Chapter 415

Needless to say, the two elders must be Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian and Tianxie Sword Immortal.

The one radiating divine aura, exuding antiquity and ethereality, was Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian; the other, an elder with bound hair and a sword on his back, was Tianxie Sword Immortal.

"Xiang Hong, lad."

They had always chatted in the group, familiar with each other; meeting face-to-face for the first time, they felt not the slightest awkwardness or strangeness.

After a brief exchange of greetings and conversation, the three decided to set off and begin the task assigned by the group host.

"The primordial energy here is similar to our world; the top combat strength of this world likely isn't weak. Let's find someone to ask where we are now—what do you think?"

Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian suggested.

The group host's operation was a bit fucked—he gave them a map but didn't say where he teleported them; they had no idea where they were.

Tianxie Sword Immortal agreed. In an unfamiliar place like this, it was best to ask a local. Gao Xiang Hong merely replied, "Everything is up to your venerable opinions."

After all, he was just here to stroll around, treating it as tourism.

After a slight sensing, Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian fixed his gaze southwest, where primordial energy was abundant and several strong qi signatures lingered.

……

Lord Tianhong Divine City.

A divine city suspended in the sky, at least a thousand li in diameter, below which lay a vast lake, boundless as an ocean, waves crashing endlessly, covering ten thousand li; from above, the lake's waters were clear enough to see details a hundred meters deep.

No one knew how deep this lake truly was.

Too magnificent.

Gigantic creatures drifted through the lake, numerous in species; faintly visible was a shadow like a giant serpent, slithering a hundred meters beneath the surface, a thousand meters long, its head crowned with a cluster of horns—clearly not a mere serpent, but a jiao dragon.

Merely a jiao dragon in the lake made one wonder if even deeper within lurked ancient, transformed dragon beasts.

This ferocious lake served as a natural barrier to the divine city—no one could cross the lake to enter; one could only fly through the sky.

In the sky, figures like divine beings from ancient myths walked through empty air, rode swords, mounted mighty strange beasts, or drove chariots pulled by auspicious creatures—perfectly matching the idealized xianxia world aesthetic.

Anyone familiar with Lord Tianhong Divine City would know today's city was far busier than usual, filled with many illustrious figures—all major sects, clans, and ancient lineages from the Northwest Great Region had arrived.

The reason was simple.

Today was the selection of a son-in-law for Lord Tianhong Divine City's young princess.

Lord Tianhong Divine City, the top power of the Northwest Great Region, had always maintained neutrality. With numerous strong cultivators, it never intervened in any factional disputes, at most acting as mediator or judge—thus holding great prestige across the Northwest Great Region and even the Nine Great Regions.

Not long ago, the current Lord of Lord Tianhong Divine City decided to find a spouse for his daughter and opened a son-in-law selection assembly.

The news spread like wildfire, drawing the attention of all major powers, who each dispatched their most outstanding talents, determined to win the top prize of the selection.

Marrying into Lord Tianhong Divine City would inevitably boost any faction's power; even if the city remained neutral, out of regard for the son-in-law, it could hardly stand idly by if the son-in-law's faction faced danger.

Lord Tianhong Divine City, Lord's Mansion.

At this moment.

Lord Tianhong was giving final instructions to his subordinates, arranging receptions for incoming factions and securing the city's defenses—should any of the elite talents from major powers be attacked within the city, it would severely damage the city's reputation.

"All of you may leave. I'll join you after bathing and changing."

Every gesture radiated authority—an air of command forged by years at the top, enough to overwhelm even gods and demons with sheer presence.

Of course, it wasn't merely presence—his qi was immense. As the leader of a top-tier power in a great region, he could hardly be ordinary; Lord Tianhong's own strength had reached the Immortal-Demon tier.

Just as Lord Tianhong rose, stretched his shoulders, and prepared to leave for his bath and change of clothes—

He froze. Two beams of solid light shot from his eyes, dazzling and terrifying; a monstrous Immortal-Demon aura surged like a tidal wave.

"Who?!"

Yet that terrifying aura, capable of making gods and demons recoil, surged toward the center of the hall—only to vanish like a stone sinking into the sea, stirring not a ripple.

The opponent hadn't merely blocked his aura—he had casually dissolved it entirely.

Lord Tianhong's brow twitched, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes. The opponent's strength surpassed his own—not slightly, but by a vast margin.

Yet as leader of a top-tier power, he retained his composure. No panic stirred. Even if the stranger was stronger, Lord Tianhong Divine City was not what it appeared. He was its leader—but not its true foundation or guardian.

Huh?!

Lord Tianhong turned his gaze—and his pupils shrank slightly.

Not one person, but three: two elders and one youth.

One of the two elders must have been the one who nullified his aura. But he had underestimated the visitors—these two elders were utterly incomprehensible to him, clearly far stronger than he.

One being stronger than him was already shocking; now two appeared at once.

But… who were these two elders? He had never seen them before. Those who reached the realm beyond Immortal-Demon could not remain unknown—he had no recollection of anyone in the Northwest Region matching these two.

Could they be from another region?

His gaze swept over the two elders, then landed on Gao Xiang Hong—and he was startled again, his eyes brightening.

"What a remarkable young man!"

This youth's innate talent was truly extraordinary—but why was his cultivation so weak? Was he wasting such potential? No, that couldn't be—he carried an elegant aura, not the demeanor of someone who squandered his gifts. He must be a rare late-blooming cultivator.

In a single glance, Lord Tianhong deduced much about Gao Xiang Hong—being leader of a top-tier power was no accident.

Immediately after—

Before he could speak, Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian smiled and spoke first:

"Young friend, don't be nervous. We didn't intrude with ill intent—we merely passed through and wished to ask a question. We apologize for the intrusion. Originally, we planned to ask the cultivator residing in one of the city's courtyards, but it seems he is in deep meditation."

"So we dared not disturb him. I sense you share blood with him—you must be an important figure of this city, and likely able to answer our question."

Lord Tianhong: "!!!"

The courtyard inside the city?

The Lord's mansion was filled with luxurious, exquisite buildings, exuding the lord's grandeur—a fitting display of a top-tier power's might. Yet one place stood out as utterly incongruous: a simple, ordinary-looking residence.

That was… Laozu's residence!

No one could sense Laozu's residence—it was protected by special barriers, unless the visitor…

Lord Tianhong caught the other's address to the Laozu: "Comrade?"

That title could only mean one thing: the other's strength was no less than the Laozu Sect's.

At that moment.

The Sword Immortal of Tianxie spoke: "Young friend, don't be nervous. The questions we ask aren't directed at you—we're merely unfamiliar with this land and wish to ask for directions. Rest assured, we won't ask for free, nor will we disturb you."

"I observe your place adorned with many lanterns and decorations—surely some great event is being held. We won't interfere with your celebration; we'll ask and leave."

Saying this, the Sword Immortal of Tianxie casually pulled out a Juan Sect.

……