The Panicked City Lord's Mansion

The Huyang Guards were all tense and terrified. Although their commander was an Eternal True God, the sight of 139 Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures made his heart tremble with instinctive fear. He was afraid too!

"What was our purpose in coming to Huyang City? Hahaha..." Amid the many Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures, one enormous plant let out a laugh. The rolling laughter produced terrifying sound waves that swept over the Huyang Guards.

The Huyang Guards were blasted far away. Even their commander took advantage of the force to fly back, caring nothing for his dignity.

This is bad! They've come with ill intent! As the commander was flung away, he understood the danger Huyang City faced. The Huyang Legion alone would be utterly helpless against 139 Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures! For such a powerful force to attack without fearing Marquis Jiu Jiang's deterrence, they must have been sent by Food Country.

Anyone with a little knowledge could guess it.

If a powerful force invaded a Chaos Continent without authorization, Yu Country's God Kings would be enraged. Those who actively invaded another nation's territory would likely be reduced to ashes within a day.

That was why Heart Shadow Gate had previously been unable to find even a single place to establish itself across the entire Origin Continent. The lands of the Origin Continent had long been divided among the various divine kingdoms and major powers.

Only if Heart Shadow Gate invaded Jiu Jiang Chaos State on behalf of Food Country would it represent a conflict between two nations!

At the City Lord's Mansion, panic had already broken out.

"This is bad."

"It's Heart Shadow Gate!"

"They've come with ill intent. They may be planning to attack the City Lord's Mansion!"

The Divine Power Clones of the Five Great Families' leaders had gathered here. Watching the scene that monitored the entire city, they too saw the imposing might of Heart Shadow Gate's army.

"Heart Shadow Gate once offended Great Sage Jiu Yuan. Great Sage Jiu Yuan personally attacked Heart Shadow Gate's sect headquarters, and Heart Shadow Gate's three Chaos Realm experts relied on their formation to resist him. In that battle... one of Heart Shadow Gate's three Chaos Realm experts was killed, while the other two fled. Even now, they can only hide in the shadows and do not dare show themselves openly." Mo Li Xiao frowned. "From then on, Heart Shadow Gate completely declined and even split apart."

The Huyang City Lord nodded. "After Heart Shadow Gate declined, it was recruited by Marquis Liu Yin, who has protected them ever since. Since they have come to attack today, Marquis Liu Yin must be behind this!"

Marquis Liu Yin was one of the strongest Chaos Realm experts in all of Food Country. His path of growth had always been one of blood and fire, a path of dark calamities. He had never feared powerful enemies. When he sheltered the weakened Heart Shadow Gate, Great Sage Jiu Yuan had not pursued the matter.

Great Sage Jiu Yuan had a good temper. So long as he was not provoked, he was unwilling to start a life-and-death war.

"I have already reported the news to the Marquis," the white-haired elder said from the side. "The Marquis instructed us to defend the City Lord's Mansion for now."

"Defend the City Lord's Mansion?"

"Only by relying on the City Lord's Mansion can we hold on for a little while."

Every one of them felt bitter.

The entire Huyang City was like a Super Large Mechanical Treasure, with the City Lord's Mansion as its core! Even Blood Cloud and Yu Tian Hu had never considered attacking their way into the City Lord's Mansion.

Only by relying on the City Lord's Mansion's special nature did they have confidence in holding out for a time.

Outside the City Lord's Mansion... they had no confidence whatsoever in resisting Heart Shadow Gate.

"Have the core members of the Five Great Families withdraw into the City Lord's Mansion first."

"Heart Shadow Gate may directly begin the war."

The Five Great Families were deeply alarmed.

Even with the City Lord's Mansion's aid, they only dared speak of 'holding out.' The gap in strength between the two sides was simply too great.

Over a thousand large flying vessels exuded terrifying pressure, and 139 Super Large Mechanical Treasures flew through the air. Their might was so overwhelming that the Huyang Guards did not dare approach, and not one of the Huyang Ten Great Legions dared intercept them.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two Divine Power Clones suddenly descended. They were the Huyang City Lord and Mo Li Xiao.

At that moment, the many Super Large Mechanical Treasures all turned their attention toward the two of them. The many Eternal True Gods and countless Void True Gods within the thousand-plus large flying vessels also looked over. This invisible pressure made the Huyang City Lord and Mo Li Xiao's hearts tremble.

As expected of a sect founded by a God King. Even after declining to this point, it still has several thousand Eternal True Gods, the Huyang City Lord thought in shock.

He was not surprised at all. When Heart Shadow Gate had been whole, it had been guarded by three Chaos Realm experts and possessed over ten thousand Eternal True Gods. Its sect foundation had encompassed three entire Chaos Continents, and with the treasures left behind by a God King, its foundations had been deeply entrenched. Only after it angered Great Sage Jiu Yuan had it split apart and declined.

Even so, no side dared underestimate Heart Shadow Gate.

