Chapter 397 The Blood Lotus Appears! The crippled man actually submits willingly?

Jiang Yun looked at Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu's expressions, which seemed as if they were prepared for a heroic death.

He couldn't help but shake his head.

"The reason this City Lord is going to the Blood Fiend Pavilion is that I currently have nowhere else to go."

He explained, "The City Lord's Mansion hasn't been chosen yet, and I am unfamiliar with Black Rock City. I need a place to rest and reorganize; your Blood Fiend Pavilion is a decent choice."

Hearing this, the expressions on Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu's faces instantly became awkward.

So it turned out the City Lord only wanted to go to the Blood Fiend Pavilion to rest.

He wasn't going there to raid the treasury?

Thinking back to their stance of proactively offering up the treasury just now...

Looking at it now, they had simply been scaring themselves; they had utterly embarrassed themselves.

"It was this subordinate who overthought things. Please forgive me, City Lord."

Blood Lady quickly lowered her head to admit her mistake, her face filled with embarrassment.

Iron Mountain Liu also blushed and scratched his head sheepishly.

Jiang Yun waved his hand, saying nothing more.

Blood Lady looked up, her eyes filled with a touch of eagerness.

"City Lord, the Blood Fiend Pavilion welcomes you at any time! Since you are now the City Lord of Black Rock City and I have followed you, the Blood Fiend Pavilion is naturally your organization. It is my honor that you wish to rest there!"

When she said this, her tone was sincere, without the slightest bit of reluctance.

Jiang Yun nodded upon hearing her words.

He didn't want to waste time on these trivial matters.

"Let's go."

Jiang Yun said, immediately summoning Little Skylark.

A silver-white light flashed, and Little Skylark appeared before everyone.

At this moment, although Little Skylark had not manifested its wings of the firmament, its temperament had undergone a subtle change after the recent treasure Fusion.

It was more agile and sharper, like a sharp sword drawn from its scabbard.

"Chirp!"

Little Skylark gave an excited cry and leaned down, letting Jiang Yun mount it.

Jiang Yun flipped onto the bird's back, and Fox Immortal leaped up lightly, sitting cross-legged behind him.

Before leaving, Iron Mountain Liu suddenly turned around, looking down from above at the former members of the Black Wind Stronghold.

"All of you, listen to this Elder!"

His voice exploded in the air like thunder.

"From this day forth, Black Rock City is the City Lord's territory! Your lives were also given to you by the City Lord! In the future, you must follow the City Lord's lead; whatever he commands, you shall do! If anyone has double intentions, the fates of He Yuanming, Li Fengxing, and the three chiefs of the Black Wind Stronghold will be your example!"

"Yes! We shall obey the City Lord's command! We shall obey the Elder's command!"

Below, a dark mass of people knelt.

Each one kowtowed like pounding garlic, filled with gratitude and not even daring to breathe loudly.

Iron Mountain Liu nodded with satisfaction.

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu also summoned their respective beasts and followed closely behind.

However, the further they followed, the more alarmed they became.

"This... how is this possible? Isn't the City Lord's beast only Gold Rank? Its speed is actually not much different from mine?!"

Iron Mountain Liu said in shock.

One had to know that his beast was a Falling Star Rank flying beast!

The City Lord's beast was only Gold Rank...

Blood Lady was also filled with disbelief.

She clearly remembered that Jiang Yun's beast's speed had not been this terrifying just a moment ago.

Presumably, he must have obtained some incredible treasure in the Black Wind Stronghold's treasury!

The two looked at each other.

The shock in their hearts was beyond words.

They immediately kept up.

Several figures turned into streaks of light, flying toward the Blood Fiend Pavilion.

The Blood Fiend Pavilion was situated on a hill to the east of Black Rock City, with high terrain that allowed one to overlook most of the city.

However, when Jiang Yun and his party arrived above the Blood Fiend Pavilion, the sight before them made Jiang Yun's brow furrow slightly.

The square outside the Blood Fiend Pavilion was already a field of ruins.

The ground was cracked, rubble was everywhere, and traces of battle were scattered about.

Several buildings had completely collapsed, leaving only broken walls.

