Chapter 76

The air in the tavern seemed to have frozen.

All eyes were focused on the inconspicuous table in the corner. On one side was the Zhao Clan young master with a deep background and arrogant demeanor and his guards; on the other side was a lone, seemingly ordinary late Golden Core rogue cultivator. The strength and weakness were clear at a glance.

Zhao Kun felt a bit unnerved by Lin Xuan's calm and waveless gaze, but it was immediately replaced by greater annoyance. In this Black Rock City, who didn't know that he, Zhao Kun, was a young master of a branch of the Zhao Clan? Even the City Lord's Mansion had to give him some face; a mere Golden Core rogue cultivator actually dared to look at him with such eyes?

"Nonsense! If I'm not talking to you, am I talking to a ghost?" Zhao Kun's voice rose, trying to cover up the momentary guilty conscience with volume. "If you're sensible, get out immediately, don't dirty this Young Master's eyes!"

The guards behind him cooperatively took a step forward, their spiritual pressure mixed with murderous intent, squeezing toward Lin Xuan like an invisible wall. The early Soul Formation middle-aged man's eyes remained cold, but a trace of contempt flashed deep in his eyes, as he didn't seem to think this late Golden Core rogue cultivator could make any waves.

The shopkeeper was sweating profusely on the side, unable to offend either side, and could only bow repeatedly: "Young Master Zhao, please calm down. This guest, why don't... you make it convenient? I will change you to a better seat, and the wine money for this table will be on me..."

Lin Xuan seemed not to hear the shopkeeper's words, nor did he pay attention to the spiritual pressure pressing toward him. He picked up the cup of inferior "Fierce Wind Burn" on the table, took a light sip, and frowned imperceptibly, seemingly not very satisfied with the wine. Then, he raised his eyes again and looked at Zhao Kun, his tone still flat:

"The seat, I came first. The wine, I haven't finished drinking. You, can wait."

"Hiss—"

A sound of gasping for air echoed in the tavern. Everyone looked at Lin Xuan with eyes like they were looking at a madman. Was this guy tired of living? He actually dared to talk back to Zhao Kun like this?

Zhao Kun was so angry that his face flushed red, and the finger pointing at Lin Xuan was trembling: "Good! Very good! A poor rogue cultivator, actually daring to put on airs in front of this Young Master! Break his legs and throw him out!"

Once the order was given, the two late Foundation Establishment guards closest to him showed ferocious smiles, rushing toward Lin Xuan from left and right like hungry wolves. One reached out to grab Lin Xuan's shoulder, his finger wind sharp, clearly having practiced claw techniques; the other kicked directly at Lin Xuan's knee, the force heavy and powerful, enough to shatter gold and crack stone.

In everyone's view, this Golden Core rogue cultivator would have his bones broken and tendons snapped in the next moment, and be thrown out into the street like a dead dog.

However, facing this swift and violent attack, Lin Xuan didn't even change his posture.

Just as those two hands and one foot were about to reach him—

"Hum!"

An invisible but heavy-as-a-mountain force field suddenly expanded with Lin Xuan as the center!

The two guards only felt like they had hit an invisible copper wall and iron barrier, and this wall also carried a powerful, irresistible rebounding force!

"Crack!" "Crack!"

The sound of bone cracking that made one's teeth ache rang out clearly.

"Ah—!"

The two guards let out shrill screams at the same time, flying backward at a speed faster than when they rushed up, heavily knocking over several tables and chairs, spitting blood from their mouths, clutching their obviously twisted and deformed arms and legs, and wailing in pain on the ground.

The entire tavern was dead silent.

Everyone was stunned, looking at Lin Xuan, who was still sitting as steady as a mountain, in disbelief.

No spiritual power fluctuation was seen, no moves were seen, just... it seemed to be just momentum? Or rather, was it protective Qi? But what kind of protective Qi could be strong enough to instantly rebound and severely injure two late Foundation Establishment cultivators?

The ferocious smile on Zhao Kun's face stiffened, turning into astonishment and a trace of fear. He subconsciously took half a step back, hiding behind the early Soul Formation middle-aged man. "Uncle Zhong, he... he..."

The middle-aged man called Uncle Zhong, at this moment, had the contempt in his eyes disappear without a trace, replaced by unprecedented gravity. He took a step forward, protecting Zhao Kun completely behind him, his eyes locked on Lin Xuan, and said in a deep voice: "Who exactly are you? Hiding your cultivation base and playing with my Young Master, what is your intention?"

He absolutely did not believe the other party was just a late Golden Core! The rebounding force just now was condensed and heavy, controlled with ease, and absolutely not something a Golden Core cultivator could possess! This person's cultivation base was at least the Soul Formation stage, and might even be no lower than his!

