Amidst the newfound prosperity brought by the Celestial Heavenly Store, Xuefeng town, the bustling hub ofmerce, stood out as a beacon of economic activity.


    The streets teemed with people, and the air buzzed with excitement as Spirit Comms and Banks seamlessly integrated into daily life, transforming business into an effortless endeavor.


    For the merchants, life had taken a turn for the better.


    The eradication of the once-terrorizing bandits allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Trade flourished, and prosperity washed over the town like a gentle breeze. The innovations introduced by the Celestial Heavenly Store not only simplified transactions but also fostered a sense of security and efficiency.


    While the smaller towns and viges reveled in the convenience of Spirit Comms, Baiyun City found itself gripped by tension and unease.


    The atmosphere within the city walls crackled with palpable anxiety. The shadow of an imminent war loomed over them, casting a foreboding veil that dampened the celebratory spirit brought by the advancements.


    All was not well in the diplomatdscape either. The ten cities surrounding Baiyun City, far from appreciating the advancements, had severed all trade ties.


    Their demand for the surrender of the hidden expert responsible for the death of the previous city lord seemed absurd to the residents of Baiyun City.


    It was a thinly veiled excuse, an opportunity seized by the neighboring cities tounch an attack.


    The city lord of Baiyun City, Xiao Bai, however, remained steadfast in the face of adversity.


    The prospect of war didn''t seem to deter their determination. The surrounding cities were resolute in their stance, fueled by ulterior motives and an eagerness to exploit any pretext for aggression.


    As the tension escted, rumors of secret alliances and covert maneuvers circted through the city like a ndestine wind.


    Baiyun City found itself on the brink, caught between the promise of a prosperous future and the looming threat of conflict.


    The tension within Baiyun City grew thicker, like an oppressive fog that refused to lift. Despite the looming threat of war, the powerful ns within the city clung tenaciously to their alliances. They were well aware of thetent power concealed within the city, as well as the formidable might wielded by the enigmatic figures from the Celestial Heavenly Store.


    Yet, their concerns were not directed towards the potential adversaries they might face in battle; instead, their unease stemmed from the anticipated damage the city would incur when the war inevitably erupted.


    While the citizens of Baiyun City harbored fears and uncertainty, the influential ns perceived the impending conflict as a lucrative opportunity rather than a cause for distress.


    To them, war represented a chance to carve out arger slice of the proverbial cake at the expense of other towns.


    Despite the facade of anxiety they disyed to their enemies, behind closed doors, the powerful ns concealed their satisfaction.


    They saw the impending war not as a threat but as a means to strengthen their positions and expand their influence.


    Within the confines of the city lord''s office, Xiao Bai, wearied by the mounting pressure, found himself confronted with disconcerting news.


    An elderly butler rushed in, his countenance marked by solemnity and urgency. The atmosphere in the room shifted as the butler delivered the distressing revtion.


    "Master..." the butler began, urgencycing his words.


    "What?!" snapped Xiao Bai, exhaustion evident on his face.


    "Another n has been eradicated in the outer city," the butler announced, his voice weighted with gravity.


    Xiao Bai shot to his feet, a fusion of shock and anger etched across his features. "How did this happen? What were the guards doing?"


    "They were patrolling 24 hours... But this doesn''t seem like an attack from enemies within; rather, it appears to be the work of an external force."


    "Are you suggesting those greedy bastards are responsible?" Xiao Bai questioned with a growing sense of rage.


    "Yes. To be precise, I believe it''s the handiwork of the Death Shadow Organization."


    The butler''s words hung in the air, intensifying the tension within the city lord''s office.


    The realization that external threats were already making their move further fueled the apprehension gripping the city lord.


    As Xiao Bai grappled with the realization that enemies had infiltrated his city unnoticed, a sudden billowing of massive smoke caught his attention.


    Hastily, he moved towards the open window, and from the corner of his eyes, the ominous sight unfolded—a dark plume ascending from the outer city.


    "What the…" he eximed, his face contorting with dread, prompting him to rush to the balcony.


    The butler, closely following him, joined in witnessing the spectacle.


    The sky was marred by the sprawling cloud of smoke, and the distant cries for help and screams resonated, casting an eerie pall over the city.


