The old madman stripped away a hundred years of Hu Kuangshan’s lifespan. Amid the crowd’s shock and terror, he turned and left.
The people of Fox Mountain felt deep sorrow and grief. They were equally shaken by the old madman’s dominance. Only now did they realise that Fox Mountain was not invincible. Someone in this world still dared to provoke it.
They had no idea what junior Hu Kuangshan had schemed against, but the price was far too heavy. Leaving aside the loss of a hundred years of lifespan, several heavenly treasures had been destroyed, and countless clan members had died. This was the most devastating cost Fox Mountain had suffered in countless years.
Although the old madman had gone on a rampage, he did not pursue total annihilation. He knew the true depths of Fox Mountain’s foundations, terrifying depths that could shake the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Even he did not wish to provoke them fully.
But someone had dared to scheme against Ye Chu and against Wuxin Peak. He could not sit idly by. If he did not make an example of one person, those who had long buried themselves would think they could crawl out like small cats and dogs to target Wuxin Peak.
By taking a hundred years from Hu Kuangshan’s life, he sent a clear message to certain people: you had better think twice before scheming against Wuxin Peak or its people. To those who had forgotten his existence, he reminded them that he was still alive in this world, that his shadow still loomed over this era, and that Wuxin Peak remained a place in the Realm of Emotion that no one should provoke.
…
Ye Chu naturally knew nothing of these events. He and Tan Miaotong used the seven-coloured space platform, covering a distance of a thousand li in less than an hour. Now the four of them stood beneath a city wall.
The city before them was called Yuntun City. It rose tall and majestic, its ancient walls covered in mottled marks and even traces of old bloodstains. Clearly this city had stood for many years.
“Beyond this city lies my family.” Tan Miaotong turned to Ye Chu and the others with a bright smile. Her eyes flowed with charm, truly so beautiful that it made hearts race.
“I think I won’t go in.” Ye Chu looked at the radiant and captivating Tan Miaotong. He did not want to waste any more time on the journey. The cool sensation in his arm had grown intense, and he did not know how much longer he could hold on. He only wanted to reach the Ruoshui family as quickly as possible.
“Hm?” Ye Jingyun glanced at Ye Chu in surprise, not expecting him to be willing to part from Tan Miaotong so easily. But she soon burst into laughter. “Fair enough. After tricking someone’s daughter, naturally you’re afraid her parents will come after you for trouble. Looks like you’re quite clever, Ye Chu.”
“Jingyun, what nonsense are you spouting!” Tan Miaotong’s face flushed crimson. Her delicate figure carried a hint of coy anger that made hearts soften. Her beautiful eyes secretly glanced at Ye Chu with a ripple of charm, her cheeks growing even redder.
Ye Chu noticed the furtive look from Tan Miaotong and knew she secretly suspected Ye Jingyun’s words might be true. Unable to explain, he simply smiled and said, “I really don’t want to part from Miaotong either, but I still have somewhere I must go!”
Tan Miaotong felt shy at the first part of his words, yet curiosity got the better of her. “Where are you going?”
“It’s still several thousand li away!” Ye Chu laughed, without mentioning the Ruoshui family.
Ye Jingyun clicked her tongue beside them and could not resist putting an arm around Tan Miaotong’s shoulder. “Our Miaotong really has immense charm. This lecherous scoundrel went out of his way to escort you all this distance. He must have taken a huge detour.”
Ye Chu ignored Ye Jingyun. He wanted to say goodbye to Tan Miaotong, but she stared at him with bright, intense eyes despite her extremely flushed face. “Come back to my family with me. My clan has a seven-coloured space platform you can use.”
Her words filled Ye Chu with delight. He immediately stopped his steps. If there really was a seven-coloured space platform for teleportation, that would be perfect and save him a great deal of time.
“Alright!” Ye Chu agreed at once. He winked at Tan Miaotong and said, “I really can’t bear to leave Miaotong!”
Those words made Tan Miaotong blush furiously, her beauty radiant and overwhelming. Her lovely eyes shimmered with light, so stunning it was almost unreal. She dared not meet his gaze and stepped forward toward the city.
Ye Jingyun watched Tan Miaotong’s reaction and shot Ye Chu a look of disdain. She thought to herself that she had seen through this fellow long ago. All that protection along the way was clearly aimed at Miaotong.
Even Ji Die could not help but let her charming gaze linger on Ye Chu for a moment, though it lasted less than a breath before she looked away, as if nothing he did could spark her interest.
The four of them reached the city gate. The area was bustling and noisy. Three cultivators stood arrogantly in front of the gate.
“What? To enter the city we have to pay cultivation resources worth more than a hundred gold? Why don’t you just rob us outright?”
“I’m sorry, but this is the city’s rule. A grand array inside the city needs to be maintained, and that requires vast resources. Every person who enters must make a small contribution to the city. This is not for nothing. The spiritual energy density inside is several times thicker than outside. Paying a hundred gold is absolutely worth it.” The guards at the gate explained politely.
“Pah! I’ve been to so many cities, and I’ve never heard of a hundred-gold entry fee.” The leader of the cultivators cursed angrily.
The guards smiled and replied, “Sir, you probably haven’t visited many places. In the Realm of Emotion, plenty of cities charge far more than a hundred gold to enter. Yuntun City’s fee is actually quite low.”
“Are you saying I haven’t seen the world? I’m a great cultivator. Where can’t I go? This city thinks it can rob me of a hundred gold?” The leader roared.
But his shouting only made the people around him stifle laughs. A great cultivator acting so arrogant here. Just from his words, anyone could tell he had not seen much of the world. No one knew where this fool had come from, acting so full of himself and thinking he was invincible just because he was a great cultivator.
“Sir, if you do not wish to enter, you may leave.” The guards remained calm. Having stood guard here for years, they had seen every kind of person. This was not the first group to rely on a bit of strength and disregard the city.
Many outsiders had no idea what Yuntun City truly represented, always thinking too highly of themselves.
“We are definitely going in!” The leader snorted coldly and glared at the guards. All of them had reached the great cultivator realm. Along their journey through various cities, they had always been admired and respected. Yet here they were being asked for an entry fee. The contrast was unbearable.
This city might be a bit taller and older, but so what? Did that justify a hundred-gold entry fee?
“Sir, if you have the ability, just walk through the gate. If you can enter, we won’t take a single coin!” The guards said no more and simply stepped aside, clearing the path for them.
Seeing this, the group burst into loud laughter. They thought the guards had no choice but to yield. What could be difficult about walking through a gate? As great cultivators, if they could not even enter a mere city gate, they might as well die.