Chapter 3

Two terrifying forces collided, and the shockwave was so intense that it caused ripples in the surrounding space. A hint of surprise flashed in the creature’s eyes; it had not expected that a newly arrived Dou Di could withstand its attack without a scratch.

A glint of anger flashed in the creature’s eyes as it prepared to launch another attack. Suddenly, a voice rang out behind the human and the beast.

"Stop! No battles are allowed within the borders of the Rending City. Please leave immediately," a cold voice echoed through the space, rippling like waves in water.

"Hmph, boy, consider yourself lucky. Next time I meet you, you won’t be so fortunate," the creature said with a sneer, glancing at Xiao Yan. Then, a burst of light enveloped it, and it vanished from the space.

Xiao Yan’s massive form gradually returned to normal. He turned around to see a person in armor standing behind him.

"Thank you, Senior!" Xiao Yan bowed in gratitude. If this person had not come, he would have had to engage in another bloody battle. Xiao Yan knew that the creature had not used its full strength in that attack, and he had little confidence in his own abilities.

"Ha ha, no need to thank me. It’s my duty. You’re a new Dou Di, right?" The armored person laughed and asked lightly.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, not hiding his identity, but he was somewhat puzzled about how the armored person knew him.

"Ah, you are the one Ming Di is looking for. Come, I’ll take you to the Rending City." After Xiao Yan’s confirmation, the armored person did not ask any more questions and turned to fly away without waiting for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan stood there, asking himself, "Is someone coming to pick me up?" Could there be someone here who knows me?

"Senior, forgive me for being bold, but how did you know about me and my whereabouts?" The armored person’s accuracy in finding him and the certainty that he was the one Ming Di was looking for left Xiao Yan deeply puzzled.

"Hehe, boy, you’re quite cautious. I know everything within a thousand miles of the Rending City. Finding you wasn’t difficult. As for why I’m sure it’s you, in the past thousand years, you’re the only one who has passed through this channel, and the spatial beast you fought just now confirmed it," the armored person explained, stopping to speak as Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Yan was taken aback by the armored person’s words. His own imperial soul power could only sense things within a hundred miles, but this middle-aged man in armor could detect things within a thousand miles! Clearly, the armored person’s strength far exceeded his own. Xiao Yan nodded, still somewhat puzzled, but in this vast and desolate space, it was better to have someone guide him than to wander aimlessly.

With no other choice, Xiao Yan had to trust this person for now. He followed the armored person, flying at an extremely fast speed. Even at his peak, Xiao Yan could not catch up to the armored person, but fortunately, it was not far. After about ten minutes, a small city came into view.

From the air, Xiao Yan could see the entire Rending City, bustling with people and full of activity. The entire city was built from a blue stone, with a tall tower in the center. At the top of the tower, a faint flame glowed, giving it a mysterious aura. It was likely the source of energy that sustained the city.

"I didn’t expect to find a city here," Xiao Yan said, somewhat surprised. Maintaining a city within a spatial rift must require a significant amount of energy. The person who could establish a city in a spatial rift must be a renowned powerhouse.

"This is the Rending City. Follow me in," the armored person said lightly.

The two descended and landed on an ancient stone road. The noisy sounds of the Rending City immediately filled Xiao Yan’s ears. People riding various magical beasts, wearing splendid armor, and selling all sorts of rare and exotic items lined the streets, leaving Xiao Yan dazzled.

Xiao Yan casually checked the auras of a few people and shuddered. Each one was several times, even hundreds of times, stronger than him.

Following the armored person, Xiao Yan saw an old man standing a few dozen meters away, his hands behind his back, smiling at him. Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. He had thought the person coming to pick him up would be a member of the Xiao Clan in this space, but his bloodline did not sense any connection, making him more cautious.

Xiao Yan followed the armored person slowly toward the old man. As they approached, the old man looked at the armored person and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Guard Huo Tao. Since the person is here, I’ll take him back to the valley. I won’t disturb your work."

From the old man’s words, Xiao Yan learned that the armored person was named Huo Tao and seemed to be a guard of the Rending City, which did not surprise him.

Huo Tao smiled and left.

After Huo Tao’s figure disappeared, the old man looked at Xiao Yan and called out, "Boy, follow me."

Xiao Yan, hearing the old man’s call and looking at the unfamiliar yet somewhat weathered face, was slightly taken aback. He felt somewhat bewildered. What did this person have to do with him?

"Who are you? How did you know I was coming? I don’t know you, so why are you waiting for me here? And why should I follow you?" A series of questions and doubts flooded out.

"Boy, you must be the one Xiao Lao Tou mentioned, the only Dou Di in a thousand years on the Dou Qi Continent," the old man said.