Chapter 446 - 441: A Fierce Man Enters the City

The East Gate of Huailai City.

Two lines of people waited for inspection to enter the city: one for Mortals, one for Cultivators.

In truth, a great number of Mortals lived in Huailai Immortal City. They filled the lower-level occupations and were an indispensable part of the city’s operation.

Although living in the Immortal City came with a higher cost of living, it also had its advantages. The abundant Spiritual Qi extended their lifespans and kept them healthy. Their descendants born in such an environment were more likely to possess a Spirit Root and could be tested for one at an early age, ensuring they didn’t waste their precious years.

But the most important point was safety.

Under the protection of the Immortal City’s City Defense Array, they would almost never suffer from an attack by the Demon Race in their lifetime and had a much greater chance of dying a natural death.

That was why Mortals would fight tooth and nail for the right to reside in the Immortal City.

Unfortunately, space within the Immortal City was limited and the population was capped. Most residency rights were claimed by the descendants of Cultivators.

Mortals entering the city had to undergo strict inspections and pay a hefty security deposit. If they tried to overstay without residency rights, they would suffer a huge financial loss.

Compared to the long, snake-like line of Mortals, the Cultivator line was much shorter, more disorganized, and the screening process was far more relaxed.

Whether they were Cultivators from the Profound Sects Orthodox Sect or the Demon Sect, as long as they gave a name—even a fake one—and their Cultivation level, and a check confirmed they weren’t on the wanted list, they would be issued a pass and allowed to enter the city quickly.

The dozens of Cultivators waiting to enter the city weren’t lining up properly at all. After all, they weren’t Mortals, so it was difficult to expect them to follow rules and procedures like Mortals did.

Some stood in small groups, talking loudly. Others stood alone, exuding an unwelcoming aura that warned strangers to keep away. Still others looked exhausted, their eyes filled with longing as they just wanted to get into the city and rest properly.

Just then, a figure descended from the sky on a Flying Sword. After landing, he put the Flying Sword away and walked straight to the front of the line.

"Hey, new guy, get in line!" a Foundation Establishment Cultivator shouted in displeasure.

The man ignored him completely and kept walking.

Angered, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator flicked his hand, sending out a spray of black light.

Someone with a sharp eye saw it and was shocked. "It’s an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact Level Bone-Piercing Nail!"

In an instant, the Bone-Piercing Nail reached the line-cutter’s back, yet the man seemed completely unaware.

Disgusted by his cutting in line, some people, though they said nothing, had no intention of lending a hand.

As for the Immortal City Guards at the gate, they just watched the spectacle from a distance, not planning to interfere.

Private duels were forbidden inside the Immortal City. Outside, who cared if you lived or died?

"Ah!"

With a blood-curdling scream, it was the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who collapsed.

Those with sharp eyes saw that before the spray of black light could even touch the man’s back, it seemed to hit a transparent Protective Gang Qi, fly backward, split into several streams, and precisely embed itself into the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had launched it.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator was, of course, as dead as could be. Having been struck in his vital points by the vicious Bone-Piercing Nail, he was beyond saving unless a Great Power intervened immediately. Even if he were fed a Tier Three Life-Saving Elixir, it would be useless.

Everyone looked at the line-cutting Cultivator with wary eyes, but no one stepped forward.

No one else told him to get in line. Who would want to provoke such a ruthless man?

Even those who felt they were stronger were unwilling to casually provoke a stranger out in the open. Meddlesome people had long since died out; they wouldn’t have survived to this day.

So, the line-cutting Cultivator walked directly to the very front of the line and shoved aside the person currently being processed.

The man could only glare at him, not daring to curse out loud.

The Immortal City Guard conducting the screening, also at Foundation Establishment, wasn’t afraid of this murderer who had just killed someone right before his eyes, as he had the backing of the Immortal City. He simply said coolly, "You wait. I’ll finish processing him first."

The line-cutter’s tone was just as cool. "No need. He’s not entering the city anymore."

His voice was flat and unremarkable. His face was also plain—handsome, one might say, but in a very ordinary way that was hard to remember, certainly not the kind of handsome that would make a young maiden swoon and scream.

The Immortal City Guard sneered, "I say he is entering the city."

"And I say, dead men don’t need to enter the city."

As soon as the words fell, the Cultivator who had just been shoved aside collapsed silently to the ground, his life force gone. He had died, just like that, without anyone noticing how.

All the Cultivators in line retreated a few steps in unison. They didn’t want to stand near this monster; killing at the slightest provocation made them feel far too unsafe!

The key was his incomprehensible killing method, which let them know this ruthless man was absolutely not to be trifled with.

Seeing this fiend kill someone right in front of him, the Immortal City Guard showed no anger at having his authority trampled.

He knew full well that anyone who dared to do such a thing was either a madman or had powerful backing.

’I can’t afford to get into it with someone like that!’

’I’d definitely be the one to lose out.’

However, the rules still had to be followed.

He calmly looked past the man. "What about you all? You were originally in front of him. Do you intend to give up your spots?"

The queueing Cultivators all shook their heads. Some even retreated a few more steps to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Only then did the Immortal City Guard say, "Alright, I’ll process you now. Name?"

"Ximen Chuixue."