A faint smell of blood and fluctuations of spiritual power still lingered in the air.

These were the marks left by the previous battle.

The Huang Family Elder had pursued Jiang Yun, Fox Immortal had acted, the Blood Prison Domain had descended, and a Meteorite Level 8 powerhouse had crushed everything...

The buildings outside the Blood Fiend Pavilion had been destroyed in that very fight.

However, the main buildings of the Blood Fiend Pavilion remained intact.

The core structure of the Blood Fiend Pavilion was a Stone Hall built against the mountain, constructed entirely of black rock; it was solemn, majestic, and grand in Aura.

The hall's entrance consisted of two heavy bronze doors carved with complex patterns, looking quite ancient.

On either side of the Stone Hall were several side halls and pavilions, well-arranged and rigorously laid out.

Although the outer perimeter was destroyed, the Core Area of the Blood Fiend Pavilion was well-preserved.

Jiang Yun and the others landed on the square in front of the Stone Hall.

Little Skylark retracted its wings and landed steadily.

Jiang Yun flipped down, and Fox Immortal also landed lightly beside him.

Blood Lady and Iron Mountain Liu followed close behind, putting away their beasts and standing to Jiang Yun's left and right.

At this moment, the interior of the Blood Fiend Pavilion was already in a state of chaos.

The commotion from the previous battle had been far too great.

The Aura of a Meteorite Level 8 powerhouse, the shroud of the Blood Prison Domain, the intense combat...

All of this had left the people of the Blood Fiend Pavilion trembling with fear.

They didn't know what had happened outside; they only knew that their Pavilion Revered Master, Blood Lady, had led people out and had not returned since.

And now, several powerful Auras had descended from the sky onto the Blood Fiend Pavilion's square.

The Blood Fiend Pavilion's Elders, deacons, and Disciples all ran out from various places, gathering on the square in front of the Stone Hall.

When they saw clearly who had arrived, their faces changed drastically.

That youth.

The youth who had killed Revered Master Blood Nether Lotus's beast and crippled Blood Nether Lotus...

Why was he here?!

Wasn't he being hunted by that terrifying Elder?

Could it be... that Elder was killed by him?

That's impossible, right?!

That Elder was a Meteorite Level 8 powerhouse!

This youth was only Gold Rank Five; even if his beast was strong, it was impossible for him to kill a Meteorite Level 8 powerhouse, right?

But if he hadn't killed that Elder, why would the Elder have let him go?

Uncertainty and alarm filled their hearts as they looked at Jiang Yun with eyes full of fear and awe.

At this moment, Blood Lady stepped forward.

She surveyed the scene, her voice cold and majestic.

"Everyone, from this day forth, the Blood Fiend Pavilion shall submit to the City Lord of Black Rock City! Everything in the Blood Fiend Pavilion will follow the City Lord's deployment!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire field was in an uproar.

What?!

The Pavilion Revered Master actually... submitted to this youth?!

Everyone looked at each other, their faces full of disbelief.

The Pavilion Revered Master was a Peak Third Stage of Meteor Rank powerhouse!

Her Revered Master, Blood Nether Lotus, was even a Star Meteor Rank Seven existence!

Although Blood Nether Lotus had been crippled, the Pavilion Revered Master's own strength was among the best in Black Rock City!

Why would she submit to a youth?

Even if this youth's beast was very strong, it shouldn't be enough to make the Pavilion Revered Master submit so willingly, right?

Furthermore, hadn't this youth crippled the Pavilion Revered Master's Revered Master?

This was a blood feud!

How could the Pavilion Revered Master submit to her own enemy?

Everyone's hearts were full of doubt and confusion, but even more so, fear.

They could feel the Aura of the White-robed Woman behind Jiang Yun.

It was too terrifying!

That Aura was countless times stronger than their Pavilion Revered Master, Blood Lady!

It was even more terrifying than Blood Nether Lotus in her Peak!

Meteorite Level 8?

No, perhaps even stronger!

Such an existence could crush them as easily as crushing ants!

"What are you still standing there for?"

