Stone City Lord's Invitation, Zi Yue's Heart Flutters

Hearing Shi Haotian's booming voice, Liu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, and the fingers that had been playing with Xuan Su's hair came to a halt.

"Stone City Lord?"

Liu Yuan pondered to himself:

That's right. Ever since I arrived in Flame City, I've met Yan Xuan, Xia Wanjin... all these prominent figures. It's about time I met this Stone City Lord as well.

As he was thinking, Xuan Su's beautiful eyes shifted as if she had recalled something. Her red lips parted, and she softly said to Liu Yuan:

"I have heard a few rumors about this Stone City Lord."

"Oh?" Liu Yuan turned his head and looked at her with interest.

As Xuan Su continued peeling the grapes in her hand, she explained in a gentle voice:

"Apparently, this Stone City Lord is also a martial arts fanatic. His cultivation reached the Form Creation Realm Minor Accomplishment years ago, and he can be considered a dominant figure in Flame City."

"Yet for the past few years, his cultivation seems to have stalled. He has been stuck at this bottleneck, unable to advance any further. Thus, he has always longed to find a powerhouse of the same level to spar and exchange insights with, hoping to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough."

At this point, Xuan Su covered her mouth and chuckled. Her eyes flickered with a captivating charm.

"In the past, there was no second Form Creation Realm expert in Flame City besides himself. Now that Brother Liu Yuan has emerged out of nowhere, I imagine the Stone City Lord could no longer hold himself back and came personally to pay you a visit?"

"An opportunity to break through?"

At those words, the laziness in Liu Yuan's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a gleam.

Stuck at a bottleneck for years? Just one step away from breaking through?

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

Liu Yuan was overjoyed. Why did this development seem so much like what had happened with Yan Xuan before?

As long as I can help this Stone City Lord break through...

Then, with how the system works, won't it raise my cultivation again?

An opportunity delivered right to my door—I'd be a fool to turn it down!

With that thought, Liu Yuan was in high spirits. He sat up from the couch and waved a hand.

Rumble!

The heavy vermilion gates of the residence slowly opened on their own under the control of invisible Spiritual Power.

Then, a gentle yet authoritative voice was transmitted directly beyond the gates through Spiritual Power:

"Since the Stone City Lord has honored me with his presence, please come in."

Outside the residence gates.

Shi Haotian wore a brocade robe, his towering frame as sturdy as an iron pagoda. His face was resolute, and he exuded an imposing aura even without anger.

Beside him stood Zi Yue, dressed in purple and appearing somewhat well-behaved and reserved.

Hearing the Spiritual Power transmission that reached straight into his heart, a sharp glint flashed through Shi Haotian's tiger-like eyes as he praised, "What formidable Spiritual Power! From so far away, it can still make even me feel a trace of pressure. His reputation is truly well deserved!"

"Father, Young Master Liu is a Spirit Talisman Master," Zi Yue quietly reminded him, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Haha, it seems I came to the right place this time!"

Shi Haotian laughed heartily. Without further hesitation, he led Zi Yue into the residence in great strides.

After crossing the courtyard, the two soon arrived at the main hall.

When he saw the white-robed youth seated in the place of honor, far too young yet bearing extraordinary poise, even Shi Haotian, who had always held others in high regard, could not help secretly applauding.

What an impressive Young Master Liu!

"I am Shi Haotian. Please forgive my unannounced visit, Young Master Liu."

Although Shi Haotian was the City Lord, he did not put on any airs before Liu Yuan. Instead, he clasped his hands and bowed, his attitude quite courteous.

"Greetings, Young Master Liu." Zi Yue also obediently bowed.

"Stone City Lord, Zi Yue, you are too polite."

Liu Yuan rose and returned the gesture with a smile. He invited the two to sit before instructing the maid to serve tea.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Liu Yuan did not beat around the bush and asked directly:

"The Stone City Lord does not visit without reason. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Shi Haotian set down his teacup and fixed his Burning Gaze on Liu Yuan. The battle intent radiating from him was almost impossible to conceal.

"To be honest, I came today for two reasons. First, I wished to befriend a young talent such as Young Master Liu."

"As for the second..."

He paused, drew a deep breath, and said in a grave voice:

"I have been stuck at the Form Creation Realm Minor Accomplishment for several years and have never been able to pierce that layer of Window Paper. I heard that not only have you attained extraordinary mastery in the art of symbols, Young Master Liu, but your Origin Power cultivation has also reached the Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment..."

"Therefore, I boldly ask that Young Master Liu offer me some guidance!"

After saying that, Shi Haotian stared intently at Liu Yuan, both expectant and somewhat uneasy.

After all, if Liu Yuan refused, there was nothing he could do.

However.

What he did not expect was that Liu Yuan nodded almost without hesitation and said with a smile:

"No problem."

"Though this is my first time meeting the Stone City Lord, Zi Yue and I are friends."

"So, for the sake of our friendship, I shall agree to such a small matter."

"Young Master Liu..." Zi Yue's beautiful eyes rippled.

"Really?!"

Shi Haotian was even more overjoyed, abruptly rising to his feet.

