Chapter 823: The Eighth Prince

"The Holy Domain's capital lives up to its reputation," Han Li said, gazing at the massive city before him, praising it.

"Haha, it's been countless tens of thousands of years since Yeyang City was built, and it has been continuously repaired and expanded to reach its current scale. The white mountain range you see is called the Bailan Mountain, and the giant river on the ground is the Bailan River. Both contain extremely rich sacred veins and are revered as our clan's sacred mountain and sacred river. That's why our clan decided to build the capital here," Shi Chuankong said with a laugh, though he spoke lightly, a hint of pride still seeped through.

"Sacred mountain and sacred river, no wonder they have such grandeur. Are humans and cultivators living together in this city?" Han Li nodded and asked.

"Indeed. The vast majority of Yeyang City's residents are ordinary people and low-level cultivators from various races, living in the outermost Heitian District. Mid-level cultivators above the Void Refinement stage usually have their own caves or families, but most also rent some temporary caves in the central Mohe District, making it the most prosperous area, with countless shops. Our Guangyuan Pavilion headquarters is also there. The innermost Luoja District is where the royal family and nobles above the True Immortal stage reside. Ordinary people are strictly forbidden from entering without permission," Shi Chuankong continued to explain to Han Li.

Han Li slowly nodded.

"We are currently on the south side of Yeyang City. If we enter the city from here, we would need to cross the Heitian District and the Mohe District to reach the imperial city. There are flight prohibition restrictions within the city, so we can only travel by beast-drawn carriage, which would take too long. It's better to take a detour outside the city to the north and then enter," Shi Chuankong said.

Since they were on Shi Chuankong's turf, Han Li naturally had no objection to his arrangements.

Thus, the two flew close to the city wall and soon arrived at an entrance on the north side of Yeyang City.

Yeyang City was vast, with many entrances set up in the east, west, north, and south directions.

At the southern entrance earlier, there was a huge crowd, with long queues at each gate, but at the northern entrance, the number of people was much smaller.

"Brother Li, Yeyang City strictly monitors people entering and leaving. The city gates are equipped with the Great Mirror Sacred Restriction, which can identify all disguises. If discovered, one will be treated as a spy. Before entering the city, we must remove all disguises," Shi Chuankong said, forming hand seals. A layer of hazy black light emerged on his body surface, and his appearance rapidly changed, revealing his true form.

Han Li looked down at the city gate. At the entrance hung a huge gray stone mirror, shimmering with crystalline gray light, reflecting everyone entering the city.

A flash of purple light appeared in his eyes as he carefully observed the gray stone mirror for a moment. His brow slowly furrowed, and he fell into thought.

After a moment, Han Li formed hand seals, and a bright green light immediately rose from his body, enveloping his form. A series of cracking sounds came from within his body, like bones colliding.

A few breaths later, the light on him dissipated, and his entire appearance changed drastically, returning to his original face.

"So this is Brother Li's true appearance. Rest assured, although the Holy Domain does not welcome cultivators from the Immortal Realm, with me here, there will be no danger," Shi Chuankong said, sizing up Han Li's true face, laughing heartily, patting his chest, and then descending first.

Han Li had been observing Shi Chuankong's expression and saw no sign of abnormality, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and followed closely behind.

At the city gate, two soldiers in purple armor from the two squads stepped forward to greet them.

"Who are you two? This is the entrance to the imperial city; unauthorized persons are forbidden to enter!" a soldier in purple armor said sternly.

"Eh, a cultivator from the Immortal Realm!" Another soldier in purple armor suddenly stared at Han Li, his expression cold and clearly hostile.

Hearing this, the others immediately looked over, their eyes showing cold hostility.

A few soldiers even pointed their weapons directly at Han Li.

Han Li frowned slightly but said nothing.

"How dare a cultivator from the Immortal Realm trespass into Yeyang City? He must be a spy! Arrest him!" A cold shout rang out as a tall figure walked over.

The newcomer was a burly man with a full beard, wearing a set of purple-black heavy armor, looking like a steel beast as he strode over.

The nearby soldiers in purple armor each took out a thick purple chain, inscribed with purple runes, and surrounded Han Li.

"What's going on? Why the sudden arrest?"

"A cultivator from the Immortal Realm has appeared. Captain Luo Tie says he's a spy."

"Really?"

People near the city gate, hearing the commotion, gathered around, causing a stir.

"How dare you! He is my attendant! All of you, back off!" Shi Chuankong's face darkened as he said coldly.

"Such big words! Your attendant? And who do you think you are, daring to obstruct the city guard's duties? Step aside, or you'll be arrested too," the burly man said, glancing contemptuously at Shi Chuankong and sneering.

"How dare you! I am Shi Chuankong. A mere captain of the guard dares to speak to me like this!" Shi Chuankong said angrily.

"Shi Chuankong? Isn't that the name of His Highness the Thirteenth Prince? His Highness left Yeyang City many years ago. Could he have suddenly returned?"

"Have you seen the Thirteenth Prince? Is this person real?"

