Chapter 527 - 526: Arrival at the Main City

Chapter 527: Chapter 526: Arrival at the Main City

In the days that followed, Qin Ya and the others traveled to the main city with the people from Feiling City.

Along the way, Feiling City Lord Ning Bai constantly made subtle attempts to approach Qin Ya. During their conversations, he would cryptically hint at his intention to recruit him.

Over the past two days, Mo Bokong had finally figured out Ning Bai’s true intentions.

He now understood why Ning Bai hadn’t held a grudge after they killed the Blood-Eyed Crow King and was even willing to travel with them to the main city. That’s right—it was all because of Qin Ya.

He had seen Qin Ya’s potential and wanted to recruit him!

Mo Bokong and the others weren’t too worried, however. After spending this time with Qin Ya, they had come to understand him. If he were so easily swayed by recruitment offers, he wouldn’t be the madman who had slain four Era-Defining figures.

On the deck, Black Dragon and White Wolf watched Ning Bai and Qin Ya standing at the bow of the airship. They exchanged a look and couldn’t help but shake their heads. Black Dragon sent a message via Divine Thought, ’Heh, this is the sixth time Ning Bai has come looking for the Vice City Lord.’

White Wolf nodded, a cold glint in his eyes, and replied with his own Divine Thought, ’It’s a shame. Everything he’s doing is just a waste of effort. A man like the Vice City Lord will never be shackled by any faction.’

’Indeed.’

’After being rejected so many times, Ning Bai’s patience must be at its limit.’

At the bow of the airship, Qin Ya gazed at the boundless sky, his expression indifferent and silent.

Ning Bai, standing beside him, chuckled softly. "Every time I’ve come to find you, Vice City Lord Qin, you’ve been standing here at the bow, watching the vast scenery of the world."

"I wonder what’s on your mind, Vice City Lord Qin."

Hearing this, Qin Ya replied flatly, "The world is vast and boundless. Human strength is finite, yet the Power of Heaven and Earth is limitless. For a Martial Artist to cultivate, using our finite power to explore the infinite Power of Heaven and Earth... it is truly a thrilling prospect."

Ning Bai chuckled softly, then said in admiration, "To summarize the path of Martial Arts so succinctly and profoundly... Vice City Lord Qin, you truly are a once-in-a-generation talent."

He then continued, "The world is vast. A person standing on level ground can only see what is immediately before them. But if they stand upon a high peak, their gaze can stretch across thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. That is why leveraging a greater power is also of the utmost importance."

Qin Ya shot him an indifferent glance, naturally understanding his meaning.

’He’s saying Qingkong City is the flat ground while his Feiling City is the high peak. That if I stay on the flat ground, my achievements will be limited. Only by climbing to a peak like Feiling City can I stand higher and see farther. A rather obvious recruitment pitch.’

’Over the past few days, Ning Bai has hinted at this no fewer than ten times.’

Qin Ya sighed. "A high peak is nice, but the winds are strong, and it’s easy to fall. Besides, that’s just borrowing external power. Only by keeping one’s feet on the ground and walking forward step by step, seeing all the different sights along the way, can one truly experience the world for themselves."

Upon hearing this, Ning Bai’s fist, hidden behind his back, clenched tightly, veins bulging on his skin. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. He understood that Qin Ya had once again rejected his now-blatant offer, and anger began to stir within him.

’I am the great Lord of Feiling City,’ he thought, ’a renowned figure in Meiying County. I was willing to swallow my pride and come recruit him personally, but this Qin Ya is completely unyielding! If word of this gets out, what will become of my reputation?’

"Vice City Lord Qin, do you truly not understand my meaning?"

"I understand. But has my answer not been clear enough?"

After he spoke, silence fell between them.

Before long, the crowd spotted a massive black silhouette in the distance. As they focused their gazes, they realized it was an immense city wall, thousands of feet high!

It was... Meiying Main City!

Seeing that they had arrived at Meiying Main City, Ning Bai’s expression darkened. With a cold tone, he said, "I will ask you one last time. What is your answer?"

Qin Ya’s expression was unchanged. "It remains the same," he said calmly.

Ning Bai’s face grew darker still. "I hope you won’t regret this."

With a cold snort, he flicked his sleeve and stalked away.

After Ning Bai had left, Bi Xiaoyu walked over to Qin Ya’s side.

"Feiling City is one of the most powerful of the twenty-four cities in Meiying County. Among Era-Defining Kings, Ning Bai’s strength is exceptional—he’s significantly stronger than City Lord Mo. Aren’t you afraid he’ll cause trouble for you now that you’ve rejected him?"

"Do you think I’m short on trouble right now?"

"True. Compared to the Dongmen Family, Ning Bai is nothing to worry about. By the way, can that mask of yours truly suppress the Ghost Blood Commandment Pattern?"

"Relax. My life depends on it."

Not long after, the group arrived outside Meiying Main City.

Soldiers patrolled atop the towering city walls. When they saw the two airships approaching, a middle-aged general flew out to meet them.

"Identify yourselves! Are you here for the Slaughter Ruins Great Hunt?"

"We are!" Ning Bai called back loudly.

"Present your Imperial Decree Documents!"

As he finished speaking, both Ning Bai and Mo Bokong took out a golden document and tossed it high into the air. It instantly erupted in a flash of golden light, revealing glowing text.

The middle-aged general inspected the texts for a moment. Then, forming a hand seal, he signaled for the gates to open. With a thunderous RUMBLE, the massive bronze city gates slowly swung apart.

Upon entering Meiying Main City, they saw dozens of airships hovering high in the sky. An incredibly powerful aura emanated from each one.

Seeing this, Qin Ya was somewhat puzzled.

He turned to Bi Xiaoyu and asked, "Doesn’t Meiying County only have twenty-four cities? Why are there so many airships? I count at least forty."

Bi Xiaoyu answered, "Besides the City Lords from the various cities, the major influential factions from within Meiying Main City itself also participate in the Slaughter Ruins Great Hunt. As far as I know, the Dongmen Family and the Sima Family, two long-standing Noble Families from the main city, will be taking part, along with several other First-Class Noble Families..."

"I see."

"These airships must belong to those various factions."

Having gotten a better understanding of the situation, Qin Ya and his companions were guided to a floating palace high in the sky. This was the gathering place the main city had prepared for the various City Lords. After they landed their airship, an attendant came to lead them to their respective residences. They learned that since there were still ten days until the Slaughter Ruins opened, only eighteen of the twenty-four city delegations had arrived so far.

In a pavilion within the palace.

Qin Ya, Mo Bokong, and the others were gathered, discussing matters before the start of the Slaughter Ruins. Suddenly, a servant entered and addressed Mo Bokong, "Reporting to City Lord Mo, an Elder from the main city’s Dongmen Family, Dongmen Lie, wishes to see you all."

At these words, Mo Bokong’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Qin Ya, then turned to the servant. "Please lead Elder Dongmen to the main hall to wait. I will be right there."

"Yes, my lord."

"Well, it seems the inevitable has finally arrived."

The corner of Qin Ya’s mouth quirked into a smile, showing not the slightest hint of fear.

"Vice City Lord, is that mask of yours really going to work?"

"Heh, relax."

’How could an object personally refined by a Saint be anything ordinary?’