Only two days remained until the one-month lease on the pill shop expired.
Ian Song had already stopped the exchange of top-grade Immortal Yuan Pills. After so many days of trading, not only had his supply not decreased, but the number of top-grade Immortal Yuan Pills stored in the Divine Temple had reached over eighty million.
And this was only using half his Immortal Medicines; if he refined the rest into Immortal Yuan Pills, the total could reach a hundred and seventy million.
Today, the City Lord's Mansion was decked out in lanterns and festive colors, brimming with a celebratory atmosphere.
Because today was City Lord Warren Lonely's 2,990th birthday.
Not only did all the major powers within Wildlands City come bearing heavy gifts to offer their congratulations, even the city lords from neighboring cities sent envoys to celebrate Warren Lonely.
There were even two Profound Immortals from the Infinity Sect in attendance.
That night, the City Lord's Mansion was ablaze with lights.
Inside a grand hall, Warren Lonely sat at the head seat, accompanied by two others at the same level—both Profound Immortals from the Infinity Sect, disciples of his father: one named Xander Chen, the other Bogu Feng.
Both possessed early-stage Profound Immortal cultivation.
Below them sat envoys sent by neighboring cities.
As for Mason Jiang, the Tax Bureau Chief, he was highly valued by Warren Lonely and thus ranked just below the outer-city envoys.
The banquet had been underway for a while; at that moment, a troupe of graceful fairy dancers performed in the grand hall.
"Senior Brother Warren, I raise this glass to you—may you soon attain the Ancestral Immortal Dao!"
Xander Chen raised his cup as he spoke.
"Ha ha!" Warren Lonely laughed heartily. "Then I'll borrow your good wishes, Junior Brother Chen!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The two drank together, then exchanged hearty laughter.
Next, Bogu Feng raised his cup as well. "Senior Brother Warren, congratulations on your double happiness! This toast is for you!"
"Double happiness?" Hearing this, a hint of confusion appeared on Warren Lonely's face.
Bogu Feng smiled mysteriously. "Finish this drink, Senior Brother, and I'll tell you what the other joy is!"
"Alright!"
Warren Lonely clinked cups with him and drained his drink.
"Senior Brother Warren can really hold his liquor!" Bogu Feng praised. "Chen and I came here for two reasons: first, to celebrate your birthday, and second, to announce the Sect Master's decree!"
"The Sect Master's decree?" Warren Lonely's expression sharpened. He quickly stood up, bowed deeply, and said respectfully, "Please announce the Sect Master's decree!"
Bogu Feng also grew solemn, stood up, and produced a scroll of purple silk.
In the next moment, Bogu Feng intoned with utmost gravity, "Announcing the Infinity Sect Sect Master's decree!"
Instantly, everyone in the hall was startled and hurriedly rose from their seats, bowing in respect.
The Infinity Sect Sect Master had comprehended eighty-one Ancestral Immortal Daos; his cultivation spanned the ages and was rare in the world, standing at the very apex of the Langya Immortal World.
Bogu Feng's solemn voice rang out again, echoing through the hall:
"Disciple Warren Lonely has governed Wildlands City for over five hundred years, diligent and dedicated, rendering great service to the sect. He is hereby promoted to Third-Class Elder of Infinity Sect!"
"This disciple receives the decree!"
A flash of joy passed through Warren Lonely's eyes, and he raised both hands above his head to receive the decree.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Warren!"
Bogu Feng, eyes full of envy, placed the decree into Warren Lonely's hands.
Within Infinity Sect, members are mainly divided into ordinary disciples, stewards, elders, hall masters, Guardian Immortal Kings, left and right envoys, and at the very top, the Sect Master.
Previously, Warren Lonely was one of the city steward ranks.
Elders are divided into three grades: Third-Class Elder, Second-Class Elder, and First-Class Elder.
A Third-Class Elder can govern three to five cities.
A Second-Class Elder can govern eight to ten cities; a First-Class Elder no longer manages cities and instead serves within the sect.
In other words, Second-Class Elders are the highest-ranking regional officials.
Although Warren Lonely had been promoted to Third-Class Elder, he still needed to report to the sect headquarters to learn which cities he would oversee next.
With Warren Lonely's promotion to Third-Class Elder, the banquet grew even more lively.
After the banquet ended, Warren Lonely sent for Mason Jiang. Years ago, Mason's father died at the hands of Dark Covenant experts while saving Warren, so Warren had always treated Mason as family and valued him highly.
Now that he was a Third-Class Elder, the sect likely wouldn't have him continue ruling Wildlands City, so he wanted to ask Mason's opinion: would he stay in Wildlands City or follow Warren to a new post?
Compared to his father, Mason Jiang's talent was a bit lacking; now only at mid-stage Golden Immortal, his chances of ever reaching Profound Immortal were slim—a source of regret for Warren.
"Uncle!"
Soon, Mason Jiang arrived and bowed. "Congratulations, Uncle, on your promotion to Elder!"
Warren Lonely spoke gently, "There's no need for such formality between us, nephew. After my promotion, I probably won't continue overseeing Wildlands City, so I called you here to ask your opinion: would you rather stay here or come with me to a new post?"
"Of course I wish to follow Uncle!"
"In that case, wrap up your affairs and depart with me for the sect in three days!"
"Yes, I obey, Uncle!"
Mason Jiang nodded, preparing to take his leave.
"Wait!"
A hint of suspicion flashed across Warren Lonely's face as he scrutinized Mason Jiang.
"Uncle?"
Mason Jiang looked nervously at him.
Suddenly, Warren Lonely moved like lightning, grabbing Mason's wrist. With a burst of immortal energy, he sealed Mason's power, then sent his immortal sense directly into Mason's sea of consciousness. Upon seeing the black rune on Mason's soul, Warren's face grew cold and murderous intent filled his eyes. "How dare someone tamper with my nephew!"
"Break for me!"
In the next moment, his immortal sense condensed into a longsword, imbued with the power of law, and struck heavily at the rune.
"Pop!"
With a faint sound, the rune on Mason Jiang's soul instantly shattered.
Mason Jiang trembled all over, a flash of light passing through his eyes.
"What was the restriction on your soul all about?" Warren Lonely released Mason Jiang and asked in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, Mason Jiang—now restored—answered with bitter resentment in his eyes, "Uncle, the restriction in my mind was placed by a newly ascended immortal named Song Yan. Ever since I was branded with this rune, I became his slave, obeying him from the depths of my heart without a single thought of resistance!"
Recalling everything after being branded, Mason Jiang felt shock and anger, but above all, hatred.
Warren Lonely snorted coldly. "Hmph! Most likely the work of those Dark Covenant fiends. Is he still in the city?"
"Yes, he's staying at an inn in the city!" Mason Jiang replied, his voice full of hatred.
In the next moment, Warren Lonely rose to his full height. "Lead the way. Let me capture him for you, and then you can deal with him as you wish!"
"Thank you, Uncle!" Mason Jiang exclaimed with joy.