The air reeked of blood. In the deathly stillness of the battlefield, the moment City Lord Bai Jianchen appeared, all eyes turned to him. He instantly became the focus of the world. Everyone was stunned. At the most critical juncture, when the battle was on the verge of reaching its bloody conclusion, it was abruptly stopped. Was it really just because of the anomalies happening within the Dao Ruins? Even Lin Xun couldn’t help but frown. When he fought earlier, the one he feared the most was this Sword Ancestor Bai Jianchen, the lord of the City Lord Residence. According to the green sparrow, Bai Jianchen not only possessed extraordinary combat skills and unfathomable power, but his background was also just as impressive. He was from the Bai Clan of the Seventh Heaven Domain. It should be noted that the Immortal Imperial Clans in the Seventh Heaven Domain were all terrifying existences who wielded Heaven Rank Laws! This was why Lin Xun chose to fight his way out of Taiyi City rather than risk falling into Bai Jianchen’s hands. What caught him off guard was that Bai Jianchen hadn’t appeared to suppress him, but instead to quell the conflict. Lin Xun didn’t believe the explanation Bai Jianchen gave. In the distance, Luo Ling’s beautiful face was contorted with bitterness and unwillingness. Unable to contain herself, she spoke out coldly, “City Lord, this man slaughtered nearly sixty Emperors in the previous battle. He’s ruthless and bloodthirsty. If you really wish to prevent further chaos, you should suppress and imprison him now. That would put an end to this once and for all.” Her words echoed through the battlefield. A flicker of killing intent appeared in Lin Xun’s dark eyes. What a venomous woman! Wen Taolue, Heng Xingzhou, and Luo Shentu’s expressions brightened, and they echoed her words, “Yes, this beast is too wild and savage. He must be captured and imprisoned!” Once Lin Xun was imprisoned by the City Lord Residence, their clans could use their influence to ‘retrieve’ him. At that point, Lin Xun’s fate would no longer be in his own hands. At this moment, Bai Jianchen turned and looked at Lin Xun. Seeing him standing there with a calm and steady expression, without the slightest trace of panic, he couldn’t help but nod secretly. He turned his gaze toward Wen Taolue and the others, and spoke calmly, “I will not repeat myself. From this day forward, no matter who it is, if anyone dares to use force within the city without my permission, I, Bai Jianchen, will be the first to deal with them.” His voice was indifferent, but everyone instinctively held their breath, feeling an oppressive majesty sweep toward them like a tidal wave. Their hearts involuntarily trembled. Everyone understood that this was an iron law laid down by Bai Jianchen. Whoever dared defy it would meet death! The void rippled, and Bai Jianchen, with snow-white hair and the appearance of a handsome youth, vanished without a trace. Silence fell over the battlefield. Wen Taolue and the others stood frozen, their expressions dark and grim. It felt like something stuck in their chest. They felt suffocating and unbearable. The enemy was right before them. They were only one step away from killing him! Now, with Bai Jianchen’s declaration, everything had changed! The cultivators from the Wen, Heng, and Luo Clans all wore grim expressions, so frustrated that they felt as if they might cough up blood. Luo Ling, in particular, looked livid. Her delicate face twisted with fury and her entire body trembled with rage. She had been preparing for today’s siege for a long time, employing every tactic available, such as borrowing others' strength to kill, fanning the flames of conflict, and forging temporary alliances. However, who would have thought that, in the end, all her efforts would come to nothing! It felt as if her heart was bleeding. Walking away empty-handed, like drawing water with a bamboo basket, was bad enough. Unfortunately, after all the bloodshed, they had paid a heavy price. It was like trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice. The loss was simply unbearable! Many present couldn’t help but sigh at Lin Xun’s astonishing luck. He was about to meet with disaster, only to have his fortune reverse at the last moment. Not only had he survived, but also, with Bai Jianchen’s decree, no one in this city would dare to lay a finger on him again. Anyone who did would be going against the city lord! Just one look at the ashen faces of Wen Taolue and the others was enough to tell how suffocated and furious they felt... In this heavy silence, Lin Xun suddenly burst into laughter. The more he laughed, the happier he felt. His laughter rolled through the sky, echoing in all directions, carrying unrestrained joy and triumph. However, to Luo Ling, Wen Taolue and the others, this laughter was like a slap across the face. Their faces burned with humiliation and resentment. The onlookers sighed again, each showing a different expression. That Lin Xun...his luck is simply too heaven-defying! Wen Tao’s beard bristled in anger. He pointed furiously at Lin Xun and shouted, “Just you wait. When the trial of the Dao Ruins begins, that will be the day you die!” “When the time comes, I’ll crush your bones to dust.” Heng Xingzhou growled, his eyes as cold and sharp as blades. Luo Shentu turned and left, fearing that if she stayed a moment longer, she might lose control and lash out. “I can only say you were lucky this time. Otherwise, you would’ve shared Heng Tianshuo’s fate.” Lin Xun’s smile faded. “Still, settling things in the Dao Ruins isn’t a bad idea. When the time comes...you’d better wash your necks and be ready.” With that, he strode away with his hands behind his back, relaxed and composed, his figure radiating calm confidence. As they watched him depart, Wen Taolue and the others were once again consumed by a wave of murderous intent. But all they could do was