Entering the City

But with a light squeeze, it caught the edge of the golden sword.

Clang—!!!

A thunderous explosion of metal striking metal!

The sinister young man's expression changed drastically. He felt as though his sword had struck a mountain of ten-thousand-year black iron. Not only could it not advance an inch, but the impact split the web between his thumb and forefinger, sending blood streaming down!

"Who are you?!" He staggered back in terror.

The other two stopped as well, staring warily at the newcomer.

Qin Yuan released the blade. The tip of that golden longsword had actually bent slightly!

He stood before Zi Ling, his gray robe fluttering lightly in the dry wind.

"Qin... Fellow Daoist Qin?" Zi Ling froze, then burst into wild delight. "How did you..."

"Just passing by," Qin Yuan said flatly.

The three golden-robed cultivators exchanged glances, apprehension flashing through their eyes.

To catch the Golden Sword Sect's true disciple's full-force strike barehanded and even pinch the sword tip crooked—such strength was at least at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage!

"Fellow Daoist," the sinister young man said, forcing down his fear as he cupped his hands, "this is a grudge between our Golden Sword Sect and the Zi Xiao Sect. Please do us a favor and stay out of it. We will surely repay you handsomely afterward."

"Repay me handsomely?" Qin Yuan glanced at him. "By killing people and seizing their treasures?"

The sinister young man's face stiffened.

"Must you interfere, Fellow Daoist?" the short, stout man rumbled. "The three of us together may not fear even a Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator!"

"Then try."

Qin Yuan moved.

He used no spell technique, merely took a simple step forward.

Yet the instant that step landed, the three felt the air around them solidify! A terrifying pressure descended like a mountain range, making it difficult even to breathe!

"This is bad! Retreat!" the sinister young man cried out in utter horror.

But it was too late.

Qin Yuan appeared before the short, stout man like a ghost. He spread the five fingers of his right hand and pressed them against the man's chest.

Bang!

The short, stout man flew backward like a cannonball, crashing through an earthen hill more than thirty yards away. His chest had caved in, and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive.

Immediately afterward, Qin Yuan turned and reached out with his left hand, seizing the woman by the throat.

Crack.

A crisp sound of breaking bone.

The woman's eyes widened, filled with disbelief, before she crumpled limply to the ground.

The sinister young man was last.

Watching Qin Yuan dispose of his two companions as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs, his face turned as white as paper. He spun around and fled.

But after only three steps, Qin Yuan had already appeared in front of him.

"D-Don't kill me!" The sinister young man dropped to his knees, tears and snot streaming down his face. "I'll hand over all my treasures! I'll be your slave, your servant! Just spare my life!"

Qin Yuan looked at him, his eyes utterly calm.

"On the battlefield, there is only life and death."

A palm descended.

The sinister young man's head burst apart like a watermelon.

From the moment Qin Yuan attacked to the moment it ended, fewer than ten breaths had passed.

Three peak Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators—wiped out completely.

Qin Yuan withdrew his hand and turned to Zi Ling. "Can you still walk?"

Zi Ling stared blankly at him, then at the three corpses on the ground, her throat dry.

She had known Qin Yuan was strong, but she had never imagined he was this strong—killing Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators as easily as butchering dogs!

"I... I can walk." She struggled to her feet, but tugged at her wounds and let out a muffled groan.

Qin Yuan took out a bottle of healing pills and tossed it to her. "Take them."

Zi Ling caught it, poured out two pills, and swallowed them. Her complexion improved somewhat. Looking at Qin Yuan, she suddenly bowed solemnly. "I, Zi Ling, will remember this life-saving grace."

"It was only a convenient act." Qin Yuan looked into the distance. "It is time to go."

The two continued onward.

Along the way, Zi Ling told him how she had been surrounded and attacked.

"The Golden Sword Sect and our Zi Xiao Sect have long held old grudges. This time, after entering the battlefield, our sect's Zi Xiao Token caught their attention. That token can be exchanged for special resources in safe zones, and it is greatly beneficial for cultivation."

Qin Yuan nodded without asking further.

