Shadow Hall Master Xiao Xiao

"City Lord, get out of the way! Those Man in Black cannot be let go!" Zhuge Xiang shouted in a deep voice, his face filled with murderous intent as he watched more than a dozen Man in Black flee quickly out of the City Lord's Manor, but Liu Ruying blocked his way.

"Squad Leader Zhuge, you need to be mindful of your status. You are merely a Squad Leader in the Battle Hall, while I, Liu Ruying, am the City Lord of Shuzhong City," Liu Ruying said, his face darkening as he listened to Zhuge Xiang's words.

He was also shocked by Zhuge Xiang's strength, but no matter what, he had to let those dozen or Man in Black escape. Therefore, Liu Ruying had to use every means to stop Zhuge Xiang here.

Before Zhuge Xiang could speak, suddenly, a desolate aura filled the Heaven and Earth, and the primordial Vital Energy in the Heaven and Earth surged wildly at this moment. A semi-transparent light shield appeared and enveloped the entire city lord's City Lord's Manor in Shuzhong City.

The dozen or so Man in Black who were about to escape, the three at the front, crashed headfirst into the semi-transparent light barrier, screamed in agony, and were engulfed in flames, turning into charred Flame.

"Restriction Barrier! Cultivator at the Spell Control Stage!" The Man in Black behind them abruptly stopped, their voices hoarse as they spoke.

Only Cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage Spell Control Stage possess the ability to unleash Spell attacks and Restriction Barrier. The Spell Control Stage, as the name suggests, is the realm where one can master Spell.

"City Lord? From this moment on, you, Liu Ruying, are no longer the City Lord of Shuzhong City..." A desolate voice rang out from the sky. Everyone looked up and saw two figures hovering in mid-air.

One of them was incredibly strong, with a broad back and bulging muscles. He resembled a humanoid bear; who else could he be but the War Hall Master?

The other woman, around thirty years old, wore a bright green robe and had long, flowing hair. She was a rare beauty, but her eyes seemed to have seen through the world, filled with a desolate feeling like the autumn wind. Clearly, the words she had just spoken came from her mouth.

"War Hall Master Man Kui, Shadow Hall Master Xiao Xiao?" Upon seeing the two figures hovering in the sky, Liu Ruying's expression changed drastically, but he quickly composed himself and said, "I was unaware of the presence of the two Hall Masters. I apologize for not welcoming you properly. However, I wonder what Hall Master Xiao's words mean? I, Liu Ruying, believe I have not committed any serious offense. Why should I be stripped of my position as City Lord?"

"The two Hall Masters have come in person?" Looking at the two figures floating in the sky, Zhuge Xiang was secretly puzzled. However, it was good that these two Hall Masters had appeared. Zhuge Xiang knew that the initiative was on his side.

"If it weren't for Lu Yuling Shadow Hall being so meticulous, you might have actually succeeded. Do you really think that Shadow Hall's intelligence capabilities couldn't uncover your collusion with the Qingxu Sword Sect and the others?" Xiao Xiao's eyes fell on Liu Ruying, and she spoke calmly, a strange light emanating from Xiao Xiao eyes as she spoke.

Liu Ruying's eyes were glazed over, as if he were sleepwalking. He spoke in a daze, as if in a stupor. "That's right, the Qingxu Sword Sect and the others obtained a large piece of Silver Sea Black Gold. They gave me a full one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone to cooperate with them in order to get the design blueprints for the Tang Family Fort Stormy Pear Blossom Needles."

"Hall Master Xiao's Phantom God Eyes are indeed improving day by day," said Man Kui, War Hall Master, with a hint of admiration in his voice as he looked at Liu Ruying's stunned expression and confessed his situation. Looking at Xiao Xiao, he made no attempt to hide the adoration in his eyes.

"Master Hall Master, you flatter me. This is nothing but a trivial skill. Among the Three Inner Sect Halls, you are still the strongest in combat," Xiao Xiao replied calmly, showing no pride in Man Kui's praise.

Receiving Xiao Xiao's praise, Man Kui was clearly in a good mood. His tiger-like eyes swept over the remaining nine Man in Black below, and he reached out and gently nudged them.

As the Heaven and Earth Vital Energy surged forth, amidst screams, limbs flew off. The remaining nine Man in Black, along with Liu Ruying, had all their limbs severed, falling to the ground like human stumps, rolling around in agony.

"You, tie them all up and wait for us to interrogate them. Make sure they don't die," Man Kui commanded the Shuzhong City guards who were gradually surrounding them, easily subduing the Man in Black with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, Hall Master!" All the guards nodded in unison. Although Liu Ruying was the City Lord of Shuzhong City was still within the territory of Yanling Commandery, so these guards naturally had to obey the Asura Sect.

After landing, Xiao Xiao, the Shadow Hall Master, glanced at the heavily injured Su Huayu and the others, her brows furrowing slightly. Then, she quietly chanted an incantation and gently waved her hand.

Visibly, Spirit Qi into Rain transformed into rain, sprinkling upon Su Huayu and the others. Astonished by this spiritual rain, Su Huayu and the others discovered that their injuries were rapidly healing, and in no time they were almost completely recovered.

"You are all heroes of the Asura Sect this time. When we return, we will naturally reward you according to your merits." Seeing the grateful expressions of Su Huayu and the others, Xiao Xiao spoke first without waiting for them to express their gratitude. Her voice was tinged with melancholy, neither warm nor cold. She seemed to maintain a very appropriate middle ground in her attitude towards everyone.

At this point, Xiao Xiao's gaze fell on Zhuge Xiang. She hesitated slightly before saying, "Zhuge Xiang? I heard of your name when I Inner Sect. Seeing you today, your Innate Ability are even stronger than those rumors suggest."

He paused slightly, as if remembering something, and continued, "If I remember correctly, the once-in-a-decade Dragon Phoenix Ranking will begin in six months. I hope you can achieve a good ranking then, both to enhance the prestige of our Asura Sect and to serve as a valuable experience for yourself."

"The Dragon Phoenix Ranking!?" Upon hearing this, Zhuge Xiang was secretly puzzled, not understanding what this so-called Dragon Phoenix Ranking was. However, he did not ask further, but simply nodded silently to indicate that he understood. He would ask Su Huayu about the Dragon Phoenix Ranking after returning to Ink Martial City.

"Master, I have taken matters into my own hands and interfered in the affairs of the Asura Sect. I am willing to accept punishment." On the other side, on the rooftop of a restaurant near the City Lord's Mansion, Mi Zheng returned to the group from Tianlong Temple and knelt on one knee before Master Huiming, the Master of the Arhat Hall.

Master Huiming's gaze fell on Mizheng, but he did not rush to punish him. His eyes were clear and bright as he asked, "Let me ask you, do you understand that it is wrong for you to interfere in the power struggles within Yanling Commandery?"

"Disciple understands," Mizheng said, bowing his head.

"Do you regret it now?"

"This disciple... has no regrets!"

"Alright! When we get back, I'll punish you by sending you to the Sacred Buddha Cave to secretly practice the Sacred Buddha Staff Technique. You're not allowed to leave the cave until you've mastered it."

"Hall Master!?" Upon hearing Master Huiming's words, Mizheng raised his head in surprise, his face full of astonishment.

The other seven Guardian Vajra beside him all wore expressions of envy. One of them, Guardian Vajra was on good terms with Mizheng, gently nudged Mizheng's shoulder. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank the Hall Master!" (To be continued...)