endure it. The feeling was enough to drive them mad. What else could they do? They simply didn’t have the strength or standing to challenge City Lord Bai Jianchen! Wen Taolue gave a small wave of his hand and turned away, taking the remaining Wen Clan cultivators with him in haste. Soon after, Heng Xingzho and Luo Shentu also led their people away. None of them were willing to linger. Today’s events were too humiliating and it all happened in front of countless spectators. They were filled with shame and their hearts burned with resentment. One by one, the crowd began to disperse as well, leaving with mixed emotions. “That Lin Xun is indeed a peerless figure! Even in such a dire situation, he managed to survive. His luck is astonishing.” “Who would believe he’s only at the seventh realm Supreme Emperor Stage?” “The rumors were right. He really can go head-to-head with Ancestors of a Path!” The crowd discussed as they dispersed. Many were still visibly shaken by the brutal and bloody events they had witnessed. “Luck? That’s not luck. It’s clear that Bai Jianchen gave him special treatment.” High atop a distant pavilion, Hua Ruoxu frowned in thought. “But why would Bai Jianchen do that?” “Young Master, shall I go speak with Bai Jianchen and ask him directly?” The beautiful woman in purple beside him asked. She was also surprised by Bai Jianchen’s sudden intervention. It was obvious that there was another reason. “No need.” Hua Ruoxu shook his head. “The Bai Clan isn’t someone our Hua Clan can afford to provoke. We should leave as well.” In the blink of an eye, the two vanished. Within the crowd, a plain-clothed woman let out a soft sigh and quietly slipped the flying sword on her wrist back into her sleeve. Her appearance, aura, and movements were all ordinary. In a sea of people, no one would give her a second glance. “We’ll have to wait for the trial in the Dao Ruins to begin before making another move...” As the plain-clothed woman walked back to her residence, her thoughts churned quietly. To her surprise, as she reached the inn, she noticed a white-haired handsome young man waiting outside. He stood casually with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and unhurried. The woman’s steps faltered ever so slightly, but her face remained composed. She pretended to not realize and continued forward, attempting to quietly leave. Just then, the white-haired youth chuckled, “I came here on purpose, but you’re pretending not to see me?” The woman turned to look at him, silent. “If you dare to take action, Empty Hidden World will lose a very capable hand.” The handsome youth in white spoke calmly, “Remember what I said today. If anyone dares to act within this city, I’ll be the first to deal with them. And if you think I, Bai Jianchen, am unqualified, then feel free to try.” With that, he cast one last glance at the woman before turning and leaving with a smile. She remained still, watching his departing figure. Her expression stayed calm except for the faint furrow between her brows. Before long, her expressions returned to normal and she stepped into the inn as if nothing had happened. No trace of emotion lingered on her face Taiyi City was in an uproar. News that Lin Xun had single handedly fought against three powerful Immortal Imperial Clans, Wen, Heng, and Luo, had shaken the entire city. In Origin City, he had slain Heng Tianshuo, an Ancestor of a Path. He had soared to third place on the wanted list. He even left his name on the Mythic Ranking of the Battle Stele of the Domains. Soon, Lin Xun’s past feats and battle records were unearthed, becoming the center of countless heated discussions. Not only were cultivators from across the Great Thousand Battle Domain shaken, but even many nobles from the Immortal Imperial Clans were also stunned by Lin Xun’s fierce achievements. “He’s a peerless powerhouse! He can confront Ancestors of a Path head-on!” By now, even the most skeptical began to believe the rumors. Many couldn’t help but sigh. If Lin Xun could reach the Eternal True Realm alive, the ranking of the declining Ancient Nebula Road might rise once more because of him! Amid the buzz and speculation, Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu quietly arrived in Taiyi City. After hearing the news, the two looked at each other, visibly shaken. “Do you think there’s still a need to seek him out to work together?” Yue Duqiu asked, his expression complicated. Back in Origin City, they had invited Lin Xun several times, hoping to form an alliance once they reached Taiyi City. Now, the strength Lin Xun displayed was completely beyond anything they had anticipated. “He’s not some bloodthirsty criminal, nor is he irredeemably evil. We both know full well what happened back in Origin City.” Xiang Xiaoyuan said after a brief silence, her starry eyes calm, “So, I won’t give up on working with him just because he’s now offended three Immortal Imperial Clans.” She smiled wryly. “What I’m worried about now is...will he even still be willing to work with us?” Yue Duqiu fell silent. Even if Lin Xun refused, it would be hard to blame him. With his incredible strength, he had no reason to collaborate with them.... “Either way, we should go see him. I have some clues related to the Dao Ruins. Perhaps that’ll catch his interest.” Xiang Xiaoyuan decided. “But before that, let’s head to the Battle Stele of the Domains. I want to see if I can leave my name on it as well.” Yue Duqiu’s eyes lit up, showing an eager look. “Let’s go. Lin Xun managed to leave his name on the Mythic Rankings. With our cultivation, we should...at least be able to contend for a spot on the Heaven Rankings, right?” “The Heaven Rankings?” Xiang Xiaoyuan was dazed for a moment and said nothing. However, deep down, she realized that after learning about Lin Xun’s remarkable feats, Yue Duqiu likely began to feel a faint sense of inferiority... It was a subtle shift.