Zhao Yanwu's breakdown was not without reason. The relationships between cultivators were generally quite casual, and she had certainly heard of those with a Dragon Yang Preference. However, the expression on Jiang Xu's face was simply...
Zhao Yanwu didn't even know how to describe it. If it weren't for the fact that cultivators had long given up on grains, she would have probably been sick to her stomach by now.
After hearing Zhao Yanwu's whispers, Zuo Dao's gaze towards Jiang Xu changed significantly. Although he didn't have a problem with male couples, he simply couldn't associate the large figure before him with anything romantic. It was a challenge to his tolerance.
Feeling the goosebumps rise on his skin, Zuo Dao decided to distance himself from this terrifyingly overweight man.
The atmosphere in the arena suddenly quieted due to Zhao Yanwu's unusual behavior. Xiao Yiming and the others looked at her with complex expressions, especially Jiang Xu. The exchanged glances between Zhao Yanwu and Zuo Dao made him feel a wave of unease.
What had happened in the formation was still fresh in his mind, and as someone involved in the formation, Zhao Yanwu could not possibly be unaware of what had transpired inside, even if it was illusory; she would have seen it all.
These were secrets that belonged solely to them. Although they no longer cared about it now, the less others knew about such private matters, especially Jiang Xu, the better.
Tao Yunfeng also snapped out of his thoughts regarding the formation and looked at Zhao Yanwu with increasing fervor. He was certain that if he obtained this formation technique, he would make tremendous progress in his path as a Formation Master and could potentially reach heights unattainable by others.
He had to keep them around; this was the only thought running through Jiang Xu's mind. He absolutely could not allow their secret to be discovered. It wasn't just for himself but for that man who had appeared within the formation.
Tao Yunfeng was the only one who hadn't entered the formation, but seeing the expressions of the others made it clear to him that something unpleasant must have occurred inside, yet they were unharmed. This indicated that the formation still possessed some inexplicable power; otherwise, such expressions wouldn't have appeared on the faces of several prominent figures from different sects.
Five paths—no, it should be six. Even Tao Yunfeng, who had initially planned not to intervene, was gathering his own momentum.
Without even looking at them, Tao Yunfeng sent a message through sound transmission.
"I only need the formation technique in her hands."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. What could attract an immortal Array Master more than a formation technique? Moreover, having an immortal Array Master involved would also exert some pressure on Zhao Yanwu.
In their hearts, Zuo Dao wasn't very clear about what was happening, but seeing the other's demeanor made it obvious that they were ready to continue fighting.
Soothing Zhao Yanwu's wounded spirit, Zuo Dao redirected his gaze towards the City Guard Mansion. Just as Zhao Yanwu was forming his thoughts, Zuo Dao distinctly sensed a Divine Sense probing from within the City Guard Mansion.
Though it was quickly retracted, he still managed to catch it.
"Cheng Yang, is there anyone else in the City Guard Mansion?"
"Reporting to you, my lord, after the incident at City Guard Manor, no one has dared to linger inside," Cheng Yang replied, puzzled by Zuo Dao's sudden inquiry but still providing an honest answer.
"Alright, I understand."
Zuo Dao's eyes flickered as he looked towards the City Guard Mansion. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke to Zhao Yanwu.
"I'll leave this to you for now; I have some matters to attend to."
He then instructed Yan Sui Fa to ensure Zhao Yanwu's safety before soaring into the City Guard Mansion.
To Zuo Dao, the Restriction array outside the City Guard Mansion was utterly insignificant; he passed through effortlessly and reached the interior.
Looking up, he found the vast City Guard Manor completely deserted. A tall building loomed before him.
The entire structure was crafted from a single piece of Shattered Stone. Although Shattered Stone was a common mineral in the Celestial Realm, such a large piece was quite rare. More importantly, this Shattered Stone had been refined.
At that moment, every flower and tree within the City Guard Mansion was imbued with Restrictions. While no lethal intent was apparent, Zuo Dao knew that anyone unfamiliar with formations or lacking sufficient skill would undoubtedly meet a gruesome end if they stepped inside.
He took a step towards the towering building before him.
It wasn't hard to guess that this was where the City Guard Manor resided, and that Divine Sense had emanated from this very place.
Cheng Yang had already arrived at the City Guard Mansion, which was now deserted, yet he could still sense the presence of someone. If it were Cheng Yang who had come after him, Zuo Dao observed that there were no signs of anyone having disturbed the surroundings.
Unless this person had always been within the City Guard Mansion. However, after the incident at City Guard Manor, everyone had left; who would remain behind?
Despite his many questions, Zuo Dao knew that he could only find answers by entering.
He spread out his Divine Sense, trying to avoid touching any Restrictions. He did not want to disrupt the already activated Great Formation. If someone truly existed within, he might still need it.
Yet, the faint fluctuation he had sensed earlier completely vanished upon Zuo Dao's arrival.
Zuo Dao trusted his Divine Sense; if something existed, he would surely find it. However, something occurred that made him doubt himself.
