City Lord Duanmu

Guards were posted around the high platform. Upon seeing the group, they immediately knelt and saluted, calling out, "Greetings, esteemed Immortals and Immortal Masters!"

"Let's head to the City Lord's mansion first." Chen Huan and the others, having completed many missions, were accustomed to such scenes. Without even glancing at the guards, he said to Pei Ling, "City Lord Duanmu here is a Foundation Establishment stage senior. Behave yourself when you meet him later!"

Pei Ling nodded. "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. I've got it."

After a while, they arrived at the City Lord's mansion. Although Luoshan City was under the jurisdiction of the Chongming Sect like Luquan City, it was clearly much more prosperous. The City Lord's mansion was also far grander and taller than that of Luquan City.

After stating their identities and origins at the entrance, a steward soon came out to greet them.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, they felt a lightness in their bodies, as if a refreshing breeze had swept over them, making them feel more relaxed.

Noticing Pei Ling's apparent confusion, Chen Mei chuckled and explained, "City Lord Duanmu is an Array Cultivator. This City Lord's mansion is equipped with a Spirit Gathering Formation, a simplified version of the Spirit Gathering Array on Huaiyin Peak. It can nourish the body and is beneficial for cultivation."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Chen," Pei Ling said. He looked around, observing the deep courtyards and lush vegetation along the path within the mansion. Occasionally, servants and maids passed by. Upon seeing the steward personally guiding guests, they quickly retreated to the sides, keeping their heads down respectfully.

Before long, they were led into a side hall.

The hall was luxuriously furnished, with eight melon-shaped floor lamps lining the walls. The lampshades were embroidered with various acrobats. When the steward signaled for the group to be seated and maids served tea, they clapped their hands lightly. The acrobats then leaped out from the lampshades, landing and transforming into lifelike figures.

They bowed towards the head of the hall and began their various acrobatic performances.

The steward smiled and said, "The City Lord is busy with some official matters and will be able to see you esteemed guests shortly. Please make yourselves comfortable for a while."

As he spoke, another group of beautiful female entertainers entered, carrying golden goblets and silver basins filled with fruits and pastries, which they offered solicitously.

"We wouldn't dare disturb Senior Duanmu," Chen Huan said quickly. "This was just a small matter for us; how could we trouble you? Here is Senior Brother Duanmu's letter. Please present it to the Senior."

The steward replied courteously, "The City Lord says that since you have traveled far, it would be best to have our esteemed guests rest at the mansion for a few days. As for the young master's letter, the City Lord will be here shortly. Please deliver it to him personally."

Chen Huan and the others had no intention of leaving. After some pleasantries, they joined the female entertainers in watching the singing, dancing, and acrobatics.

About half a day later, as dusk settled and lamps were being lit, a soft cough was heard from outside. The acrobats suddenly transformed into silhouettes and returned to their lampshades.

The female entertainers immediately stopped pouring wine and joking, their expressions turning serious as they stood with their hands clasped.

The steward's face showed reverence. "The City Lord has arrived."

Chen Huan and the others became solemn and rose to greet him.

Moments later, a group of attendants surrounded a middle-aged man who entered.

The man appeared to be around forty years old, with a distinguished appearance and a short beard under his chin. His eyes darted about, radiating sharp intelligence, making him seem very astute and capable.

Upon seeing him, Chen Huan and the others quickly rose from their seats and respectfully greeted him, "It has been many days since we last met, City Lord. Your demeanor is even more impressive than before!"

"I am already old and frail, unlike you young ones with boundless futures," City Lord Duanmu said politely. "My son is in the sect, and I would ask for your continued care."

After a few exchanges, Chen Huan presented his son's letter. City Lord Duanmu took it and thanked him but did not leave immediately. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Do you have any other missions this time? If they are near Luoshan City, perhaps I can offer some assistance?"

"Thank you for your inquiry, City Lord," Chen Huan replied respectfully. "We were about to ask for your guidance: we have two more missions. The first is the Flower Demon outside the city; the second is the Purple-Eyed Sable within Luoshan."

"The Flower Demon outside the city is merely at the fourth level of Enlightenment," City Lord Duanmu said, stroking his short beard. "It should be no threat to you, so I won't say more. As for the Purple-Eyed Sable, although it is incredibly fast, since you have accepted this mission, you must be prepared. It wasn't originally a problem, but recently, there have been some complications."

"Complications?" Chen Huan was taken aback. He exchanged a quick glance with Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin, then cupped his fist and said, "Please enlighten us, City Lord!"

City Lord Duanmu said slowly, "Recently, a Foundation Establishment stage Human-Faced Spider has emerged from the depths of Luoshan to lay its eggs, and it has chosen a spot near the Purple-Eyed Sable's territory."

Upon hearing this, Chen Huan and his group's expressions changed. "Human-Faced Spider?"

"That's right," City Lord Duanmu sighed. "After I discovered it, I intended to eliminate it to prevent future trouble for Luoshan City. However, twenty years ago, I had an accident that not only dashed my hopes of further advancement but also left me with a chronic illness, preventing me from exerting my full strength. Although the Human-Faced Spider is greatly weakened after giving birth, I don't have absolute confidence in defeating it. I could only allow it to nest on the outskirts of Luoshan, but I've ordered my people not to approach it rashly, lest they become its prey."

Seeing Chen Huan and the others hesitate, he thought for a moment and added, "However, your mission may not be impossible to complete."

"Please instruct us, City Lord!" Chen Huan asked quickly. "What should we do?"

Although their primary objective for this trip was Pei Ling, no disciple of the Chongming Sect would refuse more Spirit Stones. The reward for the Purple-Eyed Sable mission was substantial, and since they were already here, why turn back?

City Lord Duanmu said, "Although I couldn't eliminate the Human-Faced Spider, I observed its movements secretly for many days and have a general understanding of its current activity range. I will have the steward get you a map later. You will have to work a bit harder and take a detour."

Chen Huan and the others breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the City Lord solemnly.

After some more polite exchanges, City Lord Duanmu excused himself, citing business matters, leaving only the steward to entertain them.

This time, they were not in the side hall but moved to a waterside pavilion. A sumptuous feast had already been prepared, along with two jars of low-grade Spirit Wine, brewed from a special Spirit Fruit according to Chen Mei's introduction, which was beneficial for cultivation.

"City Lord Duanmu is truly generous," Chen Huan, who had maintained a dignified demeanor until now, couldn't help but show a hint of joy upon seeing the two jars of Spirit Wine. He said happily, "It was worth my effort to secure this mission."

This Spirit Wine seemed extremely rare. Chen Huan even directly placed one jar into his storage bag in front of everyone, opening only one to share with the guests at the banquet.

Pei Ling raised his wine cup and took a sip. His eyes immediately lit up. The pale green wine was rich and fragrant. A small sip sent a long, spicy warmth down his throat, followed by a sensation like a ball of fire igniting in his dantian, quickly spreading to his limbs.

In just this short moment, the spiritual energy within him had increased by a small margin.

Renting the Yin Corpse Cloud costs ten Spirit Stones, and the rewards for the messenger and Peach Blossom Eye missions combined are only that much, Pei Ling couldn't help but think to himself. It seems Chen Huan and the others took on these two missions because there were extra benefits to be gained.