Shuzhong City, Liu Ruying

P. S.: The factory is about to open, and I've been extremely busy lately, so update times may be irregular. I hope you can understand...

Grabbed by Niu Geng's Five Poisons Palm, the stench of his attack rendered the two men immobile. Upon hearing Niu Geng's words, they looked terrified and shook their heads repeatedly, saying, "We are merely at the Meridian Opening Realm; how could we possibly know about these high-ranking figures? We've only heard that Tang Family Fort was destroyed by the Li Family, but as for why the Li Family possessed such power, we have no idea."

Hearing what the two men said, Niu Geng realized that he had been too excited. How could two Rogue Cultivators at the Meridian Opening Realm possibly know these things? Nodding, Niu Geng released his grip and let them leave.

Niu Geng go, the two Rogue Cultivator ran faster than rabbits and disappeared from the mountain path in no time.

"Let's go to Shuzhong City first and ask the City Lord about the details of the matter," Zhuge Xiang said after paying the bill at the small shop. He understood Niu Geng's urgency after Tang Family Fort was destroyed.

Although he was eager to go to Tang Family Fort, Niu Geng knew that going now would be pointless, so he nodded, and together with Zhuge Xiang and the others, they mounted their Sharp Claw Colt and galloped away.

Shu is also within the territory of Yanling Commandery, and the Shuzhong City is naturally governed by Asura Sect Disciples. Given the magnitude of the destruction of Tang Family Fort, it is only natural that they need to go to Shuzhong City to inquire about the news.

Zhuge Xiang and his group of seven, all riding Sharp Claw Colt with half- Monster Beast blood, galloped past, kicking up dust on the mountain path. Inside the restaurant, there was much discussion. Judging from their appearance, they seemed to have a deep connection with Tang Family Fort. Moreover, all of them were Sharp Claw Colt, suggesting they were of high status. It was anyone's guess what kind of trouble they would cause on this trip.

Anxious, Zhuge Xiang and the others naturally went at full speed, and finally arrived at the city gate of Shuzhong City at dusk.

The land of Shu is mostly deep mountains Great Marsh, and it is also prone to earthquakes. However, this Shuzhong City has carved out a flat area of a hundred miles in circumference deep in the mountains and built a city on this flat land.

Legend has it that there used to be a large mountain at the location of Shushan City, but back then, Void Realm Great Expert Mountain-Moving Art the Asura Sect used his great Divine Ability to move mountains to remove the mountain, leaving behind this open and flat land for the construction of the city.

Upon entering Shuzhong City, one finds it to be quite prosperous. Street vendors sell various goods, and poisonous insects and herbs can be seen everywhere, befitting the fact that the entire Great Qin Empire is a place rich in Poisonous Creatures. After asking a passerby for directions to the Shuzhong City Lord's Manor, Zhuge Xiang and his group went directly City Lord's Manor.

"Please inform the City Lord that an Asura Sect Inner Sect requests an audience." Upon arriving at the City Lord's Manor, Zhuge Xiang and the others presented their Ink Jade Token, which represented their status as Asura Sect Disciples.

"Please wait a moment, everyone." Upon seeing the Ink Jade Token in the hands of Zhuge Xiang and the others, the guards at the entrance of the City Lord's Manor quickly turned around and went inside to report.

A moment later, an elderly man with white hair and beard, but still vigorous, emerged from the City Lord's Manor. He sized up Zhuge Xiang and the others before saying, "I am the Steward of the City Lord's Manor. Gentlemen of the Inner Sect, please follow me in."

Following the Steward into the City Lord's Manor, after everyone sat down and the City Lord's Manor had laid out fruits, tea, and snacks, Zhuge Xiang still hadn't seen the City Lord. He asked, "Where is the City Lord?"

"A major event occurred last night. The renowned Tang Family Fort in Shu was wiped out overnight. Upon hearing this news, the City Lord led experts from various sects to investigate before dawn and has not yet returned. I wonder what important matters the esteemed leaders from these Sect have to discuss? You may instruct me as well," the Steward of the City Lord's Manor said upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words.

"The City Lord and the experts in the city have all gone to Tang Family Fort to investigate? In that case, I'll go and take a look too. Maybe I can be of some help." Upon hearing the Steward's words, Zhuge Xiang stood up and was about to turn and leave. Niu Geng was already anxious, and at this moment, he was even more eager to go to Tang Family Fort.

"Please wait a moment, everyone. The City Lord has been gone for quite some time and will be back soon," the Steward hurriedly said as Zhuge Xiang and the others prepared to leave.

"I heard that some disciples from the sect have arrived? Is the Steward entertaining them inside?" Just then, a male voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, followed by several footsteps, and a group of eight people walked in from outside the City Lord's Main Hall.

The man at the head, around forty years old, with a hooked nose and sparse hair, wore a black robe with gold thread and sat rightfully in the seat of the City Lord.

The remaining seven people stood to one side of the City Lord's Main Hall. Their powerful Qi Energy indicated that they were all experts at the Fifth Layer of Innate Realm or above, and they were all Captain-level of the Asura Sect Inner Sect.

The middle-aged man with a hooked nose, seated in the City Lord's seat, exuded no Qi Energy whatsoever, yet his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. After surveying Zhuge Xiang and the others, he spoke, "Fellow disciples, have you come from the Inner Sect Headquarters? What brings you here? I am Liu Ruying, the City Lord of Shuzhong City."

