The city's defenses were exceptionally tight, particularly between its exterior and interior, where at least a thousand soldiers stood guard. Each soldier exuded a powerful aura, with their levels maxed out and cultivation realms around the fiftieth Heavenly Layer.
The strength of these soldiers alone indicated how formidable the Soul Alliance was.
Upon arriving at Shang Yang City, Zhou Yan addressed everyone, "Put away your mounts. This is not like our territory. Do not cause trouble, and do not offend anyone from the Soul Alliance."
"Yes!"
After dismounting, everyone followed closely behind Zhou Yan, proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Before long, another group arrived. They numbered around a hundred people, with decent strength among their subordinates and excellent equipment for each individual.
The lord leading them wore opulent clothing, and his complexion was somewhat pale. Upon seeing Shang Yang City, he grumbled, "Damn it, finally here. This journey has near killed me."
"Young Master, riding into the city is not permitted here. Let us put away our mounts and enter according to the rules," one of his men said to the lord.
"What a stupid rule, so annoying. My cousin-aunt really is something, at least she could have sent someone to meet me," the young master frowned, clearly displeased, but he still put away his mount.
He then glanced at the long queue ahead, furrowed his brow, and irritably said to the butler beside him, "Steward Liu, how long will this line take? Go up and offer each of these lords ahead one hundred thousand spirit coins to let us pass."
"This..." Steward Liu looked hesitant after hearing this. "Master said that when we're out, we should keep a low profile. Let's just queue up obediently."
"Slap!" The young master immediately slapped the butler and angrily retorted, "You're just someone my father sent to guide me. You dare to dictate what I do!"
"I dare not." The butler cupped his hand over the hand that was slapped, lowering his head, not daring to harbor any resentment.
"My lord, allow me to handle this," a martial general behind the young master said, casting a disdainful glance at Shang Yang City.
"En." The young master nodded, a smug expression on his face.
Subsequently, the martial general approached one of the lords and said, "You are the leader of these people, aren't you? Here are a hundred thousand spirit coins. Let us pass first."
"One hundred thousand spirit coins to get us to move? Do you take us for beggars!" The lord shot a sneering glance at the young master and replied contemptuously.
As lords capable of reaching this place, the young master was far too naive to think that a mere hundred thousand spirit coins would make them yield. Did he think everyone outside would accommodate him for a bit of money?
"I like people who refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Attack!" Upon hearing this, the young master immediately waved his hand, ordering the martial general behind him to charge at them.
Steward Liu wanted to say something, but seeing his young master's self-righteous demeanor, he ultimately chose to remain silent.
Those men advanced and immediately engaged, and the two sides erupted into a fierce battle. Over two hundred people began to slaughter each other. The guards of Shang Yang City, however, watched everything with cold indifference, paying no heed.
As long as it did not reach the city's perimeter, the guards of Shang Yang City would not interfere in others' affairs.
Although the young master was arrogant and domineering, his subordinate martial generals were powerful. Most of them were around the sixtieth Heavenly Layer, and the leading general possessed strength at the eightieth Heavenly Layer.
The lord who was struck saw his men being routed and angrily demanded, "Who exactly are you?"
"What good will it do you to know? I am from an overseas immortal island force. My great-grandfather is a demigod, and my cousin-aunt is the wife of the Shang Yang City Lord. If you're not satisfied, come seek revenge!"
The young master proudly boasted about his background, as if afraid others wouldn't hear.
"Overseas Alliance forces, and even a demigod-level expert. They must be from the overseas Du family group. So, he's just a spoiled brat."
Upon hearing the other party's introduction, Zhou Yan immediately deduced his identity.
The lords around them also recalled the overseas alliance forces of the Cang Lan Continent, a merchant guild formed by hundreds of small nations. Its leader was the Du family, which dominated one side and controlled the economic lifeline of over a hundred small nations.
Hearing of the Du family young master's influence, the other lord suppressed his anger and led his remaining subordinates away.
Seeing them leave, the Du family young master let out a triumphant laugh. The Du family was a top-tier force even in the Cang Lan Continent, and few dared to offend them.
Afterward, the Du family's martial generals approached the queuing people again. This time, they headed towards Zhou Yan. Before the other party could speak, Zhou Yan said, "We are not in a hurry. You go ahead."
Seeing Zhou Yan's tactful demeanor, the martial general said nothing more, only becoming more arrogant. In a fleeting glance, he noticed that the women beside Zhou Yan were all exceptionally beautiful but said nothing further, proceeding towards the lords ahead.
"My Lord, these people are so arrogant. Why should we let them pass?" Several hot-tempered martial generals behind Zhou Yan looked at him, puzzled.
Zhou Yan smiled and replied, "When we're out, we should cause less trouble. Such characters are not worth our effort."
Zhou Yan was here only to purchase materials, not to stir up trouble. What would it achieve if he defeated this guy? Kill him?
Then he would offend a powerful force that would hunt him down, and one after another would seek him out, causing him endless vexations. If the younger generation couldn't handle him, they'd send the older generation, and if they couldn't, even older figures would emerge.
This would lead to endless troubles that would overwhelm him. Even if they couldn't deal with him directly, those people would surely target his acquaintances. He didn't want to encounter such a situation, nor did he want to be bothered by a spoiled brat causing such a fuss. It was unnecessary.
Furthermore, the other party had relatives in Shang Yang City. If things turned unpleasant, even purchasing materials might become problematic. Zhou Yan didn't want to let such a minor issue disrupt his plans.
It was just a matter of yielding the road, what a big deal? They weren't short of time.
Of course, he had already backed down. If the other party dared to push further, Zhou Yan wouldn't care who they were; even the Heavenly King himself would be no use. They would be dealt with first.
Such a situation did not occur. Seeing that he had yielded, the other party ignored them and proceeded forward.