Chapter 77

Yincheng.

Li Hao and a few others got into the car, this time with Liu Long driving. There was still quite a distance to go, and Liu Long was not at all reassured about Li Hao or Wang Ming.

In the car, there were four people and a dog.

Black Panther got into the car without hesitation, and neither Li Hao nor Yuan Shuo paid much attention.

If they both went and Black Panther didn’t, he would be a stray dog.

If they could return, they would; if not, they would all perish together.

In the passenger seat.

Liu Yan was responsible for briefing them on the intelligence, some of which came from the Night Patrol, and some from Yincheng itself.

...

"Hengduan Canyon is over a thousand miles away, spanning a vast distance, also over a thousand kilometers. The canyon is said to be impassable even to birds, with its deepest point over 300 meters below ground, and even the shallowest parts are several dozen meters high."

"On both sides are stone cliffs, and there are some ancient ruins in the canyon. It is said that during the ancient civilization period, there might have been a city there, which later collapsed, burying the entire city in the canyon."

"This time, exploring with the Night Patrol are the three major organizations' Silver Moon branch, two medium-sized organizations, and fourteen small organizations."

"It’s not ruled out that some independent superhumans might also join in!"

Liu Yan glanced back at Li Hao. Wang Ming and Yuan Shuo should know the situation, but Li Hao might not, so she explained, "According to the intelligence, a medium-sized organization is called 'Three Suns.' An organization with a Sun Radiance is considered small. During this exploration, the strength of the medium-sized organizations might not be weaker than the three major organizations. The main forces of the three major organizations are not in Silver Moon, while the medium-sized organizations might send their main forces!"

Li Hao knew she was talking to him and nodded.

Liu Yan continued, "The two medium-sized organizations are Bright Island and Sword Gate."

Li Hao nodded again. Beside him, Yuan Shuo suddenly interjected, "The Sword Master of Sword Gate should be Hong Yitang, one of the Seven Swords of Silver Moon’s martial arts world in the past."

"Do you know him?"

Li Hao’s question wasn’t about whether he knew him, but... did they have a grudge?

Just say it!

You killed three of the Seven Swords of Silver Moon, and Li Hao even obtained the inheritance of the Shadowless Sword.

He just wanted to know how deep your grudge was.

Yuan Shuo clearly understood and said irritably, "No grudge! I’m not familiar with him. That guy was relatively low-key back then. Among the Seven Swords, some were high-profile, some were mysterious, and the Earth-Covering Sword was neither prominent nor flashy. Such people didn’t die as much back then, and few people came to kill him!"

"..."

Everyone was speechless.

Come to kill him?

So, you all used to just go and kill people directly?

Liu Long, who was driving, also spoke up, "Is the Sword Master of Sword Gate Hong Yitang? The intelligence doesn’t show that. Speaking of which, my father had some connections with the Earth-Covering Sword back then..."

Yuan Shuo said coolly, "Don’t try to get close, it’s useless! Besides, your father Liu Hao has been dead for many years, and any friendship would have long faded!"

When a person dies, it’s like a lamp going out.

In the martial arts world, unless they were close friends, after so many years, the descendants wouldn’t have any connections left.

Liu Long didn’t say anything more.

Li Hao couldn’t help but ask, "So, many of the strong martial artists from back then have become superhumans?"

He added, "Then why are there so few in the Night Patrol?"

Neither Hao Lianchuan nor Hou Xiaochen were known martial artists.

Yuan Shuo remained silent.

Wang Ming, however, said softly, "Back then, the martial arts world of Silver Moon was chaotic and unstable. Even in the early days of superhuman rise, martial artists were still killing everywhere. When the Night Patrol was established, the higher-ups decided... to avoid absorbing martial artists as much as possible!"

The Tianxing Dynasty even explicitly banned martial arts for a period!

It was because of the chaos caused by martial artists. These martial artists, unlike today’s superhumans, weren’t interested in ruling the world, but they were more reckless and showy.

For the title of the strongest, they could kill countless people.

Today you kill me, tomorrow I kill you!

During that period, the Night Patrol didn’t dare to recruit martial artists.

So, the number of martial artists in the Night Patrol was relatively low, while some superhuman organizations had no such restrictions, accepting anyone, and some were even founded by martial artists themselves.

They chatted for a bit, and Liu Yan continued, "This time, the three major organizations will definitely send Three Suns strong ones, but the exact number and who they are, we don’t have the intelligence. The two medium-sized organizations will likely send Three Suns as well. As for the fourteen small organizations, there will definitely be many Sun Radiance."

"Regarding the Night Patrol, Hao Li’s team is leading, and seven Sun Radiance strong ones have come."

The Night Patrol’s presence wasn’t small either.

