Evan Chu glanced around at the people gathering on Shadowlin City’s streets, and a faint smile curled at his lips. Everyone was gripped by panic and confusion—exactly the effect he wanted.
"Ethan, take the storage ring from his hand. There should be something you need inside. Opposing me is pure suicide." Evan called out loudly, his voice echoing in every ear, as if burned into their minds, impossible to forget.
"Everyone, there's no need to be afraid. All I've done is remove a City Lord from Shadowlin City. But a new City Lord will soon rise—and this one will be chosen from among you, the people of Shadowlin. As for who it will be, I don't know yet. That depends on your collective approval."
First, the candidate must be strong enough to deter others. Second, they must have a good reputation in Shadowlin City and the ability to govern. I'm sure you all have some good candidates in mind.
Anyone who accurately recommends a candidate will be rewarded with one million Netherstones and a set of Earth-grade martial arts. If you believe you yourself can handle the role of City Lord, come straight to the City Lord’s Mansion. As long as you pass the assessment—even if you don’t become City Lord—you’ll still earn a respectable official post in Shadowlin City.
Don’t doubt my words. From now on, the Humans answer to me. Logan Shaw—the so-called Human King—has already been killed by my hand. I think everyone here knows exactly what that means." Evan continued.
Instantly, everyone on Shadowlin City’s streets who heard him was stunned. This youth had actually killed Logan Shaw, the Human King—just how terrifyingly strong was he? Who could possibly become the next City Lord? Many people began to speculate, knowing that a correct guess would bring a hefty reward.
Just as Evan and his group were preparing to leave, a glamorous middle-aged woman stepped forward. After glancing at Evan’s party, she said, "I’d like to try for the position of City Lord of Shadowlin City. May I have your permission, Young Master?"
A woman wanting to be City Lord of Shadowlin City—now that was something rare. For her to have the courage to say it in front of everyone meant she was far from ordinary, at least not as simple as she appeared on the surface.
Evan studied the middle-aged woman closely and realized she was still quite beautiful. In her youth, she must have been a peerless beauty—now, even those two impressive features of hers were still firm, barely losing out to Roxanne Lin and Faye Knox.
But Evan couldn’t see through this woman’s cultivation at all—which surprised him. Right now, she only seemed to be at about Seventh-Layer Saint Martial, but Evan was sure that couldn’t be right. If that was truly her realm, she’d have no qualifications to compete for City Lord.
"Why do you want to be City Lord of Shadowlin City? I need a reasonable answer. And what is your cultivation realm? If you meet my requirements, the City Lord’s position will be yours." Evan said coolly.
"Who is this woman, anyway? I’ve never seen her before. A woman wanting to be City Lord of Shadowlin City? That’s just ridiculous!"
"Does she really think a bit of beauty will sway anyone? The three women with that youth are true peerless beauties—no way he’d be interested in her. She must have some other motive!"
"What, does she think Shadowlin City has no one left? The Hong Family’s patriarch, Hong Chao, is a Third-Layer Venerable Martial expert—he’s kind and looks after everyone. If you ask me, he should inherit the City Lord’s mantle."
The crowd grew bigger and louder, as if they’d already forgotten the death of the previous City Lord. Everyone started arguing, but the middle-aged woman seemed not to hear a word. Her eyes stayed locked on Evan, as if she was trying to see straight through his soul.
"All that matters is ability. The Ghost Clan has been taken by the Netherkin, the Beast Clan by the Shades, and the Human powerhouse Logan Shaw has been killed. Yet the Shades and Netherkin haven’t attacked the Humans—and that’s clearly because of you. Right now, the Humans may look weakest, but thanks to your presence, they’re actually the strongest. If I become City Lord, I’ll make Shadowlin City even more prosperous and wealthy than before." the woman said.
Evan’s lips curled into a faint smile. "You know quite a lot. How’d you learn all this so fast? News shouldn’t be spreading that quickly."
"There’s an intelligence network in the Netherworld that many people know about. It’s called Skyweb, and I’m the one who runs it. So I get news before anyone else. I believe you want a City Lord who can truly hold the line for Shadowlin City—otherwise you’d have let the Shades take Human territory long ago." The woman smiled.
"Skyweb? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. But since you’re so confident, what’s your actual cultivation realm? Weak strength can’t command respect—and might get you killed at any moment." Evan said.
"Late Fourth-Layer Venerable Martial Realm. Skyweb also has three Third-Layer Venerable experts. If I become City Lord of Shadowlin City, I’m sure no one would dare harm me. I believe you’ll agree." the woman said confidently.
"Late Fourth-Layer Venerable Martial? That’s unexpected. Looks like you have some clever way of hiding your strength. But that’s not the point—because I won’t accept you." Evan said with a smile.
His words left everyone stunned. To reject a Late Fourth-Layer Venerable—just how high were his standards? Did he want a Fifth-Layer Venerable? Many people started speculating, unable to understand his reasoning.
But the woman didn’t look disappointed at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "So you really aren’t simple—not just strong, but shrewd. Tell me, what are your requirements?"
Sean Xiao, Roxanne Lin, and the others also looked at Evan in confusion, unsure of his reasoning. "My answer’s the same as before—anyone with a suitable candidate can come to the City Lord’s Mansion, and the reward stands. But their cultivation must be at least Third-Layer Venerable Martial or higher."
He didn’t look at the woman again, simply turned and prepared to leave. With such cold indifference, most people would have lost their temper—but the woman kept smiling. As Evan walked away, she left too, leaving the crowd full of questions.
Evan and Ethan led their group straight to the City Lord’s Mansion. Many people had already left, but some stayed behind. All of them looked at Evan’s party with fear, worried he might harm them.
Evan understood their anxiety and said, "Don’t be afraid. Whatever you did before, keep doing it—and your salary will be doubled. Don’t worry just because we killed the former City Lord. He simply wasn’t fit for the job."
Many people didn’t understand why the previous City Lord wasn’t suitable—after all, he’d managed Shadowlin City well. But no one dared question Evan. Little did they know, the City Lord had died precisely because he failed to adapt to changing times.
Soon, everyone entered the great hall. Evan took the seat at the very top and glanced around—he found the City Lord’s Mansion quite impressive, not as grand as Skyspear City’s, but still luxurious enough.