Citywide Deathly Silence, Buddhist Formation

The star skiff cleaved through the sky at tremendous speed.

Along the way, Baiyue maintained a poised demeanor. From time to time, she exchanged a few words with Ye Li, subtly extolling the many benefits of Shiguang Academy and Princess Ling'an's respect for worthy talents.

Ye Li mostly just listened, responding with a word or two now and then, though his gaze remained fixed in the direction of Luoxia City.

As they drew ever closer,

the composure and elegance Baiyue embodied on Princess Ling'an's behalf were gradually replaced by a faint, barely perceptible doubt.

It was too quiet.

Luoxia City was a vast and prosperous border city within the county, yet from high above, it was utterly deathly still.

There was no cooking smoke, no human voices—not even the cries of birds or beasts.

The enormous city sat upon the earth, yet it exuded an indescribable oppression, as lonely as a dead city that had lain uninhabited for thousands of years. Not a single glimpse of life within could be seen.

Even with the star skiff already before the city walls, there was no sign of the defensive formation activating.

There was no choice but to land outside the city gates first.

After Chen Chuan and several Yao Xuan Envoys briefly went forward to investigate, their expressions immediately turned grim, tinged with uncertainty and alarm.

"My lord." Chen Chuan returned, his voice slightly hoarse as he spoke to Ye Li.

"We still can't contact the Luoxia Captain. Several formations have sealed off the inside from the outside, so we can't investigate the situation within."

Baiyue's brows furrowed slightly, and the doubt in her heart began to swell.

"Open the gate." Ye Li was concise.

Chen Chuan immediately led his men forward, attempting to dismantle the formation on the city gates.