As Li Mugui heard this series of sounds ringing in his ears, he felt his own momentum rapidly rising before he could react.
The imagery from the early stage of the Wanxiang realm began to rapidly expand, and within his three-foot-long green sword imagery, a pattern of a golden-feathered roc emerged. In the next moment, the pattern transformed into a real object, and a golden-feathered roc flew out from the sword!
This was the ability of the mid-stage of the Wanxiang realm, where imagery extended and transformed into myriad forms!
So, the so-called deepening of special effects referred to each small realm breakthrough, where every special effect would correspondingly ascend to a higher level!
Li Mugui immediately understood and felt joyful in his heart. With this, his ability to deceive had greatly improved.
Of course, what was more important was the newly added trial usage of a real special effect!
It turned out that as long as his realm improved, he could obtain trial usages of real special effects.
Li Mugui's mood was excellent, and he immediately made a decision: "Perform a lottery!"
A rectangular panel appeared in front of him, with countless characters rapidly scrolling across it.
Finally, the characters settled one by one.
"Congratulations to the user for unlocking the special effect: SnowWind!"
With this voice, the panel in front of Li Mugui transformed into a light screen:
[User: Li Mugui]
[Realm: Second Martial Realm - Mid-stage of Furnace Refining Realm]
[Realm Special Effect: Wanxiang]
[Skill Special Effects: Dragon Roar in the Sheath, SnowWind]
[Temperament Special Effect: Swordsman]
[Reputation: 0/1000]
[Number of trial usages for real special effects (in beta): 2]
The value in the "Reputation" column had been depleted, and the number of trial usages for real special effects had indeed changed to '2'.
However, Li Mugui was more concerned about the effect of the new special effect and immediately checked its related information.
"Special Effect [SnowWind]: Years of adversity, bitter cold, snowwind, four directions devoid of dust, snow flying and clouds rising, cold wind roaring, all sounds silenced!"
Li Mugui's gaze immediately narrowed: "Hmm, this description is still as vague as ever."
However, based on the description, he could roughly imagine the appearance of this special effect.
The snow and wind transformed into gluttonous beasts, and under the four directions, even the tiniest speck of dust would turn into nothingness, with everything returning to silence!
If it were combined with his previous special effects, the might could be imagined.
At that time, without him even needing to attack, his opponent would surrender and yield.
Coupled with those two trial usages of real special effects, even if he encountered someone who was truly desperate, he could still completely overpower them.
...
At this moment, outside the City Lord's Mansion, the courtyard was as crowded as a marketplace.
The heads of large and small noble families in Feiying City, as well as officials from various departments, had gathered here, each with their own thoughts and agendas, but their demands were unanimous - they wished to see the City Lord.
However, for the past month, they had only seen Zhang Ji.
"Everyone, please return. The City Lord is in closed-door cultivation and has no time to receive you," Zhang Ji stood at the doorway, speaking calmly.
But in everyone's eyes, this was just an excuse.
A martial artist's cultivation could be broken through at any time.
"Director Zhang, if the City Lord doesn't show his face, we cannot make decisions on the major and minor affairs of the city," a charming voice sounded.
Zhang Ji turned his head to see a seductive-looking woman in a long dress.
Although her appearance was not stunningly beautiful, it was quite pleasing to the eye, especially her two softly rounded breasts that were tightly pressed against her dress, making them particularly enticing.
She was Zhu Yan, the head of one of Feiying City's top noble families and also the chief clerk of the City Lord's Mansion.
Regarding the previous incident with Liu Yu, although she had not participated, her inactivity could also be considered a dereliction of duty.
So Zhang Ji sneered coldly, "When the City Lord was not in closed-door cultivation before, you did not ask for his opinion very often when handling affairs, did you?"
"You took advantage of the situation to do what you wanted. Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"Why do you need the City Lord to make decisions on affairs now that he's in closed-door cultivation?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept coldly across the crowd, silencing everyone present.
Because what he said was true.
After Li Tai's death and before Li Mugui broke through to the third martial realm, these high-ranking officials and noble families of Feiying City had taken advantage of the situation to benefit their own families quite a bit.
On the other hand, the smaller families and lower-level officials had followed the law and order more diligently.
"Director Zhang, that's not how you should put it," a short and stout middle-aged man stepped forward to respond.
"When the City Lord first took office, we were all busy cleaning up the mess left by the attack of the demons from the Nine Green Mountains. We didn't have time to take advantage of anything," he explained.
Zhang Ji looked and recognized him as Chen Guang, the head of the Chen family and the chief of merit in the City Lord's Mansion.
Like Zhu Yan, Chen Guang had remained neutral during Liu Yu's incident.
Zhang Ji didn't bother arguing with them anymore. After all, the City Lord had instructed him to show no leniency towards these noble families.
"The City Lord is currently in closed-door cultivation to solidify his cultivation. Don't bother him with trivial matters," he said sternly.
"If you want to wait, then wait here. If not, then leave!"
Zhang Ji's straightforward words made Chen Guang and the others feel somewhat embarrassed.
Especially Chen Guang, whose expression kept changing.
In his view, Li Mugui was just trying to knock them down a peg.
But they had been eating closed doors for a whole month now!
Even Li Tai, who was known for his wild and unrestrained behavior, had shown some respect for their noble families.
Now that Li Mugui was in charge, even Zhang Ji, a mere household slave, dared to speak to them so rudely!
After all, he was just a villager with no sense of propriety or etiquette, unaware of the intricate network of relationships behind these noble families.
Did he really think he could do whatever he wanted just because he had reached the third martial realm?
Chen Guang's heart was filled with rage, but he dared not show it.
After all, in Feiying City, Li Mugui's fists were still the biggest.
Suddenly, Chen Guang remembered what Liu Yu had said before, that Feiying City should be left in the hands of those noble families who knew the rules.
Then, he recalled that a few days ago, the Liu family had sent him an invitation, saying they would introduce him to a powerful figure... Perhaps this person could deal with the arrogant Li Mugui.
Chen Guang made a decision and turned to leave without another word.
After he left, the heads of other larger noble families also chose to depart.
This left only the heads of a few smaller families and Zhu Yan, the chief clerk.
This surprised Zhang Ji somewhat.
"Director Zhang, it doesn't matter what those fools say. They are all short-sighted and have no idea how extraordinary our City Lord is," Zhu Yan said with a smile.
"Chief Clerk Zhu, no matter what you say, the City Lord is really in closed-door cultivation and cannot see you now," Zhang Ji shook his head.
"Director Zhang, I know the City Lord is in closed-door cultivation, but today, it's not just me who wants to see him," Zhu Yan said slowly, stepping forward, followed by a red-clothed woman.
Zhang Ji looked closely and was startled: "Miss Shen!"
"Director Zhang, long time no see," Shen Bing greeted politely.
"I didn't expect to come at an inconvenient time. It seems that City Lord Li is in closed-door cultivation," she said regretfully.
"This..." Zhang Ji hesitated. He knew Shen Bing's identity and that the Qianzhu Chamber of Commerce behind her was a truly enormous force.
Just as he was hesitating whether to consult Li Mugui, a guard hurriedly approached him and whispered something in his ear.
Suddenly, Zhang Ji's expression changed, and he looked a bit embarrassed. He turned to Shen Bing and Zhu Yan and said, "It happens that the City Lord has just come out of closed-door cultivation. You two, please come in."