Chapter 77: The City Lord's Invitation

The City Lord’s Mansion of Black Rock City is less a residence and more a fully functional military fortress. It sits at the highest point in the center of the city, constructed entirely of polished, jet-black boulders. Its walls are thick and sharply angled, engraved with dense defensive runes that faintly pulse with spiritual light, exuding an aura of grim, indestructible lethality.

On the towering watchtowers, sentries clad in heavy armor scan the entire city and the vast, wild mountain ranges in the distance with eyes like hawks. The mansion gate is wide enough for several riders to pass abreast, and standing on either side are eight guards with fierce auras, all at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage. They stand motionless as statues, their armor gleaming and their long halberds held firm.

The guard leading the way stops before the gate and shows a token to the sentries, exchanging a few words in a low voice. The captain of the guard sweeps a sharp gaze over Lin Xuan, and upon sensing that unfathomable yet heart-palpitating aura, a flicker of astonishment crosses his eyes. He immediately salutes solemnly and waves them through.

Stepping inside the gate, the scene within is starkly different from the rugged exterior. While still focused on utility and lacking the refinement of imperial capital gardens, it possesses a sense of grandeur and order unique to the frontier. The courtyard is spacious and paved with clean, orderly bluestone. Occasionally, armored and armed patrols march past in unison, their footsteps clanging with strict discipline. The air is filled with a faint scent of metal, leather, and a sandalwood that clears the mind and focuses the spirit.

The guard leads Lin Xuan through several courtyards to a relatively secluded stone hall. A plaque hangs above the hall entrance with the two characters "Zhen Yue" (Suppressing the Peak) inscribed in strokes of immense power, conveying a steady, imposing aura capable of suppressing mountains and rivers.

"Senior, the City Lord is waiting inside. Please enter on your own," the guard says respectfully, stopping outside the hall door.

Lin Xuan nods slightly, pushes open the heavy stone door, and steps inside.

The interior of the hall is spacious, with simple yet heavy furnishings. The walls on both sides are hung with massive frontier maps and tapestries tanned from monster hides. In the center, a bronze brazier burns with dark red charcoal, dispelling the chill unique to the border city. At the very back, behind a massive black rock desk, a figure sits.

This person appears to be in his forties or fifties, with a resolute face and skin the bronze color of one who has endured wind and sand for years. He wears a short, neat beard on his chin, and his tiger-like eyes flash with sharp light as they open and close, carrying an inherent air of authority. He is not wearing official robes, but rather a black martial outfit covered by a simple leather cuirass. A broad-bladed heavy sword hangs at his waist; the blade is dull and faintly stained with a bloody sheen, clearly a lethal weapon that has tasted much blood.

The spiritual power fluctuations radiating from his body have reached the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, his aura is condensed and heavy, carrying a blood-soaked, iron-blooded killing intent forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, far beyond what an ordinary sect cultivator could possess.

This man is none other than the City Lord of Black Rock City, a fierce general guarding the western frontier of the Empire—Yue Qingtian.

The moment Lin Xuan steps into the hall, Yue Qingtian’s knife-sharp gaze falls upon him, as if trying to see through him from the inside out. However, he quickly discovers that when his spiritual sense probes forward, it is like a clay ox entering the sea; he cannot sense the depth of the other’s spiritual power at all, only a stillness and vastness like an abyss.

Yue Qingtian feels a jolt of alarm, yet his face remains impassive. He stands up, cups his hands, and says in a voice like a booming bell, "Fellow Daoist, forgive me for not coming out to welcome you sooner."

Lin Xuan returns the salute, neither humble nor arrogant: "City Lord, you are too kind. I am Lin Xuan, a mere itinerant cultivator passing through this precious land. It is my honor to receive your invitation."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please sit." Yue Qingtian gestures for Lin Xuan to take the guest seat and sits back down himself, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan with scrutiny and curiosity. "Fellow Daoist, there is no need for modesty. To be able to startle a guest elder of the Zhao family into inaction with a mere gesture—how could you be an ordinary itinerant cultivator? I am a blunt man and do not like to beat around the bush. I invited you here because I have something to ask, and also a stroke of fortune to share."

Lin Xuan’s expression remains unchanged as he says calmly, "Please speak, City Lord."

Yue Qingtian taps his fingers lightly on the desk and goes straight to the point: "The first matter concerns the stability of the city. I am already aware of the conflict between you and the Young Master of the Zhao family. Zhao Kun is a wastrel who brought this upon himself; your punishment of him was reasonable. However, the Zhao family has been entrenched here for many years, and their influence is deep-rooted, especially since the forces behind them... are not insignificant. You must be careful of subsequent trouble."

He pauses to observe Lin Xuan’s reaction, and seeing that the other remains calm, he continues: "Of course, within my Black Rock City, there is law. As long as you do not actively stir up trouble, I can guarantee your safety. This is the duty of those of us guarding the frontier for the Empire."

These words serve as both a warning and a gesture of goodwill, while also subtly pointing out the authority of the Empire.

