Chapter 836: Rewards

Apart from those three Azure Celestial Spirit Pills, the ten white suits of armor also looked extraordinary.

Each suit of armor did not appear particularly outstanding, but upon closer inspection, one could see that it was woven from countless fingernail-sized scales, each inscribed with flowing runes that emitted a dazzling white radiance.

As for those golden longswords, their blades also burst forth with dazzling golden light, within which the faint shadows of a flood dragon and a giant elephant tumbled about, sometimes roaring, sometimes howling, sometimes coiling, sometimes prostrating.

"Thank you for your grace, Father!" Shi Zhanfeng said with a delighted expression as he accepted these items.

Seeing this, most of the people on both sides showed envy, and Shi Chuankong's eyes also lit up, as if he coveted these treasures.

In contrast, Shi Pokong and Shi Jingyan appeared quite composed; the former's expression showed neither joy nor surprise, while the latter wore a faint smile, her thoughts unknown.

"Brother Shi, what kind of elixir is the Azure Celestial Spirit Pill? It seems so marvelous. Could it be some kind of Dao Pill?" Han Li transmitted his voice to Shi Chuankong to inquire.

"The Azure Celestial Spirit Pill is not a Dao Pill but a sacred elixir for body refinement. Tens of thousands of years ago, Father ventured deep into the Ten Miasma Mountain Range and personally killed an Azure Celestial Demon Ox at the Great Luo realm. Using its essence blood, along with hundreds of precious materials, he spent several hundred years refining eighty-one Azure Celestial Spirit Pills. Each of us princes was granted one, and with other rewards over the years, there are probably very few left now. Taking one, with the guidance of a suitable technique, its medicinal power is enough to open up several or even a dozen profound acupoints, greatly enhancing a body cultivator's strength." Shi Chuankong let out a long breath and said.

"I see. I suppose the armor and swords are also extraordinary items." Han Li was secretly astonished upon hearing this.

"The Primordial Sacred Armor and the Dragon-Elephant Prison-Suppressing Sword are also extremely powerful treasures. An ordinary Golden Immortal-level mystic cultivator, if wearing the Primordial Armor and wielding the Dragon-Elephant Sword, would be able to contend with a Tai Yi realm cultivator. Father's reward to our eldest brother is indeed substantial." Shi Chuankong continued, his tone somewhat bitter.

Han Li's eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

With these ten sets of armor and swords, the eldest prince, Shi Zhanfeng, could quickly cultivate a mystic cultivator force of considerable strength, whose overall combat power, as Shi Chuankong said, would be comparable to an early Great Luo realm cultivator.

Shi Zhanfeng accepted the rewards and quickly withdrew.

Next, the third prince, Shi Pokong, rose and stepped forward. He first made a deep bow to the Demon Lord, then produced a jade slip and said respectfully:

"Father, your son has been tasked over the years with monitoring the movements along the borders. This is a compiled report; please take a look."

As his words fell, a gray shadow flashed before his eyes, and the jade slip appeared in the Demon Lord's hand.

The Demon Lord raised his hand and flipped through it, then simply nodded and said, "Good, you have worked hard."

Shi Pokong bowed again, showing no sign of being slighted, and returned to his seat with a calm expression.

"Third brother is really something. Why doesn't he, like eldest brother, take the opportunity to offer Father something and curry favor? Father is clearly in a good mood today; he would surely bestow some fine gifts." Shi Chuankong sighed as if disappointed in him.

Han Li glanced at Shi Pokong, who had just sat down. The latter seemed to sense his gaze and looked back, offering only a faint smile.

"Father, your daughter does not have the great abilities of my two elder brothers. Over the years, I have merely managed the Blossom Pavilion with no other achievements. This is the 'Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' embroidery, which the sisters and I spent a hundred years stitching. I wish Father an early attainment of the Dao Ancestor path and unification of all realms." Shi Jingxiu rose gracefully and, with a wave of her hand, produced a massive scroll tens of zhang long and over ten zhang wide.

The scroll depicted a landscape embroidery: mountain ranges undulating and stretching to the horizon, with a huge red sun rising in the east, illuminating the myriad miles of rivers and mountains.

The embroidery was exquisite, the momentum grand, radiating overwhelmingly from the scroll.

"Good, my daughter is thoughtful. Shadow, bring out that Azure Smoke King Tripod and bestow it upon Jingxiu." The Demon Lord nodded slightly and commanded.

Shadow flickered and vanished, then reappeared holding a green three-legged incense burner.

The tripod was half a man's height, with an antique shape and nine openings at the top, from which streams of green smoke occasionally emerged, swirling around the tripod before seeping back inside, appearing extremely mystical.

"Thank you, Father." Shi Jingxiu showed a hint of joy, accepted the Azure Smoke King Tripod, and withdrew.

Then, the sixth prince, Shi Mingzhen, stood up and stepped forward.

And so it went; each prince and princess in turn paid homage to the Demon Lord, reporting on their affairs while presenting gifts to win his favor.

For every gift offered, the Demon Lord bestowed correspondingly generous rewards.

Soon, it was Shi Chuankong's turn.

"Father, your son has been away from the Holy Domain these years and has not adequately overseen the Guangyuan Consortium's business, causing some fluctuations. I beg Father to punish me." Shi Chuankong stepped forward, produced a ledger, and presented it.

