196: Chapter 196 Skyfire City

The void heaven-escaping shuttle sped above the clouds, leaving the lush green hills and waters of the Southern Region far behind.

Ling Hao stood before the porthole, gazing at the gradually changing scenery below.

The wild jungles of the Southern Region gradually thinned, replaced by rolling hills and wide river valleys.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the air was noticeably increasing, shifting from the thinness of the Southern Region to becoming rich and dense.

This was the Central Region.

The center of the Eastern Wasteland, a place where all spirits gathered.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, we will arrive at Tianhuo City in half a day." Manager Nangong He walked to his side, toying with a Jade Slip in his hand. "I have already sent people to contact the Jiang Family in advance, and Jiang Wanshan has indicated a willingness to meet."

"What is his attitude?" Ling Hao asked.

"Cautious, but interested." Manager Nangong He weighed his words. "The Jiang Family has been heavily suppressed by the other two families over these years; their assets have shrunk by forty percent, and they even had one of their ancestral Spiritual Veins snatched away. Although Jiang Wanshan possesses Soul Transformation Peak cultivation, he is a lone tree that cannot support itself and has been searching for external aid."

"Does the Heavenly Dao Palace not intervene?"

"The Heavenly Dao Palace is happy to see this happen." Manager Nangong He sneered. "Only when the three families check and balance each other can Tianhuo City remain stable. If one Family becomes too dominant, it would be difficult to control. Therefore, on the surface, the Heavenly Dao Palace remains impartial, but in secret, it supports the Sun and Li families to suppress the Jiang Family, ensuring that none of the three can truly control Tianhuo City."

Ling Hao nodded.

This was the Heavenly Dao Palace's standard tactic: divide and rule, allowing vassal forces to restrain each other so that none could threaten the master's position.

"Does Jiang Wanshan know the Heavenly Dao Palace is pulling strings behind the scenes?"

"Of course he knows." Manager Nangong He said. "But he dares not break ties. Although the Jiang Family is a long-standing noble Family in Tianhuo City, its strength is limited. Offending the Heavenly Dao Palace would only lead to a dead end. So, he can only endure it."

"Then why does he dare to see us now?" Ling Xiao interjected.

Manager Nangong He glanced at him and smiled. "Because the Ling Family is different. The Ling Family defeated the Blood Fiend Sect in the Southern Region and killed several Divine Generals of the Heavenly Dao Palace. Although these matters have not been spread openly, an old fox like Jiang Wanshan surely has his own information channels. He knows that the Ling Family is at odds with the Heavenly Dao Palace, and the enemy of an enemy is a friend."

Ling Xiao realized.

"However," Manager Nangong He changed the subject, "Jiang Wanshan will not place his bets easily. He needs to see the Ling Family's strength before deciding whether to cooperate. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Ling, I am afraid you will need to show a display of skill during this meeting."

"A display of skill?" Ling Xiao frowned. "Does this mean we have to fight? What if we attract people from the Heavenly Dao Palace?"

"That won't be necessary," Ling Hao said calmly. "However, since we are planting our flag, the Heavenly Dao Palace will know sooner or later, and we will clash eventually. If that really happens, it will be a good opportunity to test their caliber."

Ling Xiao opened his mouth but ultimately did not refute.

He understood Ling Hao; this cousin of his never fought a battle without preparation. Since he dared to say this, he must be confident.

The flying boat continued forward.

Half a day later, the outline of a city appeared on the horizon ahead.

Tianhuo City.

The city was situated on a plain between two low mountain ranges. The city walls were dark red, about ten zhang high, and built from Red Flame Stone. This type of stone could absorb the essence of the sun and emit a faint red light at night. Viewed from afar, it looked like a burning piece of charcoal, which is how Tianhuo City got its name.

The scale of the city was not large, covering only a few dozen li in radius, but the buildings inside were dense, and shops were everywhere. In particular, the market in the city center was bustling with people, and various shouts of peddling rose one after another, making it exceptionally lively.

Ling Hao stood before the porthole, his gaze sweeping across the entire city.

His Divine Sense acted like invisible tentacles, silently probing into the city, sensing every aura.

One Soul Transformation Peak aura was in a large residence in the north of the city; the aura was as steady as a mountain, which should be Jiang Wanshan.

Two Soul Transformation Late Stage auras were in the east and west of the city, respectively; the auras were sinister, carrying a trace of the Heavenly Dao's power, which should be the heads of the Sun and Li families.