After all, the two Chaos Realm experts who had escaped might one day make a breakthrough in strength and no longer fear Great Sage Jiu Yuan. At that time, Heart Shadow Gate would rise again.

"Members of Heart Shadow Gate," the Huyang City Lord said.

A three-eyed man flew out from a flying vessel and showed himself of his own accord. Smiling, he said, "Heart Shadow Gate's Feng Yuqi greets the Huyang City Lord and Commander Mo Li Xiao."

"So it is the Heart Shadow Gate Master." The Huyang City Lord said, "Heart Shadow Gate has come to Huyang City with such a grand display. What are you planning to do?"

"Alas."

The three-eyed man sighed softly. "Heart Shadow Gate has declined to this extent. We have searched the world, yet cannot find a place to establish our sect. We came to Huyang City merely seeking a temporary place to settle."

At that moment, the 139 Super Large Mechanical Treasures looked down upon the Huyang City Lord and Commander Mo Li Xiao.

No matter how pitiful the three-eyed man made it sound, the Huyang City Lord and Mo Li Xiao did not dare believe him.

If they merely sought a place to settle, why bring such overwhelming force?

"I ask that the Heart Shadow Gate Master restrain his disciples and not disturb Huyang City," the Huyang City Lord said.

"I will certainly do my utmost to restrain them." The three-eyed man smiled. "I will not keep you two any longer. I still need to arrange accommodations for my disciples. After all, Heart Shadow Gate has too many disciples, so settling them will be troublesome."

With that, he directly returned to the large flying vessel at his side.

The Huyang City Lord and Commander Mo Li Xiao exchanged glances, then could only disperse these Divine Power Clones for the moment.

Inside the flying vessel.

The three-eyed man's expression was cold as he issued an order by voice transmission. "Proceed entirely according to the plan."

"Yes."

Over a thousand large flying vessels and many Super Large Mechanical Treasures moved at the same time, their momentum terrifying.

"Gate Master, I thought from the start that we should attack the City Lord's Mansion directly with thunderous force." An elder transmitted his voice. At this moment, all Eighteen Elders were controlling Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures.

"A large city is built over endless years, and its most vital core is the City Lord's Mansion. It will not be so easy to capture." The three-eyed man said, "Even if we do capture it, Heart Shadow Gate will likely suffer some casualties. Our opponent in this battle is not the hundred-odd Eternal True Gods of the Five Great Families in the City Lord's Mansion, but Marquis Jiu Jiang's army."

"The Gate Master is right," an elder agreed. "We must preserve sufficient strength. The stronger we are, the more Marquis Liu Yin will need to rely on us. But if we suffer great losses fighting Marquis Jiu Jiang's army, our standing under Marquis Liu Yin will also decline."

"That's right."

The three-eyed man said, "The strongest army in Jiu Jiang Chaos State is not in Huyang City, but in Jiu Jiang City. Moreover, Marquis Jiu Jiang may invite some powerful Eternal True Gods from elsewhere in Yu Country. So we must proceed cautiously."

"Gate Master." A cold voice sounded. "In war, sometimes one must strike like thunder and kill until the enemy is terrified. Only sufficient slaughter and deterrence can make Marquis Jiu Jiang's army truly fearful. You do not wish for too many sect disciples to die or be injured, but when fighting for a sect foundation, one cannot be softhearted!"

"Heart Shadow Gate has reached its current state. We must be cautious at every step, and we must remain united." The three-eyed man had a headache over the fact that the sect's strongest elder, Heart Eye Elder, did not share his views.

"I merely wished to speak privately with the Gate Master." Heart Eye Elder said. He did not agree with the Gate Master.

With his temperament—

He would have destroyed the City Lord's Mansion at once, willing to accept some casualties in exchange for completely occupying Huyang City first.

If Marquis Jiu Jiang dared send an army, then kill them! Kill until Marquis Jiu Jiang hesitated, kill until Marquis Jiu Jiang's heart ached!

As for casualties among the sect disciples? For the sect's future, it would all be worth it!

The two ancestors stand with the Gate Master. So be it. Feng Yuqi may be somewhat softhearted, but he is devoted to the sect, Heart Eye Elder thought. Because of the instructions of the two Chaos Realm experts, he could only endure.

Luo Feng, who was in Dream Flower House, also received one piece of news after another.

At this moment, all the forces in Huyang City were somewhat panicked, feeling that enormous changes might sweep through the entire city.

"Heart Shadow Gate's army has come to Huyang City? They have 139 Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures? Several thousand Eternal True Gods?" Luo Feng was stunned upon hearing this. He immediately called to the servant beside him, "Luo Sa, let's go take a look."

"Has something major happened?" Moluo Sa was still eating meat, but he could only reluctantly stop and follow his master outside.

Mo Yu Qing Yan and the Dream Flower Mistress went out with them as well.

Whoosh!

