Chapter 549: Earning Millions Annually, Taking Over the Immortal City!

Half a month later.

In the core area of the Immortal City of Da Mengze, inside the Cave Dwelling.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Li, thank you for your patience during these days.”

Meng Wuhen and his wife came to visit.

After half a month of recuperation, both looked much better, standing side by side as a perfectly matched couple.

“Heh, for us cultivators, this time was but a blink of an eye.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled as he spoke.

As Golden Core cultivators, they could pass months in mere meditation.

For serious injuries, recuperation can even take years.

“Earlier, I noticed Fellow Daoist Wang seemed interested in the Star Sea. This Jade Slip contains some information about it.”

Meng Wuhen handed over a Jade Slip.

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng took the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

It contained a general introduction to the Star Sea and its powers.

Although it wasn’t very detailed, it was clear that compared to the Jiang Kingdom cultivation world, the Star Sea was far more prosperous and vast.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wuhen!”

Without further reading, he cupped his hands towards Meng Wuhen in thanks.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, now that the Deep Sea Demon Whale King hunt is complete, our deal is also finished. Henceforth, the Immortal City of Da Mengze belongs to you two.”

“If the two of you are free, my wife and I could introduce you to the city’s situation. In half a year, we will depart, but until then, you can familiarize yourselves with the city.”

Meng Wuhen, dressed in a feather robe and cloak, smiled with a calm and handsome demeanor.

“In that case, we’ll trouble the two of you!”

Lu Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he nodded solemnly.

Immortal City of Da Mengze is divided into three parts.

The outer district, which enjoys the spiritual energy of one-tier spiritual veins and is mainly inhabited by scattered Qi Refining cultivators.

The inner district, depending on location, benefits from the second-tier spiritual veins and residences for cultivators with some strength and wealth.

The city’s main shops, restaurants, and residences are all in the inner city.

The core area spans only ten or so miles, and only parts are open to the public.

There are no shops here; this area mainly contains Cave Dwellings and residences powered by second- or third-tier spiritual veins.

“Most shops and residences in the outer district have been sold. Only a few areas are under the City Lord’s Manor.”

“In the inner district, properties like this Yunmeng Restaurant, the Dameng Commerce Guild, and several other shops belong to the City Lord’s Manor.”

“As for the core area, aside from portions gifted or sold, almost all are under the City Lord’s Manor.”

“However, these Cave Dwellings are currently either leased out or provided to the city’s cultivators and a few guest elders.”

To avoid causing a disturbance, the four of them made simple disguises as they walked through the Immortal City.

Meng Wuhen used Divine Sense transmission to introduce the city’s situation to Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian.

“Besides the Immortal City, there are many islands under our jurisdiction. They contribute annually and follow orders.”

“When these islands face monster attacks, pirates or rogue cultivators, the Immortal City must come to their aid.”

After Meng Wuhen’s introduction, Immortal Yunmeng lightly supplemented, “Currently, the city’s income, plus the industries under the City Lord’s Manor, nets a yearly profit of a million Spirit Stones.”

“You two manage it well.”

Lu Changsheng was pleased as he spoke.

This figure matched his expectations.

To think that such an Immortal City is nothing less than a gold-swallowing beast!

Currently, the Bihu Mountain Lu Family’s net profit, after costs, is only around thirty or forty thousand Spirit Stones.

In comparison to the Immortal City of Da Mengze, it is not even worthy of carrying its shoes!

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but feel excited, knowing that such a city would soon be under his name!

“When it comes to managing the city, my wife and I generally leave it to the people below. As long as they handle things well, we don’t mind.”

Meng Wuhen chuckled lightly.

They spend most of their time cultivating and naturally won’t waste their energy on management, leaving it mostly to others.

Being a divination master, no subordinate could deceive him, and he could even use divination to monitor the city’s fortune.

Over the years, Immortal City of Da Mengze has had no major issues, steadily progressing.

After summarizing the situation, Meng Wuhen led Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian to the City Lord’s Manor.

The City Lord’s Manor enjoys a top-tier third-level spiritual vein.

However, the spiritual vein is small and can only support cultivation for two Golden Core Late-Stage cultivators.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Li, this is Xiaohua, currently the steward of the City Lord’s Manor. She manages most of the affairs here.”

“If you need anything in the future, you can also consult Xiaohua.”

At this moment, Immortal Yunmeng pointed to a plump and attractive woman dressed in a lotus-patterned skirt.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xiaohua.”

Lu Changsheng noticed that the woman was a False Core cultivator and nodded with a smile.

“Greetings, Senior Wang, Senior Li.”

Although Xiaohua’s name sounded young, she was actually a full cycle older than Lu Changsheng.

Afterwards, Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng summoned the city stewards to announce the new City Lord.

