The central district was silent.
Everyone looked up at the man on the stone platform.
Chen Fan, the new City Lord of the Free City.
Chen Fan didn't speak immediately, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd below.
There were many people, all residents of the Free City.
Around the stone platform stood the many disciples of Yi Fu, guarding the new City Lord.
The residents of the Free City also looked at Chen Fan.
They were all very familiar with this person.
"Everyone."
Chen Fan finally spoke, his tone somewhat helpless: "Entrusted by City Lord Yi Fu, I have taken on this position of City Lord."
"If anyone disagrees, you can speak up, and I can yield."
A stir went through the crowd, but no one spoke.
Of course, many were tempted.
The Free City had many strong individuals. After Chen Fan helped them drive away the deathly aura, these people had already recovered to their peak state.
Among them were even possessors of seven imperial qi.
However, under the watchful eyes of Long Ling and the others, those who were itching to act ultimately remained silent.
"Chii!"
Suddenly, beside Chen Fan, a sword light erupted.
The appearance of this sword light startled even Chen Fan.
An Emperor-level expert.
Chen Fan quickly turned his head and saw a young girl no older than eighteen.
Long Ling introduced by his side: "This is our youngest disciple, An An."
"Hiss." Long Ling's introduction made Chen Fan gasp.
A girl in her teens, yet an Emperor-level expert.
Most importantly, the girl's body glowed, her eleven acupoints like small suns.
An eleven-channel Emperor, a titled Emperor.
Long Ling added: "Youngest disciple has a pure heart, which is why she cultivates so quickly."
"Oh." Chen Fan nodded, his gaze lingering on the girl for a moment.
Meeting An An's gaze, Chen Fan saw pupils as pure as black glass.
The girl tilted her head, looking at Chen Fan curiously, then slowly withdrew her gaze.
The girl revealing her cultivation was at Long Ling's prompting.
"Everyone."
Long Ling stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the residents who had shown greed: "Does anyone want to be the City Lord of the Free City? You can step forward."
A blatant threat.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
This was terrifying. With the deterrence of an eleven-channel titled Emperor, who would dare to have any other thoughts?
"Hmph!"
Long Ling snorted coldly, and when he looked at Chen Fan again, his gaze had become calm.
Chen Fan smiled wryly: "This is going too far."
I just don't want to be this City Lord, is there a need to threaten people like this?
Helpless, he could only sigh.
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll temporarily act as the City Lord of the Free City." After speaking, he added reluctantly: "But I have matters that might keep me from staying here for too long."
"Everyone, do what you usually do. Don't mind me."
"I'm done speaking," Chen Fan said, shrugging at Long Ling.
The stone platform began to descend, just as it had risen.
"Farewell, City Lord." Long Ling bowed first.
"Farewell, City Lord." Yi Fu's disciples bowed.
The residents of the Free City exchanged glances and bowed in unison: "Farewell, City Lord."
Chen Fan chuckled wryly: "That's that, you can all disperse."
He had finished speaking.
He intended to return to the inn but was stopped by Long Ling again: "City Lord, you can stay in Master's thatched hut. It belongs to you now."
"I want to..."
Chen Fan was about to refuse when Long Ling directly said: "If the City Lord dislikes living there, I can have someone build a new one for you immediately. Whatever kind of residence you like, I will order it to be made at once."
"No need."
Chen Fan had always been casual about food and lodging: "Then I'll stay in City Lord Yi Fu's thatched hut."
"Oh, right."
Chen Fan remembered the people from the natural disaster: "My friends..."
"City Lord, rest assured, they have been arranged for."
"Mmm, then it's settled." Chen Fan entered the thatched hut.
Things had come to this, and any further refusal would be ungrateful.
Regardless, Yi Fu's willingness to give him the Heavenly Crown was a kindness.
Forget it, he'd be this City Lord for now.
But before Chen Fan could get some rest, a piece of news shocked him once again.
Long Ling had actually sent out numerous invitations, inviting all major powers from the Eastern and Central Continents to the ceremony.
The new City Lord of the Free City was to take office, and it was customary to invite guests from all directions.
"It can't be!"
Listening to Pang Tong's report, Chen Fan was speechless.
Pang Tong explained: "As the sixth major power in the Immortal Realm, it is only proper for the Free City to invite guests when a new City Lord takes office."
"What sixth major power."
Chen Fan shook his head: "The so-called sixth major power was built on Yi Fu's immense strength."
"Now that Yi Fu is gone, this sixth major power is already a mere formality."
After speaking, Chen Fan saw Pang Tong looking at him strangely: "Did I say something wrong?"
"City Lord, you don't really think the Free City was established solely on the merit of City Lord Yi Fu, do you?"
"Isn't it?"
"Of course not."
Pang Tong quickly explained: "City Lord Yi Fu is powerful, but he cannot leave the city."
"And then?"
Chen Fan pressed: "Does the Free City have other experts?"
"Naturally."
Pang Tong nodded with certainty: "The Hermits of the Eastern Continent are a force belonging to the Free City."
"Even though the Hermits of the Eastern Continent are usually independent, if anyone dares to oppose the Free City, all the Hermits of the Eastern Continent will come to their aid."
After hearing Pang Tong's explanation, Chen Fan was shocked: "Why didn't you tell me something so important?"
"I always thought you knew." Pang Tong looked a bit wronged.
Chen Fan: "..."
Knew? What did I know?
How long have I been in the Immortal Realm? How could I know these things?
In the following explanations, Pang Tong clarified to Chen Fan that although Yi Fu was the reason for ninety percent of the Free City's status as the sixth major power, within the loosely organized group of Hermits of the Eastern Continent, there were seven top-tier experts. They were Yi Fu's people.
As for Han Ye, compared to these seven, his fame was far inferior.
After Pang Tong left, Chen Fan summoned Long Ling again: "The Hermits of the Eastern Continent are a subordinate force of the Free City?"
"Yes." Long Ling nodded.
"Then, can I command the Hermit organization of the Eastern Continent to do something for me?"
"Of course you can."
Long Ling quickly explained: "As long as you refine the City Lord's Seal, you will know how to issue commands."
The City Lord's Seal appeared directly in his hand. A drop of blood fell onto it.
"Buzz!"
The City Lord's Seal glowed.
In Chen Fan's eyes, the glowing City Lord's Seal seemed to transform into a tree.
On the tree, there were many shining stars.
"What is this..." Chen Fan was bewildered. What were these stars?
He tried to touch one of them.
The moment he touched it, Chen Fan seemed to sense something.