I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Despite his injuries, Wen Ruohai flew over and bowed solemnly to Qin Yuan: "Fellow Daoist Qin, you turned the tide and saved Qing Shi City from annihilation. This kindness will be forever remembered by the entire Shu Jian Sect!"

Qin Yuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Senior Wen, you are too kind. It is a fortunate coincidence. The most urgent task is to eliminate the remaining enemies, stabilize the city, repair the formation, and resist the alien demons."

Wen Ruohai nodded and immediately began making arrangements. With Qin Yuan, a newly promoted peak Nascent Soul cultivator, in charge, the remaining forces of the Crimson Flame Sect were quickly extinguished, and order was gradually restored within the city. The formation was regained control, and the defensive light barrier lit up again, blocking the subsequent influx of alien demons.

By daybreak, Qing Shi City had largely returned to calm, though its devastation was a testament to the bloody battle of the previous night.

Inside the main hall of the City Lord's Mansion, Wen Ruohai, Qin Yuan, Chu Wuyue, and other core members gathered.

Wen Ruohai's face was still pale, but his spirits were still high. He looked at Qin Yuan and pondered, "Fellow Daoist Qin, after this night, the Crimson Flame Sect's power in this area has suffered heavy losses. Although Qing Shi City has been recaptured, our Book Sword Sect has also suffered heavy losses and must guard against retaliation from the Crimson Flame Sect. In my opinion, Fellow Daoist Qin's strength is outstanding, and the members of the Xuan Yuan Sect are also talents. How about... Fellow Daoist Qin temporarily take charge of Qing Shi City?"

These words shocked everyone. To take charge of a city? This meant that the Xuan Yuan Sect would possess its first base in the Hundred Sects Battlefield—a truly significant move!

Qin Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he instantly understood Wen Ruohai's intentions: first, to repay a debt of gratitude; second, to bind Qin Yuan and the Xuan Yuan Sect to the fight against the Chi Yan Sect; and third, to use Qin Yuan's strength to stabilize the situation in Qing Shi City. A triple win.

After a moment's thought, he realized that his side did indeed need a stable base. Qing Shi City was in a good location and had become mortal enemies with the Chi Yan Sect. Taking over the city would be more beneficial than harmful.

"Since you have entrusted me with this task, I, Qin, will temporarily take charge and work with the Book and Sword Sect to jointly resist the Crimson Flame Sect," Qin Yuan agreed.

Wen Ruohai breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Very good! I will immediately send a message to the sect to explain the situation. All matters such as city defense and resource allocation will be temporarily handled by Fellow Daoist Qin."

Soon, news spread that Qin Yuan was temporarily acting as the city lord of Qing Shi City. The remaining cultivators from various sects within the city reacted differently, but none dared to openly oppose him due to the terrifying strength Qin Yuan had displayed the previous night. The Xuan Yuan Sect members, however, were extremely excited. Who could have imagined that the bottom-ranked Xuan Yuan Sect would actually possess a city in this battlefield of a hundred sects!

Qin Yuan stood on the city wall under repair, gazing at the still dark red sky and desolate land in the distance. Chu Wuyue, Yun Qingyao, and the others stood behind him, their expressions filled with excitement.

The first city is in their grasp. But this is only the beginning. The Crimson Flame Sect will never give up easily; the cruelty of the Hundred Sects War goes far beyond this.

He felt the surging power of the peak Nascent Soul stage within his body, as well as the long journey of the next eight stages of the Nine Deaths Nascent Soul Technique.

The road ahead was long, and he was surrounded by formidable enemies. But he was fearless.

"Clean up the battlefield, repair defenses, assess resources, and reorganize the troops," Qin Yuan calmly ordered, his voice carrying an undeniable air of control. "We must establish a firm foothold in this Qing Shi City."

The cleanup and restoration work in Qing Shi City lasted for three days.

Under Qin Yuan's swift and decisive arrangements, the city's defensive formations were prioritized for repair and reinforcement. Qin Yuan even personally inscribed several simplified runes derived from the *Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique* at the formation's core, significantly enhancing the defensive barrier's resilience and its purification effect against the alien demons. The remaining Crimson Flame Sect spies within the city were completely eliminated. Corpses and war-damaged supplies were categorized and disposed of; valuable items were stored, while useless ones were burned. The warehouses originally belonging to the Book Sword Sect and the Crimson Flame Sect were re-invented, and resources were temporarily allocated to compensate the wounded, reward those who had rendered meritorious service, and maintain the city's operations.

