Chapter Fifteen: A Change of Mind

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“Apologies!

Just now, City Lord Gongsun has ordered the city sealed. The grand formations across the city have been activated, and the teleportation array at Tianlong Pavilion must also be closed. Please understand and patiently wait for Qingxuan Prefecture’s rescue!”

As these words rang out, the crowd fell silent, then erupted into a frenzy of terrified shouting.

“What! Gongsun Yan wants to die with Shenfeng City—why should we be dragged down with her!”

“That’s right! Her decisions have nothing to do with me. I’ll leave through the teleportation array today; if she tries to stop me, let her try!”

“Wang Daozong! Didn’t you say it would only take half a day to open the array? Now you say it won’t open at all—are your words just empty air? I’m telling you, if you don’t open the array today, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“Indeed! I’d like to see if Tianlong Pavilion has the nerve to oppose so many cultivators!”

At that moment, more and more people crowded into Tianlong Pavilion, teetering on the edge of a riot. Wang Daozong’s expression darkened sharply.

“Silence!”

A terrifying pressure descended, subduing the crowd!

Tu Lu’s whole body trembled, as if he’d sunk into a mire.

“This is the Tianlong Pavilion’s formation! Damn it! Wang Daozong, do you really dare provoke the fury of the masses?” Someone nearby gritted their teeth.

Wang Daozong swept him a cold glance and said icily, “This is the City Lord’s command. If you have complaints, take them to City Lord Gongsun—it’s none of Tianlong Pavilion’s concern.

Today, Tianlong Pavilion will not receive guests. Please, everyone, leave!”

With a wave of his sleeve, a tidal force surged forth from Tianlong Pavilion. Tu Lu’s face changed drastically! Even the strongest among the onlookers, cultivators of the Sea-Filling Realm, could not withstand such power!

All were swept away as if struck by a mighty wave, forcibly expelled from Tianlong Pavilion!

“Damn it!!”

“That bastard Wang Daozong, flaunting Tianlong Pavilion’s power—he won’t get away with this!”

Even after being thrown out, cultivators continued to roar in anger, threatening Tianlong Pavilion, but the barrier was now wide open—they could no longer get inside.

Tu Lu’s face grew pale.

Though the situation was far better than he’d imagined, if that primordial beast took action, the difference would be meaningless.

Under the beast’s hand, Shenfeng City would be reduced to ash in an instant—there would be no chance of survival!

Wait for Qingxuan Prefecture’s rescue?

Who knew when that would arrive!

This feeling of powerlessness nearly drove him mad.

“No! I absolutely cannot wait passively for death!”

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Watching the crowds surge toward the city gates, he finally regained his composure. Grinding his teeth, he turned away, choosing a path rarely traveled.

“I’ve lived in Shenfeng City for more than ten years—I even know where all the dog holes are. Compared to others, I have an advantage. I refuse to believe I can’t get out!”

He bit his lip, searched his memories, and after much effort, finally arrived at a stretch of wall near the slums.

He parted the tall grass, revealing a hidden dog hole within.

“To think that I, a cultivator, now have to crawl through a dog hole to escape.”

Staring at it, he finally felt a measure of relief, though the thought gave him pause. The more he considered it, the more bitter he felt. Other cultivators gained power and respect, but trouble kept finding him—forced to hide, unable even to show his true face, and now he had to crawl through a dog hole!

So unfair!

But the danger behind pressed on his mind, and he steeled himself.

Go!

He braced himself and dashed forward!

But just as he reached the other side of the wall, it was as if he’d slammed into a mountain. His entire body went numb, blasted away like a cannonball!

“No!”

Soon, he returned, eyes bloodshot.

“Damn it, I won’t give up!”

Again, he was blasted away, his whole body numbed, feeling as though he’d crashed into the very essence of Shenfeng City. If not for his physique as a cultivator, that single blow would have destroyed him.

After several more attempts, he finally realized: the City Lord’s sealing order was no joke. Shenfeng City had become a single entity—unless one possessed the power to shatter the entire city in one strike, there was no escape!

As for confronting the City Lord? Not even worth considering!

The City Lord was the only Purple Mansion cultivator in Shenfeng City, protected by countless restrictions. With a single order, even Sea-Filling Realm cultivators would not dare defy him—let alone someone of the Mountain-Moving Realm like Tu Lu.

Even those disgruntled cultivators in Tianlong Pavilion were merely venting because of their numbers.

Still… he was unwilling to give up. Following his memories, he searched for several other dog holes, hoping for a chance, but without exception, the entire city was covered by the formation—not even a fly could escape.

At last, he could only return to the inn near Tianlong Pavilion.

“If I can’t get out, I’ll have to pray that the primordial beast doesn’t attack and hold out until Qingxuan Prefecture’s aid arrives. In the meantime, I must try to strengthen myself as much as possible. If Shenfeng City is breached, at least I’ll have a chance to flee.”

Tu Lu thought this as he prepared to open his room door.

But just as he was about to push it open, he froze—because the little girl was standing outside, waiting for him!

“You…”

Tu Lu paused, unsure what to say.

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Though he wondered why the little girl had vanished earlier, and how she was here now, her presence waiting for him stirred a sense of warmth he hadn’t felt in ages.

“Come in.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Tu Lu sighed.

Once inside, silence returned between them. The girl sat quietly at the edge of the bed, saying nothing, but Tu Lu’s feelings had changed.

Though forced by circumstance, he had truly intended to leave the girl alone in Shenfeng City. Perhaps it was guilt, or perhaps the brief warmth he’d felt upon returning—whatever the reason, the girl had left an impression in his heart.

At least, she was no longer a stranger, but someone with a faint connection.

“We must withstand the beast tide, at least until Qingxuan Prefecture’s aid arrives. If the city falls, I won’t be able to save myself—let alone her.”

He glanced at the girl, frowning in thought.

There were three great monsters in Black Obsidian Mountain. Among them, the Thunder Tiger had already ascended to the level of a primordial beast, but if Wang Daozong was correct, it would not act for now.

That left the other two ancient beasts, and the countless lesser monsters of Black Obsidian Mountain forming the beast tide—a threat to Shenfeng City!

The City Lord, aided by Shenfeng City’s restrictions, could block the two ancient beasts alone. The real contest was between the Body-Tempering cultivators and ordinary monsters. If the city’s cultivators were strong enough, they could hold out!

So… was there a way to quickly boost cultivators’ strength?

He frowned, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck!

Inscription Art!

Yes—even if it was only external power, it was still strength!

Delighted, he immediately took out the introductory tome of Inscription Art from the Tianlong Token.

If others knew his thoughts at this moment, they’d surely think him mad!

Inscription Art was vast and profound; mastering an introductory manual at most gave one a glimpse of its mysteries. To become a master from this alone would make lifelong practitioners ashamed!

But… this was truly his intention!

“Still… it all depends on the primordial beast not taking action!”

He closed the manual, took a deep breath, and forced a wry smile: “As expected, Inscription Art cannot be mastered in a day.”

Then, from the Tianlong Token, he drew a black stone.