Chapter 376: Chapter 376

Chen Jiuge had not awaited the arrival of the Myriad Beasts Sect, yet the Financial Clan’s Flying Boat had arrived first.

The protector of the Financial Clan, Qian Rixing, looked at Horn Shadow City before him and put his arm around the fox woman beside him with some dejection. "I didn’t expect this thankless task would fall to me. That bastard Qian Baolin! Clearly, other people are also very idle."

A tall, slender Snow Woman with silver hair came to the prow of the ship. Her exquisite face was like age-old frost that never melted as she coldly asked, "Is this the new place that your Financial Clan has found for us?"

Qian Rixing disliked the tone of this member of the Frost Snow Royal Family and said with a sly grin, "Disappointed? Unfortunately, you can’t afford the price. Otherwise, why not consider being my ninety-third concubine?"

Xue Tianjiao’s face changed, a flush of red appearing on her cheeks—not from shyness but from anger.

"The Financial Clan wouldn’t tarnish its reputation, would they?"

Qian Rixing shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Of course not. I was merely suggesting."

Xue Tianjiao turned her head and walked towards the cabin, her voice indifferent. "Even if the Divine Son of Asura has fallen into hard times, he is still beyond comparison with a pseudo-Immortal like you."

Watching Xue Tianjiao’s swaying figure, Qian Rixing’s expression remained unchanged as he said, "Your Frost Snow Clan is nothing but losers. What makes you think the Divine Son would fancy you?"

The Flying Boat made an emergency landing at a specially designated docking area within the city. Below, Chen Jiuge and Mo Yu stood, with a large number of Asuras, Horn Shadow Clan members, and others behind them.

Titan Yun looked at Xue Tianjiao, the first to disembark from the Flying Boat, and his face showed a hint of surprise. "It’s actually you?"

"Uncle Yun?" Xue Tianjiao also had a touch of surprise on her face.

"You know each other?" Chen Jiuge asked doubtfully.

Titan Yun explained, "I once visited the Frost Snow Clan’s territory. They are quite nice people. I stayed there a long time, and back then, Tianjiao was just a little girl. She’s grown up in the blink of an eye."

"By the way, why would the City Lord and the others come here?"

"This isn’t good news. The Frost Snow Clan has been wiped out, and there probably aren’t many survivors left now."

"Wiped out? How could that be? The Frost Snow Clan was very strong at the time." Titan Yun couldn’t help but raise his voice. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novelFirｅ.net

Xue Tianjiao struggled to speak, holding back sobs. "Uncle Yun, the Frost Snow Clan is no more."

The arrangements for the Frost Snow Clan had been handed over to Mo Yu. The previous plan had been adjusted and was already prepared.

Looking at Qian Rixing, Xue Tianjiao, and Titan Yun before him, Chen Jiuge spoke first, "Your Financial Clan’s share of the figurines, I’ve already given to Qian Guang. Protector Qian, you can verify this."

Qian Rixing said nonchalantly, "That’s not my responsibility. I’m just in charge of delivering the Frost Snow Clan. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiuge turned his gaze to the Frost Snow Clan’s leader, Xue Tianjiao, and asked, "Clan Leader Xue, do you have any issues?"

"Well now, the Frost Snow Clan! Divine Son, where did you get them from?" Luo Kuisan arrived with an Invincible Tyrannosaurus, his face full of surprise.

Looking at the suddenly arrived Luo Kuisan, Chen Jiuge was also very surprised and asked, "Elder, why have you come?"

"Hah, just bored, you know? Divine Son, you all carry on with your discussion. I’m just here to watch," Luo Kuisan waved his hand.

In reality, Luo Kuisan was concerned that Chen Jiuge might be taken advantage of, which was why he had specifically come to check. Otherwise, he would be at the arena or a bar at this time.

Qian Rixing, who had been unconcerned, now became slightly tense and looked uncomfortably towards Xue Tianjiao.

Xue Tianjiao’s expression remained unchanged, and she said coldly, "No issues."

Qian Rixing let out a sigh of relief. "Since there are no problems, then I will take my leave. It’s rather busy over at the commerce association."

Chen Jiuge watched Qian Rixing leave somewhat awkwardly and then turned to Xue Tianjiao. "If there’s any issue, just speak up. The Financial Clan will give me that much face."

Luo Kuisan scoffed and added, "Even if they don’t want to, they will have to."

Xue Tianjiao felt a warmth in her heart, and her tone softened slightly. "There’s no problem. The clan members haven’t been mistreated, and there have been no accidents."