Dozens of Soul Transformation Middle Stage and below auras were scattered throughout the city.

The overall strength was not much stronger than Qingyun City.

But Ling Hao noticed that the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the city was abnormally high, far exceeding that of an ordinary city. This was not naturally formed, but because there was a large Spiritual Vein beneath the city.

"Beneath Tianhuo City, there is a fourth-grade Spiritual Vein." Manager Nangong He explained. "This is also the focus of the three families' contention. Whoever controls the Spiritual Vein holds the lifeblood of Tianhuo City. Currently, the entrance to the Spiritual Vein is in the city center, jointly managed by the three families, with each Family taking turns to guard it for a month."

"A fourth-grade Spiritual Vein..." Ling Hao mused. "If we can take Tianhuo City, this Spiritual Vein will be of great help to the Ling Family."

"Not just great help." Manager Nangong He smiled. "A fourth-grade Spiritual Vein is enough to support the consumption of a medium-sized Sect for hundreds of years. If the Ling Family can monopolize it, the cultivation speed of the Disciples will increase by at least thirty percent."

Ling Hao nodded, already having a plan in mind.

The flying boat slowly landed on the reception platform outside the city.

Tianhuo City had a rule that no flying Magic Treasure was allowed to enter the city and must land outside. This was a rule jointly established by the three families, intended to prevent anyone from launching an aerial surprise attack.

Ling Hao did not intend to break the rules, at least not for now.

Everyone disembarked from the flying boat. Shadow Seven and the other two immediately hid in the shadows, while the twenty elites from the Shadow Hall dispersed and blended into the city, beginning to gather intelligence.

Ling Hao only brought Ling Xiao, Manager Nangong He, and two Wanbao Pavilion retainers as attendants to head to the Jiang Family.

The Jiang Residence was located in the north of the city and occupied a vast area; it was an old mansion that had been passed down for hundreds of years.

The layout of the residence secretly aligned with a certain Formation. Although it looked ordinary, Ling Hao could tell at a glance that Formation bases were buried under the courtyard walls. Once activated, it could form a fifth-grade defensive array sufficient to withstand the full-force attack of a Soul Transformation Peak expert.

"The Jiang Family indeed has a profound foundation." Manager Nangong He commented in a low voice. "This residence has been maintained for at least three hundred years."

Ling Hao nodded and did not say anything more.

Outside the main gate of the Jiang Residence, an elderly man who looked like a butler had been waiting for a long time. The old man wore a gray robe, had a thin face, sharp eyes, and his cultivation was at the Nascent Soul Peak.

"Is this the Family Head of the Ling Family?" The old man cupped his hands, his attitude respectful but neither humble nor overbearing.

"Indeed." Ling Hao nodded.

"The Family Head is already waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."

The old man led the way, passing through the screen wall, corridors, and gardens, all the way to the main hall.

In the main hall, a burly middle-aged man sat upright in the main seat.

The man looked to be about forty years old, with a square face, thick eyebrows and large eyes, a dark complexion, and rough hands. He did not look like the head of a noble Family, but rather like a blacksmith who had labored for many years.

But his eyes were very bright.

They were eyes that had experienced the vicissitudes of life yet remained sharp, like a hawk, capable of seeing through the disguises of the human heart.

"Family Head Ling, long admired." Jiang Wanshan stood up and cupped his hands, his voice loud and resonant. "Please, sit."

Ling Hao cupped his hands in return and sat down in the guest seat. Ling Xiao stood behind him, while Manager Nangong He sat to the side.

Jiang Wanshan's gaze lingered on Ling Hao for a moment, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had originally thought that the Young Lord of the Ling Family, who could stir up such a huge storm in the Southern Region, would at least be a middle-aged Cultivator. He did not expect him to be so young.

Moreover, he could not see through Ling Hao's cultivation.

It was not that Ling Hao had hidden his aura, but rather that his aura was too profound, like a bottomless pool, making it impossible for others to gauge the depth.

"Family Head Ling is truly a young hero." Jiang Wanshan withdrew his gaze and smiled. "I will be presumptuous and call you Little Friend Ling. You don't mind, right?"

"Senior Jiang, please feel free." Ling Hao said calmly.

Jiang Wanshan nodded and did not beat around the bush, saying directly, "Little Friend Ling, Shopkeeper Nangong has already informed me of your intentions. I want to know what you can give to the Jiang Family and what you want the Jiang Family to do."

Straight to the point.