The building had nine floors, and the main door stood wide open. Zuo Dao's Divine Sense probed inside but found nothing. As he approached the entrance, an inexplicable heartbeat surged through him, as if sensing that something bad was about to happen, causing him to become alert.
A faint scent of blood lingered in the air; although subtle, the mingling odor made Zuo Dao furrow his brows.
It was toxic.
The information conveyed by the bloody scent quickly led him to deduce that someone had been poisoned here—most likely the individual from City Guard Manor.
After Dark Realm's assassination was successful, they had left a warning: no one was allowed to collect the body from City Guard Manor within forty-nine days; those who violated this would face brutal punishment.
Dark Realm already had a notorious reputation for violence, and this time they had escalated their threat from killing to torture, making people even more hesitant to approach for fear of attracting Dark Realm's attention. There had been others who attempted to retrieve the body from City Guard Manor before, but after several loyal City Guards were killed, no one dared to step foot inside again.
The first-floor hall was vast enough for a football match. The original tables and decorations were now in disarray, with only a coffin placed in the center of the hall—a coffin crafted from Bewildering Wood.
At that moment, Zuo Dao finally understood why his Divine Sense had been unable to penetrate this area earlier. The Bewildering Wood was an extremely rare material used for crafting artifacts, and any treasures made from it possessed the ability to block Divine Sense. The sudden appearance of this coffin made from Bewildering Wood puzzled him.
Who had placed this coffin here? And who lay buried within it? If it was the slain City Guard Manor Master, then who had interred him?
Zuo Dao suddenly realized that the situation was becoming increasingly bizarre. Nevertheless, he stepped forward and gently lifted the coffin lid.
What met his eyes was a pale face, that of a middle-aged man lying within. Though deceased, there was still a faint aura of authority emanating from him. Zuo Dao's attention was drawn to a black wound on the man's chest.
A sword had pierced his heart; the area around the wound was completely surrounded by a dark aura, preventing any blood from flowing out. What also caught Zuo Dao's eye was the expression on the man's face—there was no trace of pain at all. It was as if he had passed away peacefully, maintaining a serene demeanor.
A silent mansion, a coffin crafted from Bewildering Wood, and a tranquil male corpse.
Zuo Dao could confirm that this man was indeed the deceased Flowing Moon Manor Master. However, he couldn't fathom how, in a single lethal strike, the City Guard Manor had activated the entire Great Formation of Liu Yue City. And how had that assassin managed to kill the City Guard Manor Master?
An acquaintance? That seemed impossible. If a Celestial Sovereign were suddenly struck down by someone familiar, their expression would certainly not be so peaceful. Moreover, the aura Zuo Dao had sensed earlier had now vanished without a trace.
If this incident had been orchestrated by the Dark Realm, there would have been no need to make the entire scene so mysterious.
Zuo Dao pondered for a moment before closing the coffin again and began surveying his surroundings.
Chaos was the only word to describe it; the entire scene looked as if it had been ravaged by a hurricane. All items were in disarray, and the walls were etched with sword marks. Yet, what was strange about these sword marks was that aside from those on the walls, there were no traces on any of the furniture or decorations in the hall.
The sword marks were fresh; no normal person would leave such numerous marks in a hall. So who had left them?
Zuo Dao found himself confronted with more and more questions, and it seemed there were connections between them. He felt as if he was grasping something elusive, but when he turned his thoughts back to it, nothing remained.
Outside the mansion, sounds of fighting erupted again. He knew that the Six Immortal Lords were launching another assault against Zhao Yanwu and her companions, yet he felt no concern at all. He had complete confidence in Zhao Yanwu and those two formations; besides, he had already instructed Chen Yang before entering.
If he couldn't handle even these matters, then Zuo Dao might as well not play the "nanny" role. After all, all he needed to do was ensure Zhao Yanwu's safety.
At that moment of distraction, a beam of Black Radiance suddenly shot out from the coffin, appearing without warning behind him.
Zuo Dao instinctively sensed danger and immediately activated his teleportation to evade the attack.
With the strike missing its target, the Black Radiance vanished from his sight.
The series of bizarre events had finally worn down his patience, especially since he had just narrowly avoided a surprise attack.
Without hesitation, countless Flags flew from his hands. In an instant, he set up the Great Formation "This Year We Are Entwined" once again in the hall. Then, without looking back, he leaped out of the hall.
Since he couldn't find the cause, he simply decided to give up. His main purpose for coming to Liu Yue City was not to unravel the mystery of the City Guard Mansion but to undergo a baptism.
If someone had made a move against him, he certainly wouldn't let them off easily. With the Great Formation in place, he exited the Lord's Mansion like an ordinary passerby. He then set up the same Great Formation again before the Mansion Gate.
After completely exhausting the Flags in his hands, he no longer paid any attention to the City Guard Mansion and turned his gaze toward the battlefield.
If someone wanted to play tricks on him, Zuo Dao would make sure they regretted it. He never claimed to be a good person; rather, he believed in settling scores without letting them linger overnight. Unless he lacked the ability, he would ensure that vengeance was swift and relentless.
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