Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

When Jie Hongyan was recuperating in Tiandu with her son, Le Xunyuan naturally saw Weizhi and was secretly surprised to see his identical face.

"I am Miaomiao, the adopted son of City Lord Haotian. Are you a contestant in the Universe Battle?"

"My name is Le Xunyuan, I come from Tiandu, and I am one of the contestants this time."

The final selection of contestants for the Universe Battle of Wonders was determined by Haotian. In addition to those from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, the eldest son and disciple of the Martial Lord were both selected. This was information known throughout the Spirit Continent of the North Sea.

Miao Miao said politely, "The North Sea Divine Palace has just opened, and the competition will be held in a few days. Since you are a guest, why don't I show you around?"

"I could not have asked for this, sir. Thank you for your trouble."

"You're welcome."

Just as the two were about to take a step, a loud, boisterous voice suddenly rang out, and then a wealthy young man in a brocade robe came waving a fan.

"The sea of ​​love is boundless, the young master is passionate, and the traces of romance remain."

Chapter 442 Raising Spirits in Exchange for High Welfare

Inside the royal city of Lingzhou in Beihai, Yue Xunyuan was chatting with Miaomiao, the adopted son of the city's lord, when another young master, Qing, arrived uninvited.

"The young master, a passerby among the flowers, has long admired the Martial Lord, but unexpectedly, he has met the Martial Lord's outstanding disciple in the Northern Border."

Le Xunyuan did not know Young Master Qing at first. This person appeared out of nowhere. It is said that he has unique skills in palm techniques, knowledge, and eloquence. He was also personally selected by Haotian.

Seeing his polite manner, she quickly bowed and said, "Young master, you are too kind. This gentleman beside Xun Yuan is Miao Miao, the adopted son of Hao Tian, ​​the powerful ruler of the North Sea. Miao Miao is also a contestant in this year's Universe Battle of Wonders."

"The city lord's son, I was blind to his greatness."

“Young Master Qing, there’s no need for such formalities. You are guests from afar, but with the competition just around the corner, please forgive me for not being able to entertain you both. Why don’t you come with me to tour the royal city first?”

"Haha, that's easy, please lead the way."

"please."

Le Xunyuan's heart skipped a beat. This young master had taken the initiative to approach her, which meant he already knew Miaomiao and wanted to use this opportunity to find out information.

The three walked side by side, and wherever they went, the townspeople displayed a leisurely and carefree attitude, which made Young Master Qing keep praising them.

"I never imagined that such a peaceful place could exist in an era of constant war. It makes me wonder if I am living in a miserable state."

Miaomiao explained, "Because within the royal city, the people who live there are naturally inclined towards purity and enlightenment."

"Don't these people need to work?"

"No need. The Grand Secretary will allocate resources each month based on Qingwu's level of meditation and available time. However, only those born in the Northern Continent are entitled to this benefit."

"Wow, this kind of benefit is comparable to cultivating immortality. I, the old... young master, only regret that I was not born here."

Le Xunyuan carefully observed Miaomiao's expression and saw that he spoke with sincerity and pride, without any pretense. It seemed that what Miaomiao said must be true, but this was too bizarre.

As he spent more time by his master's side, Yue Xunyuan gradually came to agree with what his master had said: "When things are abnormal, there must be something fishy going on."

There is no such thing as getting something for nothing in this world. The relief centers and educational institutions established by the heavens require people to work for wages. Even children have to go to the back mountain to collect firewood and clean rooms after school.

The people of Lingzhou in Beihai can receive supplies by simply sitting in silence every day. Where do these supplies come from?

Then Young Master Qing asked, "Shouldn't you at least clean up the environment? What value does sitting like this have for the royal city?"

Miao Miao patiently explained, "Young master, you misunderstand. These people are all raising spirits."

"Nurturing spirits?"

"Beihai Lingzhou is named after spirits, and all things have spirits. As long as they know how to use the power of spirits, the spirits of Beihai will naturally protect them."

How to utilize the power of the spirit?

"By maintaining a regular routine, you can help your inner spirit thrive."

Young Master Qing suddenly realized: "Could it be that they can really endure it by keeping quiet all this time?"

"Therefore, the city lord does not want the people of the imperial city to be disturbed by the outside world."

After observing for a long time, Yue Xunyuan asked a crucial question: "Why do these people have no reaction to outsiders like us?"

Miao Miao smiled and said, "The blood of a true dragon will make one purify one's mind and reduce desires."

True dragon's blood?

Le Xunyuan secretly wondered what was going on. He remembered that his master had mentioned those four words before, but hadn't revealed much information.

Miao Miao looked up at the sky and said, "It's almost dusk, we should go back. I'll escort you both to the guesthouse."

"why?"

"Young Master Qing asked again."

"The people in the city cease all activity at night, so that their hearts and souls may settle down and prepare for the spiritual nourishment of the next day."

"There's no nightlife! If I were born here, I'd go crazy. No matter how good the benefits are, it's not suitable. You should take me to see some beautiful flowers and women instead. That's more in line with my style."

When Young Master Qing made this request, Miao Miao and Le Xunyuan were both a little embarrassed, after all, they were still young and did not understand the beauty of a woman.

After pondering for a moment, Miao Miao said, "The city lord's daughter, Princess Shuangyue, is a beauty of unparalleled grace, but you'll need some luck to meet her."

With a wave of his folding fan, the young master said with great confidence, "Once she sees me, she will know that the name 'Passerby Among Flowers' is well-deserved."

"Uh... it's getting late, let's go back as soon as possible."

Qianfei Island, a paradise on the North Sea.

