In Xianxia With The Investment Return System, Starting My Journey by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple (Patreon)

Chapter 97: Assigning Tasks to Descend the Mountain, Modifying the Jade Pendant

After Yu Youwei was given her name, everyone spent another two or three days together on the mountain.

During this time, Leng Yanran and Li Yurong adjusted to their newly enhanced strength after their breakthroughs. Meanwhile, Scarlet Cloud finally absorbed and refined the remains of the Ren Family clan leader, achieving a complete transformation.

As for Chen Daoxuan, his routine remained unchanged: waking up to drink a pot of Primordial Spirit Enlightenment Tea, observing his disciples' cultivation, offering a few pointers, and then going back to sleep...

However, his naps now included Yu Youwei, who had taken to lying on top of him almost constantly.

This made Leng Yanran extremely envious—she, too, wished she could rest on her master’s chest every day! Unfortunately, despite Yu Youwei’s harmless appearance, her strength far exceeded that of anyone else present. According to their master, Yu Youwei could unleash the power of an immortal-level being if necessary. Although she looked small and young, she was, in truth, as old as the heavens and earth themselves.

The occasional arcs of electricity radiating from Yu Youwei’s body were enough to incapacitate anyone other than Chen Daoxuan. While these arcs would shock others half to death, Chen Daoxuan seemed to relish the tingling sensation, finding it made his naps even sweeter.

One day, Chen Daoxuan called everyone, including Scarlet Cloud, to gather in front of the Hall.

"Scarlet Cloud," Chen Daoxuan said casually after sipping his tea.

"This humble servant is here. Whatever the Hall Master commands, I will carry out to the best of my abilities!"

Scarlet Cloud immediately knelt on one knee, his expression solemn and his ears attentively tuned to his master’s instructions.

He had been part of the Heavenly Dao Hall for some time now, but most of that time was spent refining the Ren Family clan leader’s corpse. Now that his work was complete, he was eager to contribute to the Hall.

"The northern region is currently chaotic, with sects and noble families in disarray. I’m sending you down the mountain to reorganize it," Chen Daoxuan instructed.

"Start with the Leng Family in the Moro Kingdom, where Yanran used to reside. You can use them as a base to expand.”

"Unite the various forces of the northern region. The Heavenly Dao Hall will protect them from the threats of ferocious beasts, evil cultivators, and even invaders from other regions.”

"In return, they will need to submit 20% of their yearly harvest of natural treasures as tribute.”

"Do you have the confidence to accomplish this?"

Chen Daoxuan's instructions were clear and well-organized.

Even though the northern region was a remote area, its natural resources could still yield a substantial amount of system points. With tributes coming in annually, it could potentially bring in hundreds of thousands or even millions of system points each year.

Chen Daoxuan didn’t intend to oppress the sects outright. While the 20% tribute wasn’t a trivial demand, it was still within a reasonable range. In return, the Heavenly Dao Hall would provide protection, with Scarlet Cloud—a formidable expert at the Boundless Realm—personally stationed in the region to oversee it.

"Rest assured, Hall Master. If I fail to complete this task, I will return with my head!" Scarlet Cloud declared with unwavering confidence.

The northern region? How could he possibly fail?

With his Boundless Realm cultivation, not to mention the army of puppets he had stationed at Scarlet Cloud Valley—many of which were at the Unity or even Extinction Realm—he could easily sweep through the region.

Any sect or family foolish enough to defy the Heavenly Dao Hall would face dire consequences. As a corpse cultivator, Scarlet Cloud had no qualms about annihilating entire clans to fuel his own power, ensuring he could better serve the Hall.

"Very well. You may set off," Chen Daoxuan nodded approvingly.

Scarlet Cloud respectfully rose, bowed deeply, and departed swiftly. As he descended the mountain, he kept his master’s instructions in mind.

"So miss hail from the northern region’s Moro Kingdom Leng Family... That will be my first stop!"

With his figure flickering like a shadow, Scarlet Cloud vanished down the mountain, heading straight for the Leng Family in the northern region.

"Yanran, Yurong, you’ve both made significant progress recently. Especially you, Yanran—you’ve reached the Unity Realm and should now have the power to suppress Boundless Realm cultivators.”

"Previously, outside the secret realm, there was an incident where the Ren family from the Eastern Region attempted something unscrupulous. I leave that matter to you to resolve."

Chen Daoxuan stroked his chin as he spoke softly to his two elegant disciples.

"This is perfect timing. While you’re heading to the Eastern Region, you can also visit Holy Mountain. That way, Yurong will have peace of mind."

"Yes, Master!"

"I will personally settle the score with the Ren family," Leng Yanran replied, her eyes flashing with a cold glint.

Even if her master hadn’t mentioned it, she had already planned to deal with the Ren family on this trip to the Eastern Region. Not only for herself but also because the Ren family had dared to harm disciples of the Heavenly Dao Hall. For that alone, she was determined to exterminate them.

The Heavenly Dao Hall, established by her master, was not a place these lowly ants could trample upon. Since they had dared to provoke her master’s sect, they should prepare to face destruction—like an anthill doused in boiling water, or an egg shaken until scrambled. Even passing dogs wouldn’t escape a beating!

"Yay! With my new strength, the elders back home will definitely be shocked, and even my sister will be amazed!"

"Just imagining their reactions makes me so excited!!!"

Li Yurong’s eyes sparkled with delight. She had been overshadowed by her elder sister her entire life—well, except in one or two areas where she could claim superiority...

This time, she was determined to show the elders and her sister that she had become truly powerful!

"Bring me your jade pendants. I’ll inscribe a spatial formation on them," Chen Daoxuan said after a moment of thought.

"If you encounter any heavenly treasures or if kind benefactors wish to give treasures to our Hall, it’ll save you the trouble of carrying around so many storage bags."

Leng Yanran, recalling the twenty-plus storage bags she had brought back last time, quickly removed the jade pendant from her neck and handed it over.

"Here, Master!" Li Yurong tugged at the chain around her neck, revealing a jade pendant hidden in between her breasts. Without a second thought, she handed it over as well.

Leng Yanran couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of her mouth as she watched her junior sister’s casual gesture.

"Damn it, yet another day of envying Junior Sister..."

That figure of hers—truly enviable!

Chen Daoxuan took the jade pendants from his disciples, noting the faint scent of milk and the residual warmth from their skin.

Leng Yanran’s pendant bore the character 冷 (Leng), while Li Yurong’s was inscribed with 李 (Li). Both pendants were infused with Chen Daoxuan’s unique Dao charm. The characters were formed entirely from Dao rhythm, granting the wearers tranquility and focus, and even protecting them from heart demons.

With a slight flick of his fingers, Chen Daoxuan carved a spatial formation inside each jade pendant. Then, with his own hands, he placed the pendants back around their necks.

"All done. Pack some appropriate clothing and prepare to descend the mountain," Chen Daoxuan said with a satisfied smile and a nod.

Leng Yanran and Li Yurong extended their spiritual sense into their jade pendants to inspect the space within.

When they realized that each pendant held nearly a million cubic meters of storage, their jaws dropped in astonishment.

"This... Master is so big!"