In the heart of Tongguan City, the true central hub, stood a magnificent City Lord's Mansion.
Within the grand main hall of this mansion, a solitary figure stood with bowed head, moving with utmost caution to emit not the slightest sound.
This person was none other than Wu Tao. Had any of the cultivators who knew Wu Tao, who had witnessed his combat, seen him at this moment, they would have been utterly astonished, perhaps even struck speechless.
Just half an hour ago…
Led by Mao Fan, Wu Tao had arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.
From a distance, the towering mansion walls were clearly visible, reaching a height of ten zhang, akin to city ramparts.
The walls were constructed entirely from thick earth essence stones, each measuring an inch square.
The seven-colored glazed tiles adorning the walls shimmered with dazzling brilliance under the sunlight.
Even the Taiyi Immortal Sect's Taiyi Immortal Palace was no more imposing than this. With guards posted every three steps and sentries every five, late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in full silver armor patrolled the grounds, their formidable spiritual pressure emanating a terrifying aura.
The grand mansion gates were meticulously carved from ten-thousand-year-old warm jade. Flanking the entrance stood two Core Formation cultivators, ever vigilant.
Above the mansion gates, three lustrous, purple characters blazed with radiant immortal light: City Lord's Mansion.
The mansion was situated atop Tongguan City's trấn thành prohibition array, making it the most vital location within the entire city.
Wu Tao and Mao Fan strode towards the mansion gates, their destination for the day.
Before they could approach, with a clang, two magical artifacts flew out from empty space, blocking their path.
"What are you doing? Can't you see this is the City Lord's Mansion? Move along, or don't blame us for being impolite."
The two gate-guarding Core Formation cultivators roared.
A sharp spiritual pressure immediately enveloped Wu Tao and Mao Fan, as if their slightest movement would result in the immediate demise by these artifacts.
Mao Fan stopped with a grin, "Brothers, you don't recognize me? It's Mao Fan. Today, I'm here on the City Lord's orders to bring this young brother behind me to see him."
The Core Formation cultivators of Tongguan City numbered no more than a few hundred, and most knew each other. However, rules were rules, and proper procedures could not be skipped.
Upon hearing this, the two gate-guarding Core Formation cultivators simultaneously retracted their natal artifacts.
After exchanging glances, one of the older, early Core Formation cultivators spoke in a deep voice, "Please wait here for a moment. I will go inform them immediately."
With that, he hurried inside.
Not long after, the older early Core Formation cultivator emerged and announced, "You two may enter."
Stepping into the City Lord's Mansion, Wu Tao felt the space before him suddenly expand.
The City Lord's Mansion contained no extravagant items. All the plants were trees, and all of them were ironwood trees.
These ironwood trees added a sense of solemnity and gravitas to the mansion, devoid of any ostentatious luxury. Everything Wu Tao saw exuded a spirit of iron and blood.
Seeing this, Wu Tao couldn't help but gasp. The City Lord of Tongguan City was indeed extraordinary. From the mansion's decor, he knew this city ruler was an absolute powerhouse, one who was ruthless to himself and even more so to others.
Upon arriving here, Wu Tao's primary sensation was one of a terrifying,肅殺 (sù shā -肅殺 means grim and murderous, evoking a sense of deadly intent) aura, completely lacking the noble luxury expected of a City Lord's Mansion.
Everything was astonishingly simple, even more so than any prominent figure's residence Wu Tao had seen before.
Within this City Lord's Mansion, Wu Tao's impression was defined by three words: simplicity,肅殺, and unpretentiousness.
At this moment, Wu Tao stood respectfully, utterly still, not daring to move even slightly.
He was a stark contrast to the overwhelming murderous intent and arrogance he displayed when fighting for his life.
Wu Tao stood in the empty main hall, his face and body exuding extreme deference.
He waited for a long time, showing no sign of impatience. Although his outward demeanor was impeccable, inwardly, a torrent of thoughts swirled, and he silently lamented his predicament.
"I was careless, so damn careless. After drawing so much attention, to be summoned by the City Lord of Tongguan City."
