The aura around Xu Zimo grew increasingly powerful.
With each step he took, endless ripples spread out around him.
The pressure became so intense it seemed to suppress the surrounding heaven and earth.
He looked up calmly, gazing at the vast city ahead.
Phoenix River City was a major city.
Atop the city walls stood a four-headed crane balanced on one leg, each head facing a different direction, east, west, south, and north.
When the wind cranes cry together, they pierce the heavens.
This was the calmest day Phoenix River City had seen. Outside, torrential rain poured down, and the streets were nearly deserted.
Pedestrians hurried home, and others sat in inns drinking wine, enjoying the rainy season.
Under moss-covered eaves, the rain fell in a steady line.
Suddenly, the earth began to shake.
The eaves trembled slightly, and the straight rain lines became scattered and chaotic.
“What’s going on?” People inside the city looked toward the distance in surprise.
An intense pressure descended from the sky, as if aiming to envelop and suppress all of Phoenix River City.
Xu Zimo stepped up to the city gate, his aura now as mighty as a dragon.
It coiled around him like a celestial serpent.
With every step he took, deep footprints were left on the ground.
The force crushed the ground with crackling sounds.
“Who dares trespass in Phoenix River City?” an old man in a blue robe shouted from the top of the wall, backed by a group of guards.
Looking at Xu Zimo, he was secretly shocked, the aura emanating from this man was too powerful. Even looking from afar, he felt immense pressure.
“I don’t know what business this esteemed figure has in our city,” the old man cautiously softened his tone and asked.
“Are you the city lord of Phoenix River City?” Xu Zimo asked calmly.
“I’m not. But if you have anything to say, I can make decisions,” the old man replied.
Xu Zimo didn’t bother explaining. He simply tossed his Holy Son’s token to the man.
These lands within millions of kilometers were all governed by the True Martial Sacred Ground. Naturally, the cities followed their orders.
As a Holy Son of the sect, Xu Zimo had authority here.
The old man took the token with suspicion. After examining it, his expression changed drastically.
He immediately offered the token back with both hands and said loudly, “Greetings, Holy Son!”
Upon hearing this, all the guards nearby quickly knelt down and shouted in unison.
“Bring your city lord to me,” Xu Zimo waved and said.
“Please wait, Holy Son. I will fetch the city lord right away,” the old man said, bowing slightly.
...
Not long after, an elegant middle-aged man in white robes was brought by the old man.
Xu Zimo entered Phoenix River City, and both men quickly dropped to one knee.
“City Lord Feng Tianhe of Phoenix River City greets the Holy Son,” he said. “I don’t know what business brings you to Phoenix River City?”
“There’s someone you should be familiar with,” Xu Zimo said.
“Please command me,” Feng Tianhe replied immediately.
“The Holy Son of the Blood Nether Sacred Ground, Xue Zeyuan,” Xu Zimo said word by word. “He’s in Phoenix River City. Help me find him.”
“This…” Feng Tianhe hesitated slightly.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Zimo frowned, looking at Feng Tianhe.
“To tell the truth, the Holy Son of the Blood Nether Sacred Ground is currently a guest at my residence,” Feng Tianhe replied quickly.
“Well, how generous of you,” Xu Zimo said coldly.
“Xue Zeyuan is hunting down a core disciple of our True Martial Sacred Ground, and not only do you not help, but you host him?”
Hearing Xu Zimo’s words, Feng Tianhe’s face changed drastically.
“Holy Son, please understand, I had no idea. He came as a guest, and I couldn’t just drive him out,” he said quickly.
“Then take me to him,” Xu Zimo said.
Feng Tianhe quickly nodded.
He knew that Xu Zimo was not only a Holy Son, but also the son of the sect’s Vice-Lord.
Compared to the Blood Nether Sacred Ground, he couldn’t afford to offend Xu Zimo.
...
They entered the city lord’s mansion and walked directly into the main hall.
At the moment, the hall was filled with music and dance. Several graceful dancers were performing provocative dances.
Various delicacies were laid out on the tables, and a young man in red robes sat at the head, watching with interest. A bloodthirsty gleam shone in his eyes.
Seeing Feng Tianhe return, the young man smiled and asked, “City Lord Feng, all settled?”
Feng Tianhe didn’t respond. He waved his hand and told the dancers, “You may leave.”
“What’s the matter, City Lord Feng?” the young man in red robes asked, slightly puzzled.
Feng Tianhe smiled and gestured, “Let me introduce, this is the Holy Son of our True Martial Sacred Ground, Xu Zimo.”
The young man in red sized up Xu Zimo and then stood up, smiling.
“I’ve long heard of your name. Brother Xu, you always appear like a dragon, heard of, but rarely seen.”
As the young man examined him, Xu Zimo also looked at him.
Earlier, he had asked the old man to escort Yao Shengnan and Zhang Guilin (Little Gui) to rest.
Xue Zeyuan wore a blood-red robe. A noticeable scar crossed his neck.
He had a short, flat haircut, a rugged face, and eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.
Thin lips, hooked nose, and behind him, a spiked mace.
The mace was entirely white, like it was made of jade, crystal clear.
Its spikes were all inward-facing, dense and sharp, reflecting a chilling light.
“I have just one question,” Xu Zimo smiled and said.
“Please, ask freely,” Xue Zeyuan said with narrowed eyes, smiling.
“How do you want to die?” Xu Zimo asked flatly.
Xue Zeyuan’s expression didn’t change.
But the aura around him gradually began to rise.
“Brother Xu, what a joke. With Heaven’s Will forming, what’s the rush?”
Xu Zimo chuckled and thrust his hand toward Xue Zeyuan with a suppressing force.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Xue Zeyuan’s expression changed. His spiked mace flew into his hand, and he struck at the giant hand.
But his strength was inferior. He was sent flying by Xu Zimo’s palm.
Xue Zeyuan crashed into the side wall of the hall.
Xu Zimo walked outside. The torrential rain still fell with a deafening roar.
Xue Zeyuan rose from the muddy ground, gripping his mace tightly. A newly awakened God Meridian aura surged around him.
He looked at Xu Zimo and said calmly, “Brother Xu, are you trying to start a war between our two lineage? Even if you want to kill me, there should be a reason.”
“You want me to explain how you hunted down a core disciple of my lineage?” Xu Zimo countered.
“Sigh, I’ve been exposed after all,” Xue Zeyuan laughed aloud. He wiped the rain from his face and smirked. “Didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”