But Ye Tian and Yu Huachi had long since vanished. He grabbed a nearby city guard and hurriedly said, "Go to the South Gate at once and tell them not to let those two leave."
Though the guard did not know what had happened, he still obeyed and rushed toward the South Gate.
However, time was pressing for Ye Tian and Yu Huachi. They reached the South Gate even faster, showed their iron plaques, and were allowed out of the city. By the time the guard arrived, it was already too late. There was not a trace of them on the road.
When the old man received the news, his expression shifted between light and shadow. He then returned to the city lord's office, wrote a letter in a room, formed seals with his hands, and used an immortal art to create a bird. He placed the letter inside the bird's body and sent it flying away.
Naturally, Ye Tian knew nothing of this. Although they had lost time in the Heaven Collapse Mountain Range, there were still two days until the Place of Return to One opened. At their speed, they could arrive by nightfall, rest for the night, and compete in the arena tournament tomorrow for a few slots. Even if Yu Huachi failed to obtain a slot, being noticed by some great sect would still help him return and restore his Lineage.
The tension between the two of them eased somewhat, and they continued down the road chatting and laughing.
At last, evening arrived, and the gates of the final Holy City stood before them.
Perhaps because the Place of Return to One was about to open, there were few travelers on the road. The city gates were tightly shut, with only a small door beneath them