I can identify everything, but this is an upgraded version of identification.

Li Xun was about to speak when suddenly, a dark shadow flashed behind him.

Although he reacted, he was still struck hard by a palm and sent flying.

Pang Chong was not idle either. He quickly closed in and wielded his giant halberd to cut the enemy in two.

"mean!"

A martial artist at the Innate Realm has abundant Qi and blood, so even if they are cut in half at the waist, they will not die immediately.

Judging from the brownish-red color of Li Xun's broken wound, he didn't look like he had plenty of blood and energy.

Logically speaking, given his perception, he shouldn't have been so easily ambushed by a martial artist of the same realm, nor should he have been so decisively cut in half at the waist.

The reason for this is that the "Foundation Pill" had burned away his vital energy, leaving him with less than one-tenth of his strength.

That's why they were taken down so easily.

"Chief Li, rest in peace..."

Pang Chong swung his giant halberd again, smashing Li Xun's head to pieces. At this moment, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would die from having their head smashed.

"This is really easy..."

A man dressed in black emerged from the shadows.

If an ordinary person saw this, they would probably be so shocked that they would exclaim that they had seen a ghost.

"This Chief Li has taken quite a few Foundation Pills, so he's indeed easy to deal with... but this one..."

Pang Chong, holding a giant halberd, looked at Su Changming with a tense expression.

Upon hearing this, the man in black also became wary as he looked at Su Changming.

"What a spirit!"

Seeing such a wonderful scene, Su Changming couldn't help but clap his hands.

"First, the formula for the Foundation Pill was passed down, causing unrest among the gangs in White City. Then, under the guise of a grand feast, the materials for refining the Foundation Pill were given to them, leading them to steal from the pills. Finally, they were arrested on charges, wiped out in one fell swoop, and their silver was plundered."

"It's a good method; it provides both reputation and moral standing."

With a sweep of his divine sense, Su Changming clearly sensed the dozens of silver-armored soldiers hiding downstairs.

The city lord's army arrived just in time.

In addition, there was Li Xun's experience.

Su Changming could easily guess that this was a scheme orchestrated by the City Lord's Mansion to plunder resources.

It's unclear whether the problem stems from insufficient tax revenue from the common people, or whether the aim is to eliminate other powers within the city...

"Since you weren't ignited by the Soul-Burning Incense, you're probably not a cultivator from White City..."

Pang Chong inquired.

Su Changming's aura was not apparent, yet he remained calm upon seeing this scene.

Moreover, although Li Xun's blood and qi were depleted, a large amount of blood still spurted out when he was slashed by Li Xun's halberd, and the ground around him was covered with blood, while the area within three feet of Li Xun's body was clean.

He didn't even see the other party casting the spell.

Either the other party is a high-level cultivator, or the other party possesses a legendary spiritual artifact.

Pang Chong preferred the latter.

"I am a disciple of the Liuyun Sect. I have come to Baicheng to visit relatives."

Su Changming cupped his hands in greeting.

"We do not know which clan your relatives belong to in this city. Please inform us, lest our White City army cause trouble..."

Pang Chong asked in a low voice.

"It seems you're targeting not only the gangs in the city, but also the major clans? I remember there are a few families in White City with cultivators who have reached the Qi Refining stage, right?"

Su Changming asked with great interest.

As for Foundation Establishment cultivators within White City, there are virtually none.

The Great Xia Dynasty does not allow any cultivators above the Foundation Establishment level who are not officially appointed to reside within its jurisdiction.

Once they appear, they will either be wanted by the Sky Patrol Bureau or forced to join the Great Xia Dynasty and become officials.

However, being an official in the Great Xia Dynasty was not an easy job.

For ordinary people, an official position bestowed by an imperial decree can grant them the cultivation level of a Qi Refining cultivator or even a Foundation Establishment cultivator out of thin air.

However, for cultivators, once an imperial edict appoints them, their cultivation level and life or death are decided by the emperor.

If the emperor orders you to be dismissed from your official post, all your cultivation will be absorbed by the dragon vein.

Unless your strength is great enough to overthrow the entire Xia Dynasty.

However, the cultivators were not without countermeasures against the strict control exerted by the Xia Kingdom.

One option is to join a major sect like the Flowing Cloud Sect.

Alternatively, they could send Foundation Establishment cultivators from the family out to establish new family settlements and develop new branches.

Su Changming's implication was that there were still several families in Baicheng with Foundation Establishment ancestors.

"We are aware of this, and will not take any rash action against these families..."

Pang Chong smiled and nodded.

"The people I'm visiting aren't from a prominent family, so there's no need to worry about them."

Su Changming said casually.

He activated his Cloud Body technique, and his entire body floated into the air like smoke, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Shadow Seven, immediately report to the young master that there is a Flowing Cloud Sect cultivator in the city who appears to be at the peak of Qi Refining. Also, investigate whether there are any non-major clan members who have joined the Flowing Cloud Sect within the last ten years, no, within the last fifty years!"

Seeing Su Changming walk away, Pang Chong quickly spoke up.

Although Su Changming looked very young, he knew that a celestial master's age could not be judged by his appearance.

Given that the other party can fly through the air, they must be at least a cultivator at the Qi Refining Perfection stage or the Foundation Establishment stage. We can just guess their cultivation period upwards.

However, he could never have guessed that Su Changming's purpose in coming to Baicheng was simply to visit Su Rui.

He himself has absolutely no connection with Baicheng.

"good……"

The man dressed in black disappeared into the darkness and was never seen again.

"Baicheng Army, you can start the building sweep."

Pang Chong picked up Li Xun's upper half of his mutilated body, threw it outside, and shouted loudly.

In an instant, screams echoed throughout the Azure Dragon Tower.

The White City Army had been lying in wait in the shadows for a long time, and when they made their move, they launched a swift and decisive massacre.

#

Springtime Splendor Fills Baicheng's Golden Street...

"Big, big, big! Damn it, why is it small again!"

At the gambling table, a middle-aged man with a mustache was shouting wildly.

"Eighth Master, it's alright. Next time, we'll make back all the money, with interest."

Another gambler standing nearby said with a smile.

"Hmm, that makes sense!"

The man known as Eighth Master touched his pocket and immediately calmed down.

"I didn't bring enough money today, I'll come another day."

Eighth Master said calmly.

His ability to thrive in the underworld for so many years is not only due to his skill in reading people's expressions, but also inseparable from his self-control.

Although he indulged in drinking, gambling, and womanizing every month, he always kept to himself.

Just like now, he used to gamble as if it were free, but after running out of money, he immediately calmed down.

"It's alright if you don't have enough money. Chunmanlou is not a place that doesn't offer credit. With your connections, Eighth Master, we can give you a hundred taels on credit without any initial investment."

A courtesan who had shared intimate moments with the Eighth Master several hours earlier approached him.

"No, no..."

Eighth Master quickly shook off the other person's hand and fled from Chunmanlou as if escaping.

"Tch, men..."

The courtesan spat disdainfully upon seeing this.

As he left Chunmanlou, Eighth Master slowly began to calculate his expenses.

"A courtesan spends eight taels a night, ten taels are gambled away, and the remaining two taels are used to buy some snacks to go home and have a few drinks."

Eighth Master muttered to himself

"Oh, Eighth Master, you're in high spirits."

A voice that sounded vaguely familiar suddenly rang in Eighth Master's ear.