    "M-Master…" the butler''s voice quivered as he pointed towards the opposite direction.


    There, yet another thick column of smoke ascended, mirroring the ominous scene from a different location.


    The dual plumes of smoke hung in the air, casting an unmistakable sense of fear and panic that permeated the atmosphere in the outer city.


    The once bustling streets now echoed with the sounds of distress and desperation.


    The city guards, valiantly attempting to apprehend the perpetrators, found their efforts in vain.


    In addition, the mysterious assants seemed to materialize out of thin air, executing their nefarious deeds with impunity before vanishing back into the shadows.


    The palpable apprehension within the outer city intensified as the realization dawned that these malevolent entities could strike at will, leaving chaos and destruction in their wake.


    Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Xiao Bai found himself grappling with a torrent of emotions—confusion, rage, and a burning desire to protect his city.


    The weight of leadership had never allowed him a moment''s respite, as challenges seemed to surge endlessly.


    As he tried to collect his thoughts, Xiao Guiyin, his wife, rushed into the room, her expression a mirror of concern and worry. She stood beside him, holding his hand in aforting gesture.


    "Dear," she began, "what are we going to do?"


    With a deep breath, Xiao Bai looked at her, his eyes filled with determination. "We only have one option left," he asserted.


    Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Xiao Bai''s mind was set. If their enemies were adamant about taking the hard path, then he, too, would be prepared to y the game.


    In the heart of the Cao n, Xiao Bai faced Su Yen with a demeanor full of respect and urgency.


    Su Yen, sipping calmly from his tea, met Xiao Bai''s gaze. "I know why you''vee," he said calmly.


    "Have you agreed?" Su Yen inquired.


    Xiao Bai nodded affirmatively. "Yes."


    Xiao Bai, acknowledging his previous shorings, admitted, "I realize my mistake. I''ve been too soft with my enemies."


    "Good," Su Yen responded. "Since you''ve agreed, I will handle the rest. Summon the ns and prepare to deal with the aftermath. The next few weeks or months will be challenging."


    "I''m prepared."


    Having chosen to be a vassal n of the mysterious Celestial Heavenly Sect, Xiao Bai was resolute. He wouldn''t back down in the face of adversity.


    "That''s more like it. Bring your children forprehensive training. The children of ns under me shouldn''t be mediocre," Su Yen instructed, waving his hand to dismiss Xiao Bai, who left with a newfound determination to face the challenges ahead.


    Biyu swiftly organized her forces as Xiao Bai''s Spirit Sense ryed the locations of the Death Shadow assassins. The influential ns in Baiyun City, though maintaining an outward appearance of decorum, couldn''t ignore the urgency in their city lord''s summons via Spirit Comms.


    As the ns geared up to converge on the city lord''s mansion, Biyu''s men sprang into action. Each member took a specific direction and street, blending into the city''s alleys and pathways.


    The atmosphere, thick with panic and tension, was transformed into a coordinated effort to counter the impending threat.


    Aware that they were facing a formidable enemy, the members of Biyu''s group showed no signs of concern.


    To them, the number of adversaries made little difference. Whether it was ten or fifty enemies, the only variable was the number of swings required to deal with the threat.


    Biyu''s forces moved with precision, silently infiltrating the alleys where the Death Shadow assassins lurked.


    The sh between the opposing forces was imminent, and the fate of Baiyun City hung in the bnce.


    Biyu''s figure emerged discreetly from the shadows near the bustling brothel, where the air was thick with the mingling scents of pleasure and secrecy.


    The sounds of passion echoed within, apanied by the asionalughter and whispers of those indulging in the illicit affairs of the night.


    Dressed in a ck, form-fitting attire that allowed her to blend seamlessly into the darkness, Biyu surveyed the surroundings with a discerning eye.


    Her sharp gaze pierced through the dimly lit alleyways, seeking any signs of disturbances or ndestine activities.


    As she moved closer to the brothel entrance, her spirit sense picked up on the various energies and auras within.


    She could distinguish between the ordinary patrons and any potential threats that might be lurking in the shadows. And deep withing the heart of the brothel was her target.