The Star-Eating Grass needed time to recover from its ordeal with the Water-Sky Holy Flame, and Han Jue required a quiet place to consolidate his understanding of the fundamental laws. The insights granted by the Water-Sky Holy Flame differed fundamentally from those embodied in the Ice Peak Chaos Monument. While the monument ultimately based its principles on space, the Holy Flame's teachings leaned more toward the Way of the Beast God, the fusion of elemental and spatial laws.
"Alright, big brother," Yaoguang Ye agreed readily.
Qi Yunxian followed silently behind Yaoguang Ye. After consuming the Moshu Poison Fruit, he'd retained his life but surrendered his freedom entirely.
Though the Qi family's high-level combat forces had been annihilated, as long as he remained alive, there would eventually come a day when the family could rise again. That hope sustained him through this humiliation.
"Yaoguang Ye," Han Jue asked suddenly as they traveled, "can you inherit the position of Lord of your main city?"
The question made both Yaoguang Ye and Qi Yunxian break out in cold sweats.
"Big brother, my grandfather still holds that position," Yaoguang Ye replied fearfully.
"To become Lord of a main city, one must first possess at least the strength of a fifth-level World Master," Qi Yunxian explained, sensing an opportunity to prove his value. "Second, one must be recognized by a Holy Spirit, er, an Immortal. The position is usually held by a capable subordinate or disciple of these powerful beings."
"However, there's another method," Yaoguang Ye added after a moment's consideration.
"The Lord of a prefecture city is eligible to challenge the Lord of a main city to a duel for lordship. The two sides fight to determine the victor, and the winner inherits everything from the loser. If the prefecture city prevails, they can choose to become Lord of the main city."
"If the Lord of the main city wins, the prefecture city is usually required to pay a certain number of years' worth of taxes as tribute."
"Typically, the Lord of a prefecture city only possesses the strength of a peak Domain Lord or a low-level World Master. Few would dare challenge a main city. However, throughout history, some powerful World Masters have achieved the status of main city Lord through this method."
"Sir!" Qi Yunxian's eyes lit up as understanding dawned. Presumably guessing Han Jue's intentions, he began offering strategic advice.
"If you're determined to pursue this, I suggest challenging the Lord of Dulan City!"
"The Dulan family specializes in cultivating parasitic plants. Their personal combat power isn't particularly formidable, and their combat regulations allow parasitic plants to participate in duels. Your parasitic plant is undoubtedly far more powerful than the Dulan family's Blood Orchid Vine. If you deploy it, your chances of victory will increase dramatically!"
Han Jue gave Qi Yunxian an approving look.
Excellent strategic thinking.
The Star-Eating Grass was certainly incomparable to ordinary plant life found throughout the Seven Flames Palace. Once it recovered and advanced a few more levels, it would be more than capable of competing for the position of main city Lord!
"Reward," Han Jue said, casually tossing out a Life Fruit.
"Thank you, sir!" Qi Yunxian expressed his sincere gratitude, carefully storing the precious treasure.
"Brother, when we arrive in Tianyan Prefecture City, I'll transfer the position of City Lord to you," Yaoguang Ye offered nervously, swallowing hard.
"No," Han Jue unexpectedly refused.
"You must continue serving as City Lord, otherwise we'll have difficulty explaining the situation to Yaoguang Main City. Qi Yunxian, you'll return to Yaoguang City and serve as my intelligence agent. See if you can find any information related to the Sacred Pillar Trial. While you're at it, you may also search for the antidote to the Moshu Poison Fruit." Han Jue smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, sir, I won't leak your information!" Qi Yunxian immediately assured him, feeling a chill run down his spine.
"Perform well, and I won't disappoint you," Han Jue said, patting Qi Yunxian's shoulder.
He'd originally planned to use Yaoguang Ye's status as prefecture City Lord to collect Spark Coins for purchasing Holy Flame fragments, but he'd unexpectedly discovered a far more valuable opportunity.
The Sacred Pillar Trial.
