When Tống Chinh heard these three place names, his initial reaction was one of strangeness, only to realize after a moment's thought: Cửu Long Sơn?

But then he immediately dismissed it himself. Across the myriad heavens and worlds, similar place names were as numerous as ox hairs. Moreover, the destroyed Immortal Realm and the western bank of the Linh Hà had no connection whatsoever; there should be no link between these two Cửu Long Sơn.

He asked the Grand Artificer, "Do you know the locations of these three places?"

The Grand Artificer gave a bitter smile. "Esteemed Master, these three areas are all colossal floating mountains; they have no fixed positions."

Tống Chinh couldn't help but frown. "How am I to find them?" However, the Grand Artificer, eager to please him, whispered, "Nonetheless, if Esteemed Master wishes to locate these three places, it isn't entirely difficult. I know someone who knows the method."

"Who?"

"Hồ Trảm, the Grand Artificer of Uống Băng City."

Trịnh Nguyệt immediately objected from the side. "No! Uống Băng City's strength far surpasses our Nghe Lôi City, and Hồ Trảm is notoriously arrogant and unyielding. To seek his help would be to invite humiliation upon ourselves!"

The Grand Artificer, however, smiled bitterly. "Miss Nguyệt, you misunderstand. If I were to go, it would indeed be an invitation to humiliation. But if Esteemed Master goes, Hồ Trảm will surely roll out the red carpet to welcome him."

"Hmm?"

The Grand Artificer pointed to the destiny artifact Tống Chinh had refined outside and explained, "Miss Nguyệt might not yet realize it, but the destiny soul Esteemed Master casually forged is a high-grade destiny soul!"

Trịnh Nguyệt was astonished. "A high-grade destiny soul? Used on a lion-wolf type mount?"

The Grand Artificer nodded. "Otherwise, why would we so unreservedly submit ourselves to the Master's tutelage? This is merely a lion-wolf type, one of the lowest-grade life-forging bodies. To use their internal organs to refine even a low-grade destiny soul already requires a highly skilled master artificer, at least surpassing Hồ Trảm's standard!"

"Yet, the Master was able to refine a high-grade destiny soul; this is already the standard of the most supreme Saint Artificer on the wilderness!"

Trịnh Nguyệt finally understood why the Grand Artificer and Junior Artificer were willing to turn hostile just to apprentice themselves to Tống Chinh. To the shattered wilderness, a Saint Artificer had always been a mere legend; even among the three highest-ranked cities, there were no Saint Artificers.

Legend had it that once reaching the Saint Artificer level, they would no longer be 'bound' by cities. They would surely roam the wilderness, seeking various materials to further temper themselves, and their ultimate goal was to: transform the entire shattered wilderness!

However, Trịnh Nguyệt was still somewhat worried. "But Uống Băng City is a city of Saint Ironsmiths; there has always been a state of competition and opposition between us. This trip... I fear difficulties and obstacles will be unavoidable."

Tống Chinh nodded slightly, his resolve firm. "We go to Uống Băng City."

"I'll go with you," Trịnh Nguyệt immediately said. Tống Chinh, however, was resistant. Trịnh Nguyệt's presence would be no help, and would only make things more difficult for him to handle.

"This journey is dangerous. You should remain in Nghe Lôi City and await our good news."

Trịnh Nguyệt asked cautiously, "Is Nha Sen going?"

Tống Chinh could only say helplessly, "She's not going either. I'm only taking these two." He pointed to the Grand Artificer and the Junior Artificer.

Feeling that her rival wasn't going either, Trịnh Nguyệt felt somewhat relieved. "Alright then." In truth, she wasn't keen on risking a trip to Uống Băng City, no matter who she went with.

***

"Tống Chinh intends to leave?" Cơ Cổ Liên frowned upon hearing the report.

Âu Dương Chính Võ and Bình Sách Đủ stood respectfully before her, bowing together as they said, "City Lord, we absolutely cannot let him leave just like that. He represents hope. Once he goes to Uống Băng City, the Saint Ironsmiths will likely never let him return."

Last night, Cơ Cổ Liên had already consumed the beast bone Tống Chinh gave her, and her strength had increased by a small margin. For the City Lord, who hadn't made any progress in decades, this was truly a huge surprise.

She, more than anyone, did not want Tống Chinh to leave.

She nodded slightly. "I, myself, will personally intervene to retain him."

Âu Dương Chính Võ added, "City Lord, I observe that young man's will is firm; I fear he is not one to be easily dissuaded. We must make thorough preparations."

Cơ Cổ Liên calmly asked, "What plans do you have?"

Her two trusted subordinates exchanged glances. This time, Bình Sách Đủ spoke, "That young man is exceptionally powerful. Your subordinate has already covertly inquired with Trịnh Nguyệt's hunters; he effortlessly slew a Horned Dragon in the Phù Khư Chaotic Domain and even managed to escape from its core region. If it truly comes to that, we must achieve victory in a single strike, leaving him no chance to retaliate."

Cơ Cổ Liên slowly nodded. "I will personally make a move. You two, in the outer perimeter, prepare the large-scale war destiny artifacts!"

From her sleeve, she took out an ivory token, clearly of a higher grade than the one given to Trịnh Nguyệt. "I permit you to deploy the three highest-grade destiny artifacts within the city."

Âu Dương Chính Võ and Bình Sách Đủ bowed together to accept the order, feeling reassured. "With such arrangements, we can ensure complete success!"

"If Tống Chinh cooperates, we remain friends. If he is unreasonable... then let him understand what awaits those who do not comply with my Nghe Lôi City!"

Cơ Cổ Liên waved her hand. "Go make preparations. I will meet him in two hours."