After a moment of silence, Titan Yun spoke, "City Lord, I wonder how you plan to arrange for the Frost Snow Clan?"

Chen Jiuge looked at Titan Yun, somewhat surprised. He seems to have quite a deep relationship with the Frost Snow Clan.

"The Frost Snow Clan possesses ice abilities, and their Fighting Technique is not weak. However, considering they’ve just suffered a great defeat and have fewer than ten True Immortals among those who came, I naturally won’t arrange for them to go onto the battlefield."

"Here’s my suggestion. Xue Tianjiao, take a look at it."

The suggestion was for them to be responsible for running the ’Ice and Snow’ shop. They would receive a fixed monthly salary, a certain percentage of profit sharing, and staff accommodation, so there would be no need to pay extra for housing.

The document detailed the main operational model of the ’Ice and Snow’ shop, as well as the primary job descriptions.

Surprise appeared on Xue Tianjiao’s usually cold face as she said in disbelief, "City Lord, we only need to do this?"

"What else then? To put it bluntly, what else can you do now? Be cannon fodder?"

"Besides, you’re just settling in Horn Shadow City, not pledging allegiance to me. It’s already generous of me to offer my protection."

Xue Tianjiao clenched her hands under the table. I want to refuse... But remembering the fear on her clan members’ faces and the loathing for war in the hearts of the remaining True Immortal clan members, she eventually lowered her head and said, "Okay."

Titan Yun also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. I was worried my young niece wouldn’t grasp the situation and would impulsively agree.

The ’Ice and Snow’ shop had its grand opening.

Though it was closing in on winter, the temperature hardly affected Cultivators.

Watching the bustling business, Chen Jiuge showed a slight smile. "It looks like the Frost Snow Clan is adapting quite well."

The Frost Snow Clan wasn’t inherently stoic; they could cry and laugh. The Frost Snow Clan lady managing the cash register was smiling joyfully, clearly quite satisfied with her current life.

Da Bai was leading Chen Ziteng, a super-sized ice cream in his paw, his face full of smugness as he said, "Little Ziteng, now you know who treats you best, right?"

Chen Ziteng’s cute little face was brimming with happiness as she asked, "Then can I have another one? A super-duper supreme ice cream?"

Da Bai’s mouth twitched. "Kids shouldn’t have too much ice cream; it’s not good for their health."

Chen Ziteng huffed. "Then I’ll go find Brother Tian Que!"

"No, no, no! I’ll buy it for you!" Da Bai said, my heart is bleeding!

This super-duper supreme ice cream was not cheap. It required a large amount of High-Rank Spirit Fruit juices, mixed by a master Spirit Chef. Finally, a Frost Snow Clan True Immortal had to expend a great deal of Mana to carefully condense it. It could be said to be a kind of alternative Elixir.

Not only was it delicious, but its medicinal effects were also quite good, which also made it very expensive.

Chen Jiuge was about to go over and warn the two little ones when a huge Flying Boat appeared outside Horn Shadow City.

A Flying Boat, bearing the Myriad Beasts Sect flag, slowly sailed into Horn Shadow City. Guided by the city-defense Cultivators, it gently descended at the designated Flying Boat mooring.

Chen Jiuge watched the giant Flying Boat with a complicated mix of emotions. Am I anxious? Expectant?

Familiar figures began to slowly appear before his eyes.

Wen Tianming, Wen Ruo, Wen Ruoshui, Chen Tingting, Su Mei, Li Qiuwen, Li He.

"It’s been a long time," Chen Jiuge said, looking at someone in the group.

Wen Tianming was about to speak when Wen Ruoshui tugged at his hem and whispered, "Uncle, that’s not really appropriate!"

Before Wen Tianming could understand, he saw his eldest Disciple throw herself into Chen Jiuge’s arms. Ah, so that’s it, he thought, a flicker of realization in his eyes.

Chen Jiuge looked at the racing Red Flame Sheep, the towering Giant Rhinoceros, and numerous Golden Dogs maintaining order among the various Spiritual Beast herds. Listening to the roars from the ecosystem around him, he suddenly felt at home. This is where my roots are.

"Jiuge, the Heavenly Bull Realm was integrated into your Eden Garden by the Elder Ancestor. Now, you’ll need Golden Immortal Cultivation just to absorb it," Wen Tianming said with some emotion.

The core of Eden Garden had originally been a cluster of vines. Now, it had transformed into a golden giant bull completely entwined with vines. Does it look somewhat like a green bull?

