"Is there a trap in this?" Ling'er frowned, "After all, she might not be reliable!"
"Facing wolves in front and tigers behind, all we can do now is trust him!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "If there's really a problem, we can only resign ourselves to fate!"
Ling'er looked bitter. Lu Fan's words were understandable. Currently, within Tian Shang City, two forces wanted to deal with them, and this was no trivial matter. If they could leave, it would be the best outcome. If they couldn't, they would likely have to fight to the death.
"That's a treasure obtained with great difficulty. Are you not heartbroken to trade it away like this?" Zhao Xue asked in surprise.
"It's a matter of extreme urgency, I can't worry about that much," Lu Fan shrugged, "Moreover, the Haotian Tower has already merged with me. Perhaps I can recall it through a secret method after leaving Tian Shang City!"
Zhao Xue looked astonished and immediately fell silent, not daring to say anything more. She knew very well that if Liu Ruyan found out, there would be endless trouble.
"What are you dawdling for?" Liu Ruyan asked, "We're about to leave Tian Shang City. Don't delay, hurry up!"
Lu Fan and the others quickly nodded, not daring to say more. Not long after, they arrived at a valley that looked quite desolate. Unexpectedly, there was a secret passage within the valley that led directly to Tian Shang City.
"This is the only way from Tian Shang City to the imperial capital, which is why the secret passage was built. Only the successive city lords knew about it!" Liu Ruyan said, "So after you leave, do not reveal this matter to anyone. I have already violated the rules of Tian Shang City. If I am discovered, I might not be able to be the City Lord of Tian Shang City for much longer!"
"Don't worry. Since you've said so, we naturally won't tell anyone!" Lu Fan nodded slightly and clasped his fists, "We shall meet again!"
Liu Ruyan blinked her eyes but didn't take it too seriously. Letting Lu Fan obtain the Haotian Tower was a transaction where she only gained and lost nothing. After Lu Fan left, Liu Ruyan returned to Tian Shang City. Within Tian Shang City, many experts had gathered, surrounding the City Lord's mansion tightly. Inside the City Lord's mansion, many people had ashen faces. These people had forced their way into the City Lord's mansion, and several guards of the City Lord's mansion had already died.
"How dare you act within Tian Shang City!" Liu Ruyan looked at the people before her, her gaze icy, and then looked towards the head of the Situ family.
"Where did that brat go? If you don't give me an explanation today, I will flatten the City Lord's mansion!" The head of the Situ family said coldly, "I refrained from acting before out of consideration, but I didn't expect you to be so shameless. How can I let you off today!"
"What a bold statement. This is Tian Shang City, not Dragon City!" Liu Ruyan said coldly, "You have quite the nerve to force your way into the City Lord's mansion. Even if you report it to the Dynasty, you'll be in a lot of trouble!"
"That depends on whether you have the ability!" The head of the Situ family sneered, "To sacrifice your life for a mere youngster is not a good deal!"
"I always have my principles when I do things. Why do I need you to inform me!" Liu Ruyan said coldly, "If you don't give me an explanation today, I will report it to the Dynasty. At that time, I'm afraid your position as the City Lord of Dragon City will also be implicated!"
"You think I'm afraid?" The head of the Situ family laughed heartily, "Since I've decided to act, I have no intention of stopping. If you don't hand him over today, even you will be in danger!"
"You speak with quite the confidence!" Liu Ruyan smiled slightly and then said to the guards of the City Lord's mansion, "If anyone dares to step into the City Lord's mansion, kill them without mercy."
The guards also nodded, exuding an imposing aura. They were quite displeased with the Situ family head's actions, which had caused such chaos. At this point, even if they had to fight to the death, they would not let the Situ family head succeed.
"City Lord Liu, what benefits did that brat give you that you are protecting him so fiercely?" Steward Zhao said with a slight smile, arriving at the City Lord's mansion, exuding an aura.
"It seems you have made up your minds and intend to make a move against me!" Liu Ruyan narrowed her eyes, "You've made such a grand display, it truly makes me a little scared."
"Hand over that brat, and you might still have a chance to live!" Steward Zhao said directly, "Otherwise, this Tian Shang City might become your burial ground."
"You are the steward of the Northwest Commandery, you should be very clear about the rules of the Heavenly Court Dynasty!" Liu Ruyan said with a cold laugh, "If anything happens to me today, the Heavenly Court will never let it go."
"This Heavenly Realm is very chaotic. Some powerful individuals, in their scramble for the resources of Tian Shang City, killed the City Lord of Tian Shang City. This should be acceptable, right?" Steward Zhao smiled, with a hint of playfulness, as if in his eyes, Liu Ruyan was already a dead person.
Liu Ruyan's expression instantly turned grim, especially after hearing this. She became somewhat somber. If her guess was correct, Steward Zhao was prepared to make a move against her, otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken so frankly.
"City Lord Liu, you brought this upon yourself!" The head of the Situ family narrowed his eyes, "I gave you opportunities before, but you didn't cherish them!"
"Why must you do this!" Liu Ruyan's eyes changed, "Actually, that brat has already left. Even if you kill me, it will be of no use."
"I have sent people to seal off Tian Shang City completely. How could that brat possibly leave?" Steward Zhao frowned.
"That being said, Tian Shang City is a strategic location. It's not unusual for there to be a secret passage!" Liu Ruyan shrugged slightly, revealing a smile, as if everything in her eyes had already been decided.
"There's a secret passage!" Steward Zhao frowned, "You are truly audacious. How can I report back to my superiors after you've done such a thing!"
"That's your business. Tian Shang City is under my jurisdiction. How I do things is my business!" Liu Ruyan said confidently, her words not at all evasive.
"Since you've let the person go, then I can't spare you any longer!" Steward Zhao soared into the air, "Doing things detrimental to the Northwest Commandery has only one outcome, and that is death!"
The head of the Situ family narrowed his eyes, looking at the scene before him with a meaningful expression, and a faint smile appeared, as if in his eyes, Liu Ruyan had already become a corpse.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you!" Liu Ruyan also soared into the air, appearing imposing. As a Martial Emperor expert, how could she be intimidated!
In an instant, two powerful auras confronted each other in mid-air.