“A new City Lord!?”

The arriving cultivators, who belonged to the core management of Immortal City of Da Mengze, looked at Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian with shocked expressions.

“Boom!”

Facing their gazes, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian remained calm and released the overwhelming aura of Golden Core true men.

“We pay our respects to the City Lords!”

All the cultivators in the hall felt suppressed, with heavy bodies and labored breathing, bowing respectfully.

“From now on, please continue your efforts. My wife and I are taking over as City Lords, but nothing will change. You won’t be mistreated.”

Lu Changsheng’s calm and dignified tone was full of authority.

He planned to bring his children to the Immortal City.

But his family’s current power wasn’t enough to fully take over.

Besides, as they were just taking on the city, it was best not to make changes that might disrupt the city’s operations.

Maintaining the current structure and gaining familiarity before gradually taking control is the optimal approach.

“We obey the City Lord’s orders!”

The cultivators present were extremely respectful.

After all, in the face of two Golden Core true men, even if someone had other thoughts, they wouldn’t dare show it.

“These next six months may inconvenience the two of you.”

“When my wife and I leave, we’ll only take some spiritual herbs, materials, and tools with us. We won’t touch the shops and guild industries.”

After the other cultivators left, Meng Wuhen continued.

Nearby, Immortal Yunmeng handed two Jade Scrolls to Lu Changsheng.

They contained information about the businesses and personnel of Immortal City of Da Mengze.

“You two are trustworthy.”

Lu Changsheng smiled without being overly concerned.

When they signed the Spirit Contract, the deal was to hand over the city within a year, along with the Cave Dwelling, roster, formation, and industries.

Now, with them leaving after just half a year, it’s even ahead of schedule.

Moreover, they needed some time to take over.

“Here are three Jade Talismans. In the future, if your beloved daughter has any issues, she can reach out to us with these talismans.”

Lu Changsheng took out three third-tier Jade Talismans from his Storage Ring and handed them to Meng Wuhen.

During their previous deal, besides hunting the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.

They agreed on providing support for their daughter ‘Xuanyuan’ for a century, with resources worth ten million Spirit Stones.

And during their lifetime, they promised to assist Xuanyuan three times to the best of their abilities.

Since the city was being handed over, Lu Changsheng naturally wanted to show his stance.

However, he was curious about why he hadn’t seen their daughter.

“Sure, please accept this token, Fellow Daoist Wang, then my daughter might contact you in the future.”

Meng Wuhen smiled as he accepted it, then retrieved a token from his Storage Ring and handed it to Lu Changsheng.

“You can rest assured!”

Lu Changsheng responded seriously.

Although the deal had a significant cost, overall, he was very satisfied.

Moreover, Meng Wuhen and his wife had shown sincere goodwill, not only providing extra spoils but also information on the Star Sea. Naturally, he would sincerely look after their daughter.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Li, if you don’t mind, you can use our names directly to avoid some troubles.”

“However, once the news of the city’s change of ownership spreads, over time, others will come to test you.”

Meng Wuhen saw that Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian were upright people, so he continued to express kindness.

Although Immortal City of Da Mengze was not as grand as Nine Heavens Immortal City nor Qingluan Immortal City, it was still a coveted city—a fat piece of meat with many eyes on it.

Once the news of the change of ownership spreads, some forces or rogue cultivators will surely come to test the waters, seeking to seize benefits.

This is why they were reluctant to leave the city to their daughter.

For the Immortal City to remain stable, the deterrence power of Late-Stage Golden Core is essential!

“In that case, my wife and I will take advantage of your goodwill.”

Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian exchanged glances and cupped their hands with a smile.

During the Deep Sea Demon Whale King hunt, he noticed that Meng Wuhen and his wife were, like him and Hong Lian, in disguise.

The names Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng were likely not their real names.

However, since Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian were using false names anyway, they didn’t mind continuing to use theirs for convenience.

Soon after, Meng Wuhen continued to explain some of the city’s operations to Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian.

For instance, the trade between the three Immortal Cities and the cooperation with the Four Great Immortal Sects.

Each sect had cultivators stationed in Immortal City of Da Mengze.

For this recent war, the Immortal City had to prioritize providing materials to the four Immortal Sects.

In short, most of these matters could be managed by subordinates.

As long as Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian could deter dishonest people, they didn’t need to worry about the rest.

After extensive discussions, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian finally left the City Lord’s Manor and returned to their Cave Dwelling.

“Hong Lian, do you have any suggestions for the city at present?”

Lu Changsheng was aware of his average management skills, so he was very open to advice.

“Just replace the maids and guards in the City Lord’s Manor for now; there’s not much else to change.”

“As Meng Wuhen and his wife mentioned, news of the city’s change of ownership will spread in a few years. Most likely, some cultivators will come to test you.”

