"Welcome, honored true disciples, to Spiritridge City. The feast and entertainment are prepared—please, this way."
Ding Ming of Fierce Nether Peak, clad in a raven-black fitted robe, a jet jade pendant at his waist and a silver-iron fan in hand, wore a refined smile. His features were handsome, his demeanor polished.
He returned the greeting with a graceful bow. "Many thanks, City Lord Wang. My brother Wei and I just returned from scouting the outskirts of Eastern Polaris. We thought to rest our feet here."
"No trouble at all," Wang Yu replied with a warm smile. "As disciples of the same Holy Sect, we ought to support one another when traveling. I happen to be the host here—please, call me junior brother. 'City Lord' sounds too distant."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony—Junior Brother Wang~"
"Senior Brother Ding!"
Wang Yu's social finesse was already honed to perfection. He could speak to anyone in their own language. Ding Ming, clearly a clever man, played the game well—his manners impeccable.
But beside him, Wei Shanze, who had been ignored for too long, gave a cold snort. Without a word, he shoved Wang Yu aside and strode toward the main hall.
"Enough with the fake pleasantries, you two smiling tigers.
"I've been exhausted these past days. Bring out the good stuff, and prepare three concubines for me tonight. Move it—!"
Wei Shanze was built like a fortress—broad shoulders, a barrel chest, and towering over nine feet tall. His attire was wild: short pants with a tiger-head belt, his upper body mostly bare save for a half-armor vest slung over one shoulder. His tangled black hair spilled messily over his back.
He looked like a brute with more brawn than brains.
"Don't mind him," Ding Ming said with a helpless smile. "He's always like this. Let's head in."
"Heh—after you, Senior Brother Ding."
Wang Yu's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was seething.
That kind of arrogance might work on someone weaker, but if Wei Shanze tried that with a Nascent Soul elder, he'd be flattened. So-called 'straightforwardness' was just an excuse for bullying the weak.
Once inside the main hall, their true intentions began to surface.
Ding Ming asked casually, "Junior Brother Wang, where's Brother Zhuo? I heard he arrived here quite early."
Wei Shanze, already seated and tearing into meat and wine, was clearly listening in.
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.
Why were they looking for Zhuo Shouqing? And why the need for this little power play? Was it meant to send a message to Zhuo? But they weren't enemies…
He replied evenly, "Brother Zhuo went to Yunmeng Pavilion to enjoy himself with Lady Yun. If you'd like, I can have someone escort you there."
"No need, no need," Ding Ming waved it off. "Just making conversation. Let's eat."
With that, he sat down and began drinking in earnest.
Wang Yu suppressed his doubts and joined them. As expected, the topic soon turned to Eastern Polaris.
Ding Ming took the lead. "Junior Brother, you're so close to the ruins. Have you gone to take a look?"
"I haven't."
"That's a shame. The place is drawing more and more cultivators. If you'd gone earlier, you might've reaped the first harvest."
"I lack that kind of luck. Since you're here, the treasures surely belong to you, Senior Brother."
"Hahaha, I'll take that as a blessing."
"You're too kind."
Bang—!
Their polite exchange was abruptly shattered as Wei Shanze slammed the table into splinters.
"You two sound like buzzing flies! Can't a man eat in peace? What're you staring at—wanna fight?!"
Wang Yu stepped back swiftly, glancing at Ding Ming—who looked genuinely annoyed.
So… this wasn't staged? Wei Shanze really was just a brute?
Before he could process it, Wei Shanze lunged at him, shouting:
"I hate pretty boys like you the most! I'm in a foul mood—come here and let me vent!"
"You're joking, right? You think you're someone important?"
Fighting wasn't an option—not directly. Wang Yu activated the formation.
With a flick of his spiritual sense, dozens of Vajra chains erupted from the floor, instantly binding Wei Shanze like a silkworm in a cocoon. The brute froze in shock before struggling with brute force.
But it was useless. The formation-forged chains held firm.
Ding Ming burst into laughter, clearly relieved.
"Wei Shanze, I've tolerated you long enough. You idiot—didn't even realize the City Lord's Manor is protected by a formation. And you call yourself a scion of the Wei Clan?"
From his tone, it seemed the Wei Clan had some renown. Wang Yu made a mental note.
Wei Shanze blinked in confusion. "Wait—didn't you say we should give this brat a scare? Said you were broke and wanted to shake him down in this fat city?"
"You're full of crap! Still trying to drag me down with you?"
