5: We have arrived at the territory of Heiling City!

"Huangfeng Ridge, eight hundred li, once a rich land outside the pass;

One morning, a rat plague arose out of nowhere, black smoke and miasma covered the land, human traces vanished;

Without father, without lord, without law, doing evil deeds with Heaven's protection..."

On the Dharma Vessel, someone was singing a folk tune from the countryside.

Accompanied by the ear-splitting, sharp sound of an erhu, it brought waves of psychological discomfort.

But the people on the Dharma Vessel dared not speak.

The reason was simple: the one piloting the Dharma Vessel was a Foundation Establishment True Person.

Qingchi Mountain taking over the Yellow Sand Plains did not mean that the Yellow Sand Plains was peaceful.

Quite the opposite, various Loose Cultivators, rogue Cultivators, and great bandits swarmed into this undeveloped land like madmen.

To make a fortune from it.

There were also various demons lurking in the dark corners of the Gobi, ready to strike.

And at the edge of the plain, there was a front line connected to it, responsible for resisting the land demon nations eager to counterattack, so it certainly couldn't be called peaceful.

That's why Qingchi Mountain dispatched Foundation Establishment True Persons to pilot Dharma Vessels, constantly patrolling this area.

Of course, it wasn't to seek Opportunity, but to deal with the escaped Cultivators who were also in the Dao Foundation Realm.

The sharp sound quietly disappeared, followed by a hoarse announcement.

"We're almost at the Black Horn Mountain Range. Those who want to disembark, come forward, and I'll send you down."

The Dharma Vessel looked small, but it was not; it was as tall as a two or three-story building, with no less than a thousand guests, yet it didn't feel crowded.

Shen Li quickly stepped forward with his people, accompanied by Wang Chen and a Formation Master who was a Wang Family retainer.

That Formation Master was at Qi Refining Stage 5, a middle-aged man who looked polite and refined.

The Immortal Master piloting the Dharma Vessel had an aged face, seemingly weathered by time, but he glanced around at the disembarking crowd and chuckled.

"The Black Horn Mountain Range hasn't been peaceful lately. It's caused this Immortal Master to come here three or five times for no reason. I don't know who's causing trouble here."

His words were inexplicable, but Shen Li heard a lot of threat in them.

It was clear that the troublemakers who had emerged in the Black Horn Mountain Range had already displeased this Immortal Master.

A Young Master with a fair complexion and handsome looks, only slightly inferior to Shen Li, shook his fan and cupped his hands in reply.

"Immortal Master, we dare not lie. In the future, we will certainly curb our arrogance and impatience... and not cause trouble for the Immortal Master."

"Did I tell you to speak?"

Bang!

The Young Master's Physical Body was crushed by a vast power, and rotten flesh and blood splattered onto Shen Li.

Shen Li, however, kept his gaze lowered, unmoved.

This seemingly aged but extremely murderous Immortal Master clapped his hands in disgust.

"You thought using a Qi concealment technique could hide your Cultivation of a Demonic Technique from the Evil Path? I don't care which family raised you. If you show off in front of this Immortal Master for no reason, do you really think you're something important?"

Then, the aged figure's seemingly muddled eyes began to scan the remaining people.

The crowd preparing to disembark trembled, but Wang Chen stepped forward, presenting the Wang Family's Dao Token respectfully and saying,

"Immortal Master Hong Tu, Wang Chen of the Wang Family greets you. This is a small token of respect. Immortal Master, you have endured much wind and sand, defending the border and protecting the people; you are truly weary."

Immortal Master Hong Tu's expression softened slightly, and he nodded carelessly.

"You are a smart one. I have old ties with your family's Immortal Master, so let's skip the formalities. It'll be easier to speak in front of that Senior Brother."

Then Hong Tu waved his hand and said indifferently,

"This Black Horn Mountain Range, by rights, is supposed to be guarded by the Shen Family. Where are they?"