"Greetings, City Lord," Zhuge Xiang said, bowing with clasped hands. "I am Zhuge Xiang, the Squad Leader of the 108th Combat Squad of the Battle Hall. I came to Shu this time because one of my squad members was from Tang Family Fort and came back to visit relatives. However, upon returning, I heard the news of Tang Family Fort's destruction, so I came to inquire about some clues."

At this point, Zhuge Xiang paused slightly, then asked, "I just heard from the Steward that the City Lord led a group of experts to investigate before dawn. I wonder if they found out anything?"

"Zhuge Xiang!?" Before City Lord Liu Ruying could speak, one of the seven men beside him suddenly spoke, his eyes fixed on Zhuge Xiang.

"Although I have always stayed in Shuzhong City, I have heard that several Genius Disciples have emerged from the Inner Sect recently. I have also heard of Junior Brother Zhuge's reputation. Back then, when he was only at the Meridian Opening Realm, he dared to put up a sign to block the entrance of the Blood Hall, and he was invincible against all those at the Void Splitting Realm. He even comprehended the Sword Intent. I wonder if it is you, Junior Brother?"

"Sword Intent!?" The words of this disciple at the Innate Realm startled the others, who stared at Zhuge Xiang in astonishment.

Some people had never heard of Zhuge Xiang, but his Sword Intent was enough to shock everyone. Others had heard of Zhuge Xiang, and at this moment, they looked at him with the same astonishment.

"With the cultivation of the Meridian Opening Realm, you can defeat all the Blood Hall's Void Splitting Realm disciples without equal? I think Junior Brother Zhuge is about to break through to the Innate Realm now, isn't that enough to challenge Cultivator in the Return to Simplicity Realm?" Another woman, around thirty years old, stared at Zhuge Xiang and said.

"Alright, you lot, stop interrupting. Junior Brother Zhuge is discussing serious matters now. If you're curious about his strength, you can spar with him after we finish," Liu Ruying said, interrupting the seven Squad Leader who were at the Innate Realm and seemed to be discussing Zhuge Xiang's strength endlessly.

"Alright..." Liu Ruying began, and the Captain-level of these Innate Realm figures nodded before falling silent. The Asura Sect was a combat sect, and these disciples, to varying degrees, all possessed a warlike nature.

Turning his head, Liu Ruying said to Zhuge Xiang, "Last night we received news that Tang Family Fort was wiped out overnight, with countless Direct Lineage killed or wounded, either dead or on the run. Although I acted swiftly, leading the city's experts to the scene quickly, we were still a step too late. Judging from the clues, this was the work of the Li Family, but I'm not entirely sure what power the Li Family used, or whose power they borrowed, to be able to destroy Tang Family Fort overnight."

"It seems we need to start investigating this matter from the Li Family," Zhuge Xiang said, his brows furrowing slightly upon hearing Liu Ruying's words.

The information Liu Ruying received was the same as what Zhuge Xiang had heard from the two Rogue Cultivators on the mountain path—nothing substantial.

"That won't do," Liu Ruying said, shaking his head. "Although our Asura Sect is the ruler of Yanling Commandery, we can't openly interfere in the struggles between cultivation sects and cultivation families. Otherwise, if we're accused of using the Li Family Asura Sect to destroy the Tang Family Fort Fortress, it won't sound good."

"I understand, I'll keep that in mind," Zhuge Xiang nodded, and stood up with Niu Geng and the others, ready to leave.

"Your fellow disciples have come from the Sect Headquarters and haven't found a place to stay yet? If you don't mind, please stay at my City Lord's Manor. We're all fellow disciples from the Sect, so there's no need to be polite," Liu Ruying said as he watched Zhuge Xiang and the others leave. As he spoke, he enthusiastically instructed the Steward below to arrange rooms for Zhuge Xiang and the others.

"Alright, then we'll accept your offer. It's getting late, let's go out and enjoy the beautiful night view of this Shuzhong City," Zhuge Xiang nodded, showing no intention of refusing.

"Since you're new here, how about Captain Hua acts as your guide?" Liu Ruying was quite enthusiastic. As she spoke, she instructed one of the seven Innate Realm Cultivator below, a female disciple around thirty years old, to act as a guide for Zhuge Xiang and the others.

"No need, I grew up in Shu and know this Shuzhong City quite well. There's no need to trouble Captain Hua," Niu Geng stepped forward, his honest and straightforward demeanor conveying his refusal.

"Alright, then remember to come back soon. Although your cultivation is quite good, there are many Poison Users in Sichuan," Liu Ruying said without insisting.

After bidding farewell to the City Lord, Zhuge Xiang and the others went outside. Among the seven of them, Niu Geng, his face filled with urgency, asked Zhuge Xiang, "Shall we go to the Li Family to investigate now?"

"Hmm," Zhuge Xiang nodded and said, "We naturally need to investigate the Li Family, but we can't let the City Lord's Manor go either. I feel there's something fishy about Liu Ruying."

"The City Lord's Manor also has problems?" Zhuge Xiang's words stunned Niu Geng and the others, who didn't understand why Zhuge Xiang would say such a thing out of the blue. (To be continued...)