Chapter 896: Seeking News of Liu Hua

"City Lord, Qingyang City has never relaxed its vigilance against Puppet City, whether in the past or now. Please rest assured on this point." Chen Yang ignored Sun Tu and directly addressed E Kuai with a cupped fist salute.

"No matter, no matter. I just suddenly remembered this matter and mentioned it... Now let's get back to the main topic and first discuss the situation of the upcoming Five Cities Martial Meet." E Kuai waved his hand and said.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, waiting for him to speak again.

"The specific rules are not much different from the past. Each of your four cities will recommend twelve candidates. Whether they are city captains or chief Xuan Fighters, all can participate. The main city, Xuan City, will send sixteen people, making a total of sixty-four who will compete in pairs to determine the victor. Those who ultimately make it into the top three will each receive a reward, and the one who wins first place through multiple rounds of competition will receive an unexpectedly significant reward." E Kuai said with a smile.

"Ahem... What exactly is this unexpectedly significant reward? Why is the City Lord being so secretive now?" Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile.

"There are still three months until the official martial meet. For now, allow me to keep this secret a little longer. It will be revealed when the meet officially begins. In any case, it will definitely not disappoint you." E Kuai's smile grew even wider.

Upon hearing this, naturally no one raised any objections.

"During these three months, you may stay and cultivate in the Xuan City Villa. If you wish to practice beforehand, you can also go to the several Xuan Fighting Arenas in the city to engage in free Xuan Fights." E Kuai said.

After saying this, he exchanged a few more pleasantries with the group and then left first.

After the brief meeting, the people from the four subsidiary cities each had their own thoughts and lost the desire to compete with one another. Qin Yuan, Fu Jian, and the others led their teams away first.

Chen Yang and the others were the last to leave the main hall, and they saw the man named Tong Song still waiting outside.

"Distinguished guests from Qingyang City, would you like to take a stroll around the city now, or shall I first take you to the Xuan City Villa to settle in?" Tong Song stepped forward and asked.

"We have traveled a long way and are weary. I would trouble Fellow Daoist Tong to first take us to the villa." Chen Yang exchanged glances with Gu Qianxun and Han Li before speaking.

"Very well. Please follow me." Tong Song nodded and said.

Thus, under his guidance, the group left the City Lord's Mansion and headed west, eventually arriving at a complex of buildings that covered an even larger area than the mansion.

"I apologize, but the people from the other three cities arrived a bit earlier and have already chosen the better-located and more pleasant spots in the villa. The remaining two places, Cool Breeze Cottage and White Stone Garden, are not bad, but the guest rooms are somewhat scattered, with considerable distance between them. I'm afraid you will have to stay somewhat dispersed." As soon as they entered the villa gate, Tong Song said with a hint of apology.

"That's fine. Being a bit scattered is actually a good thing; it will be more peaceful." Chen Yang's mind was somewhat distracted, and he said indifferently.

"That's good." Tong Song smiled.

The group followed him and settled into Cool Breeze Cottage, located in the southwestern corner of the villa.

The rooms here were arranged in a row like an inn, quite simple, and built from a type of black stone that could block divine sense, which put everyone somewhat at ease.

There were many rooms, and Han Li and the others each took one.

Han Li inspected his room thoroughly and found no signs of tampering, so he sat down cross-legged with peace of mind.

Time flew by, and soon it was deep into the night.

Han Li suddenly opened his eyes, pulled open the door, and stepped outside.

Outside was utterly still. A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting clear silver light, which only accentuated the tranquility of the place.

Han Li glanced at the full moon in the sky, frowned slightly, then withdrew his gaze and walked forward. Soon he arrived before a room and gently knocked on the door.

"Fellow Daoist Li?" After a few breaths, a voice came from inside, and then the door opened unhurriedly, revealing the figure of Crab Daoist.

"Fellow Daoist Chen Yang, I apologize for disturbing you late at night." Han Li glanced at Crab Daoist, his eyes flickering, and stepped inside.

This was precisely Chen Yang's room. Chen Yang was not resting but was sitting cross-legged inside.

"Not at all. Please have a seat, Fellow Daoist Li. What brings you here late at night?" Chen Yang asked with a smile.

"Previously, I agreed with Fellow Daoist Chen that if we could not find a way to remove the Black Scourge Worm, I would propose another request. I have come now to discuss this matter with you." Han Li sat down and said directly.

"That's right. May I ask what Fellow Daoist Li's request is? As long as I can do it, I will spare no effort and will not disappoint you again." Chen Yang nodded.

"I would like Fellow Daoist Chen to help me investigate two people. One is Shi Kong, and the other is called Zi Ling, a female cultivator who was thrown into the Jilin Void Realm within the last hundred years. I ask that Fellow Daoist Chen give me a clear answer before the martial meet begins." Han Li said slowly.

Chen Yang was momentarily taken aback, then a troubled expression appeared on his face.

