Chapter 958: Chapter 516: Lord Meeting, Advanced Trial (4K)_2

The elder patted his shoulder and said, “Young man, work hard. The more effort you put in, the sooner I can retire.”

The award ceremony was brief.

Lord Tianyuan was only a few months away from being promoted to a Level Five Lord when he ascended to Six-Star, boasting the fastest promotion speed in Tai Xuan.

Even faster than the Lord of Han Yue City back in his day.

“I’m not surprised at all that Lord Tianyuan has been promoted. He did lead the Battle Zone to a resounding victory. If it weren’t for the fact that advancing from Six-Star to Seven-Star Exploration General requires more significant achievements than climbing from One-Star to Six-Star, Tianyuan might already have taken on the role of Exploration General.”

“Indeed, I don’t envy his achievements; I only envy how he managed to recruit so many capable generals!”

“Master of the Starry Sky, Arrow God, Giant Spirit God, Shadowlord… Any Lord who could acquire even one of them would be poised to dazzle on the world stage, yet the Lord of Tianyuan City has five or six such unparalleled Divine Generals.”

Such envy was enough to grind one’s teeth to dust.

After the award ceremony came discussions about the next strategic developments for Tai Xuan.

Affected by the Sky Rift, the balance of Tai Xuan Alliance’s peripheral regions had been disrupted, with most territories unable to defend themselves and the Alliance unable to aid so many territories.

The only solution was to relocate to the hinterlands and establish layers of defense.

In the vast and sparsely populated Eternal World, there were plenty of areas suited for building towns and cities, not even considering the rare resources.

However…

The mass migration of populations was no easy task.

Once migrated, it also meant having to give up one’s own territory, the foundation built through years of hard work.

It meant going from a noble Lord to a mere wealthy professional.

“This migration is not mandatory; it’s just our strong recommendation.”

“After all, the Alliance can no longer ensure the safety of the outer areas.”

The meeting was met with a moment of silence.

A Lord spoke up, “What about those crimson behemoths? Can’t beings of the Law Realm eradicate them? If we could clear out the crimson behemoths and return the tainted Red Mist to its normal state, we wouldn’t need to relocate our territories, would we?”

In the eyes of many, the presence of the Law Realm was almost godlike, virtually omnipotent.

The awe of the Law Realm could often cover an entire island region, dealing with, cutting down those crimson behemoths, that should be possible, right?

Use that Conceptual Power!

But it wasn’t feasible.

Lord of Luo Fu Mountain said, “You should be aware that the tainted Red Mist cannot be destroyed or cleansed; it can only be purified through the Heaven and Earth Rules at the right moment. And the status of these crimson behemoths is higher than that of the Red Mist.”

Any hope harbored by some Lords was shattered.

Yet for most of the Lords present, this was the expected answer.

Moving towns, establishing walls and defensive lines, these were to be the strategy for the foreseeable future.

As for the rest, it depended on how the disaster evolved.

…

After the meeting, Mu Yuan followed the guide to a high floor of the Nine-Color Tower, to the office of one of the national pillars.

This place was shrouded in clouds and mist.

The elderly man who had been at the meeting was now leisurely puffing on a smoking pipe amidst the clouds.

One of the Tai Xuan Liangyi, the Smoky Elder.

Or rather, the national pillar known as Elder Lin.

“Child, take a seat,” he waved his hand, and the smoke in the office whooshed out the window, turning into a dragon of mist that danced in the sky.

He continued, “I’ve wanted to meet our prodigious Lord of Tai Xuan for a long time, but various accidents prevented it. Now, in the blink of an eye, you have grown into a commander who can fend for himself, and you’ve even repelled the invasion from Dragon Sleep Valley.”

Mu Yuan: “This is not my credit alone; it is the result of the combined efforts of all our soldiers.”

Elder Lin laughed and said, “Of course, it is the merit of all the soldiers, but you also have great first merits, young man. Don’t be too modest.”

“Had we met earlier, I might have tested you to see if you were as excellent as the rumors suggest, but now there’s no need. Your combat records, your conquests, they speak for themselves.”