"Ximen... Chuixue. Alright." Although he thought the name was bizarre, the Immortal City Guard didn’t dare say it out loud. "Cultivation? What is your business in Huailai Immortal City? How long do you plan to stay?"

"Cultivation, Nascent Soul. I’m here to collect a debt from Master Su Quan. I’ll leave once I’ve been paid. You want to send a warning? Go ahead. Send it. Call that woman Su Quan over here and see if she dares to block me from entering." The man calling himself Ximen Chuixue spoke in a monotone, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

A Nascent Soul Cultivator!

’You’re a Nascent Soul Cultivator, you should have said so sooner!’

’What are you doing lining up with us low-level Junior Cultivators?!’

’All you had to do was send a calling card, and at least one of Huailai City’s two Garrisons would have come out to greet you personally. What kind of weirdo are you, lining up like this?!’

The queueing Cultivators once again retreated a few steps in unison.

The fact that no one fell to their knees on the spot was a testament to their strong willpower.

The Immortal City Guard hesitated for a moment. Ultimately, he decided his life was more important than his job. He didn’t send a warning and just let him pass. "Senior, please take your pass and enter the city."

The corner of Ximen Chuixue’s mouth twitched, forming what seemed to be a smile. He took the pass and went straight inside.

Only after he was far away did the Immortal City Guard hastily take out his Communication Spiritual Artifact to warn his squad captain.

"Captain, Captain! A Nascent Soul Cultivator calling himself Ximen Chuixue just forced his way into the city! He said he’s looking for Master Su. You need to report this immediately!"

"I know," came the captain’s numb voice. "They’re already fighting."

The guard at the city gate suddenly felt a violent tremor that made him stumble.

He looked back toward the city in horror. ’Two Nascent Soul Masters are fighting inside the city?’

’This... Won’t half the city be destroyed?!’

~~~~~~~~~~

Staring at his Tier Four Defensive Treasure, which had been split in two by a single sword strike, Duanmu Xi’s gaze was somewhat vacant as questions bubbled up uncontrollably in his mind:

’Who am I? Where am I? Who am I fighting? Why was my Tier Four Defensive Treasure destroyed just like that? Ximen Chuixue... blowing snow? More like spilling blood.’

’What a fast sword.’

"Stop fighting! We can talk this out!" Master Su Quan said urgently.

"I don’t want to fight either. No one’s paying me for it, so I can’t be bothered," said the strange Cultivator named Ximen Chuixue, who had just destroyed his Tier Four Defensive Treasure with a single strike. He put away his Flying Sword. "Have you decided? When are you going to pay me back?"

Duanmu Xi’s eyes shifted, and his ability to think finally returned to him.

He recalled what had just happened. This man named Ximen Chuixue had rushed to the front of Master Su Quan’s cavern residence, yelling for her to pay back her debt.

Master Su Quan said she had no money to repay him, so this Ximen Chuixue had brazenly attacked, his offensive sharp and fierce.

’Wasn’t I in the middle of pursuing Master Su Quan?’ He had naturally stepped in to help. He couldn’t just stand by and watch the beauty be humiliated by this madman.

He had originally thought that although Master Su Quan was at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, her old injuries hadn’t healed, severely reducing her combat prowess. Moreover, because she was in the wrong, she was clearly holding back.

His own strength, however, was far greater than Master Su Quan’s. ’Since this madman can barely suppress Master Su Quan, as soon as I make a move, the tables will surely turn.’

But he never expected this madman to be the real deal. That Sword Intent was so sharp, the killing intent so heavy.

With just one strike, he had split the Tier Four Defensive Treasure that Duanmu Xi cherished as much as his own life into two halves...

’What should I do?’

Watching the madman discuss the repayment with Master Su Quan, Duanmu Xi opened his mouth several times, but was too embarrassed to speak.

’Should I go over and say, "Hey, Fellow Daoist, you broke my Treasure, pay up"?’

’My skills were inferior. I’d only be making a fool of myself.’

Of course, since he had suffered the loss while standing up for Master Su Quan, he could ask her to compensate him.

But just look at her! Master Su Quan was so delicate and pitiful. How could he have the heart to ask her to pay!

Besides, she had been framed by her ex-husband and driven from her home, and her new Dao Companion had died in battle right after they got married. With such a tragic life, how could he be so shameless as to ask her for money?

’But if no one compensates me, a Tier Four Defensive Treasure like this...’

’It’s worth about two hundred fifty thousand Spiritual Jade.’

’Am I supposed to just silently swallow this loss?’

’No, I have to make this Ximen Chuixue pay.’

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Ximen!"

Ximen Chuixue’s emotionless gaze turned toward him.

"What is it?"

’I don’t think I can beat him...’

Duanmu Xi shuddered and forced a smile. "As they say, we don’t get acquainted without a fight. Since you’re a friend of Master Su Quan, why don’t you come to my cavern residence for a drink?"

"I’m not her friend."

"He is certainly not my friend!"

The two spoke almost simultaneously.

Ximen Chuixue explained earnestly with his deadpan face, "I am merely her creditor."

Master Su Quan gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and gave a bitter smile. "That is indeed true. This Fellow Daoist Ximen has no friends; he only recognizes money, not people. Brother Duanmu!"

Master Su Quan raised her head, her eyes filled with the adoration one would show a hero. Her sudden, soft cry made Duanmu Xi’s bones feel like they were melting.