Chapter 782: Lu Wu, You Jinxed Us

Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu were certainly not in Tianyu Continent for a leisurely stroll. In fact, they had a deadline and a designated meeting point before arriving. Although they had ample time, they no longer intended to wander aimlessly through the chaotic Tianyu Continent. With various factions crossing paths, they feared unexpected incidents.

The two flew directly and continuously towards the deep interior, following their original plan. Instead of heading to areas with more sinister energy and greater chaos, they flew towards a relatively stable region.

Eight days later, as Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu observed, the energies in the region below had become relatively stable. A seemingly peaceful large city appeared on the horizon. This was precisely the meeting place for a portion of the Heavenly Enlightenment Alliance on this trip. Choosing a stable, mundane city instead of a dangerous or sinister location was quite an unconventional approach.

It was morning, and the entire city was gradually coming alive. The sounds of activity grew from silence, little by little. From grand mansions and sprawling estates to humble alleyway courtyards, from bustling streets to the elevated city gates, every corner was imbued with the vibrant essence of mundane city life.

Since Ji Yuan typically enjoyed walking into a new city from outside to experience its character, Lu Shan-jun also preferred this method. Bei Mu, on the other hand, was always indifferent to such matters, so the two landed just outside the city's north side.

As they joined the flow of people entering the city, the gate guards occasionally questioned those who appeared slightly more affluent, or deliberately made things difficult, hoping to extort some favors. Naturally, they chose to ignore anyone who seemed truly unapproachable or not worth offending.

However, Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu were evidently prime targets for such exploitation: one a scholar, and the other…

One of the gate guards nudged his comrade with an elbow and leaned closer to speak.

"Hey, look over there, next to the scholar."

"Oh, that scholar is quite handsome, but next to this person, he pales in comparison. This is just too..."

"Hold on, that person next to the scholar might not be a man at all!"

A few soldiers huddled their heads together, occasionally sneaking glances at the distant pair.

"You mean, a woman disguised as a man?" "Exactly!"

"That makes sense!" "Indeed, the more I look, the more it appears to be true!"

"She's truly stunning! Imagine her in women's attire!"

"How does she compare to the courtesan queen of Mengchun Brothel?" "Hehehe..."

"Hee hee hee hee..."

As Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu drew near, a few soldiers cleared their throats, preparing to stop them. However, one soldier's outstretched hand had barely begun to rise when he met Bei Mu's unsettling gaze.

The soldiers were all frozen in place, their eyes completely captivated, slowly transitioning from alert to vacant. It wasn't until Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu had passed them by for quite some time that the soldiers finally snapped out of it, looking at each other, utterly bewildered about what had just occurred.

As they passed through the city gate archway, Lu Shan-jun glanced sideways at Bei Mu.

"North Demon, you've grown quite kind-hearted, haven't you? You didn't just take their lives directly?"

"Heh, it was just a few words; completely insignificant to me. Besides, it's better not to cause too much of a stir here. Of course, they won't live long; they'll slowly lose their minds and spirits within three to five days."

As they entered the city, they noticed that, just like outside the gates, the inner bulletin boards displayed notices for conscription and food requisitions. Clearly, the peace here was not destined to last.

Even as they ventured into the city's prosperous district, Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu detected no significant special aura apart from the divine light emanating from the City God Temple. It was as if this were truly just an ordinary human city.

"It seems everyone is quite adept at concealing themselves. I haven't sensed any demonic or evil aura in this city yet."

"That might not be the case."

Lu Shan-jun pointed casually. Following his gaze, Bei Mu saw a man emerging from a street corner, casually chewing on a toothpick. Not far from where the man had appeared was a magnificent building with a plaque that read "Mengchun Brothel."

"Dee-lee-gah-lang-dang, dee-lee-lee-gah-qiang"

Old Ox was clearly feeling very pleased with himself at that moment, exuding an air of complete comfort. As if he had long known of Lu Shan-jun and Bei Mu's arrival, he strolled along the road towards them, greeting the pair who were not far off.

"Hahahaha, Lu Wu, long time no see, eh? And you, uh... Lu Wu, what was his name again?"

"My name is..."

Old Ox waved his hand, cutting Bei Mu off directly.

"Alright, your name isn't important. Come on, Lu Wu, let's go to Mengchun Brothel. The courtesan queen and a few of the most popular girls there are all quite fond of old me. I'll introduce you, hahahahaha..."

Lu Shan-jun let out a cold laugh, evading Old Ox's arm as it reached out to him.

"It seems you, brute ox, arrived quite a while before us. Just take us to the meeting place, and you can also tell us about the current situation in Tianyu Continent. What exactly has happened?"

Niu Batian (Old Ox) glanced at Bei Mu. He knew the fellow was cunning but also understood that such demonic figures were prone to bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Being overly kind to him would only make him easier to exploit, so he didn't bother trying to cultivate any relationship with Bei Mu. After all, it was Lu Shan-jun's concern.

"Ah, you two are truly in a rush."

"I'm not in a rush at all, but Lu Wu certainly seems quite interested."

