The night air was crisp outside the Great Wilderness City. A thin layer of black mist enshrouded the surroundings, sweeping in from all directions. Before long, the entire city found itself under its cloak. An indescribable sense of oppression descended on everyone, burdening them as if each carried a mountain on their shoulders, making it difficult to breathe.
"What's happening?" Inside the main hall of the City Lord's residence, a middle-aged man with a rotund figure was in the midst of cultivation. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, he abruptly awoke, uneasily glancing towards the sky.
"My Lord, something… something bad has happened!" At that moment, a guard rushed in, shouting loudly.
"What happened? Quickly, explain!" The City Lord stood up, urgently inquiring.
"Moments ago, for some unknown reason, the entire city was covered by a black mist. Everyone is immobilized; even those with modest strength can't move a muscle!" The guard explained in a panic.
"This is disastrous!" Upon hearing these words, the City Lord's heart sank, feeling as if he had fallen into an icehouse. At this moment, he realized that he had encountered a formidable expert from the demonic path.
In the cultivation world, incidents of massacres and sect annihilation were not uncommon. Some demonic cultivators were known for blood sacrifices involving entire Cities, Sects, or Holy Lands. For a city like his, with a population of merely tens of thousands and situated in a desolate area, being targeted by a demonic cultivator was plausible. Most likely, no one would care about its fate, given its lack of backing.
"City Lord… what should we do?" The guard swallowed hard, his voice dry.
"What should we do? How would I know what to do?" The City Lord was at a loss. Since the intruders dared to come, they must be completely confident. As a small City Lord, facing such adversaries meant certain death.
"Step!" At that moment, crisp footsteps echoed, piercing the hearts of everyone present. It felt as if each step landed directly on their hearts, causing their hearts to almost stop beating.
Bathed in moonlight, Yang Qiu, clad in black, with deep, profound eyes and white hair billowing, walked out step by step from the void. As he approached, a terrifying murderous intent surged.
At this moment, numerous cultivators experienced their bodies cracking, internal organs damaged, souls on the verge of tearing apart, and even their bones were on the brink of melting.
The murderous intent was boundless!
Everyone felt a chill running down their spines, wanting to escape, but their legs seemed as if they were filled with lead, unable to lift, let alone flee.
"A Holy… Holy Lord-level figure...!" The Great Wilderness City Lord felt his scalp exploding. It was too horrifying. How could a small city like theirs attract the attention of a Holy Lord-level character? Such individuals were top powers in any Holy Land, and dealing with Great Wilderness City only required a glance to obliterate them. Countless would vie to annihilate the city just to curry favor with such beings.
"Senior...!" The Great Wilderness City Lord forced out a smile more hideous than crying, walked out of the hall, and ascended to the sky, bowing to Yang Qiu. His attitude was extremely respectful, nearly reaching the point of groveling.
"I don't know why the senior has graced us with his presence. I have been remiss in not welcoming senior from afar. Please do not be offended, and if there is anything where I can be of service, please instruct!" The Great Wilderness City Lord spoke.
He felt extremely uneasy. Faced with such a terrifying character, he dared not even think of fleeing. Escape would mean certain death, but staying behind might offer a slim chance of survival.
"Hmm?" Yang Qiu heard the words, turned his head, and looked over. His gaze, like a towering mountain, pressed down the Great Wilderness City Lord from the sky to the ground in an instant.
Bang! The Great Wilderness City Lord landed, raising a cloud of dust. Instead of showing any displeasure, he accompanied it with a smiling face.
"Get lost!" Yang Qiu calmly uttered. This single word was like the roar of thunder, and many people, upon hearing it, immediately spewed blood. Even the Great Wilderness City Lord felt uncomfortable in his chest.
But his eyes sparkled. The word "get lost" sounded as pleasant as celestial music. He understood. His life was spared! This Holy Lord-level character probably had no interest in the Great Wilderness City. He came here for some other reason!
Understanding the cause and effect, the anxious feelings of the Great Wilderness City Lord began to subside, replaced by immense curiosity. What significant matter could compel a Holy Lord-level figure to personally visit?
"Tap! Tread! Tread!" Yang Qiu walked in the void. His pace was slow but steady, and his target was clear. Descending from the sky, he stood on a street. In front of him, a loft with an ancient charm stood tall, and above its entrance hung a plaque.
Heavenly Secret Pavilion!
"Peering into Yin and Yang, discerning the five elements in the palm; understanding ancient and modern, revealing the six harmonies, concealing the universe in one's sleeves! The Secrets of Heaven can be measured?" Seeing this couplet, Yang Qiu's expression remained unchanged, and he indifferently said, "Your confidence is not small, but do you think you can deceive me?"
As a Holy Lord-level figure, only a thin line separated him from a Saint. Even he did not dare claim to see through the Secret of Heavens. What qualifications did a Heavenly Secret Pavilion hidden in a small Great Wilderness City have to make such a statement?
"Hmph!" Yang Qiu snorted. He took big strides toward the entrance of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. He had already sensed that the person from the Great Luo Sword Sect who had attacked his disciple had disappeared at this pavilion's entrance.
That person must be hiding inside! Even if it's a sea of knives and a mountain of fire within, he would still break through!