827: Canghai City

Inside the magnificent carriage, Yao Delong closed his eyes to rest, like an old monk in meditation. His aura was as restrained as a Mortal's, with only the "Great Sun True Form" deep within his Sea of Consciousness operating silently, constantly consolidating his newly acquired power of Law.

Qiong Shuang, bored, peeked through the gap in the carriage window. Her ice-blue eyes curiously surveyed the monotonous yet magnificent desolate landscape outside—rolling golden dunes like frozen waves, with the occasional sight of a few stubbornly twisted withered trees or the shadows of low-level Sand Lizards scurrying past.

The journey was unexpectedly smooth.

Just as the caravan left the city, the guard commander Li Xiong suddenly surged his spiritual power, and the powerful pressure of the Late Stage Soul Transformation spread out like an invisible wave! This aura was like a solid rock, heavily enveloping the entire caravan!

The low-level Yao Beasts lurking in the desert, accustomed to ambushing passing merchant travelers, felt this aura like that of a prehistoric beast from afar and were immediately terrified, their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering! Poisonous scorpions under the sand, vultures in the sky, and even several Fourth-rank Sand Wolf Kings trying to peek from a distance all tucked their tails, let out terrified whimpers, and desperately fled the range of this pressure!

The reputation of a strong expert was the best pass in itself!

Li Xiong looked around with a hint of arrogance belonging to a core guard commander of the White Cloud Merchant Guild. He strictly ordered his subordinates: "Everyone, stay sharp! Watch the goods! No one is allowed to approach that carriage or disturb the distinguished guests' rest without orders! Violators will be severely punished!" The guards responded in unison, their eyes glancing at the quiet carriage at the very front with awe.

Several days of travel passed amidst the wind, sand, and the sound of camel bells. Occasionally, they would encounter smaller caravans coming from the direction of the Xuan Ye Dynasty. Most of these caravans were in a hurry, the atmosphere tense, and the guards all had their swords drawn, highly vigilant. When the two sides passed each other, intermittent discussions would drift in with the wind and sand:

"...The Xuan Ye Dynasty has been very eerie lately... many small Families vanished overnight..."

"...The Sun Moon Divine Cult... their methods are too ruthless..."

"...The inspections in the city are very strict, making it troublesome to enter or leave..."

"...I heard that even big shots from the Nine Nether Sect have personally stepped out; things are not peaceful..."

Listening to these discussions, the arrogance on Li Xiong's face grew even stronger. He gave a light snort and whispered to his deputy: "Hmph, a bunch of hicks! It might be a dragon's pool or a tiger's den for other merchant guilds, but for our White Cloud Merchant Guild? In this Azure Cloud World, which power doesn't have to give us some face? So what if it's the Nine Nether Sect? When they see our banner, they have to be polite!" His words were full of confidence in the massive power behind him.

Finally, on the morning of the seventh day!

The travel-worn massive caravan, like a steel dragon that had weathered the wind and sand, appeared beneath the towering fortress of Canghai City—the southwestern border pass of the Xuan Ye Dynasty—which looked like a crouching giant beast!

The massive city walls were built of dark, giant stones, weathered by time and covered in marks of blades and axes, exuding an aura of iron, blood, and desolation. At the city gate, security was tight, and border soldiers in dark black armor had eyes as sharp as hawks, strictly inspecting the flow of people entering and leaving.

As the leader of the caravan, Li Xiong familiarly urged his mount forward to negotiate with the city defense commander, Han Tie. He handed over the travel documents already prepared and stamped with the special seal of the White Cloud Merchant Guild, a formulaic smile on his face, but the confidence belonging to the upper echelons of the White Cloud Merchant Guild in his bones did not diminish in the slightest.

"So it's Commander Li of the White Cloud Merchant Guild, thank you for your hard work!" Han Tie took the documents and checked them carefully. After confirming everything was correct, his attitude was quite polite. He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to perform a routine spot check on several large Qiankun Bags. Everything proceeded according to protocol.

However, when several soldiers prepared to walk toward the magnificent carriage at the front of the line for a routine inspection, the smile on Li Xiong's face vanished instantly. His eyes turned sharp, and he suddenly took a step forward, blocking the carriage!

"Commander Han!" Li Xiong's voice carried a hint of unquestionable majesty. He deliberately lowered his voice, but it reached Han Tie's ears clearly. "Inside this carriage is an Inspecting Elder sent from our White Cloud Merchant Guild headquarters! He is of noble status and is here specifically for the annual assessment of the Xuan Ye Dynasty branch! The Elder is currently in quiet cultivation and should not be disturbed!"

"Head... Headquarters Inspecting Elder?!" Hearing this, Han Tie's expression changed instantly! The business-like attitude from before was immediately replaced by extreme respect!

A big shot from the White Cloud Merchant Guild headquarters?! What kind of concept was that? Let alone a border pass commander like him, even the Emperor of the Xuan Ye Dynasty would have to be polite upon meeting him! Even top-tier powers like the Nine Nether Sect maintained a cooperative attitude toward the White Cloud Merchant Guild and were unwilling to easily offend them!

"This lowly one deserves death! I didn't know it was the Elder's carriage! I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive my offense! Please forgive me, Elder! Please forgive me!" Han Tie hurriedly bowed deeply toward the carriage, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He shouted sternly at his subordinates: "Let them through! Let them through immediately! Please!"

Under the respectful gazes of Han Tie and the guards, the caravan drove smoothly through the massive and heavy gates of Canghai City.

The caravan did not stay long in the city and went straight to the Xuan Ye Dynasty branch of the White Cloud Merchant Guild, located in the bustling center of the city.

Yao Delong and Qiong Shuang stepped out of the carriage. Led by Li Xiong, who had been waiting there, they walked directly into the grand and magnificent hall of the branch. Li Xiong immediately introduced the identity of the "Headquarters Inspecting Elder" to the manager here, so there was no need for Yao Delong to show the purple gold cloud pattern token.

The manager of this branch was a beautiful woman who looked to be about thirty years old, with great charm and a graceful figure. Her cultivation had also reached the Early Stage Spirit Transformation. She wore a simple and elegant green palace dress, and her eyes flickered with shrewdness and allure; she was none other than Liu Hanyan.

Liu Hanyan's beautiful eyes fell on Yao Delong with a trace of imperceptible scrutiny and doubt. This "Elder" before her had an ordinary aura and appearance. Aside from his calm temperament, she really couldn't see anything extraordinary. However, she knew that Li Xiong was a steady and experienced person who would never act without reason.

Li Xiong sent her a secret voice transmission with only one sentence: "This person's status is extremely high and unfathomable! I don't know the specifics, but you must be respectful! Ask nothing else!"

Suppressing the doubts in her heart, a warm and perfectly timed smile instantly bloomed on Liu Hanyan's face. She personally led the two into the highest-grade "Heaven Room No. 1" private room of the branch. The private room was luxuriously yet elegantly decorated, filled with Spiritual Qi, and an incense burner for calming the mind emitted curling smoke.

"The arrival of two distinguished guests truly brings light to our humble establishment!" Liu Hanyan personally poured top-grade spiritual tea, her voice as soft as silk: "I wonder what the Elder needs the branch to do on this trip? As long as it's within my power, I will do it without hesitation."

Yao Delong didn't touch the teacup. He got straight to the point, his voice flat but carrying an invisible pressure:

"What is the origin of the 'Sun Moon Divine Cult' that has recently emerged in the Xuan Ye Dynasty? Have you investigated it clearly?"

He paused and added: "Additionally, give me an identity token that allows unimpeded passage within the Xuan Ye Dynasty."