The Master of Beasts

The selection of "consorts" by the Empress greatly impacted the common people. As the Governor, Chen Jiuge also had his subordinates find some handsome young men to send to the Imperial Palace, thereby fulfilling his task.

Of course, Li Qiwen was the one most affected by the imperial decree. On the very night the decree was announced, Li Qiwen secretly visited the Governor Mansion.

Chen Jiuge told her everything he knew, which presumably persuaded the young lady.

With the stabilization of the small world, the Sect's Immortal Daluo Golden Immortals also retracted their Divine Skills. Time in the small world returned to the normal ratio of 1:10. If not for the allure of Exotic Beasts and the Cultivation system, Chen Jiuge truly doubted he could have stayed.

Time passed, and eighteen years had elapsed since the Empress's consort selection event.

In those eighteen years, the initial batch of aid from the Chen Family had gradually withdrawn. The thirty Returning to Void Cultivators had mostly returned, leaving only Chen Kui, who possessed decent managerial skills but whose potential was exhausted, and a few old Cultivators in Taiyuan City.

As for the Red Armored Army and the Black Armor Army, only two hundred and fifty members remained, respectively. Fortunately, thanks to Chen Jiuge's efforts over the years, Taiyuan City's military strength had become quite formidable. The former Tiger Leopard Cavalry had even become one of the most elite units in the entire Wu Dynasty.

"Eighteen years. At last, success. It's time for me to leave," Chen Jiuge said, a hint of weariness in his voice.

During these eighteen years, Chen Jiuge had spent most of his time in the Exotic Beast Garden he established, either researching Cultivation Techniques or using his Golden Finger to create Exotic Beasts.

"Bali, it's time for us to go," Chen Jiuge said, patting the enormous Exotic Snake beside him, then smiled bitterly. "I forgot you don't understand."

Bali was Chen Jiuge's greatest achievement over these eighteen years. Its Cultivation was at the peak of the Returning to Void realm, its body nearly one hundred meters long. Based on combat tests conducted with Chen Kui, it was likely that an average Sect Disciple of the same level would not be Bali's match. The name also represented Chen Jiuge's hopes for Bali, wishing it could surpass the Ba Snake and become the strongest Exotic Beast.

"Next is to hand over Taiyuan City to Chen Kui, then I can go back," Chen Jiuge said casually.

「In the study」

After Chen Kui reported the general output of Taiyuan City, he said to Chen Jiuge, "Thirteenth Brother, the family's plan is for us to help manage Taiyuan City. Of course, if you have people you wish to assign, you may do so, but you will retain primary authority. Secondly, the resources will be split fifty-fifty."

"However, this isn't fixed. In the future, once your subordinates mature, the split will change to three-to-seven, with you receiving three parts and the family seven. Initially, the family contributes more, so they will receive a larger portion of the profits."

Chen Jiuge had no objections. He was not a Clan Leader and didn't need to consider too much. Taiyuan City's output was actually quite average. While its Exotic Beasts had some unique characteristics, its mineral deposits and other resources were rather common, mostly suitable for internal consumption by the numerous members of the Chen Family.

"That settles it, Third Brother," Chen Jiuge said, now only wishing to return to the Sect.

"By the way, Thirteenth Brother, that Li Qiwen from the Imperial Family wants to see you. She's in the inner hall," Chen Kui reminded him.

"Alright, I'll go see her. From now on, Taiyuan City is in your hands, Third Brother. Arrange a team for me; I want to bring them back. Keep their Cultivation levels around the Nascent Soul realm," Chen Jiuge instructed.

"Understood."

「In the inner hall」

Eighteen years had transformed the once naive young girl into a woman of lingering charm, though she appeared somewhat uneasy at the moment.

It wasn't until Chen Jiuge appeared that Li Qiwen finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seemingly realizing her momentary lapse in decorum, she quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Governor, I have a request."

Chen Jiuge looked at Li Qiwen and smiled. "Why should I help you?"

