something important?" Yinglan asked immediately.

In private, Yinglan addressed Zhong Shan as "Uncle," a habit she kept only in intimate settings like this where formalities were unnecessary.

Looking at Yinglan affectionately, Zhong Shan smiled and said, "Of course, otherwise, why the secrecy?"

"What is it about?" Yinglan pressed.

"There are a few arrangements I want to discuss with you all," Zhong Shan said.

"Arrangements?" The group looked at him intently.

"First, regarding Zhong Zheng," Zhong Shan said, turning to him.

"Father," Zhong Zheng stepped forward.

"In your planning for the markets, select a group of people who are both loyal to Daxin and highly capable. Train them well. With the endless supply of elixirs from the Tai Dan Academy, they should reach the Golden Core stage as soon as possible," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Father, what are they for?" Zhong Zheng asked, puzzled.

"Once they all reach the Golden Core stage, you will lead them to the Divine Land (Shenzhou) to establish a business association. Quickly gather resources from across the world to prepare for Daxin's eventual move into the Divine Land," Zhong Shan explained seriously.

"Yes, Father. I will not fail you," Zhong Zheng replied with determination.

"Good. Remember, when selecting people, capability is secondary; loyalty is paramount. It would be best to choose steady individuals. Even if they are old and near death, save them, give them rejuvenating elixirs, and make them loyal to us," Zhong Shan emphasized.

"Understood. I will remember," Zhong Zheng affirmed.