The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Xiang Zhantian had just returned from an errand outside the city. The errand had failed, and he was in a foul mood. He sat on his flying vessel muttering curses the whole way, his subordinates standing silently nearby, not daring to breathe too loud.

Just as they neared Seven Kings City, a massive shadow appeared overhead.

Using his spiritual sense, Xiang Zhantian spotted a gigantic roc, wingspan over three hundred feet, powerful and regal in bearing.

A Saint Realm Azure Thunder Roc—swift and majestic.

His heart stirred at once. Without hesitation, he sent a voice transmission.

"Hey! You lot! How much for that mount?"

He hadn't expected that the moment his voice rang out, the group didn't just ignore him—they sped up.

Xiang Zhantian was furious.

"What arrogance! Treating my words like the wind?! Chase them! I want to see who dares act like this in Seven Kings City!"

His subordinates quickly accelerated their vessel.

But despite its quality, the flying boat simply couldn't match the speed of a Saint beast. And since they were already close to the city, in just a few moments, both groups arrived at the gates of Seven Kings City—one ahead, one behind.

Fang Luo and his companions barely had time to glimpse the grandeur of the city when Xiang Zhantian caught up and cut them off.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?!"

He glared at Fang Luo's group, eyes full of fire. Had they still been outside the city, he'd already have drawn his sword.

Fang Luo looked at him calmly and replied:

"You want to buy, but we're not selling."

Then he simply walked past.

"Good, good! There aren't many people in Seven Kings City who dare refuse me!"

Xiang Zhantian laughed from rage. He didn't pursue them immediately but cast a meaningful glance at a subordinate.

The man nodded knowingly.

"Don't worry, Brother Tian. Within three days, they'll be kneeling before you."

"Make that one day," Xiang Zhantian snapped.

"Understood!"

Fang Luo's group didn't hear the exchange, but they didn't need to. They knew full well Xiang Zhantian's vengeful nature—trouble was coming.

"We haven't even settled in yet and already there's trouble," Fang Chen muttered telepathically.

"No retreat now," Fang Qiufeng said stoically. "If trouble comes, we deal with it."

"No one leaves the city unless absolutely necessary," Fang Luo instructed. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Soon, they came upon a wide square, and the first thing that drew attention was a large stone wall plastered with a massive board.

At the top were three bold characters:

"Bounty List."

Upon closer inspection, it was a list of wanted criminals, issued by various forces.

A crowd had already gathered around, whispering excitedly.

"Ghostfire Demon shot up the ranks fast—just a few days ago he was 35th, now he's 19th!"

"You have no idea how many sects and families he's wiped out in those few days."

"Man, look at the reward on his head—just looking at it makes my fingers itch!"

"Half the people on this list are hiding in Seven Kings City. If you're tempted, go get 'em!"

"Yeah? The one at the top has been here for thousands of years and no one's dared touch him."

The Fang family soon understood: this was a public bounty board for criminals, and those listed had almost all committed unforgivable atrocities.

Most of them had come to Seven Kings City to escape justice—fleeing from powers too strong to challenge head-on.

For many, this was the only place left to hide.

The board listed rewards for each target, including spirit stones, techniques, weapons, pills, even Heaven-grade spirit veins and Saint-grade weapons—extravagant prizes.

What surprised the Fang family most was that the top-ranked wanted man… was one of the Seven Kings themselves:

Cang Lu.

Fang Yan, puzzled, turned to Fang Luo. "Why would one of the city's own rulers be on the list?"

Fang Luo explained:

"Seven Kings City was originally founded by three powerful figures. Those three now reside in the inner city, and all have Emperor Realm cultivation."

"The outer city is divided among four other 'Kings,' each ruling from a cardinal direction. Some rose here over millennia, others came from elsewhere. They're all in late-stage quasi-Emperor Realm."

"Aside from the Kings, there are also other Imperial Realm cultivators scattered throughout. That's why Seven Kings City ranks among the top three hegemon powers in the entire Tianyuan World."

Unlike other hegemon powers—Celestial Clans, Imperial Courts, Immortal Sects, Ancient Houses—who had legacies dating back to the Desolate Era and emphasized generational cultivation and transmission...

Seven Kings City had no such foundation.

Their strength came purely from absorbing rogue cultivators, fugitives, and strays—amassing power through sheer recruitment.

That's why it wasn't strange that one of their own rulers was also on the most-wanted list.

Fang Chen grew curious and asked around about Cang Lu. The tale he heard left him stunned.

"Cang Lu's life is straight out of a legend."

Fang Qiufeng asked, "How so?"

Fang Chen relayed the basics:

Among the twenty hegemon powers was an Ancient Family named the Cang Clan.

Cang Lu was originally from that clan. But after a major falling out, he broke ties and later joined the Yuyuan Imperial Court.

But there too, he stirred trouble—ultimately falling out with them as well.

The Yuyuan Imperial Court launched a manhunt lasting thousands of years. But not only did Cang Lu survive, he grew even stronger, eventually breaking through to the Imperial Realm.

At last, he arrived at Seven Kings City.

Through sheer might and will, he became one of the city's rulers.

It was the Yuyuan Imperial Court who placed the bounty on him: anyone who could capture or kill Cang Lu would not only receive a Sacred Weapon, but also be awarded a hereditary marquis title within the court.

Compared to that, the Sacred Weapon was practically pocket change—a marquis of an Imperial Court wielded enormous power.

In a lesser continent like Cangzhou, even a hegemon force would bow respectfully to such a figure.

But alas—Cang Lu was an Emperor, and he resided within the walls of Seven Kings City.

No one could touch him, and the tempting reward remained forever out of reach.

Fang Qiufeng clicked his tongue in awe.

"He really is a legend… one man, and he's crossed blades with three different hegemon forces."

After some final inquiries, the group moved on—knowing that while they'd come seeking opportunity, they were already walking a tightrope of danger.