It was deep into the night when Wang Yu gently declined the alluring matron's invitation to share her chamber. He wasn't yet in a position to indulge in pleasures so close to home—his masculine vigor would need another ten years before it could be safely unleashed.
He returned to his own Feiyun Boat, sailing side by side with Chao Yun-niang's Rouge Barge.
By the time the great sun rose—
A vast expanse of farmland unfolded before him. The fields were heavy with ripened rice, golden and fragrant, the scent drifting for a hundred li. Under the morning light, Spiritridge City resembled a colossal tortoise resting upon the land.
The ground bustled with life—shouts of vendors, the clamor of crowds. In the skies above, radiant lights and flying vessels streamed toward the city in waves.
As always, mortals and cultivators mingled freely. But unlike Eroding Heart City, there were no towering pillars here. The mortals lived outside the city proper, scattered across the vast farmland in clusters of agricultural estates.
Only the middle class and wealthy families could afford to live in the outer ring beyond the five major districts. Their bodies were nourished by spiritual veins, increasing the likelihood of birthing children with spiritual roots.
They were also healthier, rarely falling ill.
The outer districts housed numerous Fertility Chambers, where alchemists from the Blood Reversal Sect crafted powders to boost conception rates. Dedicated midwives oversaw childbirth, and infant mortality was nearly nonexistent.
This policy, it was said, had been borrowed from the Lakeheart Domain.
After all, that region boasted a population of over ten billion. The Crimson Kite Territory had just as much land, yet barely exceeded one billion.
It was the legacy of the old demonic cultivators—their sins had run deep. But modern demonic sects now emphasized sustainable development, shedding many of their former vices.
Take the ancient practice, for example: demonic cultivators once used mortals to forge magical artifacts. But how much spiritual essence did a mortal truly possess? Killing a thousand mortals couldn't match the value of a single cultivator.
Only a sliver of soul was useful.
But once they grew wiser, the demonic sects realized—rather than slaughtering mortals, it was far more profitable to let them reproduce. Some of their offspring would develop spiritual roots. Raise them, cultivate them… and then harvest.
The returns multiplied tenfold. It was a revelation—a new world opened to the demonic path.
For nearly a millennium, every new policy introduced by Lakeheart Domain was copied without hesitation by Crimson Kite. That's how their population reached over ten billion. In the ancient and primordial eras, even a million would've been impressive.
It was all thanks to the decline of righteous cultivators—or their reckless ventures into enemy territory to abduct talent and preserve their lineages.
No wonder the righteous-versus-demonic wars had more losses than victories. Lineage gaps were common. Only in recent years had the tide begun to turn, with more balanced outcomes—and even a few wins.
The strategy of "learning from the enemy" had proven wildly successful.
…
At the same time—
As Wang Yu quietly entered the city—
The City Lord's Manor of Spiritridge was embroiled in a major event.
The Tuoba Clan, acting as proxy rulers, had summoned the heads of the Bai, Guan, and Jiang families, along with leaders of minor factions and foreign sect branches in the northern district, for an urgent meeting.
Inside the grand council hall—
A crowd was settling into their seats, arranged by status. At the head sat a tall, burly man with a fierce expression—Tuoba Lei, who had occupied the City Lord's Manor for nearly a century.
A hundred years ago, he had been merely a war general under Zhuo Kuangsheng.
Now, he was the de facto master of the manor, his eighth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation commanding the room.
The three clan heads were generally at the sixth layer. Representatives from Inkveil Gate, Violet Dragon Mountain, and Fragrant Doctrine hovered between the seventh and ninth layers.
Once everyone had arrived, Tuoba Lei wasted no time. He slapped down a scroll—an official decree from the Blood Reversal Sect announcing the arrival of a newly appointed City Lord.
After everyone had read it, Tuoba Lei's booming voice turned grim.
"Fellow Daoists, after a hundred years, just as our new generation begins to rise, the higher-ups send a new City Lord. This is no blessing."
The Bai Clan head frowned but responded calmly.
"General Tuoba, this is your concern. My Bai Clan has always been loyal to the Holy Sect. Our annual tribute has never fallen short."
"Heh—"
Before Tuoba Lei could retort, the Guan Clan head interjected.
"You haven't fallen short, true. But the Holy Sect's rule is twenty percent annually. Your wealth has grown year by year, yet you've never reported the increase."
The Bai Clan head's face darkened. Tuoba Lei smirked inwardly—helping the Guan Clan evade taxes had paid off. Now he had an ally.
The Jiang Clan head remained silent. Their family had stagnated for a century. Their peak Foundation Establishment ancestor was nearing death. Best to stay out of disputes.
The others didn't care. In their eyes, the Jiang Clan would be ousted from the city's elite within fifty years. The real concern was the foreign Core Formation sects entrenched in the northern district.
"What say you three?"
The Inkveil Gate representative sipped tea.
The Violet Dragon Mountain envoy, a red-faced elder, grinned.
"What's the new City Lord's cultivation? Is he from a prestigious lineage?"
The decree didn't say. Only that his name was Wang Yu.
"Wang… never heard of a Wang branch in the Holy Sect."