Black Eye was affectionately reacquainting with his wife Bi Yan, whom he hadn’t seen in years. The now-mature Hei Mu stood nearby, looking handsome and extraordinary. His eyes revealed a hint of joy; I want to get closer, he seemed to think, but sensibly gave his parents their space.

The reunion of War Song, Xiao Hua, and Zhan Bo, however, was much more violent. As soon as they met, Xiao Hua started pummeling War Song with her fists, then burst into tears, leaving War Song rather unsure of what to do. When Zhan Bo tried to comfort his mother, War Song kicked him away. Truly, theirs is a real love, and the child was just an accident, huh?

The other Spiritual Beasts also returned to their cave mansions, their faces radiant with joy. Given their excited state, there will likely be a lot of drunken revelry tonight!

However, in this joyful scene, two Spiritual Beasts were clearly out of place: Qi Daoyuan and Yaoyao.

Yaoyao was the daughter of Ba Batian and was herself a Ba Snake. Initially, she was brought to Eden Garden to make friends. Later, some issues arose, and her parents were taken to the Infinite Star Sea by Elder Ye Sheng. Thinking it wouldn’t take much time, they didn’t bring Yaoyao back with them, and yet that trip stretched into many years.

Fortunately, Su Mei discovered Yaoyao, who was sobbing in Eden Garden, and brought her to the Heavenly Bull Realm, where she lived quite happily and now had come along.

Poor Qi Daoyuan had it the worst. Right after his breakthrough to True Immortal, before he had time to stabilize his Realm, he came to Eden Garden wanting to brag to Da Bai. When he couldn’t find him, he ended up consolidating his Cultivation in Da Bai’s cave mansion.

With his past life experience, Qi Daoyuan spent a very long time on this consolidation, all for the sake of advancing to Heavenly Immortal later. Only, who would have guessed he’d overdone the consolidation?

Watching the entirely different species in Horn Shadow City, Qi Daoyuan let out a miserable scream, "Where am I?!"

Da Bai patted his good brother’s shoulder. "Daoyuan, this is Horn Shadow City."

"What place is Horn Shadow City?" Qi Daoyuan asked, a trace of hope in his eyes.

"It’s part of the Infinite Star Sea."

"Infinite Star Sea? That’s okay. As long as it’s not the Star Sea Realm, I can accept waiting a few hundred years."

Da Bai said sympathetically, "This is the Star Sea Realm, Daoyuan. I’m afraid you might not be able to go back."

Qi Daoyuan’s miserable voice echoed throughout Horn Shadow City.

With a grand reunion, of course, came a reunion dinner. Everyone recounted their experiences from their time apart, and Chen Jiuge listened, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts.

Wen Tianming set down his wine cup. "Jiuge, I can’t say for certain whether your identity as the Divine Son of Asura is good or bad. The Sect now wants to focus on expanding into the Star Sea Realm, and your identity can provide a lot of help."

"Besides, as I see it, there’s really nothing to worry about. Let’s not even mention that you can freely switch between your Human Clan and Asura Bloodlines. Even if your Bloodlines actually are mixed, it’s not a big deal. Cultivation is inherently full of surprises."

"Don’t mind what others think. Just cultivate diligently. Once you become a Golden Immortal, then an Immortal, then the legendary Dao Yi, those people will naturally change their stance."

Chen Jiuge lifted his wine cup in gratitude. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

After several rounds of drinks, the mood quieted down considerably. The Spiritual Beasts were mostly tipsy, and aside from the wailing Qi Daoyuan, it was quite peaceful.

Wen Ruo quietly approached Chen Jiuge. "Junior Brother."

The two locked eyes for a long time before finally sharing a smile of relief, then quietly watched the moon in the sky.

Behind them, Qi Daoyuan’s wails continued, "I want to go home."

With Su Mei and Li Qiuwen joining, the planning and integration of Horn Shadow City sped up by more than double.

At their suggestion, Horn Shadow City began its second expansion, starting the construction of an outer city to accommodate the people from these small worlds that had been within the Heavenly Bull Realm.

So many years had passed, and the people from these small worlds had mostly cultivated using Cultivation Techniques from the Myriad Beasts Sect. Although these techniques were of average quality, their practitioners could now be considered semi-authentic denizens of the Heavenly Realm.

As for the matter of their loyalty, if Su Mei hadn’t been able to secure it after so many years, Chen Jiuge wouldn’t have entrusted these affairs to her.

With them handling these miscellaneous affairs, Chen Jiuge felt quite at ease.