Chapter 719: Each with Their Own Thoughts

"Stop."

Just then, the black-robed elder of the Netherworld Tribe, who had been feigning sleep with closed eyes, finally spoke.

His voice rang out like a great bell, resounding mightily, stirring within everyone's sea of consciousness and instantly subduing all around.

"Asura City is not a place for your private brawls. Return to your paths immediately, or be expelled from the Netherworld Domain at once."

With these words, he offered Wu Zhongshan a way out. The latter immediately bowed and retreated back to the right-side gate.

The group from Blacktooth Domain exchanged glances and also withdrew into the gate.

Disturbed by this commotion, the Yinshan elder forgot to verify Shi Chuankong's identity, allowing him to slip into the city.

...

By evening, the group from Blacktooth Domain had lodged in the courier palace arranged by the Netherworld Tribe in Asura City.

As night fell, Han Li and his two companions arrived before a hall in the courier palace and sent a message inside.

Soon, Miao Gao and his daughter Miao Xiu came out to greet them and led the three into their residence.

After they sat around a black carved stone table, Mo Guang spoke first: "Lord Miao Gao, we apologize for disturbing you at this hour. Please forgive us."

"Brother Jiang Gu, you are too kind. Whatever you have to say, feel free to speak." Miao Gao was slightly taken aback but replied.

"To be honest, we will leave the group early tomorrow morning. We came specifically to bid farewell." Mo Guang said with a smile.

"This... why the sudden departure?" Miao Gao's eyes showed a trace of confusion as he asked.

Miao Xiu, sitting beside him, also furrowed her brows.

"I had thought to join the excitement of the Three Domain Alliance, but along the way, I've seen nothing but tension. The meeting is clearly for shouting matches, and if words fail, fists might fly. I've lost interest. Thinking it over, a gathering like the Tamuda Convention, with song and dance, is more enjoyable. I've also heard that the 'Upside-Down Street' in the Taming District of Asura City is quite famous. I'd like to visit and see if I can find some treasures." Mo Guang shook his head and said.

"If that's the case, we won't force you to stay. However, although Asura City now admits outsiders, only the Fallen Lake, Suishan, and Taming districts are open to foreign races. The other areas are strictly forbidden. Please keep this in mind." A strange expression flickered in Miao Gao's eyes as he spoke.

"Senior Jiang Gu, allow me to add a word. You entered Asura City as guest elders of our Sanmiao Tribe. If you do not accompany us to the Fallen Lake District for the meeting, you will need to change your identities when moving about the city." Miao Xiu suddenly interjected.

Han Li glanced at her.

Her implication was that once they left the Sanmiao Tribe, their actions would no longer be tied to the tribe. Clearly, she did not believe Mo Guang's stated reason for leaving.

"Lord Miao, rest assured. I simply enjoy traveling and will not cause trouble." Mo Guang, fully aware of this, still replied with a smile.

"Allow me to say one more thing. The tribes of the Netherworld Domain have long been hostile to those from your Reincarnation Domain. With today's incident, it's likely some will target you. Even when moving through the open districts, you must be cautious and guard against ambushes." Miao Gao added in warning.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Miao Gao. We will be careful." Mo Guang said with a gentle smile.

After a brief conversation, Mo Guang and his companions took their leave.

"Father, they..." Miao Xiu said after seeing the three out, looking at Miao Gao who appeared deep in thought.

"Xiu Xiu, I know what you want to say. It's fine... We cannot verify Jiang Gu's identity in Shaohao Domain, but his aura is genuine, and his two retainers seem equally unfathomable. They have other purposes in Asura City. Since we've decided to vote for the Reincarnation Domain, we should try to maintain good relations." Miao Gao waved his hand and said.

"Father, aren't you worried that their true purpose in Asura City might bring trouble to our Sanmiao Tribe? I find those three somewhat inscrutable, as if their very appearance is calculated." Miao Xiu frowned, asking.

"What trouble could there be? As long as they mean us no harm. They won't go around shouting that they sneaked in with us, and we certainly won't say anything. Besides, don't you want to see someone stir things up in Asura City? We haven't fully avenged the sneak attack by the Nicidao Tribe. If they cause some trouble for the Netherworld Domain, that's not bad either. Later, I'll have to think carefully about how to explain to the Domain Lord..." Miao Gao said with a smile, clasping his hands behind his head.

"Father, you really..."

Miao Xiu, seeing her usually stern father in such a rare, relaxed mood as if waiting for a show, couldn't help but chide him playfully.