“When the time comes, as long as we demonstrate our strength, everything else will be fine.”

Hong Lian spoke softly.

When just taking over, the worst thing would be to make sweeping reforms.

As for Lu Changsheng’s intentions, Hong Lian could guess some of them.

But the Lu Family’s disciples still lacked strength to fully manage the city.

“Hmm.”

After chatting briefly, Lu Changsheng pulled out the Jade Slip that Meng Wuhen had given him and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

Xingyue Palace!

Penglai Island!

Mermaid Island!

The Four Sea Cultivators, the Seven Sea-Sealing Sects.

After a brief moment, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, feeling emotional.

According to the Jade Slip’s information, the known area of the Star Sea is ten times larger than the Jiang Kingdom cultivation world, filled with numerous Nascent Soul-level powers, Nascent Soul cultivators, and shape-shifting monsters.

Unlike the Southern Wilderness of Jiang Kingdom, there is no clear distinction between orthodox and demonic forces.

In summary, it’s chaos!

It’s like a warlord is clashing with contending forces in a chaotic region!

In the Star Sea, apart from a few famous islands and forces, nowhere is truly safe.

Because in the vast sea, killing someone and dumping their body leaves no trace, leading to the proliferation of rogue cultivators.

Small islands face not only attacks from sea monster clans but also plundering from high-level cultivators, pirates, and rogue cultivators.

Here, mortals and low-level cultivators not only submit to high-level cultivators but sometimes even submit to the rule of sea monsters, becoming blood food for the monsters.

In short, the Star Sea truly embodies the law of the jungle!

Everyone there believes in survival of the fittest, trust is scarce, and any unresolved conflict leads to battle before negotiation.

Lu Changsheng handed the Jade Slip to Hong Lian.

After reading about the Star Sea, Hong Lian seemed thoughtful, considering it a good opportunity.

Compared to the Jiang Kingdom cultivation world, the Star Sea is many times more prosperous and possesses Nascent Soul resources.

Although it is more brutal.

For powerful cultivators, especially those like her who need vast resources, it’s a good thing.

“The Star Sea’s situation is somewhat similar to the Eastern Sea.”

“I’ve seen mentions in ancient texts that the Eastern Sea Cultivation World once had a top power named the Sun, Moon, and Stars Palace, and there is a Xingyue Palace in the Star Sea.”

Hong Lian spoke with interest.

“The Eastern Sea and the Star Sea. Perhaps in the future, we could go take a look.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled.

He wasn’t very interested in the Eastern Sea or the Star Sea.

But after gaining a few more levels of strength, he wouldn’t mind crossing the Da Mengze and taking a look at the Star Sea.

After all, with so many Nascent Soul powers, the Star Sea surely holds many Nascent Soul resources.

He only had one Nascent Soul treasure until now.

If he wanted to break through to Nascent Soul in the future, he might have to visit the Star Sea.

Time flew by, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Although Meng Wuhen and his wife said they would leave after half a year, they announced their departure now, just three months later.

During this period, the couple helped Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian familiarize themselves with the city.

Last month, Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian even disguised themselves as Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng and appeared in public.

With the arrangements made by Xiaohua, the city steward, the process went very smoothly.

“Now that you two are familiar with the city, we have urgent matters to attend to and won’t stay any longer. Until next time!”

Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng bid farewell to Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian.

“We wish you a smooth journey, Fellow Daoists Wuhen and Yunmeng. May you break through to Nascent Soul and gain eternal longevity!”

After so much time together, Lu Changsheng had developed quite a fondness for the couple and offered sincere blessings.

“Thank you for your kind words, and may you two also break through to Nascent Soul and enjoy eternal life!”

Just as Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian believed Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng had the potential for Nascent Soul,

The couple also believed that Lu Changsheng and Hong Lian had the same potential.

Thus, they both had genuine intentions to form a connection.

After saying their goodbyes, Meng Wuhen and Immortal Yunmeng quietly left the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

Aside from Lu Changsheng, Hong Lian, and the City Lord’s steward Xiaohua, no one knew that the famous couple who had been in Jiang Kingdom for over a century had left.

“Hong Lian, you should stay in the city while I make a trip back home. I’ll return as quickly as possible.”

After settling into the City Lord’s Manor, Lu Changsheng said.

They had been away for some time now, and it was time to head back.

Besides, the Immortal City of Da Mengze was still full of the previous people, and not a single trusted aide was there.

So, Lu Changsheng planned to go back to take a few people from home.

With the Michen Banner and the Golden-Winged Roc, he could travel back and forth at the fastest speed.

During this time, even if the city faced danger, Hong Lian, being a third-tier Formation Techniques master, could protect the city until his return.

“Rest assured, my lord.”

Hong Lian nodded in agreement.