"My lord, are you jesting? Zhongzhou Street, at most, has no more than three hundred people. What can three hundred people achieve?" Qing Liang said dismissively. "Even if they were all Nascent Souls, do not forget, our Holy Land has over three thousand Nascent Soul powerhouses alone, and more than a hundred Nascent Soul realm great cultivators. They have only two great cultivators, they can't make any waves."
"Is that so?" Qing Ti still felt a sense of unease. For many years, no human had reached the Nascent Soul realm in the inner city. Yet, as soon as Xiao Man arrived, Jiang Lan was promoted to the Nascent Soul realm and showed no fear even against the seven great clans of the Divine Race. What was her confidence based on? Was it merely her cultivation at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm?
However, the Holy Land had quite a few Divine Envoys at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. Xiao Man must have other means of support. What was that support? For the humans of Zhongzhou Street to contend with the Divine Race, they would all have to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm great cultivators. But this was simply impossible, otherwise, only a mere handful of humans would have entered Futu City.
"No, I still feel uneasy. I must go and see Zhongzhou Street." Qing Ti leaped up and headed straight for Zhongzhou Street. He had not paid attention to Zhongzhou Street during this time. When he arrived, he found Zhongzhou Street shrouded in a thick fog, making it impossible to see inside or know if anyone was there.
Qing Ti released his spiritual power, attempting to discern the situation in Zhongzhou Street. However, as soon as his spiritual power intruded, it was repelled. He felt a stabbing pain in his head as if pricked by needles.
"Nangong Yu, Jiang Lan, come out."
Hearing the voice outside, Xiao Man's expression turned cold. "So, they have finally come?"
Qing Ti called out for a long while. Just as he was about to force his way in, a figure emerged from the dense fog and slowly approached.
"Greetings, City Lord."
"Nangong Yu." Qing Ti frowned. "What trick are you playing now?"
"City Lord, you said that with my talent and cultivation, I would soon enter Futu City. But I waited from dawn till dusk, and from dusk till dawn, yet I received no summons from the Divine Lord. City Lord, are you perhaps deceiving me?"
Qing Ti was also perplexed. He wished for Xiao Man to enter Futu City quickly, so that the humans in Zhongzhou Street could no longer cause any trouble. But this person had not received the Divine Lord's summons. He feared that if this person remained any longer, chaos might erupt in the inner city.
"If you think I am deceiving you, you may come with me to the Holy Hall to inquire."
"Very well." Xiao Man maintained a composed demeanor and followed Qing Ti. Qing Ti's doubts eased somewhat. He glanced at Zhongzhou Street, still shrouded in fog, and felt a subtle unease.
"Why is Zhongzhou Street shrouded in fog?"
"To create an air of mystery," Xiao Man said mysteriously. "Doesn't that make everyone curious about Zhongzhou Street?"
Qing Ti was momentarily speechless. He was not particularly curious about Zhongzhou Street.
"Lately, no traces of humans have been seen in the inner city, nor are they found at the various mines. You know, everyone living in the inner city needs to provide value to the Holy Hall to continue residing here."
"So, you intend to drive everyone from Zhongzhou Street out?"
"It's not about driving them out, but a reminder. Their contributions this year are insufficient and they need to work harder." Qing Ti glanced at Xiao Man. "If their contributions are insufficient, their mining rights will be reduced. Once reduced, the amount of ore they can excavate will also decrease. At that time, it will be very difficult for humans to survive here."
"I understand. I will convey this to them. Thank you for the reminder, City Lord." Xiao Man said unhurriedly, as if she had truly taken his words to heart. However, Qing Ti felt that Xiao Man had not taken his words seriously at all.
The Holy Hall of the inner city was located in the very center of the inner city. Its magnificent structures and ancient aura inspired awe. Unfortunately, the master of this Holy Hall was a cunning demon.
The two entered the Holy Hall together. The hall was bustling with people from the seven clans, trading artifacts, elixirs, and other items.
"Lord Qing Ti."
Qing Ti waved his hand, signaling them to dispense with formalities, and led Xiao Man into the rear hall.
In the rear hall, a magnificent statue was enshrined. The statue's face was filled with kindness, and its eyes brimmed with compassion. Xiao Man recognized that face. It was the same as the young man who had tried to stop her when she released Yu Ju in the Land of No Return, only slightly younger.
Seeing Xiao Man gazing at the statue, Qing Ti curved his lips into a smile. "This is the statue of the Divine Lord, compassionate and benevolent."
"Whether human or divine, all are equal before the Divine Lord." Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Man merely smiled. "City Lord, did you bring me here to admire the Divine Lord's statue?"
"Not just that." Qing Ti led Xiao Man into the inner hall. Inside, an old man was seated. He felt no spiritual energy fluctuations; this person was extremely powerful.
"Greetings, High Priest."
The old man slowly opened his eyes and his gaze fell upon Qing Ti. His cloudy eyes revealed no emotion. "What is it?"
"This person is named Nangong Yu. She has been in the inner city for several months, and her cultivation is nearing the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. Yet, she has not received the Divine Lord's summons. I have brought her here specifically to inquire about the reason."
"The Divine Lord has not summoned her for a reason. Not everyone who enters the Holy Land can gain the Divine Lord's favor." The old man's voice was ancient and calm, as if nothing could move him. "Go back."
"High Priest, her talent..."
"In this Holy Land, talented individuals are the least lacking," the High Priest interrupted Qing Ti without hesitation. "Do you have anything else?"
Qing Ti pursed his lips and finally replied, "No."
"Since there is nothing else, you may leave."
"High Priest, your lifespan is drawing to a close. Have you chosen a successor?" As Qing Ti was about to lead Xiao Man away, Xiao Man spoke abruptly, her words about the High Priest's approaching end startling Qing Ti and turning his face pale.
"Please forgive her, High Priest. She has always spoken so directly."
Only then did the High Priest look directly at Xiao Man. His lifespan was indeed drawing to a close, and as for a successor, it was not something he needed to worry about. The Divine Lord would appoint someone else to take over his position; he did not need to train anyone.
"Child, where are you from?"
"Zhongzhou."
"Which sect?"
"Beast Taming Sect."
"The Beast Taming Sect," a light of unknown meaning flickered in the High Priest's cloudy eyes. For the demon race, no one was more disliked than those from the Beast Taming Sect. "For so many years, no one from the Beast Taming Sect has set foot in the Holy Land. You are the first."
"Thank you for the compliment, High Priest."
"Your thick skin is also unprecedented."
"I knew the High Priest admired me," Xiao Man said with delight. "High Priest, would you like to choose me as your successor?"