After my Daoist partners broke off their engagement, they pledged their loyalty to me!

Reaching the pavilion, Guan Xin looked at Guan Yuyan and asked, "Mother, how powerful is the cultivation level of the person behind you?"

"Supreme Realm." Guan Yuyan replied, "I saved that Supreme Realm expert's life back then, and he gave me a jade token, promising to help me with all his might once, as long as it didn't involve his life."

Years ago, before Guan Yuyan was in Xiaolingdan City, she was lucky enough to save a Supreme Realm expert who was on the verge of death on the road.

That Supreme Realm expert also bestowed upon her a great fortune.

Not only did it increase her cultivation level, but it also made her the city lord of Little Spirit Pill City, and gave her a jade token that was enough to deter most people who coveted her appearance and figure.

Over the years, Guan Yuyan, relying on this jade tablet and backed by that Supreme Realm expert, has made Little Spirit Pill City thrive.

A trump card remains a trump card as long as it is not used.

The mere fact that it's still here is enough to deter villains.

It would be troublesome if they were used up.

I just didn't expect to run into a brick wall this time.

Even their biggest trump card, which they'd never used before, was useless this time.

Even the Supreme Realm is no match for the Holy Land.

After listening to Guan Yuyan's words, Guan Xin said calmly, "The Supreme Realm is indeed very strong, but it's not enough for the Holy Land."

"Mother, now there is a good opportunity to find a bigger backer."

Guan Xin's eyes revealed ambition: "Even though I've never met this Holy Son Jiang Lin before, his legend has spread throughout the northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region."

"More importantly, Jiang Lin, the Holy Son, is a newly appointed one of the Misty Holy Lands, and he is short of manpower."

"Our Little Spirit Pill City controls 20% of the spirit pill trade in the northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region every year. By giving Little Spirit Pill City to Holy Son Jiang Lin, we can definitely get on his big ship!"

When she said this, Guan Xin's tone was firm and powerful.

She once stayed at the Zhongxuan Domain Sacred Academy.

Therefore, she was well aware of the importance of having a powerful backer. Her purpose in returning to Xiaolingdan City was to work with her mother to reform the city and find a stronger backer to rely on.

Unexpectedly, the reforms hadn't even officially begun yet.

A powerful backer has already arrived.

Moreover, he is the new Holy Son of the Misty Holy Land, a super powerful backer who can be considered a behemoth in the entire northern part of the Eastern Xuan Domain!

However, the reform of Xiaolingdan City has not yet begun.

Jiang Linshengzi might not necessarily be interested.

This is what Guan Yuyan is worried about.

Even if you're willing to give it away, the person might not want it.

"Mother, that's why we need to show even more sincerity. We may not have much else, but we have our own advantages!"

"My daughter and I have suffered countless attempts to covet us over the years. Although we were deterred by the power of the Supreme Realm expert you saved, that deterrence is ultimately limited."

"What if one day you happen to pass by a male cultivator stronger than the Supreme Realm and take a liking to you..."

Hearing Guan Xin's blunt words, Guan Yuyan looked somewhat embarrassed: "Xin'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Over the years, even those at the Supreme Realm have coveted Guan Yuyan.

However, Guan Yuyan was the city lord of Xiaolingdan City and had her own connections. She also had another Supreme Realm expert behind her, which is why nothing happened to her.

However, knowing it yourself is one thing.

Being exposed by one's own daughter is a different matter altogether.

"Whether what I said is true or false, you know it yourself." Guan Xin glanced at her mother indifferently.

What she said wasn't a lie.

Anyone who has ever been to Xiaolingdan City and seen the city lord of Xiaolingdan City would privately tell those around them about the beauty of City Lord Guan Yuyan.

Guan Xin is alright; she went to the Holy Academy before.

But now, Guan Xin is back too.

She surpassed her mother, Guan Yuyan, in beauty and figure.

In a few years, her cultivation will advance further, further unleashing her physical potential, and her temperament and appearance will improve even more.

At that time, even more people will covet them!

"So, Xin'er, that's why you offered to come with me tonight to find Jiang Lin, the Holy Son, to be punished?"