Yuan Shuo was meditating with his eyes closed. After Liu Yan gave a general overview, Yuan Shuo opened his eyes and said, "Don’t just focus on the people, there’s also the ruins themselves!"

"Three years ago, I explored those ruins and almost died there!"

His heart injury was from that time.

He almost died.

"That time, a Sun Radiance led the team, and he also died there, along with several Moon Shadows. You need to know that a Sun Radiance three years ago was very valuable. Superhuman development was rapid, and in three years, a Sun Radiance could hope to enter the Three Suns!"

Beside him, Wang Ming seemed to remember something and immediately said, "Right, right, right. Three years ago, I just joined the Night Patrol, and that time, a top-tier strong one died, along with several Moon Shadows..."

Yuan Shuo ignored him and continued, "This ruin... is not just any ruin, but an ancient city!"

Ruins come in different sizes.

A tomb is also called a ruin.

But this time, it’s a city!

Of course, the larger the ruin, the greater the harvest and more opportunities.

"An ancient city?"

Liu Long, driving the car, looked serious: "An underground city?"

"Yes."

Yuan Shuo said calmly, "It’s a large underground city, buried but still maintaining its original form. This city is not simple; it has a supreme treasure that envelops the entire city, which is what the Night Patrol is after!"

A large buried city, the key is that the entire city is preserved, protected by a treasure that prevented the earth and rocks from destroying it.

Liu Long was somewhat shocked: "A single treasure can really protect a large city, enduring the passage of time and still preserving the city intact?"

"Really."

Yuan Shuo nodded, "Such treasures do exist! That’s why the entire superhuman domain of Silver Moon is going crazy over it. Even though the Night Patrol and the three major organizations don’t get along, and the central region is in chaos, they are willing to explore together here."

"Interest moves people. How many good things could be in a city preserved intact?"

"Ancient books, source spirit weapons, ancient civilization technology, ancient martial arts, ancient superhuman abilities... perhaps we can discover them. There are also some treasures that are incredibly powerful."

Yuan Shuo seemed to remember something and said dreamily, "Back then, I once excavated an ancient ruin. It wasn’t a large one. That time, guess what I dug up?"

Everyone was curious and listened intently.

"A tree!"

Yuan Shuo sighed, "A tree buried for countless years, long dead, with only the trunk remaining. At first, no one paid attention, but when someone accidentally broke the trunk... everyone felt a power... the power of life!"

Yuan Shuo was both moved and longing, "We saw a drop of water, a different kind of water, buried in the center of the trunk. The moment the trunk was opened, the drop of water quickly dissipated. But the energy that overflowed made some old trees around us instantly sprout and grow into towering trees. Those of us present were swept by this energy, and everyone felt ten years younger!"

Yuan Shuo was deeply moved, "I can still maintain my peak state at 70 years old. If I hadn’t been injured, I might have even entered the Doushan realm. This is related to that drop of water, a treasure left by the ancient civilization!"

Everyone was stirred by his words!

A drop of water, sealed for thousands of years, when it dissipated, actually made people younger and trees grow into towering giants instantly.

What kind of treasure is this?

Unimaginable!

At 70, for a martial artist, it’s usually a decline, but Yuan Shuo, at 70, was still thinking about entering the Doushan realm. If he hadn’t been injured, he might have succeeded long ago.

Liu Long said solemnly, "Old Yuan, does this ancient city have such a treasure?"

"Unclear, but it’s possible."

Yuan Shuo continued, "This ancient city is actually undeveloped because we can’t enter... or rather, we should say we entered the outer city, but just the outer city killed many of us."

"Outer city? What’s the source of danger?"

Liu Long continued to inquire. These matters might only be known to Yuan Shuo, and others might not say even if they knew.

Yuan Shuo recalled for a moment, then said uncertainly, "It’s hard to say exactly what it is. When we entered together, a sudden burst of fire erupted, killing many people! That was just the beginning. Soon, countless sharp blades shot out of the darkness, killing many more."

"Finally, when only the Sun Radiance and I were left, we heard footsteps..."

Footsteps?

Living beings!

Everyone was shocked!

Living beings in the city?

How is that possible?

How old is this ancient city?

No one knows, as it’s impossible to determine. The years recorded in ancient texts are long disconnected from this era, which is now the Star Era.

Such a large city, even if preserved intact, couldn’t possibly have living beings, right?

They would have long turned to bones!

"Indeed, it was footsteps... of course, it could be puppets."

Yuan Shuo couldn’t determine if they were living beings or puppets and said solemnly, "In any case, we only heard the sound, not seeing anyone. But we were attacked by something in the darkness. It was very powerful. I saw a flash of light, and the Sun Radiance was killed! At that moment, I quickly fled the scene. While escaping, I didn’t care about the dangers and was pierced through the heart by a blade... Fortunately, I’m a martial artist, and my internal energy has a nurturing effect. I quickly sealed the wound in my heart and managed to escape by luck!"