The splendor fades like fragrant dust, the flowing water is heartless while the grass grows in spring; at dusk, the east wind blows and the birds cry mournfully, the fallen flowers seem like people falling from a building.

A woman in red is sitting in front of the house mending clothes, each stitch filled with longing.

"My husband, you must protect our child and make sure he never gets involved in the troubles of the martial arts world."

Suddenly, a terrifying roar erupted. The woman in red looked up and saw a colossal monster flying over Thousand Flying Island. Its wings were outstretched, and it spewed lightning. A terrifying atmosphere enveloped the entire island.

The woman was terrified and hurriedly put down her clothes. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a cold, sharp longsword.

But the beast did not attack her. Instead, it remained motionless above the hut. Then, a child jumped off its back and ran towards the woman.

"Mother! Qiushui is back!"

"Autumn Water? My son!"

Bai Ma Qiu Shui buried her head in her mother's arms and held on tightly, refusing to let go.

Then, a man and a woman jumped off the back of the monster and walked towards the mother and child.

"Mother, this is Brother Liaotian and Sister Ji. They are from Tiandu. Tiandu once took in Yun Kui and Qiu Shui. This time, Brother Liaotian is coming to participate in the Universe Battle of the North Sea Spirit Continent."

Although Yan Feihong lived in seclusion on Qianfei Island, she kept a close eye on her son's affairs. She had also heard about the destruction of the Yunhai Immortal Sect and Jie Hongyan's attempt to lead people to safety in Tiandu.

Upon hearing that it was the young master of Tiandu who had come, he immediately stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Many thanks to Lord Wu for helping my son. Yan Feihong is deeply grateful."

"Madam, you are too kind. We met Qiushui by chance outside Lingzhou in Beihai and wanted to inquire about news from Beihai, so we came here to bother you."

After exchanging greetings, Yan Feihong brewed tea and invited Liao Tian and Ji Wuxia to sit down, then recounted everything she knew.

"The area inside and outside the royal city of Beihai Lingzhou is like two different worlds, and the details are as follows..."

The people outside the royal city lived in abject poverty, but the city lord and officials turned a blind eye to this and left the people to fend for themselves. However, the people inside the royal city only needed to nourish their spirits every day to have enough to eat and drink.

The royal city strictly prohibits outsiders from entering or leaving easily. Even the venue for this Universal Battle of Wonders was chosen to be the North Sea Divine Palace, which was sealed long ago.

What's even stranger is that after nightfall, the royal city falls into a deathly silence, with all the people asleep, and the entire royal city is like a lonely, large tomb.

As Yan Feihong spoke, she couldn't help but shiver.

Liao Tian frowned in thought, while Ji Wuxia asked, "Judging from your words, Madam, have you secretly entered the royal city?"

“A long time ago, a calamity broke out on Thousand Flying Island, and I was forced to flee to the royal city in search of protection. It was midnight when I arrived at the royal city, but I found the whole city as if it were dead, with no sign of life.”

It was this terrifying scene in the royal city that left Yan Feihong with nowhere to escape, leading to her capture by her brother.

Fortunately, it's all in the past now.

Yan Feihong, holding her beloved son, continued to tell Liao Tian and Ji Wuxia about her doubts and questions about Beihai Lingzhou.

Chapter 443 The Heavenly Demon Chariot, the Nameless Immortal's Trail

The scene Yan Feihong described is what Le Xunyuan is experiencing.

The guesthouse, intended for the contestants, has been occupied by four contestants: Yue Xunyuan, Qing Gongzi, Sui Wuduan, and Huo Qingyun.

Young Master Qing was a natural at making friends. He treated the three young talents to a pleasant dinner before they parted ways after repeated persuasion from the servants at the guesthouse.

The night is deep and quiet, a crescent moon hangs in the distance over the blue sea.

Le Xunyuan gently pushed open the window and listened to the sounds outside... He waited for a long time, but there was no unusual movement at all. Even the snowflakes that kept falling from the North Sea Divine Palace were silent.

He turned his gaze to the bustling streets he had seen during the day, now devoid of lights and life, as if what he had seen during the day was merely a dream.

"In a world that's practically dead, are the residents of the royal city really so obedient?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yue Xunyuan quietly leaped out of the window and ran towards a private residence in a corner of the royal city. He couldn't believe that a royal city with hundreds of thousands of people could be so quiet.

Night, quiet.

The road was deserted.

Le Xun nimbly leaped and swooped on the rooftop, like a wisp of smoke, and quickly drifted to the densely populated area he had seen during the day, scaling over the wall of a house.

Listen for a moment in the dark, and you'll find there's no sound, not even the sound of someone breathing as they fall asleep.

Le Xunyuan reached the bedroom door, pushed it open, and activated his inner energy to see what was happening. He saw an old man, a middle-aged couple, and a teenage girl lying casually on the floor.

The four men had their eyes closed, their faces were deathly pale, and their limbs were stiff. They showed no reaction to Yue Xunyuan's arrival.

Le Xunyuan squatted down and touched the old man and the middle-aged couple. His fingertips were indeed ice-cold, and their hearts were devoid of any life.

"Judging from their condition, these people should have been dead for a long time, so why do they seem perfectly normal during the day?"

Le Xunyuan left that house and climbed over the wall of the neighboring courtyard. He then investigated the residences of five other residents of the royal city, all of which presented the same eerie scene.

This is a dead city.

But what about the residents who are dead? Are the city lord, the princess, the prime minister, and Miaomiao alive or dead?

If you don't enter the tiger's lair, you won the tiger.