When the topic of tonight's punishment came up, Guan Yuyan couldn't help but remind her, "Do you know that the punishment Jiang Linsheng was referring to wasn't just what it sounded like...?"

Guan Yuyan wanted to say something that went beyond the literal meaning.

Guan Xin interrupted her: "Of course I know."

"If we go to see His Highness the Holy Son tonight, I will become His Highness's subordinate, and you will become His Highness's attendant."

"But so what?"

"Even if you become his maid, you will still be the maid of His Highness the Holy Son. In the entire northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region, who would dare to covet the maid of the Holy Son of the Misty Holy Land?"

At this point, a burning desire seemed to ignite in Guan Xin's eyes: "And after I become His Highness's subordinate, with the backing of Holy Son Jiang Lin, we can make Little Spirit Pill City even bigger and stronger!"

"We can also use His Highness the Holy Son's name to accomplish many things that were originally impossible."

"If this Holy Son nods in approval, Mother, you might even have a chance to break through to the Supreme Realm!"

"At that time, we will be able to do more for His Highness and acquire more resources."

"As long as we can demonstrate our value and potential to His Highness, His Highness will be our most reliable support."

Guan Xin said a lot in one breath.

Guan Yuyan then realized this.

After learning that Lin Jiang was actually Jiang Lin's Holy Son, his daughter had already thought of so many things.

It seems that something must have happened to Guan Xin, the daughter, at the Holy Academy, otherwise the change wouldn't be so drastic.

"Even so, we don't both have to... submit to him, do we?" Guan Yuyan said hesitantly. Now that they'd brought it up, there was no need to hide anything.

She used the word "surrender" directly.

"Even a lion will fight a rabbit with all its might!" Guan Xin glared. "If we don't satisfy His Highness the Holy Son, if we don't show him our determination, why should he invest in us? Why should he be our backer?"

"Besides, I already said that as His Highness the Holy Son's maid, you are the only one serving him. I am only at the Profound Realm, and His Highness the Holy Son doesn't even look at me. I am just becoming his subordinate."

"Oh... in that case, that's fine!"

Guan Yuyan and Guan Xin discussed it for a long time.

An agreement was eventually reached.

After Guan Yuyan and Guan Xin went to the pavilion, they returned to the cultivation room not long afterward.

They said they had something to say to Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin had no objection; he wanted to hear what they had to say.

The atmosphere inside the meditation room was solemn and tense.

Guan Xin looked directly at her mother, Guan Yuyan, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable calmness.

"Mother, you tell me first, do you think that Supreme Realm backer is enough to contend with the Holy Land?"

Guan Yuyan was taken aback, then slowly shook her head and said with a wry smile, "Of course not. Below the Holy Land, even the Supreme Realm... is nothing more than a slightly larger ant."

"That's it." Guan Xin's gaze was intense as she turned to Jiang Lin, her tone becoming solemn and clear.

"Your Highness, what happened today was due to my daughter and I being blind and offending the divine authority. We are willing to accept the punishment."

"But beyond the punishment, my daughter and I, especially my younger daughter, wish to make a deal with His Highness the Holy Son, or rather, to offer our loyalty and value to His Highness the Holy Son."

Jiang Lin tapped his fingers lightly on the back of the chair, his eyes now scrutinizing him: "Go on."

Guan Xin took a deep breath and stated clearly, "First, my mother, Guan Yuyan, is a cultivator at the Divine Power Realm. She has been in charge of Xiaolingdan City for many years and is very familiar with the circulation of pills, resource networks, and relationships between various forces in the northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region. She herself is the first 'apology gift' offered to His Highness the Holy Son. From now on, she will completely obey His Highness and serve him."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yuyan blushed slightly but did not refute it. She simply lowered her head and acquiesced to her daughter's suggestion.

Perhaps this is the best way out.

When Guan Xin talked about punishing her mother, she didn't seem embarrassed at all.

"Secondly," Guan Xin continued, her eyes gleaming with ambition, "Little Spirit Pill City is strategically located in the northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region, controlling nearly 20% of the spirit pill trade annually. Its potential is enormous, but previously its scope was too narrow, and its methods too inferior. I, Guan Xin, studied at the Holy Academy of the Central Xuan Region; my vision, methods, and knowledge far surpass my peers in the Eastern Xuan Region. The 'punishment' I seek is for His Highness to allow me to continue governing and truly reform and strengthen this city!"

