Sage of Humanity
Chapter 860 - 858 Haotian City

The battle atop the spirit mountaintop ended quickly. Without the magic cultivator wielding it, the power of the spells greatly diminished. The spell collided with Lu Ye's Defense Spirit Runes, causing the runes to shatter and Lu Ye's figure to be sent flying. Though the situation was dire, he was unharmed.

When Lu Ye reached the spirit mountaintop, he immediately saw Second Senior Sister Shui Yuan.

Nearby stood a cultivator with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his face pale as he clutched his chest.

From his attire, it was clear he was a magic cultivator. The spell that had just attacked Lu Ye was unleashed by this person.

At this moment, the magic cultivator was explaining to Shui Yuan with a troubled look, "Sister Shui Yuan, it was a misunderstanding. I received secret orders that Ten Thousand Demons Ridge thieves would pass through here, and I was to capture them. Who could have guessed it was all a mistake!"

"Whose secret orders?" Shui Yuan asked coldly.

The magic cultivator gave a bitter smile, "Sister, you too are part of the Bingzhou Guard. You should know the guard discipline is as strict as a mountain. Please, don't make it difficult for me."

Since it was a secret order, how could he divulge it so easily?

Shui Yuan stared coldly at him for a long moment before gritting her teeth and saying, "Get lost!"

The magic cultivator let out a long breath, cupped his fists towards Shui Yuan, and quickly departed.

"Second Senior Sister." Lu Ye stepped forward.

Lu Ye wasn't surprised by Shui Yuan's possible presence behind him during their journey. Even though he hadn't detected Shui Yuan's traces or aura along the way, he could feel that someone was following him ever since he left the Righteous Blood Sect.

The sect master was with Master, so the only person who could be following him had to be Second Senior Sister.

"You okay?" Shui Yuan retorted, scanning Lu Ye up and down. Once she confirmed he was unharmed, she felt relieved.

"I'm fine!" Lu Ye shook his head, "If I can't reach Haotian City on time, what will happen?"

"Military orders are as strict as mountains. If you can't reach on time, death is inevitable!"

Lu Ye's eyebrows raised, "Someone wants to kill me?"

"Seems you've realized it already."

Lu Ye responded, "I hadn't considered this before, but some things are just too coincidental."

He had only just left the Righteous Blood Sect to head towards Haotian City when he encountered floods, then Haotian Alliance sword cultivators chasing Ten Thousand Demons Ridge thieves. Coincidentally, the escaping Ten Thousand Demons Ridge thieves tried to capture him.

If these two events were just coincidences, then being inexplicably ambushed by that magic cultivator here warranted deeper thought.

A powerful strike from a True Lake Realm magic cultivator, even if Lu Ye had Defense Spirit Runes, might not have been enough to block it. If Shui Yuan hadn't shown up in time to injure the magic cultivator, preventing him from fully controlling his spell, Lu Ye would have been injured for sure.

Possibly even gravely injured!

If that had happened, his journey would have been delayed, making it uncertain if he could reach Haotian City within the time limit.

The magic cultivator who ambushed him probably didn't know the internal details. But from his standpoint, even if he severely wounded Lu Ye without killing him, it was not a big mistake. He was merely following orders and could just apologize afterward.

This is why Shui Yuan didn't kill him. To kill a True Lake Realm magic cultivator from the same faction would complicate matters considerably.

Moreover, that person was likely being used.

"So the previous flood and fleeing Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators were just tests?" Lu Ye seemed to understand.

These two incidents, while delaying Lu Ye's journey, were mainly probing whether there was a powerful protector following Lu Ye.

Since no trace of Righteous Blood Sect's strong individuals had been seen, the direct attack happened now.

"Little Junior Brother, you're very smart." Shui Yuan looked at Lu Ye, "Ahead, on the way to Haotian City, the path is full of thorns. Be careful."

"I know." Lu Ye nodded.

The ability to secretly arrange such incidents on his journey meant the person behind the scenes had extraordinary power and status, aiming not at him but at Righteous Blood Sect.

Ten Thousand Demons Ridge wasn't unified, and neither was Haotian Alliance.

The colossal factions, comprised of various sects and families, had internal factions each with their own agendas. It was entirely normal.

Righteous Blood Sect's legacy from thirty years ago had made many people hold grudges.

"Go now. The path ahead won't stir much trouble. After joining the Bingzhou Guard, remember to act low-key." Shui Yuan had made her appearance, so the person behind the scenes wouldn't dare to act further, avoiding being caught.

"Yes, Sister, take care!" Lu Ye saluted and turned to leave.

Watching Lu Ye's departure, Shui Yuan remained silent for a long time before raising her hand to activate her battlefield marking, sending out several messages.

As Shui Yuan had predicted, the journey ahead remained calm.

Lu Ye rushed ahead and finally reached Haotian City at dusk.

