Chapter 1746 - 1748: Flames of War Ignite
West Melon Island, located on the peninsula where Hengqin City and Yuchi City are.
Although there’s no terrain like Gourd Waist that divides East and West Melon Island into halves, there’s effectively a separation of powers here.
Hengqin City and Yuchi City represent one side, while the other side is more chaotic, with five major cities controlling surrounding powers.
Of course, various sects are inserted into each city.
However, the status of the sects on Gourd Island has always been in a rather peculiar position.
They claim to be a power, but without a substantial territory, merely operating within their limited area, occasionally going out for minor plundering.
If not for their mutual contacts and referring to themselves as sect powers, truly they seem like a luxurious upgrade of a mountain village.
Anyway, let’s not talk about these sects right now.
Qinggang City.
One of the five cities here.
Luan Qinggang is the City Lord of this city.
By midday, he walked out from the back, adjusting his pants.
He had just risen from a maid, and though he was in the Nascent Soul Stage, not exhausted from such matters, he felt like in some idle Saint mode.
Sitting on the City Lord’s throne, he accepted the tea offered by a maid and started to daze.
Unsure if this was a hobby or habit, he quite enjoyed dazing off, sometimes for half a day, letting his thoughts drift wildly.
While thinking today, he pondered why he originally wanted to become the City Lord.
Previously, he was just a Loose Cultivator, not understanding why those City Lords insisted on being the City Lord.
Shouldn’t we cultivators roam the realms, pursuing the great path of heaven and earth?
Why mess around for those common folk, truly idle with nothing better to do.
Then, by some twist of fate, he suddenly experienced the benefits power brought!
As the City Lord, you are the absolute authority of this city, free to do anything within it without interference!
Enjoying women? Any woman in this city, you wouldn’t have to force; just say a word and they’d be brought to you.
Need resources for cultivation?
No longer needing to scour the mountains and fight desperately anymore, just give an order, someone will fetch them for you.
Not even needing to order, every good thing within your sphere will be delivered to the City Lord Mansion.
And those cultivators born in this city would center around you, these people are your swords and shields!
His role was merely to sit here, providing a backbone for the city, so its inhabitants wouldn’t have to wander helplessly every day!
Alright, he’ll admit it, being City Lord is truly enjoyable, even finding disdain for those who only seek bitter cultivation, are they crazy? What’s a high cultivation for? Living happily is most important!
Thinking this, his thoughts drifted.
If he became the king of this island?
Then wouldn’t all the resources of this island be at his beck and call?
At the thought of such a beautiful dream, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud!
Just as he was indulging in these thoughts!
Suddenly!
The previously calm entrance of the City Lord Mansion erupted in chaos.
This pulled Luan Qinggang’s thoughts back.
Being interrupted from his daze made him frown: "What’s happening?"
Anger already simmered in his heart, what are the guards doing?
Then a person beside him spoke up: "City Lord, Great General, Great General is approaching the City Lord Mansion!"
"Let him come! Why the chaos?"
Luan Qinggang frowned deeper, merely a visit from the Great General, why the panic?
The subordinate swallowed and replied: "But, the Great General is bringing people with him."
"So what?"
Luan Qinggang was getting impatient.
Why so hesitant?
He was about to scold when he suddenly realized there was no need to question further!
Because, he had sensed it!
Nascent Soul Stage!
Including the Great General, five in Nascent Soul Stage!
Luan Qinggang’s expression turned sour!
What’s going on?
Where did these Nascent Soul Stage individuals come from in the city?
From outside?
But why was there no warning?!
As he was puzzling over this, Qinggang City’s Great General had already charged in with four Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
At the first moment of entering, they surrounded Luan Qinggang!
"What are you doing?!"
Luan Qinggang was still somewhat dumbfounded, glaring gloomily at his Great General!
"Nothing much! Just want to invite you to step down from the City Lord position!"
The Great General smirked coldly, wasting no words, gestured towards the four Nascent Soul Stage individuals: "Gentlemen, please!"
The four Nascent Soul Stage cultivators immediately struck, attacking Luan Qinggang.
Luan Qinggang suddenly realized—it’s a rebellion!
He hurriedly counterattacked, face dark!
However, in desperate horror, he realized his attacks were utterly ineffective!
His startled voice cried out: "You’re using a combined battle strategy?!"
He knew of the combined battle strategy, his City Guard Army also employed it!
But, he had never heard of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators needing such strategies!
A combined strategy for Nascent Soul Stage? What kind of foe were they cultivating it for?!
However, at this moment, he had no time to think deeply, only to flee in panic!
Yet, those four Nascent Soul Stage consultees had already sealed the surrounding space, trapping Luan Qinggang tightly!
Luan Qinggang recklessly attacked, cursing the Great General as a traitor!
But more so, he was puzzled as to whose people these combined strategy Nascent Soul Stage cultivators belonged!
One of those damn other City Lords?
No! No, they neither have the means nor prowess for this!
And then, he suddenly noticed a mark on one of the attacking Nascent Soul Stage’s arms!
Suddenly!
"God Slaying Alliance?! You’re treacherous! You meddle in city powers without permission, you’ll be condemned by all!" Luan Qinggang roared!
He never anticipated it was the God Slaying Alliance!
Wasn’t God Slaying Alliance focused on the core?
Haven’t they refrained from contending over powers?!
Why?!
Why would they strike against him?!
However, clearly, no one would explain to him!
Luan Qinggang, perished!
Qinggang City, changed hands!
As rebellion erupted in Qinggang City, similar rebellions unfolded in other four cities, or rather, across most of the large cities on Gourd Island!
High-ranking figures led the rebellion in some cities, small factions united in others, or segments of the City Guard Army mutinied!
In some cases, the City Lord was compelled, brazenly launching attacks on adjacent rebel cities!
Thus, on this day, Gourd Island, previously chaotic yet peaceful, was suddenly engulfed in flames of war!