She stepped forward, her voice firm and resolute: "I don't need to be Your Highness's guest. I want to be the sharpest and most useful knife in Your Highness's hand, to drive the most solid nail into the northern part of the Eastern Xuan Region, and to build a true hub for elixirs and resources!"

"All the profits from this city shall belong to the Holy Son! Let my daughter and I become your most loyal and useful subordinates!"

"At that time, Your Highness, you will not need to exert any effort to enjoy the benefits of a prosperous city, and through this city, you can influence the lifeline of the entire northern region of the Eastern Xuan Domain. Isn't this more valuable than merely having another plaything?"

After Guan Xin finished speaking, she bowed and remained seated, awaiting the verdict.

Jiang Lin looked at her, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This woman is ambitious, but she knows how to assess the situation and how to demonstrate her value, rather than relying solely on her beauty.

She saw the key: for a holy son, a capable, ambitious, and completely loyal subordinate is far more useful than a mere beauty.

"A very interesting suggestion," Jiang Lin said slowly. "But how can you guarantee your loyalty? And how can you prove that you are capable of doing everything you say you're capable of?"

Guan Xin straightened up, her gaze resolute: "Loyalty needs time to prove itself. But right now, my mother's and my life, honor, and disgrace are all tied to the Holy Son's decision. Only by relying on the Holy Son can we have a future and the possibility of realizing our ambitions. Betraying you would be detrimental to us in every way; this is loyalty bound by mutual interests."

"As for abilities..." Guan Xin paused.

"My experience at the Holy Academy allowed me to witness the operation and scale of truly powerful forces. The low-level methods of 'forceful plunder' used by Little Spirit Pill City in the past were precisely because they lacked a higher-level vision and rules."

"I hereby pledge that within three years, without violating the laws of the Holy Land or damaging its reputation, I will quadruple Little Spirit Pill City's tax revenue, influence, and contributions to the Holy Son! If I fail to do so, the Holy Son may dispose of me as he sees fit!"

Guan Yuyan also raised her head at this moment.

Seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar look in my daughter's eyes, I was deeply moved.

She then realized that her daughter was truly different after returning from the sacred academy.

Her ambition.

It has long since become more than just a small elixir city.

Jiang Lin was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Very good. Guan Xin, you have successfully shown me your value." He turned his gaze to Guan Yuyan, "As for you, City Lord Guan..."

Guan Yuyan's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "I know my sins are grave, and I am willing to let the Holy Son deal with me without any objection. In the future... I will definitely serve you wholeheartedly and have no other intentions." As she finished speaking, her voice lowered and her face flushed.

"Remember what you said today." Jiang Lin stood up, an invisible aura of authority emanating from him. "Guan Yuyan, you must accept tonight's punishment. Your future will depend on your performance."

"Guan Xin, since you have made a pledge, I will give you a chance. You and your mother will still be in charge of Little Spirit Pill City, but I will leave control mechanisms within your bodies. If you have any doubts, or if the three-year agreement is not fulfilled, you should know the consequences."

"Thank you for your grace, Holy Son!" Guan Xin pulled her mother and they both bowed deeply, feeling a great weight lifted from her heart.

She knew that this gamble had paid off.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight." Jiang Lin waved his hand. "Guan Yuyan, stay."

"Guan Xin, you may step back now. Starting tomorrow, I will see your strategies for reforming this city."

"Yes! Guan Xin takes her leave!" Guan Xin bowed respectfully and left the cultivation room.

She knew she had to get past her mother.

This is their "pledge of allegiance" to gain trust and opportunities.

Only Jiang Lin and Guan Yuyan remained in the room.

The atmosphere became subtle and ambiguous once again.

Guan Yuyan's cheeks were burning hot, and her heart was pounding like a drum.

Although she had resolved to submit, when the moment came, she still felt incredibly nervous and shy in front of this young, handsome, and powerful holy son.

"Holy Son..." she whispered.

Jiang Lin didn't rush to do anything. Instead, he walked to a table and picked up the jade bottle containing various special flames that Guan Yuyan had "traded" from those alchemists.