...

Before dawn the next day, Han Li and his two companions left the courier palace and headed north along the city streets.

Han Li had heard from Miao Gao about the vastness of Asura City, knowing it was divided into nine major districts, covering an area of over a hundred thousand li. Though called a city, it was comparable to the entire territory of a secular kingdom.

Among them, the Suishan District was a thousand-zhang peak within the city, dotted with castles and steaming with baleful qi, looking from afar like a small sect.

The courier palace where they had stayed was merely an entry point to Asura City, adjacent to the Fallen Lake, Taming, and Suishan districts. To reach other areas, one had to pass through these three districts first.

On the streets, there were many pedestrians, but few walked on foot like Han Li. Most hovered a foot above the ground, moving slightly suspended.

Their appearances resembled humans, varying in height and build, but all wore indifferent expressions, occasionally sizing up outsiders like Han Li with cold and hostile eyes.

"Though I've seen many, I still find these Netherworld slaves look like hanged ghosts—utterly unappealing." Mo Guang, now in a loose black cloak, said with disgust.

"The Netherworld Tribe's xenophobia is exactly as Fellow Daoist Baili said—plainly displayed without any concealment." Han Li adjusted his cloak's hood and remarked.

"Fellow Daoist Li, we know too little about the Netherworld Tribe. Is it wise to barge into their sacred land so recklessly? This seems like a high-risk venture." Shi Chuankong said worriedly.

Regarding his meeting with Baili Yan, Han Li had not fully concealed it. He had told Shi Chuankong about the opportunity to return to the Immortal Realm and the Cleansing Pool through the Reincarnation Hall, and gave him two choices.

One: he could go to the Reincarnation Domain alone, wait for Han Li to return from the Netherworld Domain, and then take him to the Reincarnation Hall. Two: he could accompany Han Li to the Netherworld Domain and then go together to the Reincarnation Domain.

Unsurprisingly, Shi Chuankong chose the latter. Whether for his own safety or his need for the Purifying Pill, he had no real choice.

"Without this Three Domain Alliance meeting, we might never have reached Asura City. If we don't go now, we may never have another chance." Han Li frowned slightly and said.

"The Netherworld Tribe seems to value this 'sacred land' greatly. There's so little information from outside. We've tried everything along the way but couldn't gather much useful intel—not even its location. How are we supposed to find it?" Shi Chuankong sighed.

"That's not a problem. Let's first check the Taming District. Since the Upside-Down Street there is a hub for trade, information must flow. Perhaps getting a map of Asura City won't be too difficult." Han Li said after a moment's thought.

"I suppose that's the only way." Shi Chuankong nodded.

Mo Guang walked with his hands behind his back, glancing around at the passersby, looking relaxed and carefree.

...

Asura City, Suishan District.

Atop the thousand-zhang peak, baleful qi swirled. The man-leveled summit held a magnificent, imposing palace.

In front of the palace lay an open black stone square built against the cliff. Beyond the railing was a thousand-zhang precipice, below which black mist churned like waves driven by the mountain wind.

At that moment, two figures—one black, one white—stood within the railing, gazing into the distance toward the Fallen Lake District.

The black figure was wrapped in an extremely wide black robe, its surface covered with black dragon patterns, the long hem trailing on the ground, shrouded in faint baleful qi.

Beneath the robe was a tall man hovering a foot above the ground. He had disheveled hair and bare feet, wearing an archaic bronze armor with a fierce beast-shaped chest plate covered in green patina.

The man had a pale face, clear and angular features, with thick lips slightly downturned. His expression was utterly indifferent, and his gray eyes stared straight ahead, betraying no emotion.

Beside him, the white figure was an elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a high-grade snow-white robe that shimmered like rippling waves, flowing from his shoulders to the hem like surging tides, piling up into clusters of white foam at his feet.

If any cultivator stood nearby, they would sense the immense water vapor emanating from the waves and the faint but unceasing fluctuations of water-attribute laws.

The hazy water vapor surrounding the old man formed a misty wall that completely isolated the baleful qi in the air.

"Fellow Daoist Yin, how confident are you about the voting in this alliance meeting?" the white-robed elder asked, withdrawing his gaze from the distance.

"Less than thirty percent." the black-robed man replied coldly.

"This... so many tribes in the Black Rope Domain have already sided with the Reincarnation Domain?" the white-robed elder raised an eyebrow and asked.