The battlefield was caught in a tense situation.
Because of Chen Jiuge’s disappearance, the city had once descended into chaos. Thankfully, Ye Tianming and Wen Ruo stabilized the situation. With the stalwart support of loyal Golden Immortals like the Shark Army and Dragon, their rule was barely maintained, although their power had drastically dwindled.
If not for Yaksha Jing arriving and planting his flag to signify this was the territory of his dear brother, thereby deterring other races from prying, Corner Shadow City might have become history.
And, unbeknownst to everyone, the Heavenly Realm, Demon Abyss, and Star Sea Realm had begun to slowly converge. Due to the slow pace of this movement, even sages like Dao Yi had failed to notice the change.
Zhu Ying accepted a Spiritual Beast Bag handed over by a female official and exclaimed in surprise, "Thirteen thousand Green Jade Mice?"
"It seems I underestimated him; he can truly be called a master in the field of Spiritual Beasts," Zhu Ying remarked with a sigh.
"Indeed. This servant has never seen so many Mutant Spiritual Beasts. Steward Chen is truly a genius. It’s said this number could have been multiplied severalfold if he hadn’t focused his primary efforts on the Black and White Deer."
"Let’s go take a look, and present him with the rewards while we’re at it." Zhu Ying’s usually cold face broke into a slight smile.
With so many Green Jade Mice, Snow Concubine Hall’s revenue could also greatly increase, and it might even catch His Majesty’s attention. The Lady’s hopes of returning to the palace had significantly increased.
Chen Jiuge looked at the beautiful Black Deer and White Deer before him, then threw back his head and laughed. "It was worth spending more than a year! Yin Pole, Yang Pole... Such Spiritual Beasts would be considered top-tier Divine Beasts in the Heavenly Realm, I suppose."
"Steward Chen, what has made you so happy?" Zhu Ying heard the laughter even before approaching.
Chen Jiuge turned his head to Zhu Ying and said, "Chief Steward Zhu, take a look at my latest creation."
Zhu Ying looked at the nearby Black Deer and White Deer, and his pupils involuntarily narrowed. "Yin Pole, Yang Pole... Did you breed these?"
"Naturally. It indeed took me more than a year," Chen Jiuge said proudly.
"Their aura is profound, Dharma Manifestation Realm, with potential at least at the Great Divine Power Realm, possibly even the Divine Storage Realm... Very good, very good!" Zhu Ying said, somewhat losing his composure.
Such Spiritual Beasts alone are not enough to impress His Majesty, but they prove that Chen Jiuge can indeed breed truly rare Spiritual Beasts. That is the most important thing.
"I originally came to deliver the reward for completing your Green Jade Mice task, but it seems this reward is far from enough!" Zhu Ying exclaimed.
"There’s no need for a reward. Just send me more Spiritual Beasts to study. That way, I can breed them more quickly," Chen Jiuge shook his head.
"Alright, but you will still have to take the reward."
"From now on, your monthly stipend will increase to three hundred pounds of Top Grade Pearl Rice. Additionally, I’ll award you thirty elite wildmen," Zhu Ying declared grandly. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
This reward was quite generous. The primary currency for cultivation in the True Realm was also Spirit Stones. However, even Low Grade Spirit Stones in the True Realm were not inferior to the Top Grade Spirit Stones of the Heavenly Realm.
A pound of Top Grade Pearl Rice cost ten Top Grade Spirit Stones. These were Top Grade Spirit Stones of the True Realm, and the converted value was an astronomical sum.
Wildmen were not expensive, but elite wildmen were. Thirty elite wildmen constituted a substantial fortune, especially since these wildmen would be loyal only to Chen Jiuge, making them truly valuable.
"Then I thank Chief Steward Zhu for the generous reward," Chen Jiuge did not refuse.
My current financial situation is quite tight. Excluding a few scattered Spirit Fruits, the seldom-used Vajra Lock, and the Calamity Immortal Sword remaining in my Storage Ring, I’m practically penniless.
"I will take these two mutant Black and White Deer for now. Please take good care of the Treasure Pavilion. I will arrange for the Spiritual Beasts you need."
After a brief instruction, Zhu Ying hurriedly left.