Chapter 84 First Visit to Yuancheng

Not long after, Xiao Ming and his party finally arrived at their destination—Yuan City. The Nether Carriage rolled over the black city roads of Yuan City, which were covered in age and bloodstains. On both sides were towering, eerie buildings. The streets were sparsely populated; even those present walked in a hurry with wary expressions, and the occasional glances cast toward them were mixed with curiosity and unconcealable panic.

Xiao Ming and his group did not linger at the city gate. Instead, guided by that Nascent Soul deacon, they drove straight toward the most majestic and sturdy building in the city—the City Lord's Mansion, which was also the central hub for the Heavenly Demon Sect's defense in this area.

In front of the mansion, several people were already waiting. The leader was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance but eyes as sharp as a hawk. He wore the robes of an Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect, his aura deep and profound. It was Elder Ying, who was stationed in this city, and his cultivation was also at the Late Nascent Soul Stage. Behind him followed several trusted aides, all with grave expressions.

The carriage slowly descended. Elder Li stepped forward first. The Soul Transformation aura, which still caused palpitations even though it was restrained, made a flash of light appear in Ying Gong's eyes. He immediately bowed even more respectfully: "Welcome, Saint, to Yuan City. Your subordinate, Ying Gong, is honored to serve as the guardian of this city."

The carriage door opened silently, and Xiao Ming's figure slowly emerged. He was still wearing black robes, his expression lazy and nonchalant.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Ying Gong's slightly tense face, and said indifferently: "Elder Ying, why is the atmosphere in the city so oppressive?"

The Elder who called himself Ying Gong felt a slight tremor in his heart: 'The Saint is truly the Saint; this temperament is different from ordinary people!' He dared not hide anything and stepped aside to lead the way: "Saint, please understand, Yuan City has indeed been going through troubled times recently, with undercurrents surging. Please move to the inner hall, and allow me to report to you in detail."

Xiao Ming didn't commit to an answer and walked into the mansion. Elder Li, like the most loyal shadow, followed silently half a step behind him. That seemingly aged figure caused everyone, including Ying Gong, to feel an invisible sense of oppression. A Soul Transformation powerhouse, even without intentionally releasing pressure, was a deterrent just by existing.

The party entered the City Lord's Mansion. The light in the hall was slightly dim, with only a few dull lamps providing illumination, reflecting the grave faces of everyone.

Ying Gong casually set up a few Restrictions, then spoke: "Saint, not long ago, our Yuan City was suddenly attacked by the Soul Suppressing Abyss, and the losses were heavy!"

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Ying Gong's words were like a stone thrown into stagnant water, stirring up ripples.

Xiao Ming's lazy expression did not change, but the tapping of his fingertips on the armrest paused slightly. He raised his eyes, looking at Ying Gong with a calm gaze, his voice still devoid of any waves: "Oh? The Soul Suppressing Abyss actually attacked a city affiliated with our Heavenly Demon Sect directly? Why didn't you open the city-protecting formation?"

Xiao Ming was puzzled. Revered Master had told him that the city-protecting formations of each of their affiliated cities, while unable to kill a Soul Transformation powerhouse, were more than enough to handle attacks from an Early Stage or Middle Stage Soul Transformation Cultivator. Now that the Elder said the losses were heavy, could it be that the Soul Suppressing Abyss had sent more than one Soul Transformation powerhouse?

Seeing that Xiao Ming seemed to have his attention captured, Ying Gong felt slightly relieved. He quickly bowed, his tone filled with pain and indignation: "Replying to the Saint, just three nights ago, the thieves from the Soul Suppressing Abyss launched a surprise attack without warning! The attackers were powerful, led by at least one Early Stage Soul Transformation and two Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators. We were caught off guard, which is how the thieves managed to break into the inner city!"

His face showed lingering fear: "Fortunately, I reacted in time and activated the city-protecting formation, which barely managed to force them back. But... but in the haste, several noble families attached to our Sect, such as the Zhao and Sun families, were unfortunately wiped out... nearly a hundred clansmen, none spared!" He said this with great emotion, looking heartbroken. Even the few trusted aides behind him lowered their heads, showing sorrow.

"Your subordinate is incompetent, resulting in such a disaster for the Sect's affiliated forces. Please punish me, Saint!" Ying Gong bowed deeply.

However, the moment he lowered his head, a trace of extremely faint coldness flashed deep in the eyes of Xiao Ming, who was sitting at the head.

Because he was currently looking at the System panel above Ying Gong's head, eyes slightly narrowed.

[Name: Ying Gong] [Realm: Late Nascent Soul Stage] [Luck Rank: Yellow] [Life Script: Tonight, through the secret searches of his subordinates, he finally found the survivors of the Zhang Family—Zhang Che and his Dao Companion, as well as his son. Through Ying Gong's unscrupulous means, he finally found out that the Soul Suppressing Abyss's thunderous surprise attack was actually aimed at a secret jointly guarded by several noble families, including the Zhao, Sun, and Yu families—they possess a Blood Pool of unknown origin. As long as a blood sacrifice is performed, if Family members soak in the water from the Blood Pool, their cultivation can be greatly improved, like irrigation, without any Bottleneck, though this also depends on the cultivation of the blood sacrifice victim. Just a short while ago, it is unknown how the Soul Suppressing Abyss learned of this news, which is why they attacked Yuan City. In fact, their ultimate goal is to force these noble families to hand over the location of this Blood Pool!]