He sighed, "This place... I don’t even want to come. But I can’t not come. In recent years, the Night Patrol has sent people in, but few have survived, and most haven’t found anything. They hope I can help explore again."

Li Hao frowned, "Teacher, so you didn’t see anything?"

"I did see some things."

Yuan Shuo smiled, "At first, I saw many things, even light. We saw the entire city! The darkness only appeared later, as if the city’s lights were turned off. According to the Night Patrol, when they went back, it was already completely dark!"

"In any case, if you go, be careful, be very careful."

At this point, Yuan Shuo hesitated but still said, "I’ll tell you a little secret, don’t tell anyone else!"

Everyone nodded quickly.

"Once inside, pay attention, try not to leave the ground!"

Not leave the ground?

What does that mean?

Wang Ming hurriedly asked, "Not leave the ground, does that mean stand still?"

"Not that."

Yuan Shuo said softly, "Just try not to fly or jump. I suspect this ancient city has some restrictions on flying. Many people died that day, and I later concluded that it might be related to their flying or jumping... Not that you can’t leave the ground at all, but you must be cautious. Also, pay attention to any footsteps nearby."

A city that might restrict flying.

Anyone who violates the rules will be killed.

Buried for countless years, it can still function, such technology is terrifying.

Modern cities can’t do that.

Even if there are restrictions on flying or martial arts, they are only enforced by human patrols, and if they don’t catch you, it doesn’t count.

"Don’t tell anyone else!"

Yuan Shuo said meaningfully, "The Night Patrol has also discovered some things, but many other organizations are exploring for the first time. Let’s see how many we can take down!"

Everyone nodded again.

This is the advantage of old experience. Yuan Shuo didn’t die back then and gained some insights.

Yuan Shuo continued, "Not only that, there are many dangers. Any place could be dangerous. Remember, don’t touch anything. Even if you see ancient weapons or treasures, don’t touch them. Moving them could cause danger."

"Can’t touch?"

Wang Ming was disappointed, "Then what’s the point of exploring? If we find treasures but can’t touch them, isn’t that just going to die?"

What’s the point?

"Their goal is the city’s core! They believe the core is the source spirit weapon that envelops the entire city! Taking that source spirit weapon will bring them all the benefits. Besides, everyone’s main goal is probably that source spirit weapon."

A source spirit weapon that can envelop an entire city and still function after being buried for countless years, how powerful is that?

Some superhuman organizations now lack a stable base.

If it can effectively resist city-destroying weapons, superhuman organizations can quickly build a large city, relocate some people, and have a solid rear, establishing a true reputation!

Now, these superhuman organizations are very mysterious.

One of the main reasons is that they dare not expose their bases.

Sun Radiance and Three Suns might escape detection and avoid being killed by thermal weapons, but the weaker ones can’t. If the weaker ones die, the organization will collapse, cutting off the future. What’s the point of an organization with just a few strong ones?

Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "So, everyone’s goal is the source spirit weapon in the city. I can understand the medium-sized organizations, but what about the small ones? Do they also want the source spirit weapon?"

Dream on!

Yuan Shuo shook his head, "Not really. Their main goal is still some treasures in the city. Once the large organizations take the source spirit weapon, they will naturally get a share. Besides, they don’t know they can’t touch those treasures... they are all here for that. Moreover, if they really have a chance to seize the source spirit weapon... why not?"

Yuan Shuo chuckled, "If they can take it, they might abandon everything, any organization, any homeland... take the source spirit weapon, go far away, hide for a while, and when they are strong enough, reappear. Who would dare to provoke them? So, some people are here with that in mind."

The benefits of a source spirit weapon, Li Hao knew well.

For example, the Starry Sky Sword. Not just the sword itself, but the sword energy within is incredible. Li Hao’s rapid progress and Yuan Shuo’s entry into the spirit realm are both related to the small sword.

A source spirit weapon that can cover an entire city is clearly incredibly powerful.

If it can protect a city for countless years, enduring the weight of millions of tons of earth, could it protect a person?

Does that mean no one in the world can break such a defense?

Invincible defense!

Li Hao thought about this and remembered what his teacher told him at night. This ancient city might have some connection to the Eight Families. At the entrance of the outer city, he seemed to see a turtle.

Yes, a turtle.

And in the Eight Families’ ballad, there is a line: "The Wang family raised a big turtle."

Although connecting the Eight Families to the ancient city through a turtle seems far-fetched.

But in the ancient civilization period, if the Eight Families were very powerful, and Yincheng is only a thousand miles away, could this ancient city have no connection to Yincheng a thousand miles away?

Now it’s a thousand miles... but in the ancient civilization period, it might have been much closer?

Moreover, if the strong ones in the ancient civilization period were as powerful as the swordsman Li