The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

For most cultivators in Cangzhou below the Saint Realm, leaving the continent was unimaginable. To them, Cangzhou already felt vast and boundless.

But compared to the entirety of the Tianyuan World, Cangzhou was nothing more than a speck in the ocean.

The Tianyuan World was home to over a thousand continents, each with its own unique history, size, and abundance of resources.

The twenty hegemonic forces controlled the largest and richest twenty continents. Moreover, the surrounding territories of those continents were often filled with tributary forces, subordinate to these powers in exchange for protection—and taxed accordingly.

But weaker, less affluent continents like Cangzhou weren't even on their radar.

In essence, these twenty factions collectively dominated the entire Tianyuan World.

As a result, the distance between them was immense.

Except for cultivators in the Imperial Realm, others would require an extraordinary amount of time to travel between continents.

Fang Luo's group, mounted on the Azure Thunder Roc, now at Saint Realm level, had flown nonstop for an entire year before finally reaching the Eastern Continent, home of Seven Kings City.

Upon arrival, they no longer needed to rush. The Azure Thunder Roc slowed its pace.

Fang Chen clicked his tongue. "The journey was smooth until the last few days. Why is it that every day now someone's trying to rob us? Is this the influence of Seven Kings City already?"

Fang Luo's expression grew serious. "Simply put, Seven Kings City is a criminal den founded by seven powerful brigands and their hordes of evildoers. The closer you get, the more chaotic it becomes."

In his past life, Fang Luo wouldn't have dared approach Seven Kings City on his own—only with the protection of other experts did he arrive safely.

In addition to the trio and the Hidden Dragon Guards, the Azure Thunder Roc also carried several Fang family members who had trained under Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Their goal was to open a branch within the city.

The shopkeeper asked, "Young Master Luo, should we head straight into the city and begin operations, or wait and observe?"

Fang Luo replied, "First, investigate the power structure in the city. Then find a suitable location. Once preparations are complete and everything is stable—we open."

"Understood," the shopkeeper nodded.

Seven Kings City was unlike any other. It was chaotic, full of unknown threats, and they had no backers here. One misstep could spell disaster.

If they acted rashly, they might end up building a business just to hand it over to someone else.

Fang Luo continued, "Among the twenty hegemon forces, there's another to keep in mind — Wangyue Pavilion. They have branches in about eighty percent of the Tianyuan World's continents. Their businesses include taverns, teahouses, restaurants, inns… and even brothels."

Fang Yan exclaimed, "Their reach is insane! No wonder they're one of the top twenty."

Fang Chen added with a grin, "There's also Skyvault Merchant Association. Same kind of reach. They might not be as deep in foundation or military power, but you absolutely can't underestimate them."

The three had come to know these forces during their previous journey to the True Dragon Academy in Qingzhou.

Fang Qiufeng sighed with mixed feelings.

"Once you leave Cangzhou, you realize how vast and treacherous the world really is. Without a strong background, every step is like walking on a blade. Caution is everything."

"Almost there," Fang Luo suddenly said.

Everyone perked up. Aside from the core trio, the others were all first-timers in the broader Tianyuan World. They were curious—and a little excited—to see one of the legendary hegemon cities for themselves.

Especially Seven Kings City. How would it compare to Ascension City back in Grand Qian?

Soon, a shadowy black speck appeared on the horizon.

As they approached, it was like peeling back layers of thick fog—until finally, the colossal form of the city came into view.

If Ascension City's walls were like a crouching ancient beast, then Seven Kings City's perimeter was like a vast range of towering mountains—an impenetrable barrier of stone.

Where Ascension City inspired awe and yearning, Seven Kings City evoked reverence and dread—a fortress too grand to approach.

The Hidden Dragon Guards gawked in shock.

"This… this is Seven Kings City?!"

"I'd believe you if you said it was a celestial city."

"I thought our Ascension City was amazing. Turns out… there's something even more impressive."

Unsurprisingly, the comparison wasn't favorable.

Seven Kings City dwarfed Ascension City in every way—not by a little, but by a vast margin.

But that gap was only natural.

Cangzhou's hegemon vs. the Tianyuan World's hegemon— the difference was expected.

If one day the Fang Clan rose to the top of the Tianyuan World, Ascension City might even surpass Seven Kings City.

But just as they were about to enter the city gates, a mocking, drawling voice rang out.

"Oho… nice roc you've got there. Looks fierce."

"Hey! You lot—how much for the mount?"

All eyes turned to the source of the voice, and Fang Luo's group instinctively frowned.

"Him?"

"Of all people..."

The speaker was none other than Xiang Zhantian—the man they had once feuded with during the Beast Sect ruins incident in Youzhou.

Not only had he tried to kill them there, but after they escaped the ruins, he had his subordinates chase them relentlessly. They had fled tens of thousands of miles, relying only on their deepest trump cards to survive.

Though they never spoke much about it, they had never forgotten. The grudge was carved into their hearts.

Xiang Zhantian hadn't recognized them—Fang Luo and the others had already changed their appearances and suppressed their auras.

He simply noticed the imposing Azure Thunder Roc and wanted to buy it.

Fang Chen's eyes glinted sharply. "Luo-ge… do we move now?"

Clearly, he wanted revenge.

Fang Luo's voice was steady. "We're still outside the city walls. It's not safe. Let's get inside first."

No matter how lawless Seven Kings City was, there was still order within its walls. Outside, anything could happen. Inside, unless you were stronger than the Seven Kings themselves, you couldn't act recklessly.

Xiang Zhantian had claimed to be from Seven Kings City before—his arrogance, his disregard for others, his pursuit of power—it all pointed to a background of considerable weight.

Fang Luo wasn't worried about being exposed. But he didn't want to lose the Azure Thunder Roc. If they refused Xiang Zhantian here and he chose to attack, things could get messy.

Better to play it safe and enter the city first.