'Blood Pool? Greatly improve cultivation? No Bottleneck?' Many thoughts flashed through Xiao Ming's mind instantly. This sounded truly tempting, even somewhat Heaven-Defying. No wonder even a Demonic Path giant like the Soul Suppressing Abyss would go to such lengths.

However, as a modern Transmigration individual, he had naturally read his fair share of cultivation novels. Based on the description of this Blood Pool, Xiao Ming subconsciously felt that this place was very strange. Blood sacrifice to improve cultivation... could this be some kind of Seal place? Or was there an peerless Devil Head locked underneath?

He thought about it and felt his scalp go numb, but at the moment, thinking more was useless. The System panel did not directly show the specific location of the Blood Pool. Looking at the current situation, it was better not to alert the enemy.

Xiao Ming's thoughts were surging, but on the surface, he remained calm, as if he had only heard an ordinary report. His fingers, which had been tapping the armrest, resumed their movement. He leaned back lazily and said indifferently, his tone calm and waveless: "Hmm, this Saint is aware."

He did not reprimand or punish, which instead made Ying Gong, who was bowing and waiting for the next instruction, feel a tightness in his heart, somewhat confused.

Xiao Ming ignored this and continued: "Since the Sect has sent this Saint, it is to resolve this matter. Rest assured! I have my own ways to deal with the Soul Transformation powerhouses of the Soul Suppressing Abyss!"

Ying Gong frowned after hearing this, but still cupped his hands: "It is not that your subordinate does not believe in the Saint, but... according to reliable information, the Soul Suppressing Abyss will not give up after this setback. I fear that within a few days, stronger experts will return. If two or more Soul Transformation powerhouses descend, I fear... I fear this city-protecting formation will be unable to hold! It wouldn't matter if I died, but Saint, you..."

Ying Gong's words were full of emotion and worry, and his language was filled with "absolute loyalty" to the Saint. If someone unaware of the truth heard this, they would surely be moved, lamenting that even among those of the Demonic Path, there were such loyal people.

However, Xiao Ming, sitting above, sneered repeatedly in his heart. If not for the System panel floating above Ying Gong's head, Xiao Ming would have almost been deceived by this superb acting.

'What a loyal and righteous Elder Ying! He is truly worthy of being one of our Demonic Path!' Xiao Ming mocked in his heart.

However, acting, who doesn't know how?

Seeing Xiao Ming's lazy expression slightly restrained, replaced by a touch of just-right "emotion", he nodded slightly. His tone was also a bit softer than before, with a bit of "sentiment" as he said: "It is truly rare for Elder Ying to be so considerate of the Sect and worried about this Saint's safety. This intention, this Saint has noted."

He looked at Ying Gong "sincerely" and continued: "You can rest easy. Since this Saint dared to come, I naturally have something to rely on. As long as the Soul Suppressing Abyss dares to come, I have my own means to deal with it. This Yuan City will not be broken!"

His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable, powerful confidence, as if stating an established fact.

Hearing this, Ying Gong's face timely revealed an expression of relief mixed with a bit of admiration, and he bowed deeply: "The Saint's Divine Ability is vast; it was indeed your subordinate who was worrying needlessly! With the Saint's words, your subordinate can rest easy!"

Immediately, Xiao Ming waved his hand, his face showing a touch of just-right "fatigue", and he yawned: "After days of rushing, this Saint is a bit tired. As for the pacification matters in the city, I hope Elder Ying will take care of them! If there is nothing extremely urgent, do not disturb this Saint easily!"

"Yes! Your subordinate understands! The courtyard has already been prepared, please follow me, Saint, and have a good rest." Ying Gong quickly bowed and led the way.

Xiao Ming said no more, rose to his feet with Elder Li, and followed Ying Gong toward a secluded courtyard deep in the City Lord's Mansion.

After settling Xiao Ming and his party, Ying Gong respectfully exited the courtyard. As soon as he left the courtyard gate, the humble and obedient expression on his face instantly vanished, his eyes returning to their usual sharpness and depth. Immediately, his figure flashed and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Ying Gong hurried back to his residence in the City Lord's Mansion. He had just sat down behind the large black sandalwood desk, not even having time to drink a cup of tea to calm the surging emotions in his heart, when a trusted subordinate dressed in black with a restrained aura flashed in, knelt on one knee, and whispered: "Lord City Lord, we found them!"

After the report from his trusted subordinate, a meaningful smile appeared on Ying Gong's face, and he muttered to himself in a low voice: "Zhang Che, oh no... Revered Master! You have made your disciple search so hard! And Mistress... your disciple misses you dearly!"

This "Revered Master" was called out extremely softly, but it carried an indescribable emotion, like resentment, excitement, and a trace of twisted obsession. He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his churning emotions, and sat back in his chair. His face returned to calm, but the burning heat in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.

He looked at the trusted subordinate still kneeling on the ground and ordered in a deep voice: "You did well! Keep them settled for now! Oh... be careful, do it discreetly, don't let anyone discover them!"

"Yes! Your subordinate understands!" The trusted subordinate bowed and left with the order.