The 12 Checkpoints of Bingzhou formed the frontline defense of Bingzhou Haotian Alliance against Ten Thousand Demons Ridge. Behind these checkpoints was the central hub of Bingzhou Guard.

Haotian City was the last line of defense for Bingzhou Haotian Alliance.

The vast, majestic city, alone its city walls were a hundred meters high, covered in the weathered marks of many great battles.

Decades ago, Haotian City had suffered a great catastrophe, nearly being conquered by Ten Thousand Demons Ridge.

If the central hub had fallen that day, Bingzhou would have been lost.

Among all the cities Lu Ye had seen, Haotian City dwarfed them like a tree compared to grass. Even from dozens of kilometers away, the defensive fortifications atop Haotian City's walls were visible.

Activating his movement techniques, Lu Ye quickly reached the front of Haotian City.

Lu Ye looked around, trying to locate the city gate, but there wasn't one.

Constantly, cultivators hurried from all directions, directly flying into the city.

Lu Ye understood. For cultivators capable of flying, city gates were unnecessary. If they existed, they could become weak points in defense.

To enter the city, one only needed to fly over the walls.

Mimicking others, Lu Ye flew over the wall, entering the city.

Just stepping into Haotian City, Lu Ye felt the battlefield marking on his hand pulse slightly, followed by a blue glow.

Usually, such a reaction occurs when a cultivator actively shows their battlefield marking.

However, inside Haotian City, there was a mysterious power that activated the battlefield markings of all incoming cultivators, identifying their factional affiliation.

Thus, no Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators could infiltrate this place.

Though large, the city's cultivator population was sparse, mostly Cloud River Realm cultivators recently arriving.

Due to the unexpected incident at the Cloud River battlefield, causing it to merge into the Unparalleled Continent and temporarily close, Cloud River Realm cultivators streamed to the frontline of the two major factions.

Joining the Bingzhou Guard offered monthly stipends exchanged for solid battle merit. Killing enemies or completing tasks from Bingzhou Guard could yield more benefits.

This was a strong allure for cultivators.

Currently, Haotian City was teeming with cultivators from various big sects, ready to join Bingzhou Guard. Normally, the city is sparsely populated, with most Bingzhou Guard members stationed at the frontline, leaving few in the central hub.

Arriving at Haotian City, Lu Ye had to first report in.

Unlike most other Cloud River Realm cultivators, who came voluntarily, Lu Ye was here by orders.

He needed to first report to the Heralds Office. Shui Yuan had specifically reminded him before, the stipulated three days wasn't just about reaching Haotian City, but reporting time.

He wasn't sure where the Heralds Office was located, but it was easy to inquire.

Soon, Lu Ye arrived outside a grand hall, guarded by cultivators. Seeing Lu Ye, they all eyed him.

Lu Ye cupped his fists, "Righteous Blood Sect Lu Ye, here to report!"

A guard on the left said, "Wait here. The Department Chief is meeting a guest!"

Lu Ye quietly stood aside, waiting silently.

Night had fallen, stars filled the sky, yet Haotian City remained bustling with numerous cultivators flying about.

Haotian City did not prohibit flying. Given the city's vastness, not allowing flying would waste much time just traveling around.

Feeling idle, Lu Ye looked up and quickly noticed a trend.

Flying cultivators followed an unwritten rule: the higher their cultivation, the higher they flew.

Spirit Stream Realm cultivators mostly flew within ten meters of the ground, Cloud River Realm within twenty meters, and True Lake Realm above twenty meters.

He wondered how this rule formed.

Though throngs of cultivators flew about, the Heralds Office remained serene. Only Lu Ye was present waiting to report.

With nothing better to do, Lu Ye accepted the situation.

Time passed slowly.

Lu Ye frowned.

The order's time limit was based on the reporting time, so arriving at Haotian City within the limit was crucial. If he couldn't report on time, he'd face severe disciplinary action.

Approaching the guard, Lu Ye asked, "Excuse me, Senior Brother, when will the Department Chief meet me?"

The cultivator glanced at Lu Ye, replying indifferently, "Wait!"

Lu Ye frowned further, "Could you please inform them?"

"Just wait!" The cultivator responded impatiently.

Lu Ye stared at him.

Inside the hall, the aroma of tea drifted. A graceful woman gently took a sip, examining a jade slip with a smile as if reading something amusing.

A man in combat attire lounged on a nearby chair, legs crossed, looking leisurely.

"Feet!" The woman said softly, without lifting her head.

The man in combat attire scoffed, lowered his raised feet, and sat up straight, "The person has arrived. Aren't you meeting them?"

"It's not time yet. Why rush?"

"They're here to report. If the time limit is up, it would mean military discipline and heads rolling. Aren't you worried about Shui Yuan going after you? She's recently reached the Divine Sea Realm."

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