496: Peace, but also hidden storms

On the edge of the Chaos Sea, the Eighty-First Fortress City stood quietly.

This Fortress City was similar in scale to Pass City Number Seven, with towering walls inscribed with ancient defensive Dao patterns, but compared to the solemn and stern iron-blooded aura of Pass City Number Seven, there was a bit more tranquility here.

Xu Qing arrived through the air, his gaze sweeping over the Fortress City's interior and exterior.

On the city walls, the Cultivators stationed there were not fully armed; instead, they gathered in small groups, some discussing Dao, some wiping their Magical Artifacts, and some even brewing tea and chatting idly.

In the distant Chaos mist, occasional sporadic alien scouts would pass by, but they caused no ripples, and the defending soldiers merely glanced at them casually before ignoring them.

The city's interior was even livelier, with shops lining both sides of the streets, the sounds of hawking incessant, and creatures coming and going, presenting a scene of a prosperous city.

If not for the majestic city walls in the distance and the occasional passing patrol, one might almost forget that this was a war Fortress City.

"This old man, Zhu Changqing, greets Ancestor Xu."

A Cultivator dressed in a green robe came forward and bowed respectfully.

He was the Elder of the Fortress City, responsible for daily affairs. News of Xu Qing's arrival had already been sent from above, along with a portrait, so he recognized Xu Qing's appearance at a glance.

Xu Qing nodded slightly and asked, "How are the battles recently?"

Zhu Changqing smiled, his tone relaxed: "Replying to Ancestor Xu, the Eighty-First Fortress City has not had large-scale battles for tens of thousands of years. Occasionally there are small groups of aliens harassing us, but they are not a threat. A few days ago, a Tianyang race scout team approached, but we easily dealt with them."

Xu Qing understood.

Among Tianyang Pass's 180 Fortress Cities, the first fifty directly faced the Tianyang race's main force, with frequent battles and continuous beacons.

However, the Fortress Cities after the fiftieth became gradually more peaceful, and the Eighty-First Fortress City was even further back. Unless the Tianyang aliens launched a large-scale attack, there would almost never be a major battle here.

Even if there was a major battle, it would be enveloped by a grand Formation, capable of holding out until reinforcements arrived.

It was precisely for this reason that the City Lord here only needed to be a Two-Step Dao Ancestor to serve. In fact, the City Lord rarely showed up on normal days, constantly in seclusion and largely uninvolved in affairs.

Most matters were handled by the Deputy City Lord and the Elder.

"It's a suitable place for quiet Cultivation," Xu Qing thought to himself.

He looked up at the sky; the Chaos mist flowed slowly, and in the distance, the outlines of other Fortress Cities were faintly visible. Further away was the deep, boundless Chaos Sea.

There was none of the oppressive, iron-blooded solemnity of Pass City Number Seven here; instead, it exuded a rare tranquility.

As for managing affairs, he was used to being a hands-off boss and wouldn't bother, especially since he wasn't the only Deputy City Lord.

"Ancestor Xu, the other Deputy City Lords are already waiting. Please come this way!" Zhu Changqing bowed.

"Very well. Since there are no battles for now, I'll first familiarize myself with the Fortress City's affairs."

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and strode towards the City Lord's Mansion.

On the streets, Cultivators still came and went, the sounds of hawking and laughter intertwined, as if this were not a frontier battlefield, but merely an ordinary Cultivator city.

Peaceful, yet also harboring hidden currents.

The Eighty-First Fortress City had one City Lord and five Deputy City Lords, all Human Race Dao Ancestors. Including Xu Qing, that made seven people. Except for the City Lord, everyone else was a One-Step Dao Ancestor.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, the atmosphere was subtle.

When Xu Qing stepped into the main hall, the five Deputy City Lords were already seated. Though they were all Human Race Dao Ancestors, they were distinctly separated, each sitting in their own area, with their gazes rarely meeting.

"This must be the new Deputy City Lord Xu, yes?"

At the head of the left side, a middle-aged man in a purple-gold Daoist robe spoke indifferently.

His face was stern, his eyes subtly flashing with lightning, and the Dao rhythm around him was solid, clearly indicating that his Cultivation was the strongest among the five.

Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao, in charge of the Fortress City's penalties, had a fierce temperament and tolerated no dissent.