Bei Mu wasn't offended by Old Ox's disregard and continued to interject on his own. Old Ox, however, paid no mind to this attempt at friendliness, simply pulling Lu Shan-jun along and continuing to walk.

"In that case, let's go. That ambiguous person beside you probably already knows certain things and is deliberately concealing them from you. Lu Wu, for someone like that, just find an opportunity to get rid of him. I understand now that in our Heavenly Enlightenment Alliance, every position is earned. Further advancement depends on one's place, and the future benefits are truly extraordinary."

As Old Ox spoke, he cast a smiling glance at Bei Mu. In Bei Mu's perception, unlike Lu Shan-jun's usual aloofness, this brute ox, despite his seemingly jovial and honest appearance, harbored a profound chill in the depths of his eyes. This made Bei Mu realize that the brute ox's words were likely serious.

Lu Wu and Niu Batian, these two demons, possessed impressive cultivation and terrifying potential, making them highly valued by the upper echelons of the Heavenly Enlightenment Alliance. Over time, those who had more contact with them came to understand that both were incredibly dangerous, each more so than the other.

However, Bei Mu was still pleased, even with Niu Batian's open disdain, because he knew that while Lu Wu and the brute ox constantly competed, their relationship was genuinely strong. Even when they were at odds, they were among the rare few who would assist each other in critical moments. Since Bei Mu was now allied with Lu Wu, it meant he could also count on the brute ox's help in the future.

However, as they strolled leisurely through the city, the sky suddenly began to darken. The three, along with other citizens, instinctively looked up. In the heavens, clouds and winds were rapidly converging, having begun at some unknown moment.

"Someone is casting a spell!"

Lu Shan-jun whispered gravely, and Old Ox nodded beside him.

"Indeed, and the spellcaster's cultivation is unfathomably profound. The thunderclouds are gathering as if formed by natural celestial phenomena..."

As this city was a designated meeting place for the Heavenly Enlightenment Alliance, it was highly unlikely that the spellcaster belonged to the Alliance itself.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the surrounding citizens began shouting for everyone to go home or find shelter from the impending rain. Anyone with common sense could see a heavy downpour was coming, likely accompanied by lightning. So, they scattered in all directions, making Lu Shan-jun and the other two, who remained standing conspicuously while gazing at the sky, stand out even more.

Within mere moments of the thunderclouds converging, a divine light emanated from the City God Temple. The City God, with a bewildered and astonished expression, stood on the temple eaves, watching the unfolding drama in the sky. The rolling dark clouds gathered, as if a terrifying eye of wind and cloud had formed at their center. No thunder had yet struck, but a vast and imposing heavenly might was already palpable.

"Which distinguished master is casting a spell here? I am the City God of this city, and I respectfully request an audience!"

The City God's voice carried forth, but there was no response from the sky. Instead, a terrifying pressure arose within the city—a dreadful demonic aura that deeply horrified the City God. It was as if an ethereal flame suddenly shot skyward, colliding with the immense pressure of the winds and clouds overhead.

"Within the city, there's actually... actually such a demon hidden..."

Knowing full well he could not possibly intervene in such a clash, the City God quickly retreated and concealed himself within the temple.

Above the clouds in the sky, dozens of figures now appeared. Some shimmered with brilliant immortal light, while a small number emanated a unique demonic aura—the draconic energy of the dragon race.

The leading figure was an elder in feathered robes, adorned with a purple-gold crown. His eyes crackled like lightning, holding vast and profound Taoist wisdom, as he gazed down upon the city below.

"Demon, hiding anywhere will be futile!"

The immortal's voice thundered, accompanied by lightning from the clouds, bearing down upon the city. By the time it reached the ground, it had become merely a low rumble to ordinary citizens, but to Lu Shan-jun and the others, it was deafening. Simultaneously, their hearts involuntarily trembled; this was not mere fear, but an instinctive premonition.

"Oh? Hahahahaha... Dao Yuanzi, this is a human city with thousands of mortals. Do you dare to fight me here?"

A slightly sharp voice from the ground rose, echoing the thunder from the sky. To mortals, it sounded like the howling of a biting north wind, seemingly carrying a terrible chill.

"All things have a beginning and an end. The world is in great chaos, and lives are suffering. Countless people have perished in this catastrophe. Bringing an end to this calamity is the true blessing for humanity..."

The resonant voice echoed throughout heaven and earth, its meaning clear: when facing a demon whose cultivation had reached its peak, one must possess the unwavering resolve to eliminate it. There could be no wavering of the mind. The last time, too many considerations had ironically led to the deaths of more mortals and immortal cultivators.

On the street below, Lu Shan-jun's expression remained unchanged, but Old Ox and Bei Mu's faces simultaneously blanched.

"We're in trouble!"

Old Ox immediately grabbed Lu Shan-jun and began pulling him away.

"Lu Wu, you harbinger of misfortune! You arrive, and I'm instantly cursed with bad luck! Let's go, let's go! The last two battles of True Immortal magnitude indirectly or directly caused the cosmos to tremble and the seasons to shift. Even ten lives wouldn't be enough for us if we stay here!"