Immediately afterward, a squad of twelve gold-armored cultivators at peak Golden Core rose into the air aboard a Flying Boat. At their head, a cultivator at Nascent Soul early stage peak activated a Jade Ruyi, his gaze locking onto Qing Chen.
Qing Chen halted his Escape Light and hovered ten li outside Pass City, speaking calmly. "Qing Chen, here to pay his respects under the august orders of Spirit Venerable Xiao Canglan."
Driven by Nascent Soul True Essence, his voice carried clearly for a hundred li around.
A stir ran along the city walls.
"It's Hidden Spirit True Lord."
That cultivator turned out to be True Lord Yunmiao of Penglai Spirit Island, something of an acquaintance.
He stood at the prow of the Flying Boat, the Jade Ruyi in his hand glowing with a gentle blue-green light. Yet there was little respect on his face; instead, he wore a somewhat scrutinizing look.
His gaze swept over Qing Chen several times before he said unhurriedly, "Forgive the discourtesy, Hidden Spirit True Lord. Defenses at the pass have suddenly come under strain lately. Spies from Southern Yue, Wu Gui, and the Miao Frontier Gu Tribe are running rampant! Even a True Lord arriving in person must undergo inspection according to the rules. Please present your Marquis's Magic Seal and state your purpose."
His words sounded perfectly high-minded, but anyone could hear the deliberate obstruction in them.
A second-rank Marquis, an acting Provincial Governor, a Nascent Soul True Lord!
He had reached his own doorstep, only to have his identity checked in public?
Especially when the other party actually knew Qing Chen.
Ordinarily, he would have been taken to a hall somewhere outside Heavenly Abyss Pass for a thorough inspection, rather than subjected to such a grand display.
More than ten thousand cultivators