Tianyan Prefecture City was located on the southwestern border of Yaoguang City's territory, near Puyang City.
Within Tianyan City stood a restaurant with luxurious yet understated décor. Several prominent figures had gathered there for a clandestine meeting.
"Elder Yan, have you discovered the identity of our new City Lord?" a middle-aged man asked.
Elder Yan shook his head slightly. "He was sent directly from the main city. I have no means of investigating his identity, but he's most likely from the Yaoguang family itself."
"This new City Lord has such a powerful background?" a woman frowned.
"Elder Yan, are you certain?" the middle-aged man pressed.
Elder Yan shook his head again. "I'm not certain of anything. That's precisely why my Yan family is withdrawing from the competition for the City Lord position this time."
"What?!"
"Elder Yan, you're withdrawing?" the middle-aged man exclaimed in shock.
Elder Yan was the most senior elder in Tianyan City. He might not be the most powerful individual, but his reputation and prestige were unmatched within the city, not only among common citizens, but even among the dignitaries and nobles. He was the most respected figure in Tianyan Prefecture City!
"Haha," Elder Yan said with a helpless laugh.
"The Yaoguang family has a small population but tremendous power. Every member is considered a treasure. Within Yaoguang Main City itself, who would dare challenge the Guang family? Only other World Masters would have the audacity to do so."
Silence fell over the gathering.
"Hmph! So what if he's from the Yaoguang family?" the middle-aged man gritted his teeth. "What if he isn't? Regardless, this City Lord position has remained vacant for so long, and our three families have been competing for it all this time. We can't simply surrender it to an outsider!"
"That's right," the woman agreed firmly.
"Elder Yan, if you wish to withdraw, then withdraw. But I, Zhuo Liu, won't give up easily."
Elder Yan sighed deeply. "Do as you please, but don't involve me or my family. The Yan family won't participate in this conflict. We'll focus solely on our business interests."
With those final words, Elder Yan departed from the restaurant.
"Zhuo Liu, let's join forces," the middle-aged man proposed. "After we eliminate this new City Lord, our two families can compete for the position fairly."
Zhuo Liu remained silent for a moment, calculating the risks and benefits.
"Agreed," she finally said. "But if I lose in the final competition for City Lord, Third Master Jiang, you must transfer the Jiang family's restaurant business to me."
"No problem," Third Master Jiang readily agreed.
Compared to the position of City Lord, the restaurant business was insignificant.
Zhuo Liu knew her chances of becoming City Lord were slim, so securing a tangible benefit from this alliance was the practical choice. Third Master Jiang certainly had to provide her with compensation for stepping aside.
"Sir, Tianyan Prefecture City lies just ahead," Yaoguang Ye said respectfully.
"Excellent. After I, Yaoguang Ye, assume the position of City Lord, I'll appoint you as Commander of the Tianyan Guards!" Yaoguang Ye declared loudly.
During their journey, the two had exchanged identities. Han Jue donned Yaoguang Ye's distinctive attire, and with his mastery of the Mirage Sea secret techniques, he could easily deceive anyone below the World Master level.
For the immediate future, Han Jue would assume Yaoguang Ye's identity and become City Lord of Tianyan Prefecture. Once he secured his position and the Star-Eating Grass had recovered, ideally advancing several levels in the process, he would be ready for the next phase.
When the Star-Eating Grass reached sufficient strength, he could challenge the City Lord of Dulan City. After claiming that position, he would participate in the Sacred Pillar Trial to acquire the Origin Spark!
Han Jue had also considered the possibility of completing the Sacred Pillar Trial and obtaining a complete Sacred Flame.
Based on his analysis of the Holy Flame's properties, a complete Sacred Flame could only be safely wielded by someone at the Immortal King level or higher. The wielder's comprehension of fundamental laws would need to approach that of a Universe Venerable, roughly equivalent to passing the nineteenth or twentieth floor of the Tongtian Bridge.
The challenge would be immense.
Still, Tianyan Prefecture City now lay within sight, and the first step of his plan was about to begin.
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