The next day, Jason and his companions were unexpectedly invited into North Skeleton Castle again.
Strangely enough, only Delisha and Jason were invited this time.
Unlike the palaces in the Material Plane, the corridors here are so long that you need to fly to reach them.
"There are fewer guards here than I expected." Jason tried to look around with small movements, not daring to release his divine sense.
"After all, it's the city lord's residence. We just need to arrange some guards to prevent intrusion." Delisha said calmly, as this was her second time here.
We entered a guest room, which was a normal-sized room.
The person seated at the head of the table was a dignified young man, with Cheryl beside him.
Cheryl introduced, "This is Lloyd, the Lord of Falling Rain City."
Delisha and Jason bowed in greeting. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Yes, have a seat." Lloyd said casually, "I'll get straight to the point. The reason I'm here is that the Mowo Clan's strength has been greatly reduced after being severely damaged by the Tungsten Copper Stronghold last time. I want to find another family to help me raise the Violet Light Pearl Mussel."
I just happened to hear that your Rhine Clan recently migrated from the Material Plane to the Netherworld, and that your settlement is an underground river. Johanna mentioned that Miss Delisha possesses the strength of Five-Star Fiend, which perfectly matches my criteria. I'd like to ask if you're interested in collaborating with me."
Delisha and Jason looked at Cheryl.
"Don't look at me. I was just praising your individual abilities. I don't know anything about your family's affairs." Cheryl, dressed in a red dress, looked incredibly alluring with her shrug.
"With so many people in your family in the city, you can easily find out by asking around," City Lord Lloyd said, trying to smooth things over for his lover. "My men have also inquired, and the real power in your family lies with the two of you. You are perfectly capable of making your own decisions."
"Looks like we need to strengthen the family members' awareness of secrecy from now on!" Jason thought to himself.
Delisha's telepathic message came through. "What do you think?"
"I'm somewhat tempted, but becoming the city lord's partner probably won't be that easy."
Lloyd's interest in the Rhine Clan stemmed solely from their recent arrival in the Netherworld, their clean background, their small numbers, and the presence of Delisha, a powerful figure who could intimidate enemies and be easily controlled. As for his past relationship with Johanna and Cheryl, that was merely a catalyst.
As the clan leader, Delisha naturally spoke up, "Lord City Lord, your Violet Light Pearl Mussel must be quite valuable."
"Hehehe, smart man," Lloyd chuckled. "I already know who was behind Johanna's ambush during her mission, and Kelier, who was with them, is also a traitor. I'll find an opportunity to get him out of the city, and you can kill him for me. Oh, by the way, Kelier is a peak Five-Star Fiend; he was hiding his strength before."
Kelier was a Four Star Fiend whom Johanna had invited to help with a previous mission.
Before Delisha could answer, Cheryl produced a contract. "Here's the contract. Take a look and see if the price is reasonable."
The two scanned the area with their divine senses: City Lord Lloyd paid the Rhine Clan one hundred Violet Light Pearl Mussel for Delisha's one-time payment. The Rhine Clan was to deliver at least one hundred mature Violet Light Pearl every ten thousand years thereafter. Any excess would be purchased by City Lord Lloyd at one hundred thousand Nether Stone per pearl. The Rhine Clan was not allowed to allow the Violet Light Pearl Mussel to leave the family without permission, nor could they sell the Violet Light Pearl privately.
Cheryl transmitted her thoughts telepathically, saying, "The Violet Light Pearl Mussel produces one mature Violet Light Pearl every ten thousand years. This business isn't profitable in the early stages, but it will definitely be very lucrative later on."
Delisha and Jason exchanged a glance. "Thank you for your kindness, City Lord. Regarding the purchase of these one hundred Violet Light Pearl Mussel, I need to make some preparations."
"Sure, you can trade in Falling Rain City for the next hundred years."
Delisha and Jason said goodbye.
Lloyd asked, "The rest of the Rhine Clan are all mutated Bladewing Fiend, so how come these two have an aura of a different bloodline?"
Cheryl leaned closer. "Families composed of multiple races are quite common in the Netherworld, aren't they? One is responsible for fighting, and the other for production."
Before breaking through to the Deity-level, the Violet-Eyed Bladewing Fiend was considered a "beast" of slight value by the powerful beings of the Netherworld. Cheryl's words were indeed in line with the logic of the Netherworld.
In fact, Delisha didn't need to prepare for long. She just wanted to send her people back first, and then have her three clones come and kill people together.
Inside the long, knife-shaped Metallic Airship, Delisha, Jason, Maisiji, and Anya sat in a compartment.
"This is a good opportunity, but we need more combat power to protect this batch of Violet Light Pearl Mussel and avoid following in the footsteps of the Mowo Clan," Maisiji analyzed.
Delisha nodded. "I originally wanted to hire a few Fiend for a while, but after inquiring at the Fiend Castle, I found out their loyalty isn't good. I'll find a few more of my tribesmen to refine into High Godhead instead."
Maisiji gave Jason a look.
Jason sighed inwardly. He was somewhat reluctant for Maisiji to give up his cultivation of his original body, but he still spoke up, "Clan Chief, my father Maisiji's talent for death is extremely low. Could you grant him a Death High Godhead?"
Delisha glanced at Maisiji. "Very well, it just so happens that the family's council members are too weak to intimidate the clansmen. Maisiji, are you really willing to Refine Divine Spark? I've heard you have good aptitude."
As Jason's father, Maisiji was able to become emperor for nearly a hundred years, break through to the Saint-level in the Material Plane, and then Edicts of Destruction through to the Deity-level in the Netherworld for more than three hundred years under external pressure. His talent is quite remarkable.
"Clan Chief, my aptitude for death is really low; I'm still only at the beginner level. To be honest, I prefer handling clan affairs," Maisiji said, bowing his head.
Delisha wasn't afraid of Maisiji's plots or subversion; after all, in the Netherworld, strength was the guarantee of loyalty.
"Alright, the Highgod who intercepted Jason before was the strongest death Highgod I've ever encountered. You can have him. As for the lower and Mid Godhead, go find Jason. How much power you inherit from those Divine Spark depends on your luck."
"Thank you, clan chief!"
Delisha then asked, "Do you have any Water Element Highgod Spark? I'd like to give one to Bili."
Bili, Sapphire Dragon rescued by Delisha on the Yulan Continent, has been helping to take care of the Blue Jade Fruit Tree since she refined her Lowgod Spark.
Jason rummaged through his Interspatial Ring and took out Divine Spark radiating blue light. "I obtained one by accident."
Delisha already knew Jason was quite wealthy, though she didn't know where it came from. "I thank you on her behalf."
Jason is now considered a confidant by Delisha and has been granted Divine Spark without any mention of compensation.
The Metallic Airship sped forward. This time, with two Highgod Fiend present, they could simply reveal themselves to any bandits they encountered, saving a lot of time.