"A gentleman's word cannot be taken back," Liu Yuan said with a faint smile.

"Good! Splendid!"

Shi Haotian burst into laughter, and the battle intent he had suppressed for so long instantly erupted from his body.

"However, there are too many people in the city, and it would be difficult to fight freely. How about we battle outside the city?"

A clash between Form Creation Realm experts could shake heaven and earth. If they fought within the city, half of Flame City would likely suffer.

"As you wish."

Liu Yuan's body flickered, and he vanished from the spot like a ghost.

Only his faint voice lingered in the air:

"I'll wait for you outside the city."

"What movement technique!"

Shi Haotian's pupils contracted. Then, with a loud shout, Origin Power surged through his body as he transformed into a streak of light and raced toward the city outskirts.

"Ah! Father! Young Master! Wait for me!"

Zi Yue stamped her foot and quickly employed her movement technique to chase after them.

Xuan Su and Qing Tan, who were still in the main hall, exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly before hurriedly rising to follow.

Naturally, they did not want to miss a battle of this level.

Outside Flame City, Ten Mile Slope.

This was a desolate plain rarely visited by people, making it perfect as a battlefield for powerful experts.

Two figures descended upon the wilderness almost at the same time.

Liu Yuan remained dressed in white, standing with his hands behind his back.

Shi Haotian, standing opposite him, resembled a fierce tiger poised to strike. Every muscle in his body was taut, while Origin Power churned violently around him like boiling water.

"Young Master Liu, please guide me!"

Shi Haotian roared and no longer suppressed his aura.

Boom!

A terrifying pressure belonging to a Form Creation Realm Minor Accomplishment expert instantly swept outward. The surrounding air shook into visible ripples, while the ground beneath his feet cracked inch by inch, sending sand and stones flying.

"Not a bad aura."

Liu Yuan nodded slightly, a calm smile still resting on his face.

The next moment.

He slowly released his own aura as well.

Rumble!

An even vaster, deeper, and more terrifying pressure erupted from Liu Yuan's body, shooting into the sky!

Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment!

And it was Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment with foundations so deep that he seemed capable of taking another step forward at any time!

The two auras collided fiercely in midair.

Shi Haotian, who had been brimming with momentum, instantly felt as though he had crashed into a towering mountain. The crushing pressure bearing down on him made his breath hitch.

Yet the excitement in his eyes only grew more intense.

"So this is the Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment... truly powerful!"

"Only an opponent like this can force me to my limits!"

At the same time.

Within Flame City, countless experts sensed the two terrifying auras being unleashed without restraint outside the city.

Blood Wolf Gang headquarters.

"Gang Leader! Gang Leader!"

A scout scrambled into the hall in a panic, his face horrified as he shouted:

"They're... they're fighting outside the city!"

"What fighting? Why are you panicking like this? Have you no sense of decorum?!"

Yue Shan had been drinking alone. Startled by the shout, he snapped irritably.

"It's... it's the Stone City Lord and that Young Master Liu!"

The scout swallowed and said in a trembling voice:

"It seems the Stone City Lord challenged Young Master Liu to a spar. They are facing each other at Ten Mile Slope outside the city right now. Those auras... they're terrifying!"

"What?!"

Yue Shan abruptly stood up, crushing the wine cup in his hand. Wine spilled all over the floor, but he did not notice at all.

He strode to the window and looked toward the city outskirts.

Though they were far away, he could still clearly sense the two palpitating Origin Power fluctuations.

One of them in particular made the Origin Power within his body circulate somewhat sluggishly, even from such a distance.

"That is... the aura of Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment..."

Yue Shan muttered to himself, his eyes filled with deep apprehension.

"So this is Liu Yuan's strength..."

"Go! Bring everyone and head outside the city!"

Yue Shan took a deep breath, a decisive gleam flashing through his eyes.

"A battle of this level is rarely seen. No matter what, we have to go and watch!"

Myriad Gold Merchant Association.

Xia Wanjin, who had been going over accounts, suddenly snapped his brush in two.

He abruptly looked up, his gaze seeming to pierce through the walls toward the city outskirts.

"This aura... is it Young Master Liu?"

"And... that martial arts fanatic Shi Haotian?"

Xia Wanjin's expression changed before delight quickly filled his face.

"Quick! Prepare the horses! We're going outside the city!"

Symbol Master Association.

Yan Xuan had only just returned to the tower and had not even warmed his seat before abruptly rising to his feet.

"What terrifying Origin Power fluctuations!"

"This is... Young Master Liu and the City Lord sparring?"

A brilliant gleam flashed in Yan Xuan's eyes as he shouted to the disciples behind him:

"What are you standing around for? Hurry and follow this old man out of the city!"

For a time, all of Flame City boiled over.

Whether they were leaders of the major factions or lone Rogue Cultivator experts, anyone with even a bit of strength rushed toward the city outskirts like sharks scenting blood.

A peak showdown between Form Creation Realm experts!

In the decades-long history of Flame City, this was absolutely unprecedented!

No one wanted to miss this earth-shaking battle!