"Punish you for what? Though you were away, the Guangyuan Consortium's business, despite some ups and downs, has not declined overall. Now that you have returned to the Holy Domain, just reorganize it." The Demon Lord took the ledger, glanced through it, set it down, and encouraged him.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Father. During my travels in the True Immortal Realm, I happened upon the ruins of the True Word Sect and found this treasure within, which I wish to present to you." Silver light flashed in Shi Chuankong's hand as he produced the Luozha Pipa and offered it with both hands.

The people in the hall were all well-traveled and knowledgeable; upon seeing the Luozha Pipa, they immediately recognized it and buzzed with discussion.

Shi Zhanfeng and the others also looked over, their expressions varied.

"The Luozha Pipa... it has finally returned." The Demon Lord murmured, raising his hand in a beckoning gesture.

The Luozha Pipa immediately floated up and flew back to his side.

The Demon Lord's fingers gently stroked the pipa, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

Seeing this, everyone in the hall fell silent.

"Good, Chuankong, your retrieval of the Luozha Pipa is no small feat. I am greatly pleased. Tell me, what reward do you desire?" The Demon Lord soon snapped back to reality and said to Shi Chuankong.

"In serving Father, your son dares not ask for a reward." Shi Chuankong lowered his head and said.

"Haha, I have always rewarded merit. If you rendered such a service and received no reward, would I not be criticized by all under heaven?" The Demon Lord laughed heartily.

Seeing the Demon Lord so pleased, everyone in the hall joined in the laughter.

Though Shi Zhanfeng smiled, a strange glint flickered in his eyes.

Not far away, the fifth princess, Shi Jingxiu, also had a flicker in her beautiful eyes, and her gaze toward Shi Chuankong grew more serious.

"Issue my decree: the Thirteenth Prince has recovered a supreme treasure, toiling with great merit. He is granted the title of Marquis of Heavenly Commerce. As for the fief, the Tianhong Domain is currently without a lord, so it shall be bestowed upon him as well." The Demon Lord pondered for a moment and said.

At these words, the hall fell silent abruptly, and everyone looked at the Demon Lord in surprise.

Han Li's brow also twitched.

From his years of understanding of the various regions of the Demon Domain, the Tianhong Domain was an extremely fertile area, and several main thoroughfares crossing the Demon Domain passed through it, making it a strategic choke point of great geographical importance.

To entrust such a vital place to Shi Chuankong's management—no wonder it caused astonishment among those present.

"Thank you for your immense grace, Father. But such a heavy reward is more than I can bear. I beg you to rescind the order." Shi Chuankong showed a look of surprise and immediately knelt down.

"I never take back my rewards. The Tianhong Domain is prosperous in commerce, and it is fitting for you to manage it. Operate it well and do not disappoint my intentions." The Demon Lord looked at Shi Chuankong and said calmly.

"Your son... thanks you for your deep affection, Father. I will surely live up to your trust." Shi Chuankong met the Demon Lord's gaze, opened his mouth, then spoke solemnly.

"Withdraw." The Demon Lord waved his hand, dismissing Shi Chuankong.

"Father, your son has one more matter to report." Shi Chuankong quickly said.

"Oh? What else? Speak freely." The Demon Lord asked with some surprise.

"Father, your son was able to retrieve the Luozha Pipa from the True Word Sect ruins thanks to the assistance of Brother Li. Moreover, on the journey back to Night Sun City, we were attacked several times, and it was only with Brother Li's full help that we turned danger into safety. Brother Li's contributions are actually greater than mine. I beg you to bestow some rewards upon him as well." Shi Chuankong said rapidly.

"Oh?" The Demon Lord turned his gaze toward Han Li.

Han Li stood up and bowed his head.

Everyone in the hall looked at Han Li, whose expression remained calm without a ripple.

"Li Feiyu, though you are not from our Holy Domain, since you have rendered such service, you must be rewarded. Tell me, what do you desire?" The Demon Lord nodded and said.

"Brother Shi and I are friends who have shared hardships. Doing these things, I should not ask for a reward. However, I currently have a problem that I cannot solve on my own, so I shamelessly ask the Holy Lord for this favor." Han Li said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"What problem? Speak it." The Demon Lord asked calmly.

"Your Majesty, a close friend of mine has suffered severe damage to her soul for unknown reasons, and she happens to be of the Punishment Beast lineage. Her vital energy is constantly dissipating, and ordinary methods are useless. I beg Your Majesty to permit the High Priest of the Sacrificial Hall to examine my friend." Han Li bowed again.

"Oh, so it's just to save someone. That's easy. Zhanfeng, summon the High Priest to treat his friend." The Demon Lord, hearing it was only this reason, chuckled and then said to the eldest prince.

"Father, the High Priest began a closed-door cultivation ten years ago. Could we wait until he emerges before treating Brother Li's friend?" Shi Zhanfeng bowed to the Demon Lord, then looked at Han Li with an apologetic expression and said.

"If so, waiting is fine. But how long does the High Priest usually go into seclusion?" Han Li asked, showing no surprise.

"That is hard to say... Seclusion can be short or long; sometimes just a few years, sometimes a hundred. But rest assured, Brother Li, once the High Priest emerges, I will certainly have him treat your friend." Shi Zhanfeng said thus.