Strange as it may seem, this vast city was unguarded, not a single person in sight. Even the city gates were tightly locked, as if they had never been opened for years.

Man Niu dismounted, strode up to the city gate, and swung his fist hard against the massive door.

"Boom~ Boom~ Boom~"

Three thunderous sounds ripped through the air, creating golden ripples that spread out in all directions.

Inside the city, creatures from various Central Heaven Worlds were either drinking and chatting in taverns or bargaining in the Treasure Pavilion amidst a noisy and bustling scene.

"Boom..."

Suddenly, a sound resonant as a copper bell echoed throughout Heaven and Earth, causing the entire ancient city to resonate and tremble.

"What is that sound?"

"It's the city gates, someone is attacking the city gates!"

All creatures were incredibly shocked. Since two epochs ago when Saint Kong Yuan and his disciples annihilated over a hundred Central Heaven Worlds, no one had dared to provoke this lion.

Let alone this was Yafeng City, Yafeng Ancient Star!

In the city, there were creatures from various Central Heaven Worlds. If it were attacked, it would lead to a war sweeping across thousands of Central Heaven Worlds, and the initiators of such a war would undoubtedly meet a gruesome end!

"Clatter clatter clatter..."

Suddenly, the urgent sound of horse hooves jolted the stunned creatures awake.

In the distance, thousands of Iron Armor Guards charged forward; their figures were like tigers and their horses like dragons. The men were agile and the horses majestic, each horse tall and long-legged, with the riders carrying large bows and wearing curved knives on their waists!

A palpable Killing Aura erupted from these thousands of Iron Armor Guards.

"Look, they are the Iron Armor Guards under the Jishang Academy!"

"Now the attacker is in big trouble! These Iron Armor Guards are notoriously ruthless; falling into their hands means certain death!"

The city's inhabitants heatedly discussed the situation, some even following the Iron Armor Guards towards the city gates.

...

Outside the city gates, those waiting had long since become bored.

Li Qingquan looked up at the three Great Suns in the sky and said, "Man Niu, go smash the door again. If they don't come out to open the gate, then we will smash the protective shield enveloping the entire city and force our way in."

"Okay!" Man Niu cracked his knuckles excitedly and charged towards the gate.

"Boom~ Boom~ Boom~"

Again, three thunderous sounds erupted. This time, Man Niu deliberately altered the circular sound waves, directing them singularly towards the towering city.

The city, soaring into the Heavenly Vault, encountered the force of the sound waves on its walls, which deflected off as if a strong wind had blown against a curved shield.

Just as Long Xuhu was about to continue his assault, a loud shout came from atop the city wall,

"Stop! Who are you that dare attack Yafeng City unprovoked? Are you seeking death?"

Atop the towering city walls emerged several robust soldiers clad in black armor. Each had a steely complexion and a fierce demeanor, as if they could devour the people below.

Outside the still-locked city gate, some soldiers had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Though not many, each was brimming with Blood Qi and an immense aura enveloped them.

Inside the ancient city, all creatures shook their heads in astonishment at this group of audacious cultivators daring enough to attack the city gates!

Li Qingming urged his mount, Xiong Da, a few steps forward and fixated on a black-armored soldier at the city gate, "We mean no harm. We have come from beyond the stars and wish to enter the city. Having called out for a while with no response, naturally, we had to knock!"

"Why should I believe you?" the leading black-armored soldier frowned slightly, without making way for the crowd.

Li Qingming sighed helplessly, spreading his hands, "What do you want us to prove? Do you think that with just our few people, we can break through the gates of Yafeng City and conquer it?"

The black-armored soldier's expression turned curious, as if he'd swallowed countless bitter gourds. After a long pause, he looked incredulously at Li Qingming and said, "Wait a minute, you just said you wanted to enter through the main gate?"

"What? Is theresomething wrong with that?" Li Qingming continued as he noticed the puzzled expressions of the other black-armored soldiers, asking, "Isn't the entrance through the gate?"

Now fully convinced, the black-armored soldier realized that these foreign cultivators, new to Yafeng City, naturally did not know the proper method to enter. He cleared his throat and said, "In that case, it's not your fault! Follow me."

Saying so, he spurred his warhorse and headed towards the northeast direction of the city gate.

Everyone was puzzled, but they suppressed their questions and followed the procession of Black-armored Soldiers, arriving at a seemingly ordinary stone platform.

The platform was roughly a hundred zhang in size, worn down and weathered by the elements over time.

"What is this?" Long Xuhu bent down and gently touched the scar-covered stone platform.

The previous Black-armored Soldier smiled and said, "This is the Teleportation Array that leads to the city. We just transported here from within the array!"

"What, we need to use a Teleportation Array just to enter the city? Are the city gates just for show then?" Long Xuhu slapped his hands and exclaimed loudly.

"Yafeng City indeed had open gates day and night in the past, allowing free entry and exit. However, since the War of the Worlds, the old master Kong Yuan has sealed the city gates with Great Power, setting up a lethal array above the city. To enter, one must use the Teleportation Array or break through the boundaries!" the Black-armored Soldier patiently explained to everyone.