Lin Xuan nods slightly: "Thank you for the reminder, City Lord. I understand."

"The second matter," Yue Qingtian leans forward slightly, his gaze becoming even sharper, "is to ask if you have just recently emerged from the 'Heavenly Origin Secret Realm'?"

The air in the hall seems to freeze for a moment.

Lin Xuan raises his eyes to meet Yue Qingtian’s gaze, countless thoughts racing through his mind. How did he guess? Was it because of the strength he displayed? Or does the City Lord’s Mansion have special channels of information?

He neither admits nor denies it directly, instead asking in return: "Why does the City Lord say that?"

Yue Qingtian laughs, his voice shaking the roof tiles: "Fellow Daoist, have no doubts. Firstly, while most cultivators who recently emerged from the secret realm returned directly to the imperial capital or their respective sects, it is inevitable that some, like you, might end up at the frontier for various reasons. Secondly, your aura is deep and restrained to the point where I cannot see through it at all. Such cultivation and control are not traits of a nameless person, and among the younger generation, those capable of this are mostly related to the secret realm expedition. Thirdly..."

He points to his own eyes. "I have guarded the frontier for a hundred years, dealing with countless humans, demons, and monsters, and I consider myself to have a keen eye for people. You possess a 'fresh' aura that is slightly different from this world—a sign that you have not yet fully integrated with the laws of the outside world after experiencing intense spatial fluctuations. Such signs usually appear after long stays in secret realms or after long-distance spatial teleportation."

Lin Xuan silently praises him; this Yue Qingtian is truly not simple, with keen observation and seasoned experience. He ponders for a moment, and since the other has already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth, continuing to hide it would only make him look guilty. He says, "The City Lord is truly perceptive. I did indeed just emerge from the secret realm not long ago."

A flash of light appears in Yue Qingtian’s eyes as he presses: "Then, is the rumor about 'Jin Shisan' shaking a Soul Transformation demon lord in the secret realm true?"

Finally, the core of the matter.

Lin Xuan’s face is calm, but his heart stirs. It seems the name "Jin Shisan" has indeed spread, to the point that even this frontier City Lord is so concerned.

"While the rumors are exaggerated, they are not entirely false," Lin Xuan chooses a vague but fact-adjacent explanation. "That demon was indeed unsealed, and its power was terrifying. It was only through the will of the secret realm and the combined efforts of everyone that it was temporarily forced back. As for 'Jin Shisan'... that person is mysterious, and I did not see their true face, only sensing that earth-shattering collision from afar."

He cleverly removes himself from the narrative, describing it from the perspective of a "survivor."

Yue Qingtian stares intently at Lin Xuan, seemingly trying to find a flaw in his expression, but Lin Xuan remains composed, his eyes deep as an ancient well, without a ripple. After a long while, Yue Qingtian slowly leans back into his chair and says in a low voice: "So it is true... the secret report from the imperial capital was not false. The emergence of a Soul Transformation demon lord is a precursor to a catastrophe that will sweep across the realm!"

His tone is heavy, tinged with worry, before he looks at Lin Xuan again: "To have escaped such a dangerous place unscathed, you must have extraordinary abilities. What are your plans for the future?"

"I have no clear goal for now. Perhaps I will travel for a while, seeking opportunities to improve my cultivation to deal with the potential changes in the future," Lin Xuan replies.

"Good!" Yue Qingtian slaps the desk. "In that case, I do have a stroke of fortune here that might coincide with your goals!"

"Oh?" Lin Xuan shows a look of interest.

"Do you know why Black Rock City has become so chaotic recently, with even the secret agents of the Nether Sect becoming active?" Yue Qingtian lowers his voice slightly.

Lin Xuan’s heart stirs, but he remains calm on the surface: "Please enlighten me, City Lord."

"Beyond searching for traces of that demon and 'Jin Shisan,' a more important reason is that there have been anomalies in the 'Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain' recently!" Yue Qingtian’s gaze is burning. "The Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain is a place of ancient ruins deeper than the vast mountain ranges. It is extremely dangerous, but also filled with opportunities. According to ancient records and recent observations, the 'miasma' on the periphery of the ancient domain shows signs of periodic weakening. It is expected that a brief 'safety window' will appear in the near future!"

"The Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain..." Lin Xuan recalls the texts he has read. It is a forbidden zone shrouded in poisonous miasma, fierce beasts, and strange restrictions. It is said that ruins of ancient sects are buried within, and there may even be legacies left by beings beyond the Soul Transformation stage. Yet, since ancient times, those who entered have had a ten-in-ten chance of death. Only during specific periods when the outer miasma weakens can some top experts or those with immense luck penetrate the edges to obtain fortune.

"What does the City Lord mean?"

"The Empire and several top sects have decided to organize an elite team to take advantage of this window to enter the periphery of the ancient domain. First, to map it more accurately; second, to search for clues or relics related to the ancient 'War of Heaven-Slaying'; and third... to monitor for any abnormal spatial fluctuations or traces of demonic energy, to prevent that Void Abyss demonic consciousness from sneaking in to recover its strength," Yue Qingtian explains. "This team needs people who are powerful, bold, meticulous, and have relatively simple backgrounds. I see that your strength is unfathomable, and as an itinerant cultivator, you are one of the most suitable candidates."