"As for the inheritances within me, they are manageable. Apart from a few spiritual treasures, the rest is not much. While they might be rare for Foundation Establishment or Core Formation cultivators..."
"But for Nascent Soul powerhouses with their own complete inheritance systems, they shouldn't harbor any covetous desires."
"Identity is the real problem. If I'm exposed, I might be subjected to soul-searching..."
Each thought sent a wave of unease through Wu Tao, yet he displayed none of it externally, remaining respectfully still.
As time dragged on, the more he thought, the more anxious he became. There were many moments he wanted to turn and flee, but then he considered where he was.
If he were to flee now, he doubted he'd even make it out of the City Lord's Mansion.
Wu Tao's mind raced, calculating all his trump cards, even including You Meng in his sea of consciousness. However, the result was a zero percent chance of escape.
Upon reaching this conclusion, Wu Tao immediately abandoned his unrealistic notions.
It was his own doing, a twist of fate.
After arriving in Tongguan City, Wu Tao had acted with utter disregard. First, he caused trouble in the Western City conscription area, and then, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he defeated Hong Bai, who was at the Core Formation stage. He was like a Dragon-like protagonist.
Even after so many years, Tongguan City had never found a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Wu Tao.
Challenging a Core Formation cultivator with mere late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was an act of audacity unmatched not only in Tongguan City but likely in the entire underground world.
Furthermore, he had defeated Hong Bai, a Core Formation cultivator, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Such arrogance was bound to have consequences.
It was these astonishing feats that made him the most conspicuous individual.
Moreover, Wu Tao himself was well aware that his victory over Hong Bai with his Foundation Establishment cultivation would draw the attention of Tongguan City's high-ranking officials, as long as they weren't fools.
Just as Wu Tao was lost in his thoughts, the empty main hall finally stirred.
"Young one below, do not be constrained. Look up and meet me!"
Beneath this gentle voice, Wu Tao felt an irresistible compulsion to lift his head.
The next moment, he saw, not far from him, on over a dozen grand chairs, a profoundly unfathomable Nascent Soul cultivator seated in each.
They were of various ages and genders, and the spiritual pressure from each of them was like the void to Wu Tao, utterly bottomless.
Even though he had already advanced to the Core Formation stage, it was the same.
"Cultivators who come to Tongguan City from other cities usually possess formidable combat power. However, I never expected your combat prowess to be so astonishing, and your talent so high..."
The middle-aged man's lean, handsome face bore sword-like eyebrows and tiger-like eyes, with an inherent domineering aura that commanded respect without anger.
The City Lord of Tongguan City was named Xie Yunsheng, a powerful late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
As his voice fell, all eyes instantly shifted to Wu Tao.
Wu Tao was initially stunned, then reacted, sweat pouring down his face. At this moment, he felt over a dozen gazes, against which he had no power to resist, fall upon him.
The owner of each gaze could easily kill him, leaving him no chance to even struggle.
This was a difference of an entire major realm.
The gap in cultivation between Wu Tao and the owners of those gazes was so immense that Wu Tao found it difficult even to breathe.
Any one of those dozen individuals, with their vast difference in cultivation, could crush Wu Tao with a single move.
However, what temporarily suppressed Wu Tao's turbulent thoughts was not only the power of the gazes but also his perception that more than half of the gazes' owners seemed to be well-disposed towards him, showing clear admiration.
Even the middle-aged male cultivator seated in the main seat regarded him with extreme kindness.
Being stared at by so many eyes at once, Wu Tao, already somewhat flustered, felt an unprecedented sense of unease, like sitting on pins and needles.
"If I recall correctly, your current identity is still a member of Squad Thirty-six of Grade A, named Wu Tao, am I right?"
As soon as Xie Yunsheng spoke, Wu Tao couldn't help but wipe away the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, knowing he was being addressed.
Having already vaguely guessed the middle-aged man's identity, Wu Tao dared not show any slackness. Upon hearing the question, he immediately bowed respectfully and replied cautiously, "Reporting to the City Lord, this junior, Wu Tao, is indeed a member of Squad Thirty-six of Grade A."