Chapter 1533 - 1513: The City of Hope Overturned

Yang Xiao rested at the academy for a day and decided to take a trip back to the Central Continent.

He hadn't expected that the news of his five-month disappearance would reach the City of Hope. Upon hearing Director Lin mention that Fan Chen and Wanyan Bai had come to the academy to investigate Yang Xiao's disappearance, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

Yang Xiao knew that once the news of his disappearance or even death spread across the Central Continent, the City of Hope would face a significant disaster.

...

Several months ago, Fan Chen and Wanyan Bai arrived at Wuji Academy to understand the circumstances surrounding Yang Xiao's disappearance. Accompanied by Director Lin of the academy, they went together to the 101 Cultivation Field on Wuji Island.

"This is the 101 Cultivation Field. Originally, Yang Xiao and Xing Zhe entered the field for cultivation. For some unknown reason, the nuclear generator inside the field exploded, destroying the entire cultivation site.

You see, there used to be a hill over a hundred meters high here; the cultivation field was underground. Now, the entire hill has been flattened."

Director Lin spoke as he pointed to the pile of ruins.

Fan Chen and Wanyan Bai looked at the two-kilometer radius of rubble and debris, with the ground piled high with boulders, naturally imagining the ferocity of the explosion.

"Alas, we didn't anticipate such an accident. After it happened, we immediately organized hundreds of people for rescue, led by Vice Dean Deng himself, but unfortunately…"

Director Lin shook his head as he spoke.

Fan Chen and Wanyan Bai stayed at the academy for two days, intentionally visiting Villa No. 68 where Yang Xiao once lived, and ultimately left in disappointment.

Returning to the City of Hope, the two explained the situation to Elder Qi, Black Wood, and others. Upon hearing the accounts, everyone sighed and felt deeply saddened.

Elder Qi and the others conferred and decided to temporarily seal off the news of Yang Xiao's disappearance, concealing it for as long as possible, one day at a time.

Many people from the Central Continent go to Wuji Academy for cultivation, including subordinates from Ba Tianhu.

About a month later, news of Yang Xiao's disappearance in Wuji Academy reached Ba Tianhu, soon spreading across the Central Continent.

For a time, it caused a stir throughout the entire Central Continent.

Yang Xiao, as the fifth ruler of the Central Continent, had forcefully risen to prominence, consecutively conquering several cities, killing multiple Transcendent Emperor Level Experts, until finally thwarting Ba Tianhu's attack and partnering with the Dark Web Organization, making waves throughout the Central Continent.

Who could have thought that within such a short few months, Yang Xiao would encounter an accident while cultivating at Wuji Academy.

"Haha... It's karma, the heavens have abandoned Yang Xiao, haha…"

Ba Tianhu laughed heartily, giddy with excitement upon hearing the news.

"Since Yang Xiao is dead, I can finally confidently attack the City of Hope and seize the five cities under Yang Xiao's control, avenging past humiliations."

Yuri, Ba Tianhu's think tank, promptly responded:

"Boss, don't rush. No need to panic yet. Currently, Yang Xiao is merely missing; who knows if he might reappear in a few days?"

Ba Tianhu paused,

"Think Tank, what are your thoughts?"

"I suggest we wait a few days, perhaps another month. If Yang Xiao truly disappears and does not return, then we can launch a large-scale attack on the City of Hope.

During this time, we can spread rumors throughout the Central Continent, disseminating the news of Yang Xiao's death. As you know, many of the city lords around Yang Xiao now harbor deep resentment towards him. The developments Yang Xiao has pushed for the City of Hope and the new constructions and policies in other cities are massively absorbing the populations of surrounding cities.

These city lords have to adopt similar favorable policies to prevent population decline, but their financial resources pale compared to Yang Xiao. They're still unable to curb the depopulation tsunami.

Previously, everyone feared Yang Xiao. Now, with Yang Xiao missing, we can definitely rally these people to jointly attack Yang Xiao's City of Hope."

Ba Tianhu nodded:

"Think Tank's plan sounds good. Well, then, you go arrange for it, unite those city lords around the City of Hope, form an alliance, and try challenging the City of Hope.

If after waiting a month, Yang Xiao still does not appear, it's clear that he must be dead. At that time, I will rally everyone to besiege the City of Hope."

"Boss, this strategy is brilliant!"

Thus, Think Tank Yuri secretly collaborated with the lords of over twenty surrounding cities to hold a meeting, where it was decided to jointly attack Yang Xiao's territories.

"However, there's an issue. The City of Hope is under the Dark Web's control. Even though Yang Xiao is dead, if the Dark Web intervenes to protect the City of Hope, we won't dare to attack."

"Any Dark Web matters, Boss Ba Tianhu will personally handle. You all just unite, and at the critical moment, wait for our command.

As long as Yang Xiao's policies in the City of Hope are overthrown, all cities can revert to their previous policies, and everyone can stop worrying about the loss of city population daily."

Soon, the lords of over twenty surrounding cities united and came to the City of Hope to negotiate with Elder Qi and the rest.

The representative was Yu Hai, the lord of nearby Qingshan City.

"Elder Qi, Black Wood, today I come to your City of Hope, representing the people of our twenty-six cities including Qingshan City, to express our dissatisfaction. This is our letter of opinions."

City Lord Yu Hai waved his hand, throwing a letter to Elder Qi.

Elder Qi took a look, his expression changed immediately, then handed it to Black Wood and others beside him to read.

Black Wood and others, upon reading, were also inwardly shocked.

Yu Hai chuckled awkwardly and spoke loudly:

"Elder Qi, Black Wood, we already know that Yang Xiao died on Wuji Island. Since Yang Xiao is dead, let me discuss the new rules.

When Yang Xiao came to the Central Continent, he implemented a series of reforms. You can mess with yourselves, we don't care, but your preferential policies are massively absorbing people from our cities.

Damn, my city has lost over two hundred thousand people this year alone, forcing me to adopt similar favorable policies.

I'm old now, spending days sweet-talking citizens, inviting them to stay with free services in the city. What kind of garbage policies are these?

Brothers, tell me, ever since Yang Xiao came to the Central Continent, haven't you all been messed with enough during this year?"

As soon as Yu Hai, City Lord of Qingshan City, finished speaking, the other twenty city lords behind him immediately voiced grievances, loudly accusing the pain Yang Xiao brought them.

"Black Wood, now I represent the brothers in presenting a few demands to you. First, abolish all of Yang Xiao's new policies, revert everything to the former ways, as it was before, so it shall be again.

Second, you must dissolve your five-city alliance; among them, the City of Hope, Firebird City, and Shuize City will temporarily be under the takeover of Boss Ba Tianhu.

Third, terminate the alliance relationship with the Demon Beasts. You don't hunt Demon Beasts, but we still need to hunt Demon Beasts."

Elder Qi and others looked at Yu Hai, who came aggressively with others, suppressing the fury within.

"City Lord Yu, our boss Yang Xiao is just temporarily cultivating at Wuji Academy. You say missing, then he's missing?"

"Alright, stop denying. We already had disciples return from Wuji Academy with messages, and even brought Wuji Academy's announcement. There's nothing to cover up, Yang Xiao can't protect you forever."

"Even if Yang Xiao is temporarily missing, but don't forget, the City of Hope, Shuize City, and the other five cities are also territories of the Dark Web Organization.

Coming here so openly to challenge us, are you not afraid of angering Mr. Master of the Dark Web?"

Yu Hao smiled strangely and said:

"Of course, we respect Mr. Master of the Dark Web, but I think Mr. Master cannot protect you at this moment."