After hesitating for a moment, Zi Ling said softly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, a hundred miles ahead lies Yellow Earth City, the only safe zone in this region. But... it is territory controlled by the Crimson Flame Sect."

"The Crimson Flame Sect?" Qin Yuan looked at her.

"They rank twenty-seventh among the hundred sects and are extremely powerful." Zi Ling's expression was grave. "Their sect cultivates fire-element techniques. Their tempers are violent, and their desire for control is strong. They control Yellow Earth City, and anyone entering must hand over thirty percent of their gains, or they will not be allowed inside."

She paused. "And... fifteen of their sect members entered this time. Their leader, Yan Lie, is at the Nascent Soul Late Stage. It is said that he has already touched the threshold of Spirit Transformation."

Nascent Soul Late Stage, touching the threshold of Spirit Transformation.

With such strength, he would already be elder-level within the Xuan Yuan Sect.

"But we have to go." Zi Ling looked at the darkening sky. "The Abyssal Demon Tide will arrive at night. Without the protection of a safe zone, Golden Core cultivators will certainly die, and even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators will not last through a single night."

Qin Yuan raised his head.

The edges of the dark red sky had already turned deep black. That blackness was spreading at a visible rate, like ink dripping into clear water.

The ominous aura in the air was growing denser as well.

"Let's go." He quickened his pace.

The two traveled at full speed and finally saw the city before the sky turned completely dark.

Yellow Earth City.

Its walls stood roughly ninety yards high, entirely constructed from rammed yellow earth. Their surfaces were carved with intricate formation patterns that emitted a faint spiritual glow. Cultivators patrolled atop the walls, all dressed in crimson robes—the disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect.

A long queue had formed at the city gates.

They were disciples from various sects who had come seeking refuge, more than a hundred of them in all. Every one of them looked exhausted and wounded, clearly having experienced savage fighting throughout the day.

At the front of the line, several Crimson Flame Sect disciples were conducting inspections.

"Entrance fee: thirty percent of your gains!" a bearded man roared gruffly. "Those who won't pay can get lost!"

Someone tried to argue and was slapped flying.

"These are the Crimson Flame Sect's rules! Not satisfied?" The man sneered. "Then stay out of the city and feed the abyssal demons!"

Everyone was furious but dared not speak.

Qin Yuan and Zi Ling joined the back of the line.

Zi Ling said softly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, how much have you gained? If it is not enough, I have some here..."

"No need." Qin Yuan shook his head.

Other than the three demonic beasts and three corpses, he had gathered almost no "gains" along the way. However, he had taken the storage bags from the three corpses.

The line inched forward slowly.

At last, it was their turn.

The bearded man sized them up, his gaze lingering on Zi Ling as a lewd look surfaced in his eyes. "A little bitch from the Zi Xiao Sect? Not bad-looking. Your entrance fee is fifty percent."

Zi Ling's expression changed. "Why fifty percent?"

"Because I say it is fifty percent!" the man scoffed. "Not satisfied?"

Zi Ling gritted her teeth and was about to argue when Qin Yuan stepped forward.

"Thirty percent," he said calmly.

The man glared. "You fucking..."

Before he could finish, he saw Qin Yuan's eyes.

Those eyes were calm—calm as a deep pool—yet something at the bottom of that pool made his heart tremble.

The man swallowed hard and forcibly choked back the rest of his words.

"...Fine. Thirty percent, then." He muttered as he accepted the storage bag Qin Yuan handed over—it belonged to the sinister Golden Sword Sect disciple. Qin Yuan had already emptied it out, leaving only some miscellaneous items inside.

After checking it, the man waved his hand. "Go in."

The two entered the city.

Behind them, the man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and cursed under his breath. "Fuck, what kind of monster was that..."

The city was more prosperous than expected.

Temporary shops lined both sides of the streets, selling all manner of healing pills, weapons, and talismans. There were also taverns and inns where people could rest. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, but at least it lacked the ominous aura outside the city.

Zi Ling let out a breath of relief. "We are finally safe."

But Qin Yuan looked toward the city walls.

Outside, darkness had completely shrouded the land.

Then countless shrill howls rose from within the darkness.

The Abyssal Demon Tide had begun.