The Li Family had been obedient over the years, but that alone wasn't a reason for Chen Jiuge to help Li Qiwen. Moreover, he had long been aware of her objective: to follow him to the Heavenly Realm.

After a moment of inner conflict, Li Qiwen took a Ruyi from her bosom. "This is my Li Family's heirloom."

Chen Jiuge accepted the Ruyi, which emitted a faint, milky fragrance. Probing it with his Divine Sense, he discovered a drop of golden blood suspended within.

What is this thing? Merely approaching it, Chen Jiuge felt a terrifying pressure.

Looking somewhat surprised at Li Qiwen, who seemed completely unaware of its nature, Chen Jiuge pondered for a moment and said, "You may bring ten people with you to the Myriad Beasts Sect, but only on the condition that you become my subordinate."

"This servant pays her respects to Master," Li Qiwen said, apparently well-prepared, kneeling without hesitation.

Chen Jiuge helped her up. "There's no need for such formalities. I will arrange some tasks for you when the time comes. Also, your Cultivation is somewhat lacking; you are only at the Great Martial Master realm. Once we reach the Myriad Beasts Sect, you'll need to cultivate diligently. Go and prepare. You have three days."

「Three days later」

At the Governor Mansion, Chen Jiuge bade farewell to Chen Kui once more. Looking at the hundred men under his command, the ten people Li Qiwen had brought, and the Exotic Snake Bali, he activated the Token.

Then, seeing that transporting so many people would cost a full thirty thousand Merits, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch. If not for the fifty thousand Merits remaining from Eden Garden, he couldn't even imagine trying to earn that much in this small world.

A huge pillar of light rose from the Governor Mansion, visible even to Lin Wanhai, far away in the Imperial Palace.

"That's the city belonging to the disciple of the Third Elder of Hundred Herbs Peak, isn't it? It seems he's returning as well," Lin Wanhai remarked with a sigh.

"Nonsense. Who would want to stay in this wretched place? Seriously, when will you be done with this?" Zhu Yinghuang said, discontented.

Back then, the Zhu Family had chosen a city near the Imperial City. Later, through an unexpected turn of events, Lin Wanhai and Zhu Yinghuang became good friends.

"Soon, soon. Didn't I promise this Empress I'd take her ten children to join the Myriad Beasts Sect? We're just one short. She should be able to give birth to the last one in a few years," Lin Wanhai said helplessly.

"Only you could come up with such an idea—having her bear children to seek revenge on Baili Wen," Zhu Yinghuang said, speechless.

"The results are quite good, aren't they?" Lin Wanhai replied, unbothered by Zhu Yinghuang's teasing.

Chen Jiuge looked at his teleportation destination. It was the same cave mansion he had entered initially. No surprises. Good, he thought.

Looking at the wary group behind him, Chen Jiuge said, "Don't be nervous. Just follow me and don't say anything unnecessary. Right, you don't know the language of this world yet. I'll buy some language Jade Scrolls for you later. You just need to infuse them."

He led the contingent of over a hundred people back to Eden Garden in a grand procession.

Wen Ruo, holding a newly born Golden Dog cub, looked astonished and asked, "Junior Brother, why did you bring back so many people?"

"Ah, Senior Sister Wen, you're out of seclusion?" Chen Jiuge explained, "Eden Garden is rather short-handed, isn't it? If I had to take care of everything myself, I wouldn't have any time left for Cultivation. These people can help me manage things."

"I see. You'll also need to get them different Cultivation Techniques. Their original ones can't be practiced here," Wen Ruo reminded him.

"Senior Sister, I've already thought about that," Chen Jiuge nodded, acknowledging her point.

Then, he looked back at the Exotic Snake Bali and said with some difficulty, "Senior Sister, this Exotic Beast of mine has very low Spiritual Wisdom. I'm afraid it can't learn Cultivation Techniques. What should I do?"

Wen Ruo approached, examined the creature, and said, "A Fierce Beast type, is it? You should ask Master. Now that you're back from the small world, Master will likely summon you soon."