272: Chapter 272: A Gift for Meeting

In the Void Realm.

Nine figures vanished simultaneously, as if they had never appeared.

The next instant, they appeared on nine stone pillars in front of the palace gate.

Each stone pillar was ten zhang high, just enough for a Body Integration Stage expert to stand on.

Nine terrifying auras were like nine great mountains, crushing the Void Refinement Stage Cultivators below until they could not breathe.

Old City Lord Li Cang landed on the center pillar, his gray eyes sweeping over the crowd below.

His gaze lingered on the Human Race side for a moment, then he nodded slightly.

City Lord Li Qingge landed beside him, standing with his hands behind his back, his cyan robes rustling in the wind.

Supreme Elder Jian Cangqiong landed on the pillar to the left, his white hair fluttering in the wind, that silver-white longsword hanging at his waist.

His eyes were half-closed, as if he were dozing, but no one dared to underestimate him.

A Void Refinement Peak Sword Cultivator, one sword strike could sever mountains and rivers.

Family Head Zhao Tiangang landed on the pillar to the right, his gray robes embroidered with the Zhao family's crest: a golden tiger. His expression was sinister, his eyes sharp, like an eagle ready to pounce on its prey.

On the Yao Race side, the six Yao Emperors each occupied a pillar.

Lion Cangqiong's golden mane burned like fire, his vertical pupils full of Battle Intent.

The Snake Emperor had his nine heads raised high, twenty-seven eyes coldly staring at the Human Race.

Phoenix's multicolored feathers shimmered with brilliant light in the twilight, and the Nirvana fire on its tail feathers burned silently.

Lei Tian was surrounded by crackling lightning.

Chi Tian exhaled cold air, freezing the stone pillar into an ice pillar.

The Sparrow Emperor squatted on the stone pillar, swirls rotating in its blood-red eyes.

"People of the Human Race, come over."

City Lord Li Qingge spoke; his voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the ears of every Human Race Cultivator.

The Void Refinement Stage Cultivators of the City Lord's Mansion gathered toward City Lord Li Qingge.

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng also mingled in the crowd, walking to the bottom of the stone pillars.

Void Refinement Stage Cultivators from other factions, the Zhao family, and the Sword Sect also gathered toward their respective ancestors.

City Lord Li Qingge's gaze swept through the crowd and suddenly stopped.

He saw Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng.

Two young men, standing at the edge of the crowd, as low-key as two passersby.

But their auras were already at the Void Refinement Stage.

Moreover, their Foundations were solid, and their auras were thick, not like they had just broken through.

"Xiao Ran, Li Changsheng."

City Lord Li Qingge spoke, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"You have broken through?"

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng quickly cupped their hands: "Replying to the City Lord, it was by luck."

City Lord Li Qingge nodded without asking further.

He turned and said to Old City Lord Li Cang beside him.

"Father, these two young men are the ones I mentioned to you before."

"Xiao Ran from the Eternal Night Demon Sect and Li Changsheng from the Supreme Dao Palace; although they are outsiders, they performed excellently at the Sword Qi Great Wall and helped the City Lord's Mansion a lot."

Old City Lord Li Cang's gray eyes fell on Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng.

That gaze was very heavy, like two great mountains pressing down on them.

Xiao Ran felt his Soul being seen through, and Li Changsheng also felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But they did not retreat, looking directly into the Old City Lord's eyes.

"Not bad."

Old City Lord Li Cang spoke, his voice hoarse, like wind blowing through withered leaves.

"Solid Foundations, thick auras."

"Not those floating types who rely on Medicinal Pills to pile up their cultivation."

"How old are you two?"

Xiao Ran said: "Replying to the Old City Lord, this Junior is twenty-six."

Li Changsheng said: "This Junior is twenty-seven."

A hint of surprise flashed in Old City Lord Li Cang's eyes.

His eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he looked at them.

Void Refinement Stage in their twenties? Are you kidding?

