"For example, some major sects and families have vast spheres of influence and their own territories. Within these territories, it's all under the control of the respective powers. Even the royal family dares not intrude."
"Moreover, these sects and families have their own guard teams. Ordinary martial artists would never dare to challenge their authority, or the consequences would be dire."
Lin Tian fell silent at Zhou Yan's words.
Although he was a martial artist, he understood the gravity of the situation.
"By the way, Uncle Lin, there is a City Lord's Mansion in our Tianfeng City. The City Lord is a person named Yun Tianzun. You should know him, right?" Zhou Yan suddenly said.
Yun Tianzun?
Lin Tian was a little stunned upon hearing the name.
This was the first time he had heard of this person.
"I heard that this Yun Tianzun is the most powerful entity in the Tianfeng Empire and a highly respected figure. His strength has already reached the Martial Emperor level!" Zhou Yan continued.
Hearing Martial Emperor, Lin Tian was taken aback again. He hadn't expected such a formidable expert to exist in Tianfeng City.
"Then where is he now? Why isn't he here to receive me?" Lin Tian asked with some confusion.
"Yun Tianzun is in seclusion," Zhou Yan replied indifferently.
"Seclusion?" Lin Tian frowned, thinking to himself, "This old fox must have something to hide. He's actually in seclusion. Could it be that he wants to use this incident to cover up his crimes?"
Lin Tian pondered, but did not reveal his thoughts, feigning ignorance.
"Hehe, it's alright, Uncle Lin. I believe that one day, you will meet Yun Tianzun!" Zhou Yan said with a smile, looking at Lin Tian.
"Is that so? I hope so!" Lin Tian didn't want to ask more and merely offered a perfunctory reply.
After that, they finished their soup, and Zhou Yan left, leaving Lin Tian alone to savor the delicacies.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious and opulent car.
Inside the carriage, a man dressed in fine silk robes lay on a soft couch, with a maid kneeling before him, massaging his legs.
"Miss, how is your injury? Shall I examine it for you?" At this moment, a voice spoke. It was the maid.
The person addressed as "Miss" was Zhou Yan. He opened his eyes, glanced at the maid, and waved his hand, "It's nothing, just a minor injury. It will heal in three to five days."
Zhou Yan's face was pale, and he spoke with a weak body, as if he had expended a lot of vital energy.
Upon hearing this, the maid breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and retreated to the side.
"Hmph! Zhou Yan, you just wait! Sooner or later, I will make you kneel at my feet and beg for mercy!" Zhou Yan snorted coldly, clenching his fists, filled with immense hatred, grinding his teeth.
At this moment, Zhou Yan also recalled the ambush he had suffered outside the hotel that night, the robbery on the street that same night, and all the events of today, which ignited a surge of anger within him.
"Damn it!" Zhou Yan growled. "All of this is your doing. If it weren't for you, why would I have suffered such humiliation!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, the maid had retreated to the side, occasionally glancing into the carriage. A look of indignation crossed her face.
"That Zhou Yan is powerful, and he has a strong family supporting him. Moreover, Lin Tian seems to be younger than him. By rights, such a person should not be a threat. Yet, Yun Tianzun actually made us let him go. This puzzles me."
"Miss, do you think that Zhou Yan might be a mole planted by Yun Tianzun by our side?" the maid said with some concern.
"Impossible! That Zhou Yan is just a good-for-nothing. Even if he could survive until now, he wouldn't be this clever. It must be that Lin Tian who used some trick to gain Yun Tianzun's favor, which is why I suspect him." Zhou Ying replied.
"Miss is wise!" The maid immediately flattered her. "However, Miss, Lin Tian's identity is also quite special. He actually holds the title of the most powerful expert in the Tianfeng Empire!"
"The most powerful expert in the Tianfeng Empire?!" Zhou Ying was instantly shocked and asked incredulously, "He actually holds a title? Could it be... could he be the City Lord of Tianfeng City?"
A thought flashed through Zhou Ying's mind, but he felt it was unlikely, given Lin Tian's young age.
"Yes, Miss. Think about it, the City Lord of the Tianfeng Empire must be at least six hundred years old! And if he can hold the title of the most powerful expert in the Tianfeng Empire, wouldn't his background be incredibly profound?"
"Therefore, he must have been deliberately placed by Yun Tianzun to monitor us and make us serve him!"
"Miss, what should we do now?" the maid asked cautiously.
"You're right. This Lin Tian is definitely not simple. We must find him as soon as possible and capture him, otherwise, he will leak our secrets to Yun Tianzun!" Zhou Ying said coldly.
"Yes, we can't delay any further!"
Saying this, Zhou Ying looked at the maid and ordered, "Prepare the horses. We set off for the east immediately!"
"Understood."
...
After Zhou Yan left, Lin Tian returned to his room alone.
He lay on the bed, pondering the intelligence Zhou Yan had provided.
Zhou Yan's move was indeed ruthless.
He not only wanted to kill him but also his loved ones by his side!
However, Lin Tian did not fear any of this.
Because Lin Tian believed that he had the strength of the Lin family behind him, and Zhou Yan's Yun Tianzun would not dare to act rashly.
"No matter what conspiracy you have, it cannot stop my rise," Lin Tian narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile gracing his lips.
"Little Black, investigate Yun Tianzun's information for me," Lin Tian said.
Little Black agreed and entered a state of cultivation, its form slowly vanishing into the air.
...
"Brother Lin, you are fast. We will just be roaming in this area. We will come to see you again next time. Remember what I told you, don't run around."
"Brother Lin, we're leaving. Goodbye!"
Zhou Yan's voice echoed in Lin Tian's mind. After speaking, he left.
Lin Tian smiled slightly and followed his footsteps out of the room.
After Zhou Yan left, Lin Tian also followed him to a valley.
Inside this valley, dozens of servants were guarding the area.
"Young Master Zhou Yan!"
Upon seeing Zhou Yan, all the servants bowed respectfully.
Zhou Yan, however, paid them no mind and walked directly towards a towering peak ahead.
"Zhou Yan, you've finally arrived!" A hoarse voice echoed from the summit of the peak, carrying a tone of ancient wisdom and authority.
Zhou Yan bowed slightly, "Zhou Yan greets Yun Tianzun!"