Moreover, he was an aggressive Catacombs martial artist and had always been one of the hardliners in Autumn Chrysanthemum City. This time, a high-rank Reborn Martial Artist had actually ventured deep into the rear of their city. That was intolerable.
On top of that, one of his Rank 7 commanders had been killed just like that. His influence in Autumn Chrysanthemum City would shrink from here on out. If he didn't fight a battle to restore the balance, he wouldn't be able to accept it.
"Ju Ming, what is it?" Chrysanthemum King asked with a pained expression. After all, whenever Ju Ming showed up, it was never good news.
Sure enough, Ju Ming said, "My king, Reborn Martial Artists have been operating near Autumn Chrysanthemum City. They even killed Jue Ping. If this continues, what will the other King Cities think of us?"
Chrysanthemum King grimaced. What they thought of them—did it matter? He only wanted to walk the Path of Ten Thousand People in peace, become a True King, and never have to put up with this again.
As if he knew what Chrysanthemum King was thinking, Ju Ming sighed and said, "My king, the people from the other King Cities look down on our citizens. Can you really continue along your Path of Ten Thousand People?"
Those words made Chrysanthemum King sink into thought. Indeed, the Path of Ten Thousand People was a path for all people. If the people were in bad shape, then naturally, the path couldn't be walked.
"My king, we can't go on like this. We have to make our Chrysanthemum King City's strength known. That way, my king, your path will be easier to walk!" Ju Ming said earnestly.
As Chrysanthemum King's right-hand man, he knew him all too well. Unless he took drastic measures, his king would just stay holed up in his own little corner.
"Alas!" Chrysanthemum King sighed. He truly didn't want to fight, but Ju Ming wasn't wrong either. His Origin Dao hadn't made the slightest progress in all these years.
"My king, you..." Seeing Chrysanthemum King sigh, Ju Ming thought he was going to let the matter slide again. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. In fact, he was even considering switching allegiances.
"Ju Ming, declare war on the Land of Rebirth. Let's have a proper fight!" Chrysanthemum King said decisively.
Ju Ming's eyes widened as if he'd misheard. When he realized he hadn't, he was overjoyed and immediately knelt. "My king, I'll assemble the troops right away!"
While Autumn Chrysanthemum City was discussing an attack on Kyoto City, Zhang Tao and Li Zhen had already returned to Kyoto. They came up from the Kyoto Catacombs, and Zhang Tao gave Li Zhen ten flowers before taking ten home himself.
This time, Zhang Tao hadn't chosen to turn them in. He knew that only by growing stronger himself could he seize more resources and bring them back. He hadn't reached the point where he needed to make sacrifices yet.
"Damn, I've been gone for less than a day, and you've turned the house into this, Cat brother?" Zhang Tao was stunned when he got home. The living room was already piled high with takeout containers.
Seeing Zhang Tao return, Grey Cat let out an embarrassed meow. It hadn't expected Zhang Tao to come back so soon either.
"Forget it, I'll get someone to clean up!" Zhang Tao shook his head helplessly, picked up the phone, and made a call. Someone soon arrived to clean. Zhang Tao didn't bother with such trivial matters. Instead, he went to his room, took out a Heavenly Gold Lotus, plucked off a petal, and ate it.
As the Heavenly Gold Lotus went down, spiritual power immediately gathered within him. Zhang Tao could clearly feel his spiritual power growing.
So Zhang Tao started gobbling them down like a cow chewing on peonies. Before long, he had eaten an entire Heavenly Gold Lotus. He immediately circulated his spiritual power cultivation method and began tempering his Brain Core.
While Zhang Tao was cultivating, Nan Yunyue was being hunted in the Kyoto Catacombs.
Nan Yunyue was in a terrible state. Not only was a Rank 6 expert at Essence Blood Unity chasing her, but several other Rank 6 fighters were trailing behind him. If she hadn't been fast, she would have been dead by now.
"I didn't expect Autumn Chrysanthemum City to have mobilized its forces. No, I have to get this information back!" After steadying her ragged breathing, Nan Yunyue turned and slashed with her sword. A streak of white sword energy shot out. Without even looking back, she continued running forward.
Behind Nan Yunyue, a Rank 6 expert at Essence Blood Unity pursued relentlessly. He was furious too. He couldn't take down a woman who had just entered Rank 6. It was humiliating.
Nan Yunyue was also frustrated. Under normal circumstances, Autumn Chrysanthemum City didn't usually make a move. What was going on today? Why had they suddenly mobilized? She couldn't understand it. If she'd known, she never would have come this way, and she wouldn't be getting hunted now.
Seeing the expert at Essence Blood Unity behind her draw closer and closer, Nan Yunyue sighed. A faint red glow flickered over her body. She had no choice but to risk it. Fortunately, Kyoto City wasn't far.
As a faint red glow lit up her sword, the expert at Essence Blood Unity sensed something was wrong and slowed down just a little. In that instant, Nan Yunyue swung her sword. A streak of red sword energy shot out, like a scarlet ribbon, slashing down.
The expert at Essence Blood Unity didn't dare be careless. He immediately stopped and used all his energy to block the attack.
Nan Yunyue, meanwhile, flew toward Kyoto City, her face pale. By the time the expert at Essence Blood Unity had blocked the attack, she had put some distance between them. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to keep chasing her. Kyoto City was just ahead, and he was only Rank 6. If he went there, he might not make it back.
"Hmph, you're lucky!" he cursed, then returned to Autumn Chrysanthemum City.
Nan Yunyue flew quickly into Kyoto City despite her injuries and went straight to Su Zhigang, the Rank 9 Great Grandmaster stationed there. She reported everything she had discovered near Autumn Chrysanthemum City.
After listening, Su Zhigang's expression turned grave. Autumn Chrysanthemum City was actually going to war with them. He might be Rank 9, but the Great Chrysanthemum of Autumn Chrysanthemum City and Chrysanthemum King were both Rank 9 as well, and neither was weaker than him. If they really fought, he'd be in for a terrible time.
"Quick, report this to the Culture Academy!" Su Zhigang said urgently, then began organizing Kyoto City's forces.
Li Xianling, the head of the Culture Academy, received Su Zhigang's message at that moment. His good mood vanished. Why had war suddenly broken out in the Kyoto Catacombs? What was wrong with Autumn Chrysanthemum City? Couldn't they just leave each other alone? The only information they had was that Autumn Chrysanthemum City was involved; they had no idea what the other cities would do.
"Quickly notify all the Grandmasters in Kyoto. Have them enter the Catacombs!" Whatever happened, they had to prepare for war.
A single spark could set off a prairie fire. This was no longer just a battle between Autumn Chrysanthemum City and Kyoto City. It could very well turn into a war across the entire Catacombs, and Li Xianling had to be cautious.
Zhang Tao received the news at home soon afterward. Autumn Chrysanthemum City was going to attack Kyoto City. Without a word, he charged into the Catacombs.
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