Ding Ming turned to Wang Yu, ready to explain—only to find more Vajra chains pointing at him.
Wang Yu's expression was icy, his voice colder still.
"I don't care what game you're playing or what script you rehearsed.
"Since arriving in Spiritridge, I've wiped out two clans—one of them had a peak Foundation Establishment elder.
"I've also ordered the destruction of Goldfull Pavilion's local branch. If you think you can provoke me and walk away whole, think again."
Ding Ming froze. He'd miscalculated. This City Lord was insane.
Wei Shanze's eyes bulged. "You destroyed Goldfull Pavilion…? You—Junior Brother Wang, you're bold! I was misled! Please, let me down!"
Their reactions puzzled Wang Yu.
They'd been in Yunling Province for months and only gathered this little intel? His deeds weren't exactly secret. In Spiritridge, he was a household name.
It didn't add up.
They probably hadn't even spoken to the locals. Most likely, they'd gone straight into the Eastern Polaris ruins, encountered something strange, and came to find Zhuo Shouqing.
Zhuo lacked strength but had status—and knew many secrets.
Wang Yu's mind clicked into place. He turned to Ding Ming.
"Xie Xie'an sent you, didn't he?"
Ding Ming's eyes flickered. He laughed awkwardly. "Of course not. I just came to rest. This brute insisted on tagging along. I thought I'd teach him a lesson. Didn't expect him to be so clueless about the City Lord's formation… ha~"
"You liar! You told me to do it!"
Before Wang Yu could respond, Wei Shanze shouted again—still bound like a caterpillar, craning his neck as if to headbutt Ding Ming.
"Enough."
Wang Yu's voice cut through the room.
"Tell me—what does Xie Xie'an want from Zhuo Shouqing?
"If I'm in a good mood, I might help. If not… you're not leaving until the Eastern Polaris affair is over."
Silence fell.
Wei Shanze shut up. Ding Ming hesitated, then finally sighed.
"I didn't expect you to see through us. I'm ashamed."
Wang Yu had only trusted Zhuo Shouqing's word. If he said there was no grudge, then there wasn't.
But these three true disciples had traveled far together. Their strength wasn't enough to dominate the ruins. Cooperation was likely.
Their conflict? Probably staged.
Though… part of it might've been real. Wei Shanze had clearly taken the chance to vent. His insults toward Wang Yu were planned—but dragging Ding Ming into it was his own little jab.
Crude, but not stupid.
Wang Yu's opinion of him improved slightly.
"Speak."
Ding Ming nodded, brushing aside broken wood to sit down.
"Xie Xie'an asked me to inquire discreetly. He wants to know the outcome between the sword cultivator and the soul-path demon from the ancient tale. That's all I know."
"The outcome…"
Wang Yu's eyes gleamed. So Xie Xie'an knew the story too—and thought Zhuo Shouqing might know the ending? But Zhuo had claimed ignorance.
Why ask now?
Likely, Xie Xie'an had found traces of the ancient soul cultivator in Eastern Polaris—perhaps even within the [Zhenxie Prison].
The [Rakshasa True Demon Scripture] and the [Asura Saint-Killer Scripture]…
Two legacies from the same source. What if they had somehow fused?
The blood-red shackles and manacles—ancient treasures forged for sealing—possessed mind-altering powers. That alone defied logic.
Ding Ming asked, "Junior Brother Wang, you seem to know something?"
Wang Yu nodded. "Just a theory. Might not be true."
"Would you share it?"
"No."
Ding Ming choked, his expression stiffening.
"Wei and I are true disciples of two peaks. If you help us today, you'll earn a favor you can call on in the future."
"That may be true. But I only deal in the present. We'll talk about that later."
Wang Yu's tone was calm, but his intent was unmistakable.
Ding Ming hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. Five thousand spirit stones it is. I'll have them delivered shortly."
"As for Wei Shanze…"
Wang Yu flexed his wrist. Under his spiritual control, the dense web of Vajra chains began to shift. The bindings loosened just enough to expose most of Wei Shanze's body—only his limbs and neck remained tightly restrained.
In the next instant—
The [Wind and Thunder Spirit Mark], cultivated for months, erupted across Wang Yu's body. Thunder roared and wind howled. Brilliant blue lightning and raw green astral wind surged around his fists.
Dragon roars echoed. Wind and thunder fused.
Wei Shanze felt pain explode across his body. His eyes nearly popped from their sockets.
"AAAHHHHH—!"
(End of Chapter)
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