93: Inside Rock City

Appearing before Zhui Yun was none other than Shadow One, who was currently scouting in the area.

The leading dark figure bowed and said, "Commander Zhui Yun, Master Shadow One entered Panshi City half a day ago. He sent word for you to lead your team to conceal yourselves and await orders at 'Eagle's Lament Ravine,' thirty li outside the city. Under no circumstances are you to alert the enemy."

Zhui Yun nodded, "Understood. Does Master Shadow One have any other instructions?"

"Master Shadow One said that the defenses within Panshi City are heavily guarded, with a special sensing barrier, which he is currently trying to decipher. The number of city guards is approximately fifty thousand, many of whom are 'Rock-Armored Warriors' skilled in earth-element defense and 'Magic Archers' specializing in long-range attacks. The City Lord, Shi Potian, possesses formidable strength, and it is best not to engage him in direct conflict easily."

"Fifty thousand guards... earth-element defense..." Zhui Yun stroked his chin, a peculiar glint in his eyes, "Interesting."

He waved his hand, "Lead the way to Eagle's Lament Ravine."

Led by a member of the 'Shadows,' Zhui Yun and his troops quickly found Eagle's Lament Ravine.

This was an extremely secluded ravine, with dense forests on both sides and complex terrain, making it very suitable for troops to hide.

"Rest in place, and heighten vigilance!" Zhui Yun ordered, "No one is to act without my command."

After settling his troops, Zhui Yun went alone to the highest point of Eagle's Lament Ravine. From here, the view was expansive, and with his eyesight, he could vaguely make out the outline of Panshi City in the distance.

He took out his Wind-Thunder Longbow, gently caressing its body, feeling the power of wind and thunder emanating from it.

"Panshi City... Shi Potian..." Zhui Yun's lips curved slightly, "I want to see just how hard this rock of yours truly is!"

He was not in a hurry to act; since Shadow One had already infiltrated, he must have a plan. What he needed to do now was to wait patiently, while also preparing to strike at any moment.

Su Jin's order was to sever the claws; the claws had been severed, but the 'beast' of Panshi City, which dared to provoke them, was still there, intact.

Zhui Yun did not believe that the matter would end so simply.

He believed that Shadow One would soon send new information.

.......

Panshi City, true to its name.

The towering city walls were seamlessly constructed from massive dark green and black rocks. The passage of time had left mottled moss and weathered marks upon them, yet they had not diminished its grandeur in the slightest.

The city gates were wide open, with a constant stream of people and the clamor of carriages and horses.

Shadow One blended into the crowd entering the city, dressed in a temporarily borrowed gray linen robe and wearing a straw hat.

Like any ordinary Woma World native, he followed behind several farmers carrying burdens, naturally passing through the gates of Panshi City.

The city guards merely gave him a perfunctory glance before their gaze shifted to the next person entering the city...

The city was even more prosperous than Shadow One had anticipated.

The wide main thoroughfare was paved with large bluestone slabs, flat and sturdy, capable of accommodating several large beast-drawn carriages side by side.

Along both sides of the street, shops lined the way, selling various ores, furs, herbs, and some uniquely shaped artifacts.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sulfur, as well as a spicy aroma similar to roasted nuts.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, shoulder to shoulder.

Most were humans, with darker complexions and generally sturdier builds than those from Blue Star. Their clothing mostly consisted of coarse cloth and leather, in drab colors, prioritizing practicality over aesthetics.

Besides humans, Shadow One also saw many peculiar exotic beasts.

Several creatures resembling pangolins, but carrying small cargo boxes on their backs, walked at a leisurely pace behind their masters.

With each step they took, the scales on their bodies made a slight clinking sound.

What surprised him most were the beetles, magnified several times in size.

A black beetle, half a person tall, carried a huge wicker basket on its back, filled with colorful mushrooms.

The beetle's compound eyes were dull, and it crawled slowly forward, enticed solely by a sweet-smelling purple tuber dangled in front of it by its owner with a long pole.

Shadow One even saw the beetle secretly extend a small part of its mouthparts, seemingly wanting to lick the tuber, but its owner lightly tapped its head with the pole, producing a dull thud.

This drew a burst of laughter from passersby.

Shadow One's steps were neither fast nor slow; he appeared to be walking casually on the street, but in reality, each step was precisely calculated, avoiding crowded areas and choosing the least conspicuous paths.

His senses had already spread out, like invisible tentacles, probing everything around him.

He could clearly feel a subtle energy fluctuation, faintly emanating from the direction of the city center.

The fluctuation was steady and profound, carrying strong earth-element spiritual energy characteristics.

That place should be some important existence within the city, and likely the core of the city's defense system.

Shadow One's target was precisely there.

He needed to ascertain Panshi City's defensive layout, especially the special sensing barrier capable of detecting the 'Shadow' team.

After passing through several bustling streets, a sizable eatery appeared ahead.

The eatery was a three-story building, constructed of stone and wood, with a sign above the entrance carved with "Stone Flavors Pavilion." Waves of enticing meat aromas wafted from within, causing many passersby to stop.

Shadow One's gaze lingered on the eatery for a moment before he prepared to bypass it.

However, just as he was about to pass the eatery's entrance, a sudden change occurred!

"Bang!"

A dull thud accompanied by gasps, as a figure fell directly from a second-story window of the eatery, crashing heavily onto the stone-paved ground.

"Hmph!"

The person let out a painful groan, struggling to get up, but seemed to be badly injured. He propped himself up with his hands on the ground several times but couldn't manage to stand.

He was wearing a rather decent robe, but it was now covered in dust, and his topknot was disheveled, making him look quite disheveled.

Passersby on the street were startled by this sudden scene, stopping in their tracks and gathering around curiously, pointing and whispering.

Shadow One's brow furrowed slightly.

He disliked surprises, especially when on a mission.

Immediately after, a flurry of footsteps and commotion came from the second floor of the eatery.

Shadow One turned and prepared to skirt around this troublesome area.

However, just as he was about to leave the area, a remark from a scar-faced man among the descending group of black-clad individuals made him stop again.

The scar-faced man stomped on the hand of the person on the ground, grinding his foot down hard, and sneered, "Kid, you think you can destroy City Lord Shi Potian's 'Panshi Guardian Grand Array' by messing up a few nodes? Wishful thinking!"

The person on the ground let out a muffled groan, his body trembling violently.

Another person chimed in, "Exactly! This barrier was personally set up by Master Shi Potian, how could you shake it? I think you're tired of living!"

"Take him back and interrogate him thoroughly! We must capture all of his accomplices!"

"Panshi Guardian Grand Array..."

"Barrier..."

"Nodes..."