Blood Lady said coldly, "Quickly, greet the City Lord!"

The crowd snapped out of it, cupping their hands in salute and shouting in unison.

"Greetings, City Lord!"

The voices were uneven, carrying obvious fear and unease.

Jiang Yun nodded, his gaze sweeping across the crowd as he said calmly, "Rest assured, everyone. This City Lord is not a bloodthirsty person. As long as you do nothing detrimental to me, I will certainly not act against you."

He paused, his tone steady.

"Since you have submitted to me, I will protect your safety. In the future, Black Rock City will have new rules. As long as you follow the rules, I guarantee your safety and interests."

Hearing this, the fear in the crowd's hearts lessened slightly, but they still did not dare to relax their vigilance.

Just then.

An Elder stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "The City Lord is wise! To have such strength and boldness at such a young age, you are truly a young hero with limitless prospects!"

"Yes, yes!"

Another Elder followed suit.

"For the City Lord to take our Blood Fiend Pavilion under his wing is our pavilion's good fortune!"

"City Lord, rest assured, we will certainly be loyal and would never dare to have double intentions!"

Everyone began to flatter him, wishing they could praise Jiang Yun to the heavens.

Jiang Yun's expression remained calm, neither accepting nor rejecting these words of praise.

Right at that moment.

An aged figure slowly walked out from the Stone Hall.

It was a woman who looked to be in her forties, her face covered in wrinkles, wearing a dark red robe.

Her steps were somewhat faltering, and her Aura was weak and listless; she was clearly heavily injured.

Who else could it be but the Former Pavilion Master of the Blood Fiend Pavilion and Blood Lady's Revered Master?

Blood Nether Lotus!

The moment they saw Blood Nether Lotus, everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.

Blood Nether Lotus was a Star Meteor Rank Seven powerhouse. Although her cultivation had been crippled by Jiang Yun's beast, her prestige remained, and her influence in the Blood Fiend Pavilion was still there.

She was Blood Lady's Revered Master and the spiritual pillar of the Blood Fiend Pavilion.

And now, the enemy who had crippled her was right before her eyes.

Countless thoughts flashed through everyone's minds simultaneously...

What would Blood Nether Lotus do?

Would she seek revenge against Jiang Yun?

Would she demand that Blood Lady avenge her?

If a conflict broke out between Blood Nether Lotus and Jiang Yun, which side would Blood Lady take?

Blood Lady was Blood Nether Lotus's Disciple; with such a deep bond between Revered Master and Disciple, how could she stand by and watch her Revered Master be humiliated?

But if Blood Lady stood with Blood Nether Lotus, given Jiang Yun's strength, the Blood Fiend Pavilion would likely be completely annihilated!

A chill ran through everyone's hearts, as if they could already see the Blood Fiend Pavilion being washed in blood.

Looking at her own Revered Master, Blood Lady also felt a mix of emotions and was filled with worry.

Her Revered Master had been crippled; this was a blood feud.

But Jiang Yun's strength was too great.

The Huang Family Elder, a Meteorite Level 8, was insta-killed by Fox Immortal. What could her Revered Master, whose cultivation was crippled, use to fight Jiang Yun?

If her Revered Master insisted on revenge, what should she do?

To stand by her Revered Master would be like an egg hitting a stone; everyone in the Blood Fiend Pavilion would die.

To stand by Jiang Yun would be to betray her own kin; she couldn't do it.

Blood Lady was caught in a dilemma, her heart suffering immensely.

Everyone stared fixedly at Blood Nether Lotus, not daring to even breathe.

The air seemed to have frozen.

However, under everyone's watchful eyes.

Blood Nether Lotus looked up and gazed at Jiang Yun.

There was no hatred on her face, no anger, no resentment.

Only indifference.

She gave a slight smile, one that carried a touch of the vicissitudes of life, a touch of relief, and a touch of... awe.

Then, she slowly spoke.

"I, Blood Nether Lotus, the Former Pavilion Master of the Blood Fiend Pavilion, greet the City Lord."

Her voice was calm and her tone respectful.

There were no questions, no accusations, and no declarations of revenge.

There was only...

Submission...