Seeing this, Shen Li steeled himself and stepped forward.

"Junior Shen Li greets Immortal Master Hong Tu."

Hong Tu sized up Shen Li and nodded casually.

"Your Aptitude is ordinary, but you broke through to Qi Refining at a younger age than most. It seems you had some other Opportunity?"

"Never mind. Do your job well. Qingchi Mountain will not mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service."

"The Black Horn Mountain Range hasn't been peaceful recently. There might be a demon plague, so take extra precautions."

Shen Li's heart trembled, but he felt bitter.

A demon plague that a Foundation Establishment True Person would warn them to be extra careful about, for them, it would be a heaven-shattering event.

Forget it, let's just take it one step at a time.

Light flowed, and Immortal Master Hong Tu waved his hand.

Several figures disappeared from their original spots, and the Dharma Vessel flew away like a rainbow, vanishing without a trace.

Landing on the ground, Shen Li immediately gagged.

This Immortal Master Hong Tu was clearly a True Person powerful in combat, but his technique was too crude.

After a long while, he finally recovered, but his eyes were drawn to the Black Horn Mountain Range before him.

The main color of the Black Horn Mountain Range was like that of the Yellow Sand Plains; the mountains were all bare.

There was one mountain range from which constant chipping sounds emanated; that was a mine.

There were quite a few Cultivators on the road, but they were all cautious, dressed in heavy, full-body attire.

Cultivators like Shen Li were rare.

Following the map's guidance, Shen Li quickly arrived at the garrisoned area.

This place was surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it a natural stronghold, and looking down... he saw city walls two or three meters high, built of loess.

Some ragged, sallow-faced Mortals moved through it with sorrowful expressions.

Their eyes were filled with numbness and dullness, without a trace of vitality.

And looking from afar, there were guards at the city gate, each of them looking robust and well-fed.

Qi Refining Stage 1 was already considered a Cultivator, so Shen Li could see very far.

In the wind... the plaque on the city gate had weathered, but faintly, the three characters 'Black Ridge City' were still visible.

Shen Li sighed.

That's right. This was the place he would need to guard in the future.

Black Ridge City, with a population of about three hundred households, very weak defenses, and walls even built of loess.

At this moment, Wang Chen also looked at Shen Li with a pitying gaze, then said in a deep voice,

"Since we've arrived, we'll prepare to set up the Formation foundations. We won't be accompanying you."

"It seems the situation here isn't very good. That Immortal Master is always sharp in the mountains and powerful in combat; he wouldn't lie. Nephew, you must be extra careful."

"Whether you can make a name for yourself and gain a higher step depends on your methods, Nephew."

"I believe Nephew can do it."

Then Wang Chen patted Shen Li's shoulder and left with the Formation Master on his own.

Shen Li no longer sighed and headed towards the city gate.

Soon, the group arrived at the entrance. Shen Li raised his leg, intending to step into Black Ridge City, when at that moment, a robust gate guard next to him stopped Shen Li, saying impatiently,

"Stop."

Shen Li: "???"

The gate guard pointed to the side and said,

"Entering and exiting the city requires money, five copper coins."

Shen Li pointed to his overly handsome face.

"Don't you know who I am?"

"I don't care who you are?"

"Whose territory is this?"

"Can you manage it? Kid, looking at your delicate skin, you must be a Young Master on a journey? Hand over the money honestly, lest you suffer physical pain."

Shen Li repeated incredulously,

"My name is Shen Li."

"I don't care what 'Li' you are; the Chief Clerk said to collect money."

"Shen Family's rules? I remember the Shen Family never had a rule about collecting tolls."

"The Chief Clerk's rules!"

Shen Li couldn't help but laugh in anger, looking at the fat-headed, big-eared gate guard with disgust, and waved his hand casually.

"Kill them all. Kill them all. They're an eyesore!"

The butcher's knife rose, and blood covered the ground!