Six of Haizhou's eight city gates had been closed, leaving only two open for entry and exit. The Cosmos aura detectors ran at maximum power around the clock. Entry inspections were strict, and all flight was prohibited.
Circumstances had been unusual lately. Countless powerful martial artists had come and gone, leaving the local garrison sweating with anxiety.
Haizhou City's party secretary and mayor each supervised one of the two open gates. Every member of the city's Martial Association had been mobilized to assist the garrison. Although the entrances were somewhat congested, things remained more or less orderly.
At the open North Gate Two.
With nothing else to do, quite a few local martial practitioners had gathered inside the gate to identify the new arrivals. Those who knew each other formed small circles, watching the incoming experts while listening to someone in their midst hold forth.
Regardless of their strength, everyone holding court at the center of these circles was widely knowledgeable.
Once an arrival passed inspection and entered the city, these people could usually offer a comment or two, rattling off the visitor's identity and lineage as though listing their own treasures.
Of course, even when secluded cultivators with little public reputation came to watch Dragon King Cui attain enlightenment and sainthood, they could still offer a few observations on their strength and cultivation.
"Achoo!"
As the idle onlookers chatted enthusiastically, yellow sand suddenly blew into their faces, making them sneeze repeatedly. The sand in the air was fine and sticky, and even carried Dao resonance. Not even martial artists could guard against it; their protective true qi failed them.
Everyone immediately turned to stare at the culprit.
Whoosh—
The sound of fine sand slowly flowing spread from around a group entering the city.
Their extraordinary-looking leader wore an eight-treasure