Few people knew what had happened at the City Lord's Mansion, but as the city guard army contracted and the major clan cultivators gathered, there was a growing sense of impending crisis—like a storm about to break. Some sensitive cultivators vaguely sensed that something major was about to happen in Immortal Maple City.
Boom!
Just before midnight, Immortal Maple City's defensive grand array activated with a thunderous roar. For a moment, seven-colored light flowed across the sky, but it quickly faded and vanished.
The defensive grand array consumes a lot of resources and is only activated when the city faces a true crisis.
So, with the array activated, every cultivator in the city was alarmed. Those who had already been suspicious were now certain that something had gone wrong in Immortal Maple City.
Inside a high-class guest room at a certain inn.
Ian Song, who had been holding Lila Li as she slept, suddenly snapped his eyes open. His gaze pierced through the ceiling, instantly spotting the array hidden above the city. As a formation grandmaster, he was extremely sensitive to fluctuations in array energy.
Overall, Immortal Maple City's arrays were decent, but they absolutely couldn't withstand an attack from a Fusion-stage powerhouse.
"Husband, what happened?" Lila Li woke up as well.
Ian retracted his gaze and said calmly, "Immortal Maple City has activated its defensive grand array. There must be a powerful enemy attacking. But it doesn't really concern us—just go back to sleep."
"Mm."
Lila Li nodded, then rested her cheek on Ian Song's chest and closed her eyes. She was already used to falling asleep every night to the steady, powerful beat of her husband's heart.
City Lord's Mansion.
The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. In the grand hall, City Lord Stone Yun stood alone.
After a while, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, an old man entered the hall and respectfully bowed to Stone Yun: "This old slave greets the City Lord."
"Stone Hu, how many years have you been with me?" Stone Yun turned, looking at the old man.
"City Lord, it's been 1,650 years!"
Stone Hu blurted out.
"I didn't expect you to remember so clearly." Stone Yun's tone was a bit emotional.
"My life was given to me by you, City Lord. Of course I remember." Stone Hu, vaguely guessing what was coming, spoke with some emotion.
"Very good. I wasn't wrong about you, Stone Hu. Now, I have something I need you to do. Are you willing?" Stone Yun's eyes sharpened, revealing a trace of resolve and fierceness.
"I would die a thousand deaths without regret! Please give your orders, City Lord!" Stone Hu bowed deeply again.
"I want you to...!"
Stone Yun didn't say the rest aloud, but instead conveyed it to Stone Hu by secret sound transmission.
Thud!
Stone Hu suddenly knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to Stone Yun, his tone absolutely resolute: "City Lord, rest assured—even if this old slave dies, I will ensure the young master and young lady remain completely unharmed!"
"Go."
Stone Yun waved his hand, sounding somewhat weary.
"Take care, City Lord!"
Stone Hu stood up, gave Stone Yun one last deep look, then turned and strode away.
Stone Yun stood silently in the grand hall for a while longer, then suddenly called out, "Attendants, escort me to the city walls!"
At this moment, less than a quarter of an hour remained until midnight.
The city walls were on full lockdown; all eight city gates, which were normally left open, had been shut and sealed, forbidding entry or exit.
"Greetings, City Lord!"
With Stone Yun's arrival, a stir ran through the city walls. Then, a burly man in battle armor strode over and bowed to Stone Yun. His name was Avery Ao, the city-defense general of Immortal Maple City, holding the fourth-rank official post.
"General Ao, no need for formalities. Has any news come from Black Sky Forest?" Stone Yun asked gravely.
Avery Ao replied in a deep voice, worry thick in his eyes: "City Lord, I sent out thirty-two scouts, but only three made it back. According to their reports, demonic cultivators from all over Black Sky Forest are converging rapidly!"
Hearing this, Stone Yun's heart sank. Gathering demon cultivators—could it be that the Serpent King truly intends to slaughter Immortal Maple City?
The thought cast a shadow over his heart. He immediately ordered, "Send more men to investigate. We must find out the true strength of the enemy!"
"Yes, I'll see to it at once!"