"What were you originally planning to do with these flames?" Jiang Lin asked casually.

Guan Yuyan quickly composed herself and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I... originally intended to take it into the city lord's treasury, either as a reward or to recruit other alchemists."

Jiang Lin nodded and casually crushed a jade bottle.

"laugh!"

A burst of crimson beast fire surged forth, carrying a scorching aura.

Guan Yuyan was startled, but then she saw a faint purple halo automatically appear around Jiang Lin, within which there were faint lotus phantoms and flashing lightning.

The moment the crimson beast fire came into contact with the purple light, it seemed to have encountered its natural enemy, instantly weakening before being swept away and completely devoured by the purple light.

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Lin crushed several more jade bottles.

Beast fire, earth fire... flames of various shapes and colors burst forth, but without exception, they were greedily devoured and absorbed the moment they touched the purple halo.

Guan Yuyan was dumbfounded.

She could sense that the level of the purple flames on Jiang Lin's body was unimaginably high!

These special flames, which she had gone to great lengths to obtain, actually became its nourishment!

Jiang Lin closed his eyes and felt it.

The Purple Flame Thunder Lotus Fire exuded a joyful and exhilarating emotion, devouring these flames. Although the energy provided by each flame was not much in the total, it accumulated and indeed made a slight, imperceptible improvement in its strength.

More importantly, this "feeding" itself seems to make it more active and solid.

"Devouring other flames, especially those stronger than earth fire, seems to be a way to enhance it," Jiang Lin realized. This was an unexpected gain.

Soon, all the flames in the jade bottles were completely consumed by the Purple Flame Thunder Lotus Fire.

Jiang Lin could sense it.

The connection between himself and the Purple Flame Thunder Lotus Fire seemed to have become slightly stronger, and he could control it more easily.

Only after he finished doing all that did he turn around.

I looked at Guan Yuyan again.

Guan Yuyan felt flustered when he looked at her and quickly lowered her head.

"Your Majesty...may I help you bathe and change first?" she offered.

Jiang Lin neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply walked to the door of the meditation room and pushed it open to enter.

Inside was an elegantly furnished bedroom, clearly where Guan Yuyan rested during her breaks from cultivation.

Guan Yuyan bit her lip, followed him inside, and closed the door behind her.

She knew that what was meant to happen would happen eventually.

This is not only a punishment for her past mistakes, but perhaps... it is also the beginning of a new life for her and her daughter.

……

Night was falling.

In another quiet courtyard room of the city lord's mansion, candlelight flickered.

Guan Xin did not go to sleep, but instead spread out the files on her desk and began to write a plan.

Now that she had received the Holy Son's verbal consent, she had to produce something decent as soon as possible.

Reforming Little Spirit Pill City, eliminating the previous crude and barbaric methods, establishing more efficient and attractive rules for alchemists and merchants, integrating resources, expanding influence... there are countless things to do.

But Guan Xin's eyes were full of enthusiasm. This was the stage she wanted. With the Holy Son as her backing, she could fully utilize the skills she had learned in the Central Profound Domain.

"As for my mother..." She paused, a complex expression flashing across her face, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

"This is a necessary price to pay, and it's for our better future. The Holy Son... is not a cruel and incompetent person. If Mother can gain some of his pity, perhaps it won't be all a bad thing."

She shook her head, clearing her mind of distractions, and continued writing furiously.

……

Inside the meditation room/bedroom.

The candlelight cast two shadows on the wall.

Guan Yuyan had shed her magnificent palace attire as the city lord, now wearing only a thin gauze dress that subtly revealed her exquisite curves. Her mature and voluptuous figure exuded a breathtaking charm under the candlelight.

She knelt by the couch, her pretty face flushed, her head lowered, not daring to look at Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin sat on the edge of the couch, calmly observing her. It must be said that Guan Yuyan's ability to maintain her position as city lord was not only due to her cunning, but also to her considerable personal resources. Time had not diminished her beauty; instead, it had imbued her with a captivating charm.

"Do you know where you went wrong?" Jiang Lin asked, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

Guan Yuyan's delicate body trembled slightly as she whispered, "I... shouldn't have been blinded by greed, resorting to force and plunder to ruin the reputation of Little Spirit Pill City, and I shouldn't have offended the Holy Son..."

