Chapter 874: The Guest House

Jin Chengwu said, "Since you are heading to the Ancestral Court to report, you should be able to meet His Majesty then."

"That’s true, that’s true." Tang San nodded and said, "In that case, we’ll trouble you by staying in Adamant City for a day. We’ll continue our journey tomorrow. Please, Deputy City Lord, lead the way."

Jin Chengwu looked at Tang San, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. Did he not make himself clear? Was his subtle suggestion for them to leave too vague, or was the other party just pretending not to understand?

But no matter how he felt, Tang San was the Lord of Skytree City and the leader of the Blue Gold Tree clan. Even before the Ancestral Tree’s awakening, such a visit couldn’t be turned away. Just like visiting unannounced was a breach of the Ancestral Court’s rules, whoever rejected a sanctioned visit would be held in contempt by the Ancestral Court.

Thus, despite its reluctance, Jin Chengwu had no choice but to step aside and gesture for Tang San to enter. "If Your Highness doesn’t mind our meager conditions, please come into the city to rest."

Tang San smiled faintly and said, "Adamant City is famed for its wealth—I believe that your conditions would only be too good for us. Please, lead the way, Deputy City Lord."

As he spoke, he moved to Jin Chengwu’s side and they flew toward Adamant City. The elders of the Blue Gold Tree clan and the three Adamant Nymph Kings followed closely behind.

Jin Chengwu landed outside Adamant City, following the rule that no one apart from Emperors may fly over a major city without permission. Naturally, Tang San didn’t mind and followed Jin Chengwu through the city gates into Adamant City.

Entering Adamant City felt like stepping into another world for the elders of the Blue Gold Tree clan. The life energy inside the city was noticeably weaker compared to the outside, but the elemental energy was incredibly rich. There was energy of all attributes, and upon closer inspection, it became clear that it came from the buildings themselves. Each structure emitted varying levels of elemental energy, with a strange yet dynamic mix.

Tang San expanded his divine consciousness, sensing the composition of the city’s various structures. This place was truly fascinating. For example, a blacksmith shop was clearly built from fire-element stone, while a building that seemed to be a restaurant of sorts was made of water-element stone. The larger and more elaborate the buildings were, the higher the quality of the stone used.

Tang San couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. The Daemon Continent was indeed a wondrous place, beyond anything he could have imagined.

"Is this your first time in Adamant City, Your Highness?" Jin Chengwu asked casually, not betraying any emotion.

Tang San nodded. "Indeed, it’s my first time here."

Behind him, Jin Miaosen couldn’t hold back and said, "How would our clansmen dare to come here? They might as well walk straight into a fire pit and burn themselves to death!"

Jin Chengwu’s face showed surprise. "What do you mean by that, Blue Gold Tree Nymph King?"

Jin Miaosen was about to deliver a retort, but Tang San raised a hand to stop her. "My sister is young and impulsive. Please don’t take it to heart, Deputy City Lord."

Jin Chengwu's expression changed slightly, but it smiled and said, "If she is your sister, that means she must be a direct descendant of the Ancestral Tree. My respects."

Tang San waved his hand dismissively. "No need for such courtesy, Deputy City Lord. Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Not long ago, at the request of our clan, the Ancestral Court issued a decree. It requires that all clans or individuals holding our clan members or remnants they may have enslaved or detained release them back to our clan. I wonder if you are aware of this, Deputy City Lord?"

Although Tang San’s tone was casual, a flash of caution appeared in Jin Chengwu's eyes, though it maintained its smile. "We have indeed received the decree."

Tang San continued, "So, I wonder if there are any such cases in Adamant City?"

Jin Chengwu, without hesitation, replied firmly, "Of course not. Adamant City and your noble Skytree City are neighboring cities, friendly cities. How could we commit acts that would harm your clan?"

"Really?" Tang San asked in a low voice, his tone serious.

Jin Chengwu stopped in place, and a glint of wariness flashed in its eyes. After all, it was facing a dozen Blue Gold Trees, three of whom were Great Nymph Kings. Though Blue Gold Trees were terrible fighters even on a good day, this lineup was not something he could ignore.

It looked at Tang San seriously and nodded. "As far as I know, we have done nothing of the sort."

Tang San gave a faint smile. "Good. If that’s the case, then it won’t affect the friendship between our two clans."

Jin Miaosen nudged Tang San from behind, but he acted as if he didn’t notice. The other elders of the Blue Gold Tree clan silently observed, not saying anything.

Everyone knew that Jin Chengwu was blatantly lying. Not only was the Adamant Nymph coveting the members of the Blue Gold Tree clan, but they were among the worst perpetrators.

The Adamant Nymphs were one of the comparatively few nymph clans that were not originally plants and had no connection to the Ancestral Tree or the Ancestral Flower. While their internal energy was plentiful, their life energy was vastly inferior to that of plant-type nymphs. As a result, their craving for life energy was even greater.

The most crucial time in the life cycle of an Adamant Nymph was when it evolved from a mere chunk of mineral into a nymph—during this process, it needed to absorb large amounts of life energy. Nothing was more abundant in pure life energy than a Blue Gold Tree, which naturally made the Adamant Nymph clan most eager to exploit them.

The Adamant Nymph Emperor had even gone to Skytree City to attempt a surprise attack, which showed just how little regard they had for the Blue Gold Tree clan. Who would believe that Adamant City didn’t have any of their people?

Yet, despite Jin Chengwu’s firm denial, Tang San acted as if he didn’t see through the deception and calmly followed the deputy city lord into the city.

Adamant City was overall incredibly prosperous, just as Tang San had expected. Once they had sufficient life energy to sustain them, their best path to cultivation involved devouring vast amounts of rare, energy-rich minerals. The Adamant Nymph Emperor’s ascension to Emperorhood was closely tied to the immense resources controlled by Adamant City.

The closer they got to the city center, the more Tang San could feel the pure and massive energy contained within the buildings. Many materials that would be considered precious gems in the Empyrean Dominion were used here as ordinary bricks.

Tang San even spotted wind-attribute spirit stones, the kind that the Wind Wolf clan used for tribute, being used here as simple building materials. These were minerals that could be used to mint currency!

Because of this, while the life energy in Adamant City was far inferior to Skytree City, its overall elemental energy was by far the densest Tang San had ever seen in this world—especially the earth element. The vast earth energy gave the entire city a heavy, grounded feeling. There was likely a massive array at the city's core that drew in earth energy. This immense energy nourished all kinds of mineral-type nymphs, making this place their paradise.

Jin Chengwu led Tang San and the elders of the Blue Gold Tree clan to a large building. The structure was enormous, with three floors over ten meters high each. Its exterior was imposing, made of dark red stone that radiated intense fire energy. This dark red mineral was clearly something rare and precious.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Your Highness, this is Adamant City's guest house. I would like to invite you to rest here for today," Jin Chengwu said with a smile.

These words made the Blue Gold Tree elders' expressions turn downright ugly.