"Inviting me to join?" Lin Xuan raises an eyebrow slightly. This is indeed an opportunity. The Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain is fraught with danger, but the opportunities are equally immense. Perhaps he can find clues about the Dao of Chaos, or even the Primordial Dao Ancestor. Moreover, tracking the demon’s movements aligns with his own goals.

"Exactly." Yue Qingtian nods. "The team is led by a Deputy Commander of the Imperial Demon-Suppressing Division, and members include people from the Imperial Family, the Ye family, the Heavenly Mystery Academy, and itinerant experts like yourself. The rewards are generous: in addition to imperial contribution points, high-grade spirit stones, and elixirs, any discoveries in the ancient domain will be distributed according to contribution. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to consult some of the imperial secret collection of ancient texts."

Consulting ancient texts! This is extremely attractive to Lin Xuan!

"What is the risk?" Lin Xuan asks the key question.

"Nine deaths for one life," Yue Qingtian says without mincing words. "Even if the miasma weakens, the ancient domain itself is full of unknown dangers. Transformed great demons, ancient restrictions, strange poisons, and even potential spatial rifts... Moreover, with various factions mixed together, human hearts are unpredictable. But as the saying goes, risk and opportunity coexist."

Lin Xuan is silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Joining an official team has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are information sharing, resource support, and relative legitimacy; the disadvantages are restricted actions, the potential for his identity to be exposed more easily, and the need to guard against teammates.

But at the moment, this seems to be one of the best ways to gain deep insight into the core secrets of this world, acquire resources, and track the demon.

"When does the team depart? Where is the assembly point?" Lin Xuan finally asks.

A hint of a smile appears on Yue Qingtian’s face: "So you agree? Good! Straightforward! The team is expected to assemble in ten days at the 'Broken Blade Canyon,' three thousand miles southwest of Black Rock City. Here are the token and the detailed map."

He takes out a black iron token engraved with a flaming griffin pattern and a jade slip, pushing them toward Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan takes them and scans the jade slip with his spiritual sense; it contains the location of Broken Blade Canyon and some known information about the periphery of the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain.

"In that case, I accept. See you at Broken Blade Canyon in ten days."

"Good! I wish you success!" Yue Qingtian laughs. "You can stay in the city with peace of mind for these few days. I have already given orders that no one will disturb you. If you need any supplies, you can also go to the 'Military Supplies Department' in the east of the city to exchange them with this token at a discounted price."

"Thank you, City Lord." Lin Xuan stands up and bows to take his leave.

Leaving the City Lord’s Mansion, Lin Xuan walks along the bustling streets, his thoughts churning. The trip to the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain will undoubtedly be a new challenge. He needs to use these ten days to make full preparations.

First, he needs to purchase some special talismans and magic treasures to deal with the poisonous miasma and break restrictions.

Second, he must have sufficient elixirs, especially top-grade ones for healing, recovering spiritual power, and detoxifying.

Finally, and most importantly, he needs to further familiarize himself with and improve his own strength, especially the various marvelous uses of the newly mastered "Star Nether Light" and the Chaos Dao Seed.

His gaze sweeps over the shops on both sides of the street, and he finally heads toward the largest and most reputable comprehensive trading firm—"Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion."

Just as he steps into the entrance of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, in a hidden residence elsewhere in the city, Zhao Kun, who had previously clashed with Lin Xuan, is complaining to a grim-faced old man.

"Third Granduncle! You must stand up for me! That brat clearly didn't put our Zhao family in his eyes! Uncle Zhong, he actually..."

The old man called Third Granduncle is wearing a dark purple robe, his face gaunt and his eyes sinister; his aura is clearly that of the late Nascent Soul stage! Listening to Zhao Kun’s exaggerated account, he lightly twists a string of black bone beads on his wrist and says coldly: "Enough! Uncle Zhong did the right thing. That person was able to force him back without even making a move; his strength is definitely not simple. In this sensitive period, we should not invite extra trouble."

"But..."

"No buts!" The old man interrupts him, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "However, one cannot just move against my Zhao family and get away with it. Since that old fox Yue Qingtian has come forward to protect him, we cannot touch him openly. But... the trip to the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain is fraught with danger. It is perfectly normal for an itinerant cultivator of unknown origin to die there."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kun is stunned for a moment, then his face reveals a look of wild joy and resentment: "Third Granduncle, you mean..."

"My Zhao family also has a quota for this ancient domain exploration. I will arrange for people to 'take care' of him inside," the old man smiles coldly. "As long as he dares to go, let him stay in that Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain forever!"

Undercurrents surge ever more violently in the corners where the sunlight cannot reach. Behind the opportunity of Lin Xuan’s Southern Wilderness trip, the seeds of murder have already been sown.