"Dao Friend Xu, being new here, you must be careful in your actions." On the right, a pale-faced man in white chuckled lightly, toying with a blood-red jade pendant between his fingers, "Though the Fortress City is peaceful, it is often attacked by Tianyang aliens!"

Dao Ancestor Xue He, who Cultivated the Dao of Blood Fiend, had cunning methods and deep schemes.

The other three, though silent, had varied gazes.

The green-robed old man, Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen, was skilled in Formations and had a gentle temperament, but he detested conflict the most and was the only peacemaker among the five.

The black-clad woman, Dao Ancestor You Yue, Cultivated the Dao of assassination and was a woman of few words, yet no one dared to underestimate her. The last one, Dao Ancestor Jin Que, had achieved Dao through his Physical Body, had a fiery temper, and would resort to violence at the slightest disagreement.

Undercurrents surged among the five. Aside from Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen, whose expression was open, the others looked difficult to deal with.

At this moment, Dao Ancestor Zhan Tian's reminder flashed through Xu Qing's mind.

"These five don't see eye to eye. No matter which side you lean towards, you'll displease the others."

Xu Qing's lips curved slightly, his gaze sweeping over the five. He said indifferently, "Fellow Daoists, I am here only to guard the Fortress City. On normal days, I wish only to Cultivate in seclusion. If there are any matters in the city, I hope you all will handle them."

"Of course, if there are Tianyang aliens, I will fulfill my duty to guard!"

"Heh, easy for you to say." Dao Ancestor Xue He sneered, "Fortress City resources are limited. If you Cultivate in seclusion all year, some benefits... won't be yours."

"Oh?" Xu Qing raised an eyebrow, "What benefits?"

"For example... the exploration rights to the Chaos Secret Realm." Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao said in a deep voice, "Or, for example, the allocation of Ancestral Veins within the Fortress City."

The five stared intently, clearly testing Xu Qing's attitude.

Xu Qing smiled.

He slowly rose, Dao rhythm subtly appearing around him, an invisible pressure spreading out.

"I'm a person who hates being threatened the most."

"Taking sides?" His gaze swept over the five, his tone calm, "How about this—whoever is not convinced, stand out now, I'll beat him up, and things will be much simpler."

Inside the main hall, the air suddenly solidified.

The five's expressions changed slightly. No one expected this new Deputy City Lord to be so forceful!

Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao snorted, "Arrogant!"

Dao Ancestor Xue He narrowed his eyes, the blood-red jade pendant on his fingertip glowing faintly.

Dao Ancestor Jin Que, even more direct, slammed his hand on the table and stood up, "Bold! This old man has wanted to stretch his muscles for a long time!"

Xu Qing stood with his hands behind his back, his smile unchanged: "Want to fight? Fine, come at me together, save the trouble!"

"..."

Inside the main hall, there was a dead silence.

The five stared at Xu Qing, their expressions shifting between cloudy and clear.

Who didn't know Xu Qing's battle achievements now? That Dao Ancestor of Rock was on the same level as Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao, yet he still died at Xu Qing's hands, and at that time, the other party was only at the Half-Ancestor realm.

If they fought alone, they were truly no match. But if they joined forces and actually fought, regardless of winning or losing, they couldn't afford to lose face.

If it were...

Eventually, Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen sighed and shook his head, saying, "The peace of the Fortress City is paramount. Why must you all engage in internal strife? Today is Dao Friend Xu's inauguration day; it is fitting for us to host a welcoming banquet for Dao Friend Xu!"

Dao Ancestor You Yue gave Xu Qing a deep look and turned to leave.

Although Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao, Dao Ancestor Xue He, and Dao Ancestor Jin Que were unwilling, they did not provoke further. However, they naturally would not attend this welcoming banquet and immediately left with a flick of their sleeves!

Seeing this, Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen opened his mouth, not knowing what to say!

Xu Qing chuckled at the sight. "Dao Friend Xuan Zhen, are there any specialty dishes in the city's restaurants? I am new here, and I hope Dao Friend Xuan Zhen will lead the way!"

"Very well! Dao Friend Xu, follow me!" Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen smiled gently upon hearing this.

Xu Qing followed beside him, leisurely stepping out of the main hall.

Want to cause trouble with him?

Whoever it was, just beat them up!