The Fragrant Doctrine envoy, a refined woman with a subtle fragrance and deep eyes, spoke softly.
"Don't forget—the last City Lord was Zhuo, of the Ghostfang Zhuo Clan. Do you think they'd hand Spiritridge to a common cultivator?"
The red-faced elder fell silent, sipping his tea.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Tuoba Lei turned to the Azure Dragon Gang Leader, a third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator from the northern district. A former bandit, now his secret ally for dirty work.
Men like him lacked insight but had ruthless resolve. Give them enough spirit stones, and they'd do anything.
Sure enough, with a glance from Tuoba Lei—
The gang leader declared loudly, "I'll kill him. But we don't know his cultivation. Better if some of you lend me a few men—have them join my gang temporarily."
Tuoba Lei smiled with satisfaction.
"The messenger only just arrived. That man will need time to prepare before setting out. I'll send scouts to monitor the Reed Marsh.
"As for reinforcements, another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Tuoba Clan will accompany Brother Azure Dragon."
He had no idea Wang Yu had already departed days earlier—faster than the messenger. A perfect coincidence.
Conflict between Tuoba Lei and the new City Lord was inevitable. He didn't mind letting everyone know. It made it easier to drag them into the fray.
Some, however, preferred to act in secret.
Though the council hall seemed quiet, many were secretly transmitting messages to Tuoba Lei, offering to send men. As long as no one died inside Spiritridge, they had excuses ready.
Cloudridge Province was a harsh land, full of danger.
Blaming Nether Spring Temple was the perfect cover.
Everyone knew the Bai Clan's dealings with Nether Spring Temple, though no one spoke of it openly. In private transmissions, Tuoba Lei suggested:
"We can use Nether Spring's experts. They wouldn't want to lose Spiritridge after years of investment."
"Agreed."
After half an hour of discussion, Tuoba Lei stood, satisfied.
"Little sister, escort our honored guests."
…
"Restricted zone. No entry without authorization."
"Shhk—"
As the halberd touched his neck, Wang Yu sighed.
"You're being very rude."
The guards tried to grab his collar, but he stepped back, evading them. Their faces twisted in anger.
"Boy, acting tough at the City Lord's gate? Don't you know this is General Tuoba's manor? Kill him!"
Seven or eight guards lunged.
In the next instant, the air shimmered with slashes. Blood and entrails splattered across the gate.
Sensing the powerful auras within the manor, Wang Yu smiled.
Arriving early was one thing. Arriving at the perfect moment—now that was divine timing.
His figure vanished from the gate.
Only then did passersby scream in terror. "Murder! The City Lord's guards are dead! Murder!"
Chaos erupted.
Inside the council hall—
Tuoba Lei's laughter had barely begun when his sister reached the entrance to escort the guests. Suddenly, every door burst open with a gust of icy wind.
The sky turned gray. Freezing rain and snow engulfed the manor. On the steps, a silver-haired youth ascended.
"Trouble approaches."
The Fragrant Doctrine envoy looked up and murmured.
"Unnatural weather. Likely caused by spellwork. Tuoba Lei—is the new City Lord from Coldblood Peak?"
"I don't know."
Tuoba Lei pushed through the crowd, stepping forward. His sharp senses detected Wang Yu's secrets—Foundation Establishment second layer aura, but sixth-layer divine sense.
"You're the new City Lord? You arrived fast—caught me off guard. But your cultivation…"
Wang Yu didn't answer. His gaze swept across the hall, calmly observing the cultivators present. Their features, attire, and auras matched precisely with the intelligence Chao Yun-niang had provided.
He spoke, voice steady and cold.
"I'll say only one thing."
"Those who stand over there—live. Those who stand beside Tuoba Lei—die. You have ten breaths to choose."
"One."
"Arrogant!"
"Presumptuous!"
"Two."
The Azure Dragon Gang Leader stepped forward. He was the kind who bullied the weak and feared the strong. He had assumed the Holy Sect would send someone formidable, but this? A mere second-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator? He wasn't even worth fearing.
"Heh. Let me teach you a lesson."
"Three."
The representatives from Inkveil Gate, Fragrant Doctrine, and the Jiang Clan didn't hesitate. They immediately moved to the side Wang Yu had indicated. Their actions triggered a ripple—several minor factions from the northern district followed suit.
Among them were Dreamcloud Pavilion, Bloodblade Gang, and Drizzle Tower.
But more remained behind—four minor faction leaders, all early Foundation Establishment cultivators, stood their ground.
Along with the still-hesitating red-faced elder from Violet Dragon Mountain, the Azure Dragon Gang Leader, the Bai and Guan Clan heads, and Tuoba Lei himself—nine Foundation Establishment cultivators now stood in opposition to Wang Yu.
"Whoosh—"
The moment the Azure Dragon Gang Leader lunged forward, a blade of icy sword qi nearly twenty meters long swept across the hall. Wang Yu, still counting, skipped straight from three to—
"Ten."
The sudden escalation triggered a chain reaction.
The Guan Clan head and the red-faced elder from Violet Dragon Mountain immediately activated their escape techniques, fleeing to the side of the envoy.
In the blink of an eye, two of the nine had defected.
(End of Chapter)