"The one you mentioned, Zi Ling, I can help you investigate. Since she is a female cultivator and entered the Jilin Void Realm only a few decades ago, if she has come to Xuan City, it should not be difficult to find. However, Shi Kong is currently in E Kuai's hands, making it difficult to investigate." Chen Yang said with a bitter smile.

"If it were easy, why would I trouble Fellow Daoist Chen?" Han Li chuckled lightly.

"Very well... I have already failed once, and I will not fail a second time. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li, I will give you an answer before the martial meet begins." Chen Yang was silent for a moment, then said solemnly.

"Then I am in your debt, Fellow Daoist Chen." Han Li smiled faintly, did not stay long, and soon took his leave, returning to his own quarters.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, after washing up, Han Li was about to go out when he heard a knock at the door. It was a young attendant from Qingyang City.

This time when coming to Xuan City, besides Han Li and the others, Chen Yang also brought some attendants to handle miscellaneous affairs.

"Senior Li, the city lord invites you to his residence." The young attendant said respectfully.

"Do you know why the city lord summons me?" Han Li asked calmly.

"I do not know." The young attendant shook his head.

"Lead the way." Han Li frowned slightly and said.

The young attendant led Han Li to Chen Yang's residence quickly.

A flicker of surprise passed through Han Li's eyes. He had thought Chen Yang called him over to discuss something, but Chen Yang's residence was now full of people—Gu Qianxun, Yi Liya, Xiong Pi, and others were all there.

Seeing Han Li enter, Gu Qianxun smiled and nodded in greeting.

Han Li nodded back. Just then, he suddenly felt a hostile gaze fixed on him. Turning to look, it was Yi Liya.

Seeing that Han Li sensed his stare, Yi Liya did not flinch. He glared at Han Li before looking away.

Han Li frowned, filled with confusion.

Throughout the journey to Xuan City, he had sensed some hostility from Yi Liya.

But he had only just met this man, not even exchanged a word, so he really couldn't understand why Yi Liya was hostile toward him.

After a moment, several more people entered, and everyone from Qingyang City had gathered.

"I called you here to give some instructions." Chen Yang said, looking at the crowd.

Everyone listened attentively.

"There is still some time before the tournament begins. For now, all forces in the city are gathered, and the situation is complicated. Unless you have important business, try to stay in your quarters and conserve your strength. If you really need to go out, remember not to cause trouble or clash with people from other cities, or I won't be able to speak up for you." Chen Yang said.

"Yes."

Everyone had witnessed the attitude of people from other cities toward Qingyang City yesterday—more hostility than goodwill—so they all nodded in agreement.

Seeing everyone nod, Chen Yang looked satisfied.

"City Lord, that man from Xuan City said yesterday that for this tournament, each of the four subsidiary cities would send twelve people. But the number of people present here clearly exceeds that. May I ask which twelve you plan to send?" Yi Liya suddenly spoke up.

Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up as they looked at Chen Yang.

This question had been on their minds for a while. Participating in the Five Cities Tournament was a great honor, not to mention the generous rewards.

Everyone was confident in their own strength and eagerly hoped to compete.

"There's no rush. I will announce the roster before the tournament begins. Alright, you may all go back now." Chen Yang's eyes flickered as he said slowly.

Disappointment showed on everyone's faces as they took their leave.

Han Li walked out of Chen Yang's residence, thoughts churning in his mind, and was about to head out.

Although Chen Yang had told them not to go out unless necessary, he had important business to attend to.

"Fellow Daoist Li, are you going out?" A voice came from behind. It was Gu Qianxun.

"Yes, I just arrived in Xuan City and plan to look around." Han Li stopped.

"Fellow Daoist Li, are you perhaps looking for Lady Liuhua to inquire about the Black Calamity Beetle?" Gu Qianxun's lips moved slightly as he transmitted his voice.

"Exactly." Han Li did not hide it from Gu Qianxun.

The Black Calamity Beetle was a thorn in his heart; if he didn't remove it, he would never be at ease.

"I was also planning to investigate this matter. How about we go together? Lady Liuhua is the foremost artifact refiner in Xuan City and not easy to meet." Gu Qianxun said with a grave expression.

"Alright." Han Li was slightly startled, then nodded.

So the two quickly walked out, their figures soon disappearing ahead.

Several figures emerged from the shade of a nearby tree—Yi Liya, Dulong, Tu Gang, and others.

Yi Liya watched the direction they had gone, his expression extremely dark.

Han Li and the other soon left the villa, with Gu Qianxun leading the way into the city.

Due to the Five Academies Tournament, the city was bustling with people. The shops along the streets were decorated with lanterns and banners, and the goods sold there were clearly of higher quality than those in Qingyang City.

Xuan City was also vast, with one prosperous district after another. Compared to it, Qingyang City was simply dirty and shabby, far inferior.