One hour later:
The scene outside Jade spear city had underwent a drastic change. The population of players and even NPCs waiting to enter the city had increased from about a million to several millions. But this wasn't even worth mentioning compared to the number of those that want to migrate to the city. If not because of the city undergoing promotion thus sealing all teleportation points to Jade spear city, the population would have easily reached 10 million. Meanwhile, an Holy city could only accommodate ten million players that can operate comfortably in the city. Any more and there'd be overcrowding. This was because, apart from players, the number of NPCs in the city itself was already more than that of players. Adding those who migrated with players, the NPC population would reach a frightening degree. The competition would be so intense that Guilds and Adventurer Teams would rise and fall. For rogue players, it would be even worse.
Just when they were nearly going crazy, a loud boom came from the city and the barrier blocking the city snapped apart revealing a magnificent city with enormous land size. It was difficult to imagine that this was the previous Jade spear city. Now the city spanned tens of miles in diameter enough to accommodate millions if not billions of players and NPCs.
What was even more apparent was the change in Mana density. The atmospheric Mana in Jade spear city was dense previously. But now it was even denser forming a layer of fog that covered the city that makes it appear like a Celestial city. It was suspected that the Mana density in the central parts of the city have condensed to liquid Mana.
On a Jade plaque atop big gate was beautifully written:
"The promotion is complete!" The players shouted as they hurriedly scampered disorderly to get in line. Everyone wanted to be the first one to enter Jade spear Holy city. Fights broke out between players and even NPC as everyone fought to get in line. It was a mayday that resembled a Great battle. The Tier 2 Guards outside the city quietly stood in front of the gate without a care for whatever chaos was happening before them.
The chaotic battle went on until suddenly a knight flew and hovered above the city gates.
"Commander!" The Tier 2 Guardd and Tier 3 captains all saluted the newcomer. It was the Tier 4 Guard Commander! The players and NPCs fighting one another surprisingly didn't notice this movement. They continued fighting and fighting until the Commander shouted:
"Silence!" The Tier 4 commander imbued Mana into the sound waves causing a ripple that spread all over the battlefield. With just a single word, the Commander had supressed all fights that was going on.
"Fight once more and I'll massacre everyone!" The Commander threatened.
Everyone stood still none daring to breath aloud. This was because when the Commander threatened to kill everyone outside the city, they knew he was not bluffing. This was because among those standing outside, only few NPCs were Tier 3. The players and other NPCs were below Tier 3. Slaughtering an armies of Tier 3 Kings was not impossible for a Tier 4 Knight let alone Tier 2, Tier 1 and Tier 0 players. It was better to calm down than to regret later.
"Now everyone should quietly form lines outside the gates and wait for the Guards to allow you in" The Knight commander ordered. "You'll be asked to pay a sum of 20 Magic crystals per person for entrance fees. Once you're confirmed that you're not a criminal, you can enter the Holy city. Remember fights or battles are not allowed within the city or outside the gates!"
Everyone quietly listened to the words of the Knight commander. They were surprised when they heard the high entrance fees but they still accepted it. Normally the entrance fees of a Holy city was about 10-15 Magic crystals but this was a new Holy city which has not been explored. It's value was worth more than the other Holy cities where some large Guilds had dominated. Hence the expensive fees were logical.
The players and NPCs quietly formed multiple lines and began entering the city after the Knight commander left...
Shenrou and the others were only able to enter after about 30 mins after the Holy city was opened.
"Xuanyuan, are you there?" Qingyuan messaged once they crossed the gates.
"Yeah" Xuanyuan replied almost immediately.
"Where are you?" She asked.
"The Holy Temple"
"Can we meet now or are you busy?"
"No, wait for me in front of the City lord Manor. I'll be there shortly" Xuanyuan said.
"Okay, see you later. Ninth Saint" Qingyuan said and they all proceeded towards the City lord Manor...
The City Lord's Manor occupied the a large portion of the central part of the city. It was protected by a very strong Magic barrier due to its importance as the heart of the city. When other forces attack the city, they had to satisfy two conditions to seize the city. First, they had to kill the city lord and acquire the seal. Then they had to acquire the city ownership tablet which was sealed in a room in the City Lord's Manor. The barrier protecting this room was more stronger than even the one protecting the city itself...
Currently, the entrance of the City Lord's Manor is largely empty and only a few players were waiting outside when the four arrived.
"There he is!" Xingyao shouted and pointed at a cloaked Swordman standing alone outside the city. Others passing by him would think he was just an ordinary player with no scary combat power but only if they knew the Swordman that emits no dangerous aura is the Ninth Saint of Humanity and the City lord of Jade spear city, the Sword Mage...