Taiyu City

Qingzhou.

Taiyu City.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had stood for more than five hundred years, yet Taiyu City had existed even longer. It was a city built when the Great Yu Dynasty, the previous dynasty, still stood, and its history ran deep.

At the height of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it had been an ordinary city. But when the Great Zhou Dynasty began to decline, it became a renowned one. Especially after the Three Great Sects made their move against the Qingyuan Sect, its fame grew even greater.

The reason was its location. It stood near the three great sects—Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and the Nanhua Sword Sect. Taiyu City had previously been under the control of the Three Great Sects, though it had to pay a portion of its annual tribute to the Qingyuan Sect.

This year, however, all of them stopped at once. They even turned some of the forces sheltered under the Qingyuan Sect against it, delaying the Qingyuan Sect's response and causing an unknown number of deaths in an instant.

Aside from the Zhao Family of Anyu City, which had caused the Qingyuan Sect considerable trouble, the other sheltered forces had scarcely made any impact before they were all purged by the Qingyuan Sect's iron-blooded methods.

This caused many forces under the Qingyuan Sect's protection to swiftly deliver their annual tributes to the Qingyuan Sect after the tribute deadline was postponed. They even increased the goods they offered, all to avoid drawing the Qingyuan Sect's displeasure.

As long as a family, gang, or other force was not destroyed, whatever it lost could still be recovered elsewhere. But if the entire sect or family was wiped out, then nothing would remain.

The treasures accumulated over many years would only be taken away by others, leaving not a single thing behind.

Thus, the choice was simple.

By the time Yang Chan followed the people of the Qingyuan Sect on horseback to Taiyu City, they had been traveling continuously for several days, and night had begun to fall.

Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and the Nanhua Sword Sect had sought to expand their influence, only to be crushed bit by bit by the Qingyuan Sect. They had now retreated back into their sects, while the Qingyuan Sect remained in Taiyu City, continuing its attacks on the Three Great Sects.

This time, the Qingyuan Sect's Sect Master, Liu Xuan, was personally leading the force to eradicate the Three Great Sects. He intended to show every force in Qingzhou the price of provoking the Qingyuan Sect.

They would all be destroyed. Not a single one would be spared.

Such iron-blooded methods were meant to ensure that no other force dared provoke the Qingyuan Sect, safeguarding its position as overlord.

After entering Taiyu City, Yang Chan found that although the situation was tense, conditions within the city were far better than in most places. At the very least, the people here had surplus grain in their hands and could survive.

After the heavy rains fell across Qingzhou, vitality in various places had slowly begun to recover. As long as they weathered this difficult period, things could return to how they had once been.

There were quite a few beggars in the city as well, but upon seeing the people of the Qingyuan Sect, none of them dared approach. They only watched from afar. Clearly, they had suffered for it before, which was why they behaved this way.

After Yang Chan and the others entered Taiyu City, they all headed toward its center. At that moment, Qingyuan Sect Master Liu Xuan and the others were in the heart of Taiyu City, using items brought back from the Great Zhou Dynasty's capital to cooperate with the local authorities.

Those sent from the Qingyuan Sect were either there to reinforce their fighting strength or to help treat the wounded, prepare medicines, and so on.

The elder leading them stopped before a tall building. After presenting his identity token, he led Yang Chan and the others inside. They passed pavilions and towers, then, under the guidance of someone within, entered a hidden door. They continued onward inside, turning through several intersections.

Along the way, Yang Chan's group was split apart. Someone in the residence led the Pharmacists and Alchemist Assistants away, while the remaining disciples headed elsewhere. Clearly, their destinations were different.

Seeing this, Yang Chan knew that Taiyu City's situation was even more severe than he had imagined. Otherwise, from the moment they entered Taiyu City, the elder and the others would not have remained so alert, watching their surroundings at all times.

Ever since his Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique rose to the third tier, his five senses had greatly improved, and he had gained the ability of Danger Sense. Naturally, he noticed the changes in the elders' expressions.

They appeared unconcerned on the surface, but in truth, they were on high alert. If anyone launched a sneak attack, they could draw their swords and kill at the first moment.

After entering the residence, the changes in the guide's emotions were also obvious. Even within the residence, he remained extremely cautious while secretly observing Yang Chan's group.

Yang Chan guessed that something major must have happened before their arrival for everyone to act this way.

By the time Yang Chan and the others reached their destination, night had completely fallen.

"Finally, we're here. We've been eating dust all the way."

Sun Qi Wu patted his clothes. They had ridden hard the entire way, and those at the rear had spent most of the journey choking on dust, with their hair and clothing covered in it.

"Next time, just ride at the front."

Someone beside him joked.

Yang Chan smiled as he listened.

Sun Qi Wu was the Alchemist Assistant who had filled Li Junhao's position after Li Junhao was taken away by the Law Enforcement Hall. Shu Yu had called him the most foolish one she had ever taught, and Xu Gaocen had nearly discarded him.

Yet he was hardworking and honest. He greeted everyone eagerly and often spoke with Yang Chan.

Especially during this stretch of travel on horseback, he spent most of his time with Yang Chan, so they had formed a slight friendship.

It was not only Sun Qi Wu. The others were the same. As they traveled together, they spoke with one another much more. Though Yang Chan kept a low profile, he was not someone who refused conversation. Exchanging a few words was good enough. The best way to keep a low profile was to blend into the crowd, making oneself seem ordinary and achieving true inconspicuousness.

On the contrary, refusing to blend in would make one stand out all the more, perhaps even drawing trouble.

Yang Chan understood this, so he naturally did not mind making friends.

"I wouldn't dare. Elder Lu's sharp gaze could kill someone. If I rode at the very front, wouldn't I just be asking to be killed?"

Sun Qi Wu hurriedly shook his head. He was not that foolish. Riding at the front was also the most dangerous position, and usually dedicated disciples were assigned to lead the way.

He did not have that kind of ability.

"Stop wasting time. Tidy yourselves up first. We'll have something good to eat together later."

Yang Chan spoke.

They had eaten nothing but dry rations on the road, without any medicinal soups to replenish themselves. His gains in Potential Points had plummeted as a result.

Now that they had arrived in Taiyu City, they naturally had to eat something good and replenish themselves with medicinal dishes and the like.

No matter where he was, Potential Points were extremely important. The more he accumulated, the stronger he could become.

"Senior Brother Yang Chan is right. I'm practically starving to death. Hurry up."

Sun Qi Wu immediately became enthusiastic upon hearing that.

The dry rations on the road could not compare to the food in the Qingyuan Sect. The difference was as vast as heaven and earth. Now that they had arrived in Taiyu City, they naturally wanted a good meal to make up for it.

The others did not delay any longer. After quickly tidying up their belongings, they left together.

Yang Chan raised his head and glanced at the night sky. A crescent moon hung high overhead, while a host of stars gleamed beside it, each vying to see which would shine the brightest.