The members of the Xuan Yuan Sect, along with their allies Tuoba Shan, Su Meier, Yin Jiuyou, and Zi Ling, who had fought alongside them, all received generous resources. Their injuries healed rapidly, and their cultivation even improved slightly. For the first time, Chu Wuyue and the others experienced the benefits of "having a base," no longer having to drift like duckweed. Pills, spirit stones, and a safe cultivation environment all invigorated their spirits.

On the morning of the fourth day, the envoy sent by Wen Ruohai respectfully invited Qin Yuan to the newly built "Qingyun Pavilion" next to the city lord's mansion. Wen Ruohai, the highest-ranking person in charge of the Shujian Sect stationed in this area and an elder in the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, along with several true disciples of the Shujian Sect, would formally meet with Qin Yuan.

Inside Qingyun Pavilion, the furnishings were elegant, and the air was filled with the subtle fragrance of ink. Wen Ruohai sat in the main seat, his complexion much better than a few days ago, but a trace of fatigue still lingered between his brows. To his left and right sat three distinguished disciples of the Shujian Sect, two men and one woman, all at the late Nascent Soul stage, their gazes focused and their auras pure, clearly indicating they were all elites of the sect.

Qin Yuan led Chu Wuyue and Yun Qingyao into the pavilion. Wen Ruohai rose to greet him, his smile warm: "City Lord Qin, please have a seat." The three disciples of the Book and Sword Sect also rose to pay their respects, their gazes quickly sweeping over Qin Yuan, carrying a scrutinizing look and a hint of barely perceptible astonishment. The well-rounded, restrained yet unfathomable aura emanating from Qin Yuan made them feel a chill.

"You're too kind, Senior Wen." Qin Yuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand and took his seat with Chu Wuyue and Yun Qingyao.

Wen Ruohai cut to the chase: "Lord Qin, the fact that Qing Shi City was able to be recovered this time is entirely due to your efforts in turning the tide. Our Shu Jian Sect is not one to be ungrateful. With permission from the sect, we have prepared a small gift to express our gratitude."

He clapped his hands, and two disciples of the Book and Sword Sect presented three jade boxes.

The first jade box was opened, revealing three sword-shaped jade pendants, their surfaces warm and lustrous, with a subtle radiance. "These are the 'Guardian Sword Pendants,' low-grade Earth-rank protective magic treasures. They can autonomously withstand one full-force attack from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and reflect some of the damage. Presented to City Lord Qin and his two esteemed disciples."

The second jade box contained five bottles of pills. "Ten Grade 5 'Virtuous Spirit Pills,' which can purify spiritual energy, stabilize the Dao heart, and are quite helpful in breaking through minor bottlenecks."

The third jade box contained an ancient jade slip. "This is a travelogue of an ancient sword cultivator, 'The Record of the Azure Lotus Sword,' which is kept in our Shujian Sect. Although it is not a martial arts technique or secret art, it records some of the sword insights and experiences of that senior, which may inspire Lord Qin."

This gift of gratitude is truly substantial. Protective magic treasures, fifth-grade pills, and ancient sword cultivation insights are all rare treasures for ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators and even for most sects.

Chu Wuyue and Yun Qingyao looked at Qin Yuan. Qin Yuan remained calm, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Senior Wen's generous gift is greatly appreciated. On behalf of the Xuan Yuan Sect, I thank you. The Guardian Sword Pendant and the Haoran Pill are perfectly suited to the current cultivation levels of my two senior brothers and sisters. The 'Qingping Sword Travel Record' is also of great benefit to sword practitioners."

He paused, then said to Chu Wuyue and Yun, "Senior Brother Chu, Senior Sister Yun, please accept this gift from Senior Wen."

Chu Wuyue and Yun Qingyao were taken aback. Chu Wuyue quickly said, "Junior Brother Qin, this is too precious, you should have..."