Flying into the sky, Luo Feng looked into the distance. Even with Huyang City's formation affecting the area, he could still peer through space from afar and glimpse Heart Shadow Gate's vast army of over a thousand flying vessels and numerous Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasures.

"What an imposing force." Luo Feng sighed. "As expected of a sect founded by a God King. Even after declining to this point, it remains so powerful."

Heart Shadow Gate was a conventional God King sect. At its peak, it had been considered a major power, with countless disciples.

The Duan Dong He lineage might have found training disciples too troublesome. It had passed down through a single successor in every generation, and the previous Duan Dong He had even died in the Cosmic Sea. Fortunately, Luo Feng had inherited the legacy and continued the inheritance, becoming the 193rd Duan Dong He.

"With Heart Shadow Gate here, Huyang City's situation is likely about to change drastically." The Dream Flower Mistress was somewhat panicked.

"If they intend to deal with anyone, they will deal with the City Lord's Mansion first." Luo Feng looked into the distance, then his expression suddenly changed. "This is bad."

"Master, what is it?" Moluo Sa asked. Mo Yu Qing Yan and the Dream Flower Mistress were also puzzled.

"Heart Shadow Gate's army is heading straight for the center of Huyang City. They are currently seizing the cave residences in Chaos A Zone." Luo Feng hurriedly said, "Go, go, go! We need to get back quickly. Don't let them take my cave residence."

"They're forcibly occupying cave residences?" Moluo Sa was startled.

Luo Feng immediately took Moluo Sa and Mo Yu Qing Yan aboard a flying vessel and directly traversed space toward his own cave residence.

Within Huyang City, traversing space over a relatively short distance was no difficult task for Luo Feng.

At this moment, the City Lord's Mansion at the heart of Huyang City was in complete chaos. The elites of the Five Great Families had long since withdrawn into the City Lord's Mansion.

"Heart Shadow Gate has attacked?" Mo Li Fei Yun and Diao Rongqi were among the bustling crowd of core members from the Five Great Families. The two sisters also looked outside, knowing only that the situation was dire.

"Father, Senior Brother Gao Wu and the others are already preparing for battle." Mo Li Fei Yun was worried.

"Don't worry. The City Lord's Mansion will not be so easy to capture." Diao Rongqi comforted her.

At this moment, most of the Five Great Families' elites, including the Huyang Legion and the HuYang Guards, had withdrawn to defend the City Lord's Mansion. Only a small number remained stationed at the Three Great Forbidden Zones.

"Heart Shadow Gate claimed they were seeking a place to settle, yet now they are heading straight for the City Lord's Mansion." The white-haired elder looked into the distance.

"Are they about to start a war?" The Mei Wu Clan leader worriedly asked.

"We can only face them now," the Huyang City Lord said.

As branches of major families, they had come to Huyang City to enjoy themselves. Who would be willing to fight to the death?

But since this involved a conflict between two nations, they did not dare surrender.

On the City Lord's Mansion's side, whether direct descendants of the Five Great Families or the many Eternal True Gods attached to them, there were only a little over a hundred Eternal True Gods in total! Even with the City Lord's Mansion's special advantages, could they hold out? They did not have absolute confidence.

The Huyang City Lord, Mo Li Xiao, and the others looked into the distance. Heart Shadow Gate's vast army did not attack the City Lord's Mansion, but instead descended upon one cave residence after another in Chaos A Zone beside it.

"This cave residence belongs to Heart Shadow Gate now."

"Move out immediately."

"Heart Shadow Gate wants this cave residence."

One cave residence after another was forcibly occupied.

Among them, the Zhu Clan's cave residence covered an enormous area. It was one of the largest cave residences in Chaos A Zone, far larger than Luo Feng's small cave residence. It had originally been formed by purchasing and combining several cave residences.

"Members of Heart Shadow Gate, this is the ancestral land of my Zhu Clan." The Zhu Clan's patriarch, Zhu Hu, personally stepped forward. Five Eternal True Gods followed behind him, all of them deferential and respectful. "My Zhu Clan is willing to offer treasures in exchange for preserving our ancestral land."

"So what if it is your ancestral land?" A gigantic golden eye suddenly descended, its voice rumbling. The huge golden eye stared at Zhu Hu, making his heart pound with terror. He sensed the threat of death.

"Move out at once, or not a single member of the Zhu Clan will be spared." The enormous golden eye spoke. "And those treasures you claim you will offer? Let me have a look. If they are not valuable enough, you will not need to move out. You can all die here instead."

The green secret markings on the thin old man Zhu Hu's face twisted somewhat. The five Eternal True Gods of his clan behind him were filled with grief and indignation.

"Fine. We will move out at once." Zhu Hu could only endure it. He did not dare defy them in the slightest, and he still had to obediently offer up treasures.

"Whose cave residence is that?" A Super Large Legion Mechanical Treasure looked toward Luo Feng's small cave residence.

"Martial Uncle, that is the cave residence of Luo He God Monarch," a disciple reported.