"No, I haven't. The Thirteenth Prince used to keep a low profile and rarely made public appearances in Yeyang City."

At these words, the onlookers were startled and buzzed with discussion.

"Thirteenth Prince? Ha, the Thirteenth Prince left Brightsun City years ago, and is said to have left the Holy Domain, carrying out a secret mission for His Holiness the Sacred Lord. No word has been heard from him since. If you claim to be the Thirteenth Prince, produce the Heaven-Sealing Token as proof?" The bearded man smirked, sneering coldly.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are, demanding that I prove my identity to you!" Shi Chuankong's eyes flashed with a glint as he barked in anger.

The Heaven-Sealing Token was a token of identity bestowed by the Sacred Lord upon each prince, and also a sentient demonic treasure. It contained a sliver of the Sacred Lord's power, capable of automatically protecting its master in times of crisis.

Back in the Gray Realm, when Shi Chuankong was caught in the crossfire of two Dao Ancestors, he had secretly activated the Heaven-Sealing Token to shield himself and survive. Later, the Sacred Lord had used the power within the token to activate the Luoza Pipa, teleporting him and Han Li back to the Demon Domain.

However, after activating the Luoza Pipa, the immense power had drained the Heaven-Sealing Token completely, destroying it.

"What's the matter? Can't produce it? I think you're nothing but an impostor claiming to be the Thirteenth Prince—how audacious! Men, seize these two swindlers and troublemakers!" The bearded man sneered, raising his hand in a gesture.

The several purple-armored soldiers flicked their wrists, and the purple chains in their hands shot out, winding toward Han Li and Shi Chuankong, actually making a move.

Seeing this, Han Li's eyes flickered with surprise—these people were actually attacking Shi Chuankong.

"You're asking for death!" Shi Chuankong roared in fury, raising his hand and waving it.

A massive purple-black hand materialized out of thin air, carrying a rumbling boom, and seized the chains, then flung them violently.

With a series of crisp crackles, the chains snapped taut, and the purple-armored soldiers were sent flying, blood gushing from their mouths.

"What a villain! Attacking the city guards—are you trying to rebel?" The bearded man's brows shot up like swords as he bellowed, striking out with a single palm.

Countless black demonic winds surged from the bearded man, coalescing into a snarling black wind-dragon that lunged down at Shi Chuankong.

Countless black runes tumbled within the wind-dragon. Before it even struck, a wave of bone-chilling cold rolled forth, distorting the void as if freezing it solid.

Shi Chuankong's eyes blazed with murderous intent as he pointed a finger.

With a 'pfft' sound!

A silver light shot from his fingertip, instantly piercing the black wind-dragon's body, leaving a gaping hole through it.

The black wind-dragon let out a mournful cry and shattered, dissipating.

The silver light, having easily pierced the wind-dragon, did not slow in the slightest and flashed before the bearded man's face.

The bearded man's expression changed as he leaped backward, simultaneously spitting out something from his mouth.

A streak of black light shot from his mouth, colliding with the silver light.

With a crisp 'crack,' the black light snapped—it was a black flying blade, now broken in two.

The silver light did not pause, blurring as it chased the bearded man, about to bore through his head.

Shi Chuankong's eyes flashed with killing intent. He was a legitimate prince; outside the city was one thing, but to be publicly humiliated by a mere guard captain within Brightsun City was intolerable.

At this moment, countless eyes were watching, both openly and covertly. If he did not teach this man a lesson, not only would he be mocked as useless in the future, but the Third Prince would also become a laughingstock in Brightsun City.

Just then, a golden light shot like lightning, coiling around the silver light like a spirit serpent and twisting it in an instant.

With a series of crackling sounds like firecrackers, the silver light shattered inch by inch.

"Haha, Thirteenth Brother, so you've returned! These years with no word from you, I, your elder brother, have been worried. Now that I see you safe and sound, I can rest easy." A long laugh rang out as a figure in purple robes walked out from the city gate—a tall young man.

He was a head taller than Luo Tie, with a robust build, bulging muscles, and golden skin, like a statue cast in gold, radiating immense power.

Shi Chuankong's face darkened at the sight of the newcomer, and he remained silent.

"He really is the Thirteenth Prince!"

"I thought that white hair looked familiar!"

A buzz of astonishment rose from the nearby crowd as they stared at Shi Chuankong in surprise.

At the same time, many who had recovered from their shock looked at the ashen-faced bearded man with sympathy, while others, eager for chaos, wore expressions of schadenfreude.

"Thirteenth Brother, what happened to make you so angry that you would seek Luo Tie's death right by the palace?" the tall young man said with a smile.

"Eighth Brother, this man publicly insulted a prince and even ordered us to be chained. Shouldn't such an arrogant and rebellious person be killed?" Shi Chuankong said coldly.

"Eighth Prince..." Han Li frowned slightly.

On the journey here, Shi Chuankong had roughly explained the relationships among the princes. The Eighth Prince was actually aligned with the First Prince.

It seemed this visitor meant trouble.