Âu Dương Chính Võ and Bình Sách Đủ departed immediately. Two hours was sufficient time, but there was no room for delay.

Tống Chinh informed Nha Sen that he intended to go to Uống Băng City. He asked for Nha Sen's thoughts: if she wished to remain in Nghe Lôi City, he would ask Trịnh Nguyệt to look after her; if she wished to return, he would have Nghe Lôi City dispatch escorts.

At the same time, he planned to present a substantial gift to Cơ Cổ Liên at a later time, requesting Nghe Lôi City's care for Vân Môn Village.

Overall, he had achieved his objectives in Nghe Lôi City. He was unwilling to treat Nghe Lôi City poorly, so he had opened the Heavenly Maiden Jiang's minor grotto-heaven to search for various powerful ancient beast bones. This parting gift would surely satisfy Nghe Lôi City.

Indeed, the entire Nghe Lôi City would see a significant increase in strength because of this gift from him.

However, at noon, someone arrived to inform him: the City Lord intended to meet him. Tống Chinh's Yang God slowly stirred, and he sensed something faintly.

His Yang God possessed divine abilities of "foreknowledge" and "seeking auspiciousness to avoid disaster." When an event was initiated, these abilities would correspondingly activate. He sensed "malice" emanating from Nghe Lôi City.

With a shift of thought, he immediately understood the source of this malice: because he intended to leave.

He let out a cold chuckle in his heart.

He threw the previously prepared gifts back into the Heavenly Maiden Jiang's minor grotto-heaven, pondering how to respond. Lord Tống, a former wolf soldier and Dragon Guard, would naturally choose to confront them head-on!

***

Âu Dương Chính Võ and Bình Sách Đủ each held control of a large-scale war destiny artifact. The third one was in the hands of Thọ Rộng Dã, the head of the Thọ clan. The Thọ clan harbored enmity towards Tống Chinh, making them the most trustworthy to wield it.

Before acting, Âu Dương Chính Võ and Bình Sách Đủ quietly conferred. "Is the City Lord's intention the same as ours?"

"Naturally. Tống Chinh wishes to leave, which conveniently provides us with an excuse to act. He carries great treasures, which naturally incites envy. What's more, he knows how to leave the wilderness."

"But why should we leave?"

"The notion that outside the wilderness is paradise—that's merely a lie used to deceive the lowest strata of people, to offer them a vague, illusory hope. What would we be if we left? Here in the wilderness, we hold boundless power!"

"Exactly. The City Lord is deeply cunning; she harbored this intention long ago. When we voiced it, she simply went along with the current. Her courtesy towards Tống Chinh was also a necessary pretense, to make others believe she genuinely wanted to lead everyone out of the wilderness."

The two men nodded in agreement.

***

Cơ Cổ Liên set out, accompanied by a large contingent of guards. This was her usual retinue, but the composition of the escort had changed. Previously, it was just her ordinary guard detail; this time, it had been replaced by the city's most elite troops.

Entering the grand residence where Tống Chinh was staying, Tống Chinh met her at the entrance, cupping his fists in greeting. "City Lord."

Cơ Cổ Liên smiled kindly. "Young master, please come inside, let us speak."

After entering, Cơ Cổ Liên inquired, "I heard, young master, that you intend to leave. Is there some oversight or inadequacy in my Nghe Lôi City?" Tống Chinh shook his head. "Nghe Lôi City has been like a home. It's just that this junior truly has an important matter that requires a trip to Uống Băng City."

Cơ Cổ Liên tried to persuade him, "Whatever matter the young master has, simply give the command. Nghe Lôi City has countless warriors willing to break their bones and shatter their bodies for the young master. Why must you personally make this trip?"

"This matter truly can only be handled by this junior myself."

Cơ Cổ Liên pondered for a moment, then said, "How about this: I shall act as matchmaker and marry Trịnh Nguyệt and that girl from Vân Môn Village to the young master. Rest assured, with my intervention, Vân Môn Village will certainly agree."

Tống Chinh gave a bitter smile. "Thank you for your kind intentions, City Lord, but this junior's ambitions do not lie here."

Cơ Cổ Liên's expression turned cold. "So, the young master has made up his mind to leave?"

"I have," Tống Chinh replied calmly.

Just as Cơ Cổ Liên was about to speak, she saw Tống Chinh suddenly give a strange smile. "I have decided to go, and thus, your true colors are also revealed!"

Cơ Cổ Liên did not deny it, but instead sternly advised, "Young master, you truly ought to reconsider. One person against an entire city? Although you are powerful, you will undoubtedly perish. I highly value talented youths. Here in my Nghe Lôi City, you could have freely commanded the wind and summoned the rain."

"Furthermore, after I am gone, the position of City Lord could even be negotiated for you."

Before Tống Chinh could reply, a great alarm suddenly rose in his heart. While Cơ Cổ Liên was trying to stabilize him with her words, she had already secretly sent a signal, and outside, three large-scale war destiny artifacts activated simultaneously!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The destiny artifact Âu Dương Chính Võ controlled was a colossal elephant. The elephant's two ears were ten times larger than its body, vibrating to unleash terrifying sound waves, invisible and formless, yet capable of shattering all souls!

The destiny artifact Bình Sách Đủ manipulated was a strange bird. From its two eyes, a massive bolt of lightning, a hundred zhang long, shot forth, striking down towards Tống Chinh from mid-air.

Thọ Rộng Dã's destiny artifact was a monstrous Jiao. From its wide mouth, it spat out a peculiar orb. As soon as it appeared, it brought forth the sound of wind and thunder, radiating terrifying purple light. Within the range of this light, the vital essence of all living beings was annihilated!

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