Langya City

The six-day journey was unusually peaceful under Langya Xuan's protection.

The pressure of a Martial King was like an invisible barrier, causing all the restless exotic beasts in the Qingming Mountain Range to lie dormant.

Mu Bai even saw a Black-striped Tiger King, as large as an elephant, flee with its tail between its legs after catching a whiff of their scent from afar. Its pathetic state made it seem like a completely different creature from the ferocious beast rumored in legends.

"We've arrived." Langya Xing lifted the carriage curtain, and the morning sunlight spilled onto his slightly pale face.

Even though he had taken the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Pill, the hidden injuries from Blood Spirit Martial King's attack had not yet fully healed.

Mu Bai followed his gaze, and his breath hitched.

On the horizon, a majestic city rose from the ground. Its sheer scale was several times more magnificent than Yan Capital, the capital of Great Yan!

The city walls, a hundred zhang high, were entirely built from massive grayish-blue stones, carved with intricate runes that shimmered with a faint spiritual light under the morning sun.

Above the city gate, two ancient characters were written in a flamboyant calligraphy, each stroke seemingly imbued with some profound meaning of the Martial Dao. Staring at them for too long made one's eyes ache.

"This... this entire city belongs to the Langya Family?" Mu Bai's voice was dry.

Langya Xing chuckled and casually adjusted his collar. "Except for some branch families, yes, it does. However, very few true Langya clansmen live here—"

He paused. "Most of the residents here are servants and those... without potential in the Martial Dao."

Mu Bai keenly noticed the cold glint in his eyes as he uttered the last few words.

At this moment, Langya Xuan leaped down from the carriage and stood by the roadside with his hands behind his back.

This Innate expert was clad in immaculate white robes, with a seemingly ordinary long sword hanging from his waist. He himself was like a drawn sword, his sharpness contained but still awe-inspiring.

"I'll escort you this far," his voice was as calm as still water. "Since the old ghost of Blood Spirit has retreated, he shouldn't dare to return. Enter the city and rest. Someone will pick you up to the clan grounds in three days."

With that, without waiting for a response, Langya Xuan's figure flickered and vanished like an illusion, leaving only a few swirling leaves drifting down.

"Eleventh Elder has always been like this," Langya Xing said, seeing Mu Bai's stunned expression. "He is the family's law enforcement elder. It's already quite difficult for him to spare the time to escort us."

The convoy continued forward. When they were still about half a mile from the city gate, Mu Bai heard the sound of deafening drums and music.

Banners fluttered at the city gate, and hundreds of people were lined up to welcome them. At the forefront were twelve elders dressed in brocade robes, each followed by dozens of young disciples.

"Those are..." Mu Bai had just started speaking when he was interrupted by a cold snort from Langya Xing.

"A bunch of sycophants." Langya Xing's face showed disdain. "I've only been away for half a year, and these people are already impatient to pledge their loyalty."

As the convoy reached the city gate, the twelve elders bowed in unison, "Welcome, Young Master Xing, back to the city!" Their voices were perfectly synchronized, clearly having rehearsed for a long time.

Mu Bai secretly gasped.

These elders all had powerful auras, with at least Houtian Limit cultivation. They were already peerless experts in Great Yan, yet they were so respectful to the young Langya Xing.

Even more surprising was that Langya Xing didn't even get out of the carriage, merely saying a dismissive "Mm."

The twelve elders acted as if they had been granted a great pardon, parting the way with beaming smiles. The young disciples behind them craned their necks, desperately trying to get a glimpse of Langya Xing inside the carriage.

"Those are the patriarchs of the twelve branch families," Langya Xing whispered to Mu Bai, a hint of contempt in his tone. "My Langya Family has thirty-six branch families in total. These twelve are the most spineless, only knowing how to scheme all day."

After entering the city, the scene became even more spectacular. The wide main street was packed with onlookers on both sides. Many held flowers or gifts, and young women even threw embroidered handkerchiefs and sachets towards the carriage.

On the buildings lining the street, dozens of martial artists in uniform stood on the rooftops, continuously scattering colorful flower petals.

"This is a bigger display than the Emperor's procession..." Mu Bai muttered.

Langya Xing scoffed at his words. "What is worldly imperial power? In the eyes of true martial arts families, it's nothing but a joke."

As they spoke, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.

A team of guards in golden armor parted the crowd, escorting a magnificent palanquin.

An elder in luxurious robes, who bore a slight resemblance to Langya Xing, sat on the palanquin.

"The City Lord of Langya City, my useless Third Uncle-Grandfather," Langya Xing pouted. "A good-for-nothing who's been stuck at the threshold of Innate for forty years, sent to manage the outer city."

The palanquin stopped before the carriage, and the elder in luxurious robes tremblingly stood up and bowed. "Xing'er is back? Was the journey smooth?"

Langya Xing reluctantly got out of the carriage and perfunctorily cupped his hands. "Thank you for your concern, Third Uncle-Grandfather." He then turned to get back into the carriage.

The elder hurriedly stopped him. "Xing'er, wait! Third Uncle-Grandfather has specially prepared a welcome banquet, please..."

"No time," Langya Xing interrupted coldly. "I'm taking my friend to Starlight Pavilion to rest." With that, he pulled Mu Bai and left, leaving the elder standing awkwardly.

Passing through the bustling market, the two arrived before a towering pavilion.

The pavilion was entirely built from a type of white jade that shone brilliantly in the sunlight. At the top of the pavilion, a giant pearl emitted a soft glow day and night.

"This is my private residence," Langya Xing's tone finally softened a bit. "While in Langya City, we will stay here."

As soon as they stepped inside, Mu Bai was stunned by the opulence. The floor was paved with warm jade that could nourish meridians, the walls were adorned with ancient paintings containing sword intent, and even the teacups were carved from thousand-year-old cold jade, feeling cool to the touch yet preserving the tea's aroma.

"These... are all worldly possessions," Langya Xing said dismissively, seeing Mu Bai's surprise, and waved his hand. "The real treasures are in the Langya clan grounds. Oh, right..." He suddenly remembered something and lightly clapped his hands.

Shortly after, an old man in gray robes hurried in, holding a brocade box.

"This is my token of appreciation for you," Langya Xing opened the box, revealing twelve crystal-clear Spirit Stones neatly arranged inside. "These are Mid-grade Spirit Stones, the currency of the cultivation world."

Mu Bai took the Spirit Stones, feeling an astonishing surge of spiritual energy from each one!

"Thank you," Mu Bai accepted them solemnly and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Those people just now..."

"Heh, you think they were welcoming me?" Langya Xing sneered and walked to the window, gazing at the bustling city. "They are welcoming the identity of a candidate for the next family head."

He turned and looked directly at Mu Bai. In the Langya family, even breathing was wrong for those without strength. If I hadn't cultivated the Pure Lotus Heart Sutra, how could I possibly be treated so well?

Night fell, but Langya City was even livelier than during the day.

Tens of thousands of lamps lit up simultaneously, illuminating the entire city as if it were daytime.

Looking down from the top floor of the Starlight Pavilion, the streets were bustling with people, and shouts could be heard from every alley and street.

"Tomorrow I'll take you to see the real Langya City." Langya Xing walked onto the balcony with his wine cup. "Those common places, though crude, do have some charm."

Mu Bai was about to reply when his brow suddenly furrowed.

He keenly sensed several hidden auras approaching the Starlight Pavilion, one of which was particularly chilling.