Long Haotian was not a fool.
His gaze swept over the City Lord's Mansion guards, and his face immediately showed arrogance.
This was not a secret realm.
The highest cultivation among these people was only at the Nascent Soul mid-stage.
In terms of background or cultivation, he feared no one.
"If I refuse, what do you intend to do?"
"Disrespecting the City Lord's Mansion, of course, is to hand you over to the City Lord for judgment."
The leader's eyes revealed blatant malice.
"I'll see who among you dares to make a move."
Long Haotian's aura erupted, and Chen Tao and Wang Yi'an stood behind him, one on each side.
The pressure from the Nascent Soul cultivators on their bodies surged like massive waves towards the City Lord's Mansion guards.
Bang bang bang!
The guards of the City Lord's Mansion, under the impact of the pressure, turned pale and retreated uncontrollably, eventually crashing through the inn's fence and falling out.
Chen Tao bent down to look at the guards who had fallen in a daze on the ground, laughing heartily. The pent-up frustration from recent times was completely dispelled.
"You want to capture me? You should see if you have the ability."
"You just wait for me!"
The leader felt subtle glances coming from various parts of the inn. Enraged, he took out a wooden whistle from his embrace and blew into it with all his might.
The peculiar whistle sound spread throughout Xiling City in an instant.
The Xiling guards, dispersed in various locations, put on solemn expressions, immediately ended their tasks, and rushed towards the direction of the whistle.
The innkeeper, who had been cowering in a corner, afraid to show his face, almost collapsed when he saw the guards blow the whistle.
He looked at Long Haotian and the other two trembling, crying.
It's over, his inn would probably be completely ruined this time.
Xu Yi rubbed his forehead. The situation was escalating, and their plan to leave here quickly had fallen through again.
However, with the background of the Xuanqing Sect revealed, the City Lord of Xiling City would probably not dare to risk offending the Xuanqing Sect to deal with the three of them.
Xu Yi's tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
The Xiling guards arrived quickly.
Upon arrival, they did not enter directly but first blocked all exits of the inn to prevent anyone from escaping stealthily.
Long Haotian and the other two stared at the entrance, sensing a chilling aura approaching the inn.
Then they saw a gaunt man with a hooked nose slowly walk in, and the temperature of the entire inn suddenly dropped.
"Hmm, what happened?"
Cang Ying walked straight to the person who had blown the whistle, without looking elsewhere, and asked in a cold voice.
"My lord, this subordinate was patrolling the inn and encountered three individuals with suspicious behavior. When I tried to investigate, they beat me. Out of necessity, I used the signal whistle," the leader said, casting a resentful glance at Long Haotian and the other two. He continued, "They must have something to hide. I hope my lord will investigate clearly!"
Cang Ying then casually looked upstairs, his pupils constricting, and his careless expression gradually subsided.
These three...
Cang Ying was the top general under City Lord Lei Bao. He was experienced and immediately recognized that the three of them had an extraordinary background. Glancing at his proud subordinate, he cursed him silently as a fool.
Although he didn't know the cause and effect, a little thought was enough to guess most of it.
The City Lord's temper had been growing increasingly volatile over the past three days, and even he had been kicked. Therefore, all the Xiling guards were on edge, wanting to find the young lady's whereabouts as soon as possible.
These idiots must have clashed with these three in order to fulfill their task.
Incompetent to achieve anything, but capable of ruining everything.
However, as things had escalated to this point, and the signal whistle had been used, drawing the attention of everyone in Xiling City, he had to investigate even if he didn't want to.
"You three upstairs, do you have anything to say?" Cang Ying asked indifferently.
By asking this question, he was actually giving the three of them an out.
As long as the three of them claimed it was a misunderstanding, he would deal with the matter lightly.
Xiling City had been unstable recently, and it was not advisable to cause further trouble.
"What, didn't your City Lord's Mansion already deem us suspicious? Now you're putting on a pretense. I'd like to see what you can do to us three martial brothers."
Chen Tao spoke with a grin that did not reach his eyes.
Did they really think they were pushovers, to be squeezed however they pleased?
Hearing this, Xu Yi thought, "This is bad."
Chen Tao, this foolish boy, hadn't understood the underlying meaning of that person's words and had retorted as if it were a provocation.
Now, neither side had a way out.
As expected, Cang Ying's face twitched fiercely upon hearing Chen Tao's words.
He was now certain that these three were definitely disciples from a sect. Their arrogant demeanor was exactly the same as a proud prodigy he had encountered before.
What a detestable expression.
Chen Tao's words evoked unpleasant memories for Cang Ying, and killing intent gradually appeared in his eyes.
He looked at the three of them again. Their cultivation was all in the Nascent Soul stage. If he unleashed his full power in an instant, he should be able to suppress them.
Afterward, he would destroy their communication plates and cripple their limbs. With no way to heaven or earth, they would ultimately end up like that sect disciple he had strangled, dying silently.
Cang Ying was ruthless. As soon as he made up his mind, he suddenly erupted the next moment, curling his five fingers and lunging at the three of them.
The moment he leaped into the air, a phantom of a giant eagle appeared behind him.
Long Haotian and the other two had not expected Cang Ying to suddenly attack. Under the suppression of his aura, their movements were sluggish, and they only had time to summon their defensive magical treasures.
"Sir, we can talk things over properly. There's no need to attack people at the slightest disagreement."
Just as Cang Ying grinned menacingly, preparing to shatter the three's defensive shields, a black ruler blocked in front of them.
Cang Ying felt a surge of immense force emanating from the ruler. He was forced to retreat several steps, dissipating the great force from his hands.
"You're in league with them."
Cang Ying looked at the unexpected interloper with a ferocious expression, a hint of despair hidden deep in his eyes.
Because he knew he had brought great trouble to the City Lord's Mansion.
If their attack failed, they could send news back, and Xiling City would have to face the wrath of their sect.
"Senior Sister Xu."
Chen Tao looked at Xu Yi's back, his eyes welling up with emotion.
He had forgotten Xu Yi's detestable side and was completely focused on the scene before him.
Even Long Haotian was deeply moved, and the last bit of resentment he held towards Xu Yi completely vanished.
Xu Yi did not turn around but nonchalantly said to them, "My appearance fee isn't cheap, you know. Someone tell me later."
Long Haotian snorted in annoyance, retracting his earlier thoughts.
Xu Yi was still as annoying as ever.
Xu Yi heard the movement behind her, but paid it no mind. She smiled at Cang Ying, "Sir, why don't we sit down and talk slowly?"
Cang Ying's eyes struggled, and just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. He leaned forward slightly, his demeanor becoming considerably more respectful.
After a moment, Cang Ying bowed to the four of them, "Everyone, our City Lord invites you to visit."
The City Lord's invitation?
Xu Yi turned to look at the three behind her. Seeing Long Haotian nod at her, she put away her ruler and said with a faint smile, "Let's go, lead the way."
In fact, she was also a little curious about what had happened in the City Lord's Mansion.
This secret would soon be revealed.