First Entry into Tianwu City

A few days later.

A majestic giant city appeared on the horizon.

Tianwu City, the martial arts holy land of Daganzhou. The city walls were twenty feet high, entirely built from obsidian, and carved with the patterns of defense formations, exuding an ancient and solemn aura.

Even from several miles away, one could feel the oppressive pressure washing over them.

"So this is Tianwu City..."

Yan Kui stood on the official road, looking up.

In comparison, Black Water City was like a rural mud enclosure.

He adjusted his black tunic, slung the Bone Shattering Hammer over his shoulder, and strode towards the city gate.

Although he tried his best to conceal his aura, his height of 2.3 meters, coupled with the terrifyingly defined muscles beneath his clothes, and the hammer larger than himself, still made him the center of attention in the crowd.

Pedestrians around him gave way, their eyes filled with awe.

"Halt!"

As soon as he reached the city gate, two halberds were crossed in front of him.

The soldiers guarding the city, clad in heavy armor, eyed Yan Kui warily.

"What are you doing here? Where's your pass?"

One of the soldiers with a stubbled face demanded.

"Pass?"

Yan Kui was taken aback.

He was used to places like Black Water City and had no idea that entering a city required such a thing. The token Zhao Rong had given him was merely from the Zhao Family, and useless outside Black Water City.

"I don't have one," he answered honestly.

"You don't have one?"

The stubbled soldier's face darkened, his hand resting on his saber hilt. "No pass, and you look so fierce... I think you're a wanted criminal!"

Saying that, he pulled out a crumpled portrait from his embrace, unfolded it, and compared it with Yan Kui.

The portrait showed a burly, fierce-looking man with a thick beard, the notorious bandit "Iron Head Li," who had been committing crimes throughout Daganzhou.

The soldier looked at the portrait, then at Yan Kui.

The bandit in the portrait was already fierce, but compared to this Black Iron Tower in front of him... he looked like a kind-faced old man.

"Uh..."

The soldier stammered.

If the person in the portrait were to be compared in ferocity to this man, it would be an insult to himself.

"It doesn't look like him?"

Yan Kui leaned in to look at the portrait and grinned.

In that instant, his slightly protruding fangs (a Barbarian Boar trait) were subtly revealed. Coupled with his stern, hard face, a suffocating Sha Qi washed over them.

"Clang!"

The grizzled soldier's hand trembled in fright, and his Halberd fell to the ground.

The surrounding commoners flinched back repeatedly, and even a child burst into tears.

"It doesn't look like him! It doesn't look like him!"

The soldier waved his hands frantically, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Esteemed Warrior... you... you are too fierce... ah, no, you are too mighty! The person in that portrait isn't even fit to carry your shoes!"

What a joke. With this kind of presence, if he were truly a wanted criminal, these few soldiers wouldn't even be enough for him to chew on.

"Then can I enter?" Yan Kui asked.

"Yes! Of course, you can! However, according to regulations, warriors without a Pass entering the city must pay a 'Temporary Security Fee' of ten taels of silver." the soldier said cautiously.

"Ten taels?"

Yan Kui raised an eyebrow.

This entrance fee was almost equivalent to the annual expenses of an Ordinary Person's family in Black Water City.

However, he was currently carrying a fortune (Zhao Wuji's Storage Bag contained quite a bit of Gold and Silver), so he didn't care about this small amount of money.

He reached into his robes, pulled out a silver ingot, and casually tossed it to the soldier.

"No need for change."

With that, he strode into the city gate, carrying his hammer.

Watching his retreating back, the few city guards let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if they had sent away a Plague God.

"Good heavens, where did this fierce person come from? Our Tianwu City is about to get lively."

As soon as he entered the city gate, the clamorous din rushed towards him.

The street was wide enough to accommodate eight carriages abreast. The shops on both sides were luxuriously decorated, with many even displaying the Signboard of Cultivator shops like "Treasure Gathering Pavilion" and "Artifact Refining Workshop."

The martial artists walking on the street were generally a level higher than those in Yunjiang City. Bone Refining Realm cultivators were seen everywhere, and he could even sense a few Viscera Refining Realm auras occasionally.

"As expected of a holy land of martial arts."

Yan Kui praised inwardly.

He found an inn that looked decent – Yunlai Inn – booked a superior room, and ordered a table full of good wine and food.

While eating, he habitually pricked up his ears, listening to the idle chatter of the other diners.

"Did you hear? There's a major event tomorrow night at the 'Asura Arena'!"

"Oh? Could it be that 'Soul Severing Blade' is appearing again?"

"That's right! It's said his opponent this time is a barbarian Strongman from the Western Regions, possessing Innate Divine Strength, and he's already won ten matches in a row!"

"Hiss... Now that's going to be a show! These head-on clashes are the most exciting! Let's go, let's go, hurry up and place your bets!"

"Asura Arena?"

Yan Kui's heart stirred.

He beckoned the waiter over and threw a Silver Shard on the table.

"Waiter, what kind of place is this 'Asura Arena'?"

The waiter quickly pocketed the silver, his face beaming. "You must be from out of town, sir? This Asura Arena is the biggest Underground Boxing Ring in Tianwu City!"

"There, there are no rules, no life-and-death contracts are signed, only victory or defeat, or... life or death."

The waiter lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Many martial artists go there to risk their lives for fame and fortune, or for the high bounties. It's said that even some Sect Deserters and notorious Outlaws go there!"

"Oh?"

Yan Kui's eyes lit up.

Earning money, gaining fame, practical combat.

Wasn't this tailor-made for him?

Although he had money now, collecting Hundred Schools Hard Kung Fu was a bottomless pit. Moreover, he needed to test his current strength through actual combat, and by the way... gain some Origin Power.

"How do I sign up?" Yan Kui asked.

"That's simple, it's on the first basement floor of the 'Drunken Life Dream Death Tower' in the south of the city. If you want to go, there's a match tonight," the waiter said enthusiastically, pointing the way.

"Thanks."

Yan Kui finished the rest of his meal in a few bites and returned to his room.

He needed to rest and recharge his energy.

Tonight, the underworld of Tianwu City would welcome a true... Supreme Overlord.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.