The Bagua Grand Formation.
Under the guidance of the Supreme Wuji's peerless sword, the grand formation appeared.
Looking up, the colossal Bagua Grand Formation enveloped the Immortal Gate at its center, rendering it impossible to open.
"Is this the power of my father?" Wusheng was utterly astonished.
He held no memories of his father.
Upon awakening, a pendant hanging from his peerless sword revealed his identity with a single voice recording, after which the pendant scattered into the wind. Only this sword had accompanied him for a hundred years.
Today, Wusheng finally witnessed his father's might.
The Bagua Grand Formation had stood for untold ages, showing no signs of weakening.
Such astonishing power was likely beyond the capabilities of anyone present.
"Is that the Immortal Gate?" Chen Fan felt no fear.
His eyes gleamed, fixed on the enormous portal.
The Immortal Gate seemed to stand in another dimension, visible yet intangible.
"How do I enter?"
He was desperate to know the method of entry, perhaps the Supreme Wuji was within.
If the Supreme Wuji was inside, then the Crown must be too.
"I don't know," the White Bone Forest replied.
This grand formation had been established after he was sealed within this space.
Chen Fan understood this and did not press him.
After a moment's thought, he ascended into the air.
His figure passed through the Bagua Grand Formation, through the gate of light, yet he did not depart.
Standing in the sky, Chen Fan gazed down. He saw people outside the manor; some looked on with confusion, others with wild joy, and some with frenzy.
"They cannot see the Immortal Gate or the Bagua Grand Formation." Through their gazes, Chen Fan confirmed this.
I can see it, but cannot touch it.
On that day, he could apparently touch the spatial gate.
But this Immortal Gate was untouchable.
A higher level of existence.
After a period of contemplation, he descended.
"I can't touch it."
Chen Fan shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "You all watched me from below, what happened?"
Wusheng spoke, "You passed through the Bagua Grand Formation and the Immortal Gate, yet nothing unusual occurred. It must be overlapping spaces."
Although he had suspected it, Chen Fan still felt a pang of disappointment.
"You try." He looked at Wusheng.
The Supreme Wuji's leaving this sword behind might be the key to seeing the formation, perhaps it would have an unexpected effect.
Wusheng did not hesitate and rose with the sword.
"Alas."
Seeing that Wusheng also failed to elicit any reaction from the Bagua Grand Formation, Chen Fan sighed.
Hope was within reach, yet it could not be grasped.
Nothing was more disheartening than this.
"Hoo."
Chen Fan took several deep breaths to quell the turmoil in his heart. "Let's leave it at that for now. We'll find a way slowly."
Indeed, there was no good solution, so this was the only recourse.
"As for you all,"
He glanced at Huangdie and the White Bone Forest beside him, "Please stay at the Eastern Manor for now."
"Okay."
Huangdie had no objections.
If she wanted to regain her physical form, she had to follow Chen Fan.
As for the White Bone Forest, he dared not leave.
The calamity, Tian Zai, lurked outside, and no one could guarantee when he might strike.
"Let it be this way."
Chen Fan had lost his mood and returned directly to his room.
Strangely, as soon as he left the vicinity of the lake, the Bagua Grand Formation and the Immortal Gate in the sky vanished.
"Truly magical."
Chen Fan murmured and returned to the pavilion.
He needed to carefully plan his next steps.
And the trouble with Tian Zai.
...
The next day, an imperial decree was issued from the Eastern Manor, spreading far and wide at incredible speed.
"City Lord's Order: The Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central Regions shall be returned to human rule. The Southern Region is to be ceded for the beast race to recuperate."
This order sent ripples of turmoil across the entire continent of Damelia.
"Why?"
Before other powers could voice their opinions, ordinary cultivators began to resist. "All five regions are human territory. Why should it be ceded? This is land conquered by our human race; why should it be given to the demon beasts?"
Many were unwilling to comply.
The clamor of resistance grew louder.
"The demon beasts have slaughtered so many of our people. Are we just going to let it go?"
"Shouldn't we take this opportunity to slaughter the entire beast race?"
"Please, City Lord, withdraw your order..."
"..."
More and more voices of dissent arose.
Eventually, some even claimed that Wenlan City had allied with the demon beasts and intended to secede from humanity.
In an instant, unrest spread amongst the populace.
Under the influence of this sentiment, many began to resent Wenlan City.
They argued that the City Lord should not make decisions for everyone by force; Damelia belonged to everyone, not just one person.
The "one person" being referred to was now quite obvious.
Within the Eastern Manor.
Huangdie fluttered her wings and said softly, "It must be difficult for the City Lord."
"What?"
Chen Fan shifted his gaze from the familiar object in his hands.
He looked at Huangdie with a lost expression.
"..."
Seeing this, Huangdie shook her head. "It's nothing."
"Oh."
He returned his gaze to the book in his hands.
It was a very ancient tome, from the White Bone Forest's collection.
That fellow had followed the Supreme Wuji and gathered many valuable items, and Chen Fan valued ancient books the most.
This ancient book was titled "Journeys of the Great Wilderness."
It recorded many events, both large and small, concerning the East and beyond. Though he could no longer verify their truth, Chen Fan still read it with great interest.
...
Meanwhile, outside the perimeter of the Eastern Manor, Lan Kuang was storming in, his face flushed with anger.
"What's wrong?"
A strongman from the Qin Family Army was on guard duty, acting as a doorman.
It was a rule of the Qin Family Army to rotate the guard duty daily.
Lan Kuang said furiously, "Those bastards outside are actually slandering the City Lord behind his back! I've come to request an order. I hope the City Lord will command Wenlan to arrest them all, kill some, and bury others."
"Haha."
Seeing this, the Qin Family Army man chuckled. "They are merely insignificant people. Why get so angry? You will naturally learn to ignore such things after experiencing them more."
Would an elephant be angered by the scolding of ants?
In the City Lord's eyes, those barking curs were not even worthy of his attention.
"Don't worry about it. Someone will handle this matter."
"Really?"
Lan Kuang was still seething.
He glanced at the guard post manned by the Qin Family Army and directly entered.
"Alas, you..."
Seeing that he couldn't stop him, the Qin Family Army man followed in with frustration.
Lan Kuang entered the guard post, precisely located a pot of aged wine, and took a long swig as soon as he opened the seal.
The Qin Family Army man was heartbroken and quickly snatched it away. "Damn it, you're so rich, can't you find your own wine? Come here to mooch off my wine, have you no shame?"
"Stop babbling. I'm in a bad mood. Drink with me."
Lan Kuang was still indignant on behalf of the City Lord.
Without the City Lord, the human race of Damelia would have long since become food for the demon beasts.
And now they dared to resent the City Lord in return.
Putting down their bowls and chopsticks, they curse.
What kind of people are they.