Lin Xuan put down the wine cup and finally stood up slowly. He looked at Uncle Zhong calmly and said lightly: "I am just a passerby drinking wine. It is you who insisted on disturbing people's peace."

His voice was still not loud, but it carried an unquestionable power. "Now, can I continue drinking? Or do you want to try it too?"

Uncle Zhong's expression changed uncertainly. The other party's depth was unknown, and the means just now were even more bizarre. He was ordered to protect Zhao Kun, and his primary task was to ensure the Young Master's safety, not to make enemies. Fighting to the death with a Soul Formation cultivator who was at least at the same level, or even stronger, for a seat was definitely not a wise move.

He took a deep breath and cupped his hands: "It was our abruptness that disturbed your mood. We will leave now."

After saying this, he ignored Zhao Kun's incredulous look, forcibly pulled him, signaled the other guards to carry the injured two, and quickly retreated from the Hundred Know Tower, their backs even carrying a bit of haste.

In the tavern, it wasn't until the Zhao Clan group disappeared at the entrance that the silence was broken, followed by an even greater uproar.

"My god! Who is that guy? He actually crippled Zhao Kun's people?"

"I didn't even see how he made his move! Too terrifying!"

"Even the Zhao Clan's Soul Formation guest elder admitted defeat? This person is definitely not simple!"

"When did such a fierce person come to Black Rock City?"

Everyone discussed it, looking at Lin Xuan with eyes full of awe, curiosity, and a trace of gloating—hitting the Zhao Clan's people, this matter would definitely not end just like that.

Lin Xuan turned a deaf ear to the surrounding discussions, as if he had just casually driven away a few flies. He sat down again, poured himself another glass of wine, but his spiritual sense, like an invisible spider web, quietly spread out.

He "saw" the Zhao Kun group leave the Hundred Know Tower in a sorry state, Zhao Kun losing his temper at Uncle Zhong, and Uncle Zhong explaining something with an ugly expression.

He "heard" in the shadows of the alley next door, those few Youming Sect hidden stakes were communicating in low, fast voices, seemingly very interested in the small conflict that just happened, guessing his origin.

He also sensed that in several places in the city where Soul Formation cultivators were sitting, several obscure spiritual senses swept over the Hundred Know Tower, lingering on him for a moment before quickly withdrawing.

"The tree wants to be still, but the wind won't stop..." Lin Xuan sighed inwardly. He wanted to collect information low-key, but didn't expect trouble to find him on its own. However, after this incident, it saved some unnecessary harassment. At least, in this Black Rock City, ordinary people would not dare to provoke him easily again.

He slowly finished the remaining wine in the cup, put down a few mid-grade spirit stones (far exceeding the value of the wine and food), and under the complex gazes of everyone, stood up and left the Hundred Know Tower.

Next, he needed to find a place to stay and find a way to access higher-level information channels. Black Rock City's auction house, or... the City Lord's Mansion?

Just as he merged into the crowd on the street, thinking about his next move, a slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from behind him, and a respectful voice sounded:

"Senior, please stay!"

Lin Xuan didn't stop, his spiritual sense already sweeping behind him. The person who came was a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator dressed in the City Lord's Mansion guard uniform, with a respectful and even somewhat nervous expression on his face.

"What is it?" Lin Xuan didn't look back, his voice coming out flatly.

The guard stepped forward quickly, keeping a respectful distance from Lin Xuan, and said in a low voice: "Senior, my City Lord invites you to have a talk at the mansion."

City Lord?

Lin Xuan's gaze flickered. He just had a conflict with the Zhao Clan's people, and the City Lord's Mansion came to him? Is it a blessing or a curse?

"What does the City Lord want with me?"

"This... the small one doesn't know. The City Lord only said to please give him the honor, as there is an important matter to discuss." The guard's attitude became even more respectful.

Lin Xuan pondered slightly. The City Lord's Mansion was the official force of Black Rock City, perhaps it could provide the information he needed, and also understand the imperial capital's specific attitude toward the Mystical Realm incident. As for whether it was a trap... with his current strength and trump cards, as long as it wasn't a Spirit Transformation cultivator making a move personally, this Black Rock City couldn't trap him.

"Lead the way." he said lightly.

"Yes! Senior, please follow me!" The guard's face showed joy, and he hurriedly led the way, taking Lin Xuan through the bustling streets toward the black stone fortress in the center of the city that was the most towering and heavily guarded.

The undercurrents of Black Rock City seemed to be accelerating with Lin Xuan's arrival.