"Wrong." Jiang Lin interrupted her. "Your biggest mistake is that your vision is too narrow and your perspective too limited. You only see the immediate benefit of the flames, but you don't realize that this action is shaking the foundation of Little Spirit Pill City and even the alchemy world of the Eastern Xuan Region. Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs is incredibly foolish."

Guan Yuyan was taken aback, pondered the matter carefully, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Yes, if it weren't for the Holy Son today, but some other alchemist gathering place with a slightly weaker background, Little Spirit Pill City's reputation would be ruined in the long run, and who would want to come? That would be the real end.

"I... know I was wrong, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty." This time, she was truly convinced.

"Your daughter is smarter than you," Jiang Lin said calmly. "She saw things much further ahead."

Guan Yuyan remained silent for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, Xin'er... has lofty ambitions."

"From now on, let her manage Little Spirit Pill City. I... I only wish to serve the Holy Son and take care of some trivial matters for him, and I will be content."

As she spoke, she quietly raised her eyes, her gaze shifting with a hint of timid probing and allure.

She knew that demonstrating her value was just as important as being compliant.

Jiang Lin reached out and lifted her chin.

Guan Yuyan obediently raised her face, closed her beautiful eyes, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her red lips were pursed, looking as if she were ready to be taken.

Her mature and charming face now held a girlish shyness, creating a striking contrast that was captivating.

"You're quite sensible," Jiang Lin chuckled.

The night is still long.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Guan Yuyan was dressed and groomed by her maid. Although she seemed slightly uncomfortable, her complexion was surprisingly rosy and radiant.

The hardness that had always lingered between his brows as the city lord seemed to have softened considerably, adding a touch of languid charm.

When she arrived at the study, Guan Xin was already waiting. She looked a little tired, but her eyes were unusually bright.

"Mother." Guan Xin stood up, her gaze sweeping over Guan Yuyan, a knowing look flashing in her eyes, but she didn't ask any more questions, simply handing over a thick stack of files.

"This is a preliminary reform plan. Please review it, Mother, and it should also be presented to His Highness the Holy Son."

Guan Yuyan took it, glanced at it briefly, and was secretly shocked.

She was articulate, had clear goals, and was shrewd in her methods; many of her ideas were things she had never even considered.

My daughter has really grown up.

"Where is His Highness the Holy Son?" Guan Yuyan asked.

"His Highness and the three young ladies went to the city market early this morning, saying they were just browsing," Guan Xin replied. "I've already sent people to secretly protect them... oh, to keep an eye on them."

Guan Yuyan nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Xin'er, His Highness the Holy Son has granted your request."

"But you must remember, what the Holy Son desires is a prosperous, stable city, completely loyal to him. Everything you do must be based on this premise. Anything that might damage the reputation of the Holy Land or the Holy Son is unacceptable."

"I understand, daughter." Guan Xin nodded solemnly. "I will abolish all those underhanded methods of the past. What I want to build is a 'sacred land of alchemy' that attracts alchemists and merchants from all over the world with generous conditions, fair rules, and a bright future, not a bandit's den that relies on plunder by force."

"It's good that you have this intention." Guan Yuyan said with relief, then lowered her voice. "Last night... His Highness the Holy Son..."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she found it difficult to speak.

Guan Xin understood and said in a low voice, "Mother, there's no need to say more. The Holy Son is a dragon among men, beyond the reach of ordinary people. It is a blessing for Mother to receive some favor from His Highness. We only need to remember our duty and do our best to serve His Highness."

Looking at her composed and capable daughter, Guan Yuyan was filled with mixed emotions. Perhaps, this ordeal was truly an opportunity for them to be reborn from the ashes.

"Let's go find the Holy Son. This strategy still needs Your Highness's final decision."

Guan Yuyan composed herself and prepared to face her master and the new future with a new identity.

A morning in Little Lingdan City.

Sunlight spilled onto the bluestone pavement, as if foreshadowing a massive transformation that was about to take place in this city.

And the source of all this lies with that young saint who strolled leisurely through the marketplace.