In a huge mansion situated at the heart of White Stone City, a dignified old man was flipping through the pages of an ancient looking book. He was wearing a black robe with a radiant sun insignia on his chest.
Suddenly loud knocking sounded out from the door before a middle-aged man wearing silver armor barged inside with a panicked expression.
"Governor Song-", started the middle-aged man.
BANG!
"What did I say about interrupting me in my cultivation time Han Yu?!", interrupted Jianyu Song with an enraged expression slamming his hand on the desk and making it turn into a bunch of wooden splinters.
"If you don't have a good enough reason for this, then don't blame me for being ruthless", he continued his eyes flashing with a murderous light.
Han Yu flinched, cold sweat rolling down his spine, "L-Lord Song, someone is creating chaos at the south gate of the city", he gulped continuing with an anxious expression, "he managed to kill 20 guards in a few seconds with a mere tree leaf. He must be an expert at the peak of the first rank, Lord Song you have to show him that even with his strength he can't shake the sky of White Stone."
Duke Song frowned before moving his hand to touch a wall next to him, Qi flew out of his hand and changed the shape of the wall to create the face of a young man exuding an immortal air, "is this him?"
Han Yu nodded, "Do you know him, Duke Song?", but instead of an answer, he was greeted with a slap.
SMACK!
Han Yu was sent flying out of the room, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
"YOU FOOL! THAT YOUNG MAN IS MY ONLY WAY TO LONGEVITY!", Roared Duke Song.
...
Back at the south gate, hushed whispers filled the scene, as the crowd discussed the strength of the young man.
"He must be a peak second rank martial artist!", said an ordinary-looking man.
"Ptui! Why spout nonsense when you can't even understand the immensity of heaven and earth? That man must at least be a first ranked martial artist!", interjected a fierce man with a cold sneer.
A soft sigh escaped from one of the carriages on the side, making the bickering people quiet down. Even the fierce man dared not speak another word after seeing the surname engraved on the carriage 'XIAO'.
The voice drifted out of the carriage, "This young man is definitely an innate rank martial artist, the pressure he exudes is on the same level as my family patriarch!"
A collective gasp rang out, as the crowd looked at Lin Fang with horror stricken eyes.
At this moment, Lin Fang suddenly opened his eyes and slowly stood up, making everyone take a few back.
He looked at the vast sea of guards before him, licking his lips with excitement. He circulated his fire Qi envisioning the number of souls he would reap today.
However, the sea of guards suddenly parted, making way for two lone figures. The crowd's eyes bulged as they recognized the two, They were the highest ranked officials of White Stone City: Governor Song and guard commander Yu.
"Martial brother Fang, I'm truly sorry for the trouble these useless subordinates of mine have brought you", said Duke Song with cupped fists.
Lin Fang hurriedly shook his head, "No offense taken brother Song".
Lin Fang's face, however, was getting uglier by the minute as he saw the guards's gazes turn from hostility to respect, he felt like his precious souls were slipping out of his grasp.
"Hmm?", Duke Song noticing Lin Fang's grim countenance didn't hesitate as he waved his palm in the direction of commander Yu.
As soon as that frail palm touched his head, it instantly exploded sending blood and parts everywhere.
The crowd's faces paled as they witnessed this gruesome scene, they even regretted coming to the city today.
"Martial brother Fang, you have truly enlightened me today, it seems I have neglected my duties as a governor"
Lin Fang lifted his eyebrow shock evident on his face, Duke Song is indeed decisive.
"Duke Song, let's leave this matter behind us and start preparing for our journey", He changed the subject afraid that Duke Song would continue killing the guards to prove his sincerity.
Duke Song nodded a happy smile gracing his old face, as he turned and led the way toward the governor's mansion.
Once they reached the mansion, Lin Fang was led by the servants to his room, which, despite seeing all kinds of high-class hotels as an actor in his last life, was still on a whole other level.
The room was as big as a house, with all kinds of unique decorations; portraits of sword-wielding experts dancing graciously, and huge beast heads were hung like trophies on its walls.
One of those heads; a huge tiger head with white fur and black stripes emitting a heavy pressure, caught his eyes.
"What is this beast?" he asked the servant next to him.
"Master Fang, that is a Black Striped Tiger a demonic beast that almost destroyed the city 20 years ago", answered the servant truthfully.
Lin Fang was surprised, 'a true demonic beast? No wonder it's still emitting such a heavy pressure after dying for so long', he then looked at the servant urging him to continue.
"Luckily, an immortal descended from the heavens and decapitated the beast with a single slash of his sword", she paused before continuing with a reverent look, "The immortal didn't even care about the body of the beast, he simply turned around and ascended again"
Lin Fang was doubtful, after reading so many novels he knew that cultivators were the most greedy and cunning beings ever, they would never make a move if there was nothing to gain.
"Master Fang, there is a banquet later this night, with all of the nobles of White Stone attending hoping to catch a glimpse of the new innate master of the kingdom. Will you be attending Lord Fang?", the servant girl bowed with a pleading expression, her bountiful cleavage peaking through her uniform.
She was tasked with making Lin Fang attend the banquet, to make the governor's ties with this new rising star known to all, and she dared not think of her fate if she failed.
Just as Lin Fang wanted to reject, not finding any reason to meet some arrogant weaklings, he suddenly remembered a certain baron making him suffer a loss in the simulation.
"I will be there", he said with a devilish grin, making the servant sigh in relief.