My little sect, which disappeared a thousand years ago, has become a sacred site!

The eight city lords dared not be negligent and hurriedly accepted the tokens with both hands.

The token felt slightly heavy in my hand, with a cool touch and a faint glow, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object.

They felt somewhat relieved, at least this holy ancestor did not treat them entirely as servants, but also gave them the title of "elder" and a certain degree of autonomy.

Seeing their respectful attitude, Gu Changyuan's expression softened slightly.

"Now that the outer city has been returned to the Holy Land, some of the Holy Land's rules and regulations need to be gradually implemented here."

I will later have the Holy Land send a Taiyin Elder, who is proficient in this field, to assist you in completing the transformation and integration of the Outer City's management system, which is also in the better interest of the Holy Land.

He first clarified the follow-up arrangements.

Immediately afterwards, he casually waved his hand.

"Splash—"

Hundreds of supreme bones, radiating various colors of precious light and flowing with Daoist charm, as well as hundreds of semi-immortal artifacts of different shapes and exuding precious aura, floated around him.

In an instant, the surrounding space shone brightly.

The eight city lords, along with Ye Qingxue and the other two women who had just caught their breath and were standing to the side, were all shocked by the sudden "treasure rain," their pupils contracted and their breathing became rapid.

Supreme bones! Semi-immortal artifacts! And in such large quantities!

Is this... is this the true power of the Holy Land's Holy Ancestor?! It's utterly astonishing!

Gu Changyuan's voice rang out at the opportune moment, carrying an undeniable certainty and allure:

"However, you need not worry. As long as you sincerely submit, diligently perform your duties, and bring the Holy Land the benefits and stability it deserves,"

He pointed to the enviable treasures in the air.

"These are merely ordinary rewards. Even what you dream of in the future—to resume your path to immortality and ascend to the celestial realm—I can help you achieve the same."

A combination of kindness and strictness is the way to manage subordinates. Constantly resorting to reprimands will only breed resentment.

Only by giving them concrete goals and promising them tangible rewards can we truly win their obedience and make them serve the Holy Land.

The eight city lords' original ulterior motives were completely shattered at this moment by the dazzling light before their eyes and the promise of "ascending to the fairyland".

Suspect?

The other party could casually produce supreme bones and semi-immortal artifacts that they might not be able to gather even after thousands of years of accumulation.

The opponent's strength completely exceeded their understanding of "half-immortals" or even "fairyland".

Compared to the spoils from the outer city that were taken away, the top-tier resources available before them, and the hope of reaching higher realms and longer lifespans, are what these cultivators truly dream of.

For such a being to serve, it seems... not a loss?

Thinking of this, the last trace of resentment in the eyes of the eight city lords completely disappeared, replaced by an uncontrollable excitement, fervor, and unprecedented determination.

"Yes! We will do our utmost to serve the Holy Land and will never fail the Holy Ancestor's high expectations."

Gu Changyuan nodded in satisfaction.

He raised his right hand, and gently snapped his thumb and middle finger together, producing a crisp snap that echoed in the silent air.

With that snap of the fingers, the nine giant swords that had been hovering high in the sky, exuding an aura of silent destruction, vanished simultaneously.

At the same time, the terrifying pressure that had enveloped the surrounding area for thousands of miles and made all living beings bow down vanished without a trace.

The ten half-immortal cultivators and two strange beasts below were suddenly enveloped by an invisible force the moment the oppressive aura dissipated.

His bones shattered inch by inch, and his body instantly turned into a cloud of blood mist, completely annihilated between heaven and earth, leaving not a trace behind.

......

Upon returning to the City Lord's Mansion in the Outer City, Gu Changyuan exchanged a few words with the eight newly appointed elders before leaving the newly conquered city with the women.

In Gu Changyuan's view, since Bai Zemin had discovered Ye Qingxue and the others' "fate tribulation," given Tu Shan Youyao's personality and how much she valued her fellow disciples, she would definitely not sit idly by.

She must have already dispatched other disciples of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion to the outer realms as quickly as possible to investigate and provide support.

Although it is unknown how many people will be dispatched, Lu Jiuyi and Zhu Jiuyin will definitely be among them.

Their combined supernatural abilities made them the fastest travel duo in the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

Thinking of this, Gu Changyuan, who was flying rapidly, turned to look at Luo Qingchen, who was traveling with him, and asked:

"Qingchen, do you have the coordinates of your second senior brother and the others on you?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingchen immediately took out a warm, cyan jade token from her storage space and handed it to Gu Changyuan.

Gu Changyuan took the jade tablet and gently probed it with his divine sense, instantly capturing nine familiar demonic energy coordinates.

Four of the coordinates were extremely close together, their auras intertwined, clearly indicating that they were acting together. These were Lu Jiuyi, Xiang Xuanyin, Sun Buhuo, and Zhu Jiuyin.

It seems that Tu Shan You Yao sent out these four disciples who are skilled at traveling.

He handed the jade token back to Luo Qingchen and asked again:

"Qingchen, has anything unusual happened at the Heavenly Demon Pavilion recently?"

Luo Qingchen's expression turned slightly serious as she replied:

"Reporting to Master, there is indeed something."

After their master left, the Heavenly Demon Pavilion gradually rose to prominence and became a significant force in the demon realm thanks to the efforts of their senior sister, second senior brother, and other fellow disciples.

The original structure of the demon realm has been disrupted, and some established powers and races dissatisfied with the new order feel threatened.

About three hundred years ago, the "Xuan Turtle Clan" of the Northern Dark Demon Sea, the "Golden Roc Royal Clan" of the Southern Wilderness Ancient Forest, and the "Earthfire Dragon Lizard Clan" of the Crimson Flame Demon Domain took the lead.

They united dozens of small and medium-sized races from the demon realm, along with some powerful rogue demons, to form an alliance called the "Ten Thousand Demon Alliance."

"The Alliance of Ten Thousand Demons?"

Gu Changyuan raised an eyebrow.

The name itself sounds targeted and allied.

"Yes, Master."

Luo Qingchen continued.

"From the very beginning, the Ten Thousand Demons Alliance regarded my Heavenly Demon Pavilion as an 'outlier that disrupts the stability of the demon realm,' and opposed my pavilion at every turn, vying for resources and even secretly turning my outer vassals against each other."

In recent decades, their activities have become more frequent and their methods more radical, leading to frequent frictions.

"My eldest sister has been working tirelessly on this matter for the past few years, managing internal stability, dealing with the provocations of the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance, and also having to... search for your whereabouts, Master."

As she finished speaking, her voice lowered, and she glanced cautiously at Gu Changyuan.

Gu Changyuan listened to Luo Qingchen's narration and nodded slightly.

The rise of a powerful force, which threatens existing interests and triggers a backlash, is perfectly normal.

The fact that the Heavenly Demon Pavilion has been able to gain a foothold in the demon realm and develop to its current state proves the capabilities of its demon disciples.

However, now that he's back, these troubles should naturally be dealt with as well.

The group completely left the wasteland and entered the far north once again.

This place is now the true "bitterly cold and desolate land" of the Nine Heavens Realm. As far as the eye can see, the world is a vast expanse of white, the cold wind is like a knife, swirling up thousands of piles of snow foam, and the visibility is extremely low.

Ordinary cultivators here not only need to expend a lot of spiritual energy to resist the severe cold, but also need to be careful of the various dangers lurking under the ice and frozen soil.