Xiao Jie let "I Want to Be Immortal" and Ye Luo move about freely first while he and Ying Baiyu came to the entrance of Xiao Yue Palace.
Looking at the palace before him, Ying Baiyu was so excited that his whole body trembled.
He had finally returned; he couldn’t believe there would still be a day for him to return...
"Let’s go, Brother Ying, I will take you to meet the True Man," Xiao Jie said as he greeted the gatekeeper, and the two of them walked directly in.
Having high reputation is indeed satisfying; entering Xiao Yue Palace completely didn’t require reporting.
The way was unobstructed until they reached the exterior of the inner hall, where they were stopped by Gray Wolf Guards.
"I have important matters to report to the True Man; please pass along the message."
That guard nodded, about to leave, but took another look at Ying Baiyu, whose wings behind him were indeed eye-catching, indicative of someone who had once been a demon.
Fortunately, the Reconciliation Paper had taken effect, and now the system had designated Ying Baiyu as an NPC, precluding any conflict.
The guard quickly came back out. "The True Man instructs you to enter immediately—and you too, Captain Ying."
The two entered the grand hall, where Master Xiao Yue was, as always, sitting regally on his throne.
Upon seeing this, Ying Baiyu, without a word, knelt on one knee and paid his respects.
"Master Xiao Yue! Tianyu Army Captain Ying Baiyu, here to see you."
Master Xiao Yue, hand propping his face, looked at Ying Baiyu and sighed, "I have heard about your situation; it indeed mistreated you..."
"True Man..." The words caused Ying Baiyu’s eyes to brim with hot tears as he choked up.
Just as Xiao Jie thought a scene of honoring the wise was about to unfold, Master Xiao Yue’s tone suddenly turned stern, "Why didn’t you come to me when the problem arose? Why did you act recklessly on your own bravery?"
"True Man—I was wrong."
"Knowing your mistake is good. Killing isn’t the error; it’s your presumptuous actions. Had you come back and reported to me, I would have issued an order for you, how is killing a rich man any different? I could have even avenged your father by annihilating his entire household. Your unilateral actions have indeed caused me quite some trouble.
Ah, forget it, everything is past now. You have exerted a lot of effort this time, consider it that you have made amends. I will take you to the Southern Front to guard the border."
"Thank you, True Man," Ying Baiyu solemnly saluted, finally feeling his return.
Master Xiao Yue then looked toward Xiao Jie, "As for you—haha, I must say, you really surprised me. I did not expect that among the Returning Villagers there would be one as capable as you, completing my charge in merely two days."
Xiao Jie was somewhat surprised; he hadn’t yet submitted the task, how did the other party already know?
"True Man, you knew I completed the task?"
"Of course, I have been keeping an eye on you."
Huh? Xiao Jie thought, how did you manage to keep an eye on me?
Yet he saw Master Xiao Yue did not explain, only saying, "Bring that head here."
Xiao Jie hurriedly opened his backpack and right-clicked to submit the task item.
Suddenly, a grotesque, monstrous white skull appeared in Master Xiao Yue’s hand.
"Not bad, indeed a mixed breed of the Demon Star Tower, that sinister aura can’t be concealed, looking just like a ghost," Master Xiao Yue looked disdainfully at the blood-red pupils on the skull.
"Don’t think it’s over just because it’s dead. Once in my hands, even the dead must speak—Wu Junshi."
From the darkness behind him, a man in a Black Feather Robe, walking with a Magic Wand and a bamboo hat covering his face, his hat’s black curtain revealing a dark beak, came out.
’Crow Taoist’ Wu Yong (the Daoist Black Crow): Level 44, Life Value 3400.
"What are your commands, True Man?" the Crow Taoist asked in a hoarse voice.
"Extract this wretch’s soul for a thorough inquiry; I want to know exactly what Demon Star Tower is up to."
"Will comply with True Man’s command." The Crow Taoist took the skull and went toward the back of the hall.
"As for you, you did very well this time, a grand reward is certainly in order, this ’Phoenix Heart Intent Scripture’ was previously promised; keep it well. Tell me, what else do you desire? As long as it’s within my means, I shall not be stingy."
System Notification: Completed task [Hunt Demon Star Tower Envoy], received basic reward [Phoenix Heart Intent Scripture], Master Xiao Yue’s favorability towards you increased by 10 points.
Xiao Jie felt delighted, thinking just as he had guessed; this task reward really could be requested by himself, which was thrilling.
Moreover, it had increased Master Xiao Yue’s favorability, which was somewhat rare. Could it be possible to completely max out the favorability of this faction leader?
First, he securely kept the third volume of the Heavenly Book; the purpose of coming to Canglin State was now fulfilled.
As for additional rewards, Xiao Jie had already thought through what he wanted before arriving.
There were still quite a few items he lacked: Monster Inner Cores, High-Level Internal Skill, Epic weapons, powerful Magic Artifacts, Immortal Elixirs, and Taoist Scriptures that enhance comprehension...
"True Man, do you have a large quantity of Monster Inner Cores? Could you give me about ten or twenty?" Xiao Jie unabashedly aimed high with his demands.
The expressions on Master Xiao Yue’s face were helpless, "Haha, you are indeed very bold; Monster Inner Cores are the most crucial thing for demons, not mere cabbages; three or two might be okay, but not more."
As expected, it wasn’t that easy.
Three Monster Inner Cores were still too few.
"Then, might there be Supreme Divine Skill? Could you teach me one?"
Master Xiao Yue shook his head, "I myself don’t use any Internal Power; I can’t teach you, though I do have a few Inner Power Secret Manuals on hand, but Supreme Divine Skills... I don’t have any of those. Here are three decent Internal Skills; if you are interested, select one as your reward."
Saying this, he waved his hand, and three secret books appeared before Xiao Jie.