Before Xia Liu could walk far, a graceful figure stood before him. The handsome face turned around; it was Man Bai, who had saved someone earlier! "Brother, what about that girl?" "I've sent her far away." Man Bai lightly opened his fan, his heroic presence drawing attention. "That young man won't go looking for trouble with her again, will he?" Xia Liu asked worriedly. "Song Xue doesn't have the time to chase after a lamb he's only encountered once." "Uh, maybe. Song Xue is a young master of the Song Family, but why does he dare to act recklessly in Xuan City? Isn't he afraid of punishment from the Bai and Yan families?" Xia Liu couldn't understand. From the prosperity he had witnessed just now. The three families protecting Xuan City couldn't possibly act lawlessly. An undisciplined city would quickly fall into chaos, the common people unable to survive, and they'd surely seek another place to settle. "You seem unfamiliar, since you have such thoughts of saving the world, why not find a place, and I'll tell you about Xuan City." Since he was free, having met a scholar concerned about Xuan City, Man Bai decided to chat with him. By the riverbank, Xuan City's most famous Duge Tea House. Here, cultivators cannot use Divine Sense or exert force. Therefore, when discussing anything confidential, many choose to come here. Of course, the service and tea here are top-notch, attracting many nobles. Xuan City is not ruled only by the three major families. Google seaʀᴄh 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍 They are merely symbols, the highest rulers of Xuan City. There are a few martial artist families, and some cultivator families. But they've all declined, lacking powerful cultivators, surviving under the protection of great forces. This is the survival law of the southeastern regions. Unless you're living in the countryside farming, you will experience both the thrill and helplessness brought about by the survival of the fittest. "Brother Liu, since you are new to Xuan City, let me tell you—" Pouring tea for Xia Liu, Man Bai said, "On the surface, Xuan City is co-governed by the three families, but the Yan and Bai families are gradually at a disadvantage. Decades ago, a second cultivator at the fifteenth level of Qi Cultivation emerged in the Song Family. They began to act restlessly since then." "By the way, you know about cultivators, right?" Ensuring Xia Liu had no cultivation, Man Bai asked. "Yes, I know a bit. Because the Song Family has two cultivators at the fifteenth level of Qi Cultivation, they're dissatisfied with the three-family rule over Xuan City and secretly looking for an opportunity to annex it?" "Brother Liu, you're quite right. Xuan City has been peaceful for too long. The Southern Region is unlike the Northern and Western Regions, where a faction's rise and fall is entirely dependent on strength." Man Bai sipped his tea nonchalantly, eyes reflecting helplessness, stirring the imagination. "I see. No wonder the Song Family dares to act arrogantly. If it wasn't you who appeared earlier, but someone from the Bai or Yan families, a strong figure might have emerged immediately." "Right, your speculation is very accurate. I suspect this is the Song Family's strategy, sending out family members to cause trouble to probe the Bai and Yan families' limits. Once either family reveals a flaw, the Song Family will have a reason to intervene openly." Man Bai looked at Xia Liu with interest. Although he had no cultivation whatsoever, his analysis was very insightful and accurate. This was already beyond many people's abilities. "Ah, the struggle among the three families! The common people and martial artists of Xuan City are the ones who suffer the most." "There's no other way unless the Song Family retracts their claws, allowing the tripartite status to continue forever." Man Bai ended with a self-deprecating smile: "Ha, but human desire is never satisfied. Expecting the Song Family to relent is almost impossible..." "Since the Song Family won't relent, why don't the Bai and Yan families unite to resist the Song Family together?" Xia Liu was puzzled. The Song Family had two cultivators at the fifteenth level of Qi Cultivation, but the Bai and Yan families combined must also be a force not weaker than the Song Family. "That's something I can't understand about the decisions of those families' leaders." Man Bai shook his head helplessly: "Or perhaps, one of those two families has already been bought by the Song Family." "If they've truly been bought out, that's naive. Once the Song Family eliminates one of them, the remaining family, except to serve as servants, will face extinction." "Perhaps it's consideration that has kept the three families in this stance for decades." "At this rate, they can't delay much longer. If no decision is made soon, Xuan City might become the Song Family's personal property." Xia Liu understood now that beneath the glamorous surface, Xuan City had such deep waters. "Oh well, we're not saints. What use is it to worry about such things? If we encounter something within our ability, just do our best." Man Bai smiled slightly, his handsome face showing sarcasm and helplessness. The helplessness stemmed from lacking the power to overturn the heavens and change Xuan City. No matter how intolerable it was, she felt powerless. "By the way, Brother Liu, if you're free, you'd better leave Xuan City quickly. Without cultivation here, if you're unlucky, you might be targeted by the Song Family as a test object against the Bai and Yan families." "That doesn't matter. The Bai and Yan families are still quite strong. During the day, the Song Family shouldn't be too presumptuous." Xia Liu shook his head with a smile. If he was truly unlucky enough to be bullied, then the Song Family's days were numbered. "Ha! Brother Liu, you're quite brave. I wonder where you're heading this time?" Though she appeared casual, Man Bai's eyes focused intently. Xia Liu, a man without cultivation, yet possessing such an unruffled demeanor, must have experienced quite a lot. "I once had a dream; to ride beasts and soar through the skies. After some inquiries, I've set my sights on a goal, which is the Beast Taming Sect." "Oh! The Beast Taming Sect is a renowned sect in the southeastern regions, with wondrous beast-controlling techniques. It seems Brother Liu has done his homework well." Man Bai smiled slightly, Xia Liu's answer reassured her that this man had surely experienced or heard of many cultivators' tales. "Of course, the Beast Taming Sect fascinates me, both love and hate. It's just that I know very little about it..." "The Beast Taming Sect..." Man Bai thought for a moment and said, "There aren't many rumors about this sect within the realm." "That's okay; meeting Brother Man in Xuan City is an honor for me, Liu Xia." "No such thing, we just happen to have a good fate." As Man Bai and Xia Liu chatted for an hour or so, there was a sudden noise at the door. "Miss Man, a dire situation has arisen. The people from the Song Family have taken a girl and are heading to the family, explicitly naming you for trouble!" Soon, an anxious voice came from the door. Xia Liu feigned confusion. "I'll explain this later." Man Bai gave a bitter smile and asked toward the door, "Who else from the Song Family went to the family?" "Song Xue and the Grand Elder of the Song Family."