You couldn't find many in the entire Northern Territory!

At their age, anyone who could Cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage could be considered a Genius.

Let alone the Void Refinement Stage.

The Void Refinement Stage is a big-shot level existence wherever you go.

Seeing this, Old City Lord Li Cang looked at City Lord Li Qingge, who nodded slightly.

"Good, good, good."

Old City Lord Li Cang said the word 'good' three times, a rare smile appearing on his face.

He took two jade talismans from his bosom and handed them to Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng respectively.

"These are protective talismans I crafted in my spare time, Heaven Rank Low Grade."

"They can withstand a full-strength attack from a Void Refinement Peak expert and can also teleport a hundred miles in an emergency. Take them as a meeting gift."

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng looked at each other, quickly took them, and cupped their hands in thanks.

"Thank you, Old City Lord."

Old City Lord Li Cang waved his hand: "No need to thank me. You have worked effectively at the Sword Qi Great Wall; this is what you deserve."

City Lord Li Qingge added.

"Father, not only have they worked effectively, but they also performed excellently in the ruins."

"The fact that both of them broke through to the Void Refinement Stage is also due to Opportunity."

Old City Lord Li Cang nodded, his gaze toward Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng becoming softer.

"Good, keep up the good work. After this ruin exploration ends, I will personally host a banquet to celebrate your achievements."

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng thanked him again.

The surrounding Void Refinement Stage Cultivators of the City Lord's Mansion watched this scene, their eyes full of envy.

The Old City Lord's protective talisman is a treasure that money can't buy.

These two young men are really lucky.

City Lord Li Qingge looked at the other Void Refinement Stage Cultivators of the City Lord's Mansion, cleared his throat, and his voice became serious.

"Everyone, you must have guessed the result of our discussion just now."

"The Restriction of the palace needs to be opened from the inside. After you go in, find the hub of the Restriction and open it."

"At that time, we can enter the Secret Realm directly and compete for that final Opportunity."

"Remember, after you go in, you are not allowed to kill each other before finding the secret treasure. Whoever strikes first is a sinner of both the Human and Yao Races."

"There will be plenty of opportunities to fight after you get out, but you are not allowed to do so inside. Treasures depend on your own Opportunity; whoever finds it, it belongs to them."

"No snatching. Violators will be killed without mercy."

The Void Refinement Stage Cultivators of the City Lord's Mansion responded in unison.

City Lord Li Qingge looked at Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng again.

"You have just broken through to the Void Refinement Stage, and your Foundations are not yet stable enough."

"After going in, do not be greedy for merit, act according to your ability, collect more resources, and cause less trouble. If you encounter the Yao Race, kill them if you can; if you can't, run. Staying alive is the most important thing."

Xiao Ran and Li Changsheng nodded: "Understood."

On the other factions' side, similar conversations were taking place.

Family Head Zhao Tiangang lectured the Zhao family's Void Refinement Stage Cultivators in a cold and stern voice.

"After you go in, whoever dares to lose face for the Zhao family, I will break their legs myself."

"Take as many treasures as you can. If you can't get them, snatch them. If you can't snatch them, run."

"You are not allowed to die inside. Whoever dies inside, I will remove them from the family genealogy."

The Zhao family Cultivators all looked solemn and dared not make a sound.

Sword Sect Grand Elder Jian Cangqiong said lightly to the Sword Sect's Void Refinement Stage deacons.

"The Sword Sect's sword is not used to kill members of one's own race."

"After you go in, you are not allowed to attack the Human Race."

"But for the Yao Race, there is no need to show mercy."

"Kill if you can, run if you can't."

"Remember, the glory of the Sword Sect cannot be tarnished."

The Sword Sect Cultivators responded in unison, their Sword Intent soaring into the sky.

The ancestors of small factions like the Luoxia Sect and Wanbao Chamber of Commerce also gave a few instructions to their own Void Refinement Stage Cultivators.

The content was much the same.