“Besides…”

“You’ve already entered the Soul Realm, haven’t you? And your Domain must span at least thirty thousand meters in diameter. Outside, they say you’re only as strong as a Division General, but I don’t think so. A Lord capable of dominating and subduing mighty generals one after another, how could he possibly be mediocre?”

As he spoke, he took out two items.

“This first one is a personal gift from me, the second represents Tai Xuan for you. Have a look.”

‘True Spirit Guardian Stone’

‘Description 1: Even if the holder completely falls and their God Soul perishes, a wisp of the true spirit can be retained, allowing for rebirth after a period of time.’

‘Description 2: This treasure can only be activated by those in the Soul Realm or above.’

The elder said, “I can’t deny that Tai Xuan very much needs you, you strong members of the younger generation, but remember, child, you must live. Only by surviving can there be hope. Not just for yourself, but for Tai Xuan as well.”

“We old folks still hope that one day, we can fully drive out those monsters, and I’m sorry to say, that heavy responsibility can only fall on your shoulders.”

“This second item is a Key to the Secret Region, a key to a Trial Secret Realm. As long as you can get through the Secret Realm, you can enhance your Lord’s Power.”

A crescent-shaped key emitted rings of faint golden light.

‘Trial Key’

‘Description: Can initiate a Lord’s Advanced Trial once, restricted to Lords Level Five and above, for the Lord’s use only.’

Lord’s Power can still be promoted?

Mu Yuan was surprised.

Through the Newcomer’s Trial, a Lord can obtain Lord’s Power, which is an authority granted by Heaven and Earth.

After that, after passing the Promotion Trial for a Level Five Territory, the Lord’s Power can be enhanced once.

This is the only elevation.

The Promotion for a Level Seven Large Territory and a Level Nine Peak Territory does not require a trial, and the Lord’s Power will not greatly increase.

“Take it.”

Lin Guozhu, puffing on his pipe, said with a chuckle.

“Since you’ve put it that way, I will accept it,” Mu Yuan replied.

Mu Yuan solemnly accepted the two treasures.

Lin Guozhu said, “That Advanced Trial may be open to Level Five Lords, but don’t underestimate it. It’s a test of the Lord’s personal strength. For specifics, you can ask Han Yue or that girl Qinxin. This old man won’t keep you with his ramblings.”

“Understood,” Mu Yuan replied.

Mu Yuan bowed, “Then Elder Lin, I will take my leave.”

Mu Yuan left, closing the big door behind him.

In the office, the elder puffed on his smoke, watching the departing figure. His eyes slightly narrowed, his face gradually fading into the mist.

Suddenly, he blew a smoke ring.

“Such an outstanding young man like Tianyuan…”

“I wonder if there’s still a chance to match him with my granddaughter, the girl is lacking initiative.”

…

The Nine-Color Tower, dining area.

Mu Yuan thought since he had come, especially in his true body, he shouldn’t waste the opportunity for a free lunch.

So he dined there with Mo Li.

Many Lords, present only as projections at the meeting, could only salivate at the sight of the delicious food.

“Next time, bring Duo Lai along,” he thought.

“But that wouldn’t do either. What if Duo Lai eats everything here empty?”

Mu Yuan pondered and took out a Treasure Bead to contact the Lord of Han Yue City.

Obviously, the Lord of Han Yue City had been through an Advanced Trial.

He dared not take this trial lightly.

This wasn’t like the promotion of a Level Five Territory, where you could try again if you failed.

The Trial Key was a one-time-use item.

The trial, too, likely had a distinction between passable and perfect.

“Section B, Table 36,” the voice of the Lord of Han Yue City came from the Treasure Bead, “Come over, this Lord’s treat.”

The dining area had several sections, and Section B was one of them.

But today’s meal is free!

Mu Yuan arrived in Section B and found Table Number 36.

Two Exploration Generals were seated there.

“Advanced Trial?”

The Lord of Han Yue City smiled confidently, “You’ve come to the right person. I am one of the few who has achieved a perfect ranking in the Advanced Trial. If you don’t believe me, ask that Qinxin, who only got a good ranking.”

The Lord Qing Xin at the side’s temple throbbed slightly.

The Lord of Han Yue City said, “This Advanced Trial severely tests individual combat power. How about, let’s have a lively activity after the meal.”