Su Yen was preparing to retreat to the ancestral mountain when he felt a powerful presence emanating from deep within the Dreadshade forest.


    "This isn''t the aura of a grade-2 beast..." His voice trailed off as he sensed the growing tension in the air. His expression turned solemn, his brows furrowing as he pondered the source of this formidable energy.


    He looked in the direction of the aura and, with a swift, determined movement, vanished from his spot.


    From the depths of the Dreadshade forest, an old man with a bald head emerged, walking at a leisurely pace in the direction of the Celestial Heavenly Sect. His appearance was unassuming, but the aura he exuded was far from it.


    "How could those useless fools allow humans to reside in our territory?" He growled in anger, his voice carrying a deep, unsettling resonance.


    As he advanced, he mumbled to himself, "When I''ve devoured all the humans, I will deal with those fools." His steps were measured, unhurried, as if he was out for a casual stroll, belying the power that emanated from him.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the southern barrennd, the ounders had sessfully docked and were disembarking from their ships. They surveyed their surroundings with pride and anticipation, but soon, a shock rippled through their hearts.


    "Why is the spiritual energy in the barrennd so close to the maind?!" They couldn''t help but exim inwardly, the unexpected density of spiritual energy taking them by surprise.


    Liu Fu and Cheng Hong exchanged subtle nces, their eyes reflecting the astonishment they concealed. Their group continued their facade as they made their way toward the city, determined to assess the situation before revealing their true intentions.


    Wang Baozhai and the elderly man lingered at the rear, adopting a "wait and see" approach, silently observing the unfolding events.


    Shortly after disembarking, the ounders were stopped by men d in blue and ck uniforms, each carrying a long saber at their waist.


    "Stop, tell us why you''vee to the barrennd," the guards inquired with a calm but firm tone.


    Liu Fu and the others were astounded; they hadn''t previously realized the remarkable cultivation levels of the barrennd''s inhabitants. It now became apparent that all the guards were in the peak of the body-building realm.


    The guard''s patience waned as the ounders remained silent. His voice grew colder as he repeated his inquiry, "If you can''t state your purpose foring here, please return."


    Haoyu was on the verge of berating the officers once more, his temper ring, as he pointed towards the guards, veins bulging on his forehead. "Do you think, with your measly strength, you can stop us from entering the city?"


    However, the ordinary people at the seaport regarded Haoyu as if he were aplete fool, briefly ncing at him before continuing with their tasks without any concern.


    "Are you threatening a police officer?" the guards inquired, a sly and intimidating smile forming on his lips.


    The ounders were left stupefied by the mention of a "police officer." Confusion enveloped their thoughts as they struggled toprehend this unfamiliar concept.


    Before they could fully grasp the situation, the police officer continued, "If you don''t state your mission in the barrennd within the next minute, I''ll have to call the enforcers."


    Haoyu was ready to retort once again, but Liu Fu, with a more measured approach, spoke first, "We''re from the maind, Baiyun City. I am Liu Fu, representing the Liu n."


    Liu Fu had expected the police to cower in fear or at least show respect for his n''s name, but reality quickly dashed his expectations.


    The police officer responded with disinterest, his tone unwavering. "Do I look like I care? Tell me your mission, or leave. Your n means nothing to me." His words struck with an uncaring attitude that left the ounders in shock.


    Haoyu was consumed by fury. He couldn''t fathom how someone from a seemingly insignificant barrennd would dare to look down upon him, especially when he considered Liu Fu to be the key to his future sess. He simply couldn''t allow this affront to go unchallenged.


    "Die!" Haoyu screamed, his anger unleashing a powerful palm attack toward the police officers. He expected the police to cower or beg for mercy, given his seemingly superior status.


    However, the police officers'' reaction caught him off guard. They were initially stunned but quickly withdrew, disying agility that took Haoyu by surprise.


    "Hahaha! Look at them retreating like cowards," Haoyu shouted, pleased with himself. He turned to Liu Fu, expectingmendation for his bold act.


    "Well done," Liu Fu said with a slight nod, acknowledging Haoyu''s actions. This earned him a glimmer of satisfaction, for he recognized the significance of Liu Fu''s praise.


    The other young masters looked on, their faces expressing a mix of envy and determination. They realized that earning Liu Fu''s favor was the path to sess and power, and they vowed to seize the next opportunity to please him.


    "Let''s go," Liu Fumanded, holding Cheng Hong with a deep sense of pride. He harbored thoughts of destroying the Celestial Heavenly Sect after acquiring the secret of the Spirit Comms.


    However, as they proceeded, they felt the ground tremble beneath their feet. Haoyu was the first to notice the approaching police officers, now brimming with newfound confidence.


    "What''s happening?" Cheng Hong inquired, her brow furrowed in puzzlement.


    "It doesn''t matter what''s going on. We will obtain what we need and annihte the Celestial Heavenly Sect," Liu Fu dered with arrogance.


    But their bold derations were suddenly interrupted by a chilling voice that sent shivers down their spines. It echoed from a distance, filling the atmosphere with a sense of dread.


    Liu Fu and the others came to an abrupt halt, their eyes fixed on the young man in brown armor. He was covered from head to toe in a protective metal shell and advanced toward them with a firm hand on the hilt of his sword.


    Trailing behind him were thousands of soldiers adorned in Metal Bone Construct armor. The ounders could feel the intimidating presence emanating from the soldiers marching in formation.


    Liu Fu swiftly withdrew his hand from Cheng Hong''s, his face turning solemn. The new arrival of these soldiers revealed the danger they were facing in the Barren Land.


    These soldiers were far more formidable than they had expected. The lowest cultivation among them was at the Qi Refinement stage 1, with many reaching stage 2 and stage 3. The young man leading them had achieved Qi Refinement stage 4.


    Wang Baozhai trembled with fear as she saw the peculiar armors of the soldiers. Her face contorted with dread, and she instinctively took a few steps backward.


    "What''s wrong?" the old man asked, a perplexed expression on his face.


    "These are not ordinary armors," she whispered, feeling a growing sense of dread welling up from the depths of her soul.


    Her intuition warned her that something had taken a grave turn.


    "We should leave," she whispered urgently, backing away without waiting for the old man''s response.


    The old man, still perplexed, looked at the soldiers but couldn''t discern anything unusual about their armors. Nheless, he followed Wang Baozhai as she retreated.


    As for Liu Fu and the others, they initially gazed upon the soldiers with a slight shock on their faces before regaining their arrogantposure.


    "So, you''ve gone to fetch some soldiers," Haoyu taunted. "Do you really believe we''re scared of a mere Qi Refinement stage 4 fighter?"


    In the maind, Haoyu may not have been considered a genius, but he had reached the peak of Qi Refinement stage 7. Liu Fu, on the other hand, had reached Qi Refinement stage 9.


    As for Zimo, he slowly turned his head to look at Haoyu, his face devoid of any expression, as he uttered calmly, "For spheming the sacred Celestial Heavenly Sect, your punishment is death."