At this point, Zhang Tao still had no idea that the uprising in Autumn Chrysanthemum City was all his and Li Zhen's fault.
When Zhang Tao arrived at the Kyoto Catacombs, Li Zhen hurried over as well. The two exchanged a glance, both baffled by what had gotten into Autumn Chrysanthemum City. After all, they hadn't seized the city; they'd only killed a Rank 7 who didn't know his place. Was Autumn Chrysanthemum City really going to go to war with humanity over one Rank 7?
In the past, humanity had killed Rank 8s, let alone Rank 7s.
"You're here. Go join the Rank 7 team!" Su Zhigang said as soon as he saw them.
Zhang Tao and Li Zhen promptly nodded and headed toward the Rank 7 Grandmasters.
"Oh, Zhang, you're here! This could turn into a major battle. Don't go getting reckless, kid. Stick with me!" A burly man with a face full of bristly whiskers called out when he saw Zhang Tao.
Zhang Tao walked over with a grin. "Brother Xie, you said it yourself. You'll protect me!"
The burly man was Xie Zhaoyang, director of the Kyoto Martial Arts Hall. He had fought his way up to the late Rank 7 stage on his own. Zhang Tao had studied at Xie Zhaoyang's martial arts hall in the early days of his cultivation. Later, Li Xianling discovered him and brought him to the Culture Academy, so Zhang Tao and the big man were close.
"Of course your Brother Xie has to protect you. You really do cultivate fast, though. When I got back a couple of days ago, I heard you'd reached Rank 7. I could hardly believe it. You're a true genius. I wanted you to bring prestige to my martial arts hall back then, but Academy Head Li snatched you away!" Xie Zhaoyang said, sounding a little aggrieved.
After all, Zhang Tao was the one he'd discovered. But Li Xianling hadn't played fair, and there was nothing he could do about it. Of course, he was also happy that Zhang Tao had found a better path.
"Haha!" Zhang Tao laughed it off, and that was that.
Soon, Xie Zhaoyang's expression turned serious. "Zhang, I'm being serious. This time, it's dangerous. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's only Autumn Chrysanthemum City. We just discussed it, and there's a good chance the Kyoto Catacombs are about to erupt into chaos. Usually, the other cities take the lead, while Autumn Chrysanthemum City just tags along. But this time, Autumn Chrysanthemum City launched an attack. The other cities definitely won't sit this one out. I mean it, kid. Don't get reckless!"
Zhang Tao frowned. He hadn't expected the Catacombs to erupt into chaos so soon. More importantly, he'd thought they only had to deal with Autumn Chrysanthemum City. After hearing Xie Zhaoyang, he realized he'd been too naive.
"No, I need to go out for a while!" Zhang Tao said at once.
Xie Zhaoyang was stunned. You want to go out now? That'll be difficult.
But Zhang Tao paid him no mind. He went straight to Su Zhigang, the garrison commander of Kyoto City. Su Zhigang listened with a frown as Zhang Tao offered the awkward excuse that he'd forgotten to bring his Divine Artifact.
Right, sure. Wasn't the Divine Artifact kept in the Three Burner Gates? Why would he need to bring it?
Still, Su Zhigang knew Zhang Tao must have something to do, and he certainly wasn't the type to shy away from a fight. "Go, then. But come back as soon as you can. You know a major battle is about to begin."
Zhang Tao nodded and quickly returned home.
"Brother Cat, Brother Cat, I need your help!" Zhang Tao shouted before he even got through the door!
Grey Cat, who was watching television in the living room, tilted his head and glanced over. "What is it? We agreed that I wouldn't fight!"
He knew why Zhang Tao had dashed out in such a hurry. Word was that the Kyoto Catacombs were in an uproar and Autumn Chrysanthemum City had invaded. But Grey Cat didn't fight or kill, so he didn't want to get involved.
"Brother Cat, I'm not asking you to fight. I just want to borrow a blade. I need it for something!" Zhang Tao said quickly. He'd never expected Grey Cat to join a battle like this.
"How do you know I have a blade?" Grey Cat asked, eyes wide. When had he ever shown this kid the knife he used to cut fish? He definitely hadn't. So how did the kid know about it?
"Heh, Brother Cat, I read about it in an ancient text!" Zhang Tao said with a laugh. He might as well blame some mysterious ancient text for everything.
"Oh, I see. You can borrow my blade, but you have to return it. Those who borrow things from a cat and don't give them back never end well." Grey Cat muttered and tossed out his fish-cutting knife. In truth, it was the God-Slaying Blade, Western Emperor's weapon from ages past. It was simply a little damaged.
The God-Slaying Blade could actually enter the Origin Dao, but it was damaged now and no longer had that function.
Still, it was more than enough for Zhang Tao at this stage. It would be useful against anyone from Rank 7 all the way up to an Apex. After all, the God-Slaying Blade was a Divine Artifact, far beyond an ordinary divine weapon.
After putting the God-Slaying Blade into his Three Burner Gates, Zhang Tao said, "Thanks, Brother Cat. I'm off!"
Watching Zhang Tao dash away in another hurry, Grey Cat shrugged. It was only a blade. Grey Cat had plenty of Divine Artifacts.
Since he'd chosen to leave seclusion and follow Zhang Tao, Grey Cat had naturally thought it through. Besides, this was probably his last chance. He had no choice but to take a gamble.
With that thought, Grey Cat quietly left Zhang Tao's home and went to the Forbidden City Catacombs. He needed to get a few things.
Back at the Kyoto Catacombs, the high-ranked fighters hadn't started fighting yet. So after returning, Zhang Tao hid in a small room and began rapidly refining the God-Slaying Blade.
Li Zhen had originally wanted to talk to Zhang Tao, but when he saw this, he could only abandon the idea and quietly crouch nearby.
By now, mid- and low-ranked fighters were already clashing between Kyoto City and Autumn Chrysanthemum City. This was routine. Of course, if Autumn Chrysanthemum City had too many troops, it would turn into a siege defense.
At present, Autumn Chrysanthemum City didn't have enough troops to force the humans to defend their city.
At the front line, Ju Ming glanced at the battle below and immediately reported, "Your Majesty, are we joining the fight?"
Chrysanthemum King shook his head and waited calmly. He knew someone would answer the call. Over the years, Chrysanthemum King's city had never wanted war, but when you were on the front line, sometimes you had no choice but to fight. Of course, back then they'd only tagged along. This time was different. He'd started the war himself, so the other city lords would surely respond. They'd wanted to destroy Kyoto City for a long time.
"Ha ha ha! Chrysanthemum King, you finally came to your senses!" A booming laugh rang out. A figure appeared, towering like a majestic mountain amid the crowd. He was tall and imposing, exuding such authority that people couldn't help but feel awe. His steady, powerful strides seemed to shake the earth with every step, as though the whole world trembled for him. He flew over, followed by three Rank 8s and ten Rank 7s.
"Mulberry King, long time no see," Chrysanthemum King said calmly. This was the lord of Divine Mulberry City, located behind him, and the most warlike of them all. Just look at him—he'd heard Autumn Chrysanthemum City had sent out troops and rushed over at once.
"What are we waiting for? Let's attack together!" Mulberry King said after taking a look around.
Before you continue