"War of the Worlds? What do you mean?" Man Niu, always quick to interest at the mention of "war", his eyes gleaming, curiously followed the Black-armored Soldier.

"Hehe, when the old master initially established the True Confucian Origin Realm, it had abundant resources and plentiful Spiritual Treasures. Every world in the Central Heaven wanted a bite!" the Black-armored Soldier explained while directing a few companions in cleaning the platform. "Unfortunately, they miscalculated. Our old master's mana was miraculous, his strength overwhelming. As soon as those worlds from the Central Heaven attacked, he led his disciples and destroyed over a hundred of them! And he also declared: 'If none dare affront me, I shall affront none; dare to affront me, and I shall annihilate them thoroughly.' From then on, no world from Central Heaven dared to invade!"

"Holy shit, that's badass!" Long Xuhu and Man Niu, the two brutes, listened with blood boiling, lamenting not being part of those past battles.

"What happened next?" Li Qingquan asked slowly as he watched everyone clear the stone platform.

"After that..." The Black-armored Soldier fell into reminiscence, "After that, all the worlds of Central Heaven sent emissaries, hoping to exchange their Spiritual Objects for the abundant resources of our True Confucian Origin Realm. The old master agreed, personally selected Yafeng Ancient Star to set up the Teleportation Array, allowing mutual access between all worlds of Central Heaven! Hence, the city could only be accessed via the Teleportation Array."

"I see!" Everyone nodded in unison, now understanding why just knocking on the gates had brought about such a squad of ferocious Black-armored Soldiers.

"Sir, it's all clear! The Teleportation Array is ready to activate!" At that moment, a short-statured Black-armored Soldier came over and announced.

"Let's go!" The Black-armored Soldier who had been talking nodded and led the way onto the platform: "Remember, there is only one rule after entering the city: do not initiate violence. The city has Jishang Academy's great scholars in residence. If you start a fight within the city, I'm afraid you won't end it well!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist!" Hearing this, everyone nodded in unison.

...

In the northwest part of Yafeng Ancient City, the Teleportation Array flashed dazzlingly as Li Qingming and his group followed the Black-armored Soldier out.

Outside the array, another squad of Black-armored Guards stood ready for combat, poised to react if anyone in Li Qingming's group made a suspicious move.

"Sir!" When they saw that the first to emerge was the prior Black-armored Guard, they all relaxed and saluted in unison.

"No need, stand down!" the Black-armored Soldier gestured with a hand.

"Yes, sir!" the Black-armored Guards curiously glanced at Li Qingming and his companions, mounted their horses, and retreated in unison.

"Alright, I should be leaving too!" The Black-armored Soldier chuckled, turned to Li Qingming and his group, and said, "Young man, I like the look of you. If you encounter any trouble, mention my name. I'm Zixia, and I live in a small alley in the eastern part of the city! Hahaha, I'm off!"

Everyone smiled and nodded, feeling a strong liking for this rugged man.

However, not everyone felt the same way; Li Qingming and Yin Xi's expressions stiffened as soon as the Black-armored Soldier introduced himself.

Sensing something was off, Li Qingquan gently tugged at Li Qingming's robe, calling out, "Big brother, big brother... what's wrong?"

Li Qingming dryly smirked, "Bo Shang, styled Zixia, born in the Great Thousand World of Pangu during the Late Spring and Autumn period in the Jin State Wen territory, he is a disciple of the Great Saint Confucius of the Confucian School!"

"What?" Long Xuhu's voice unexpectedly rose by an octave, "Are you saying that this guy is from the same sect as that Yan You?"

Li Qingming nodded, "Jishang Academy's great scholar in residence? Bullshit, with him, a Confucian Great Saint here, who would dare to make trouble!"

"Sigh, it looks like we cannot avoid meeting Saint Confucius!" Yin Xi also snapped out of it, stroked his short beard, and sighed softly.

"Why worry so much, if soldiers come, use generals to S; if water comes, use earth to cover it… We'll deal with it when the time comes!" Li Qingming cracked a carefree smile and walked toward the noisy main street ahead.

At this moment, Yafeng Ancient City was anything but peaceful. Watching Li Qingming leisurely head towards East Street, every creature had a peculiar expression, murmuring amongst themselves.

"Did you see, they were the ones knocking on the gates just now!"

"It's said that they flew here directly from outside the stars, it's been years since anyone dared to do that!"

Li Qingming led his companions walking above the main street, indifferent to the discussions around him as they haggled at the stalls.

"What's wrong with these people?" Man Niu grumbled, touching his hair that had grown up to his shoulders, "What we do is our own business, there's no need for others to meddle or point fingers!"

"Amitabha!" Shakyamuni intoned Buddha's name, said, "Benefactor Man Niu, worldly affairs inevitably gather dust. We just need not listen!"

"But..." Man Niu was about to retort, unconvinced, when a clear voice rang out from ahead:

"Qingya Fairy will set up the Poetry and Literature Conference at Elegant Scholar Pavilion in three days. If you are interested in participating, please go to Elegant Scholar Pavilion immediately to pass the fairy princess's test and get the qualification!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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