Due to the rising popularity of Nightmare City and a deep wariness of Sword Demon Daoyuan, the lords of the nearby cities chose to hold back for now.

They would observe the situation and act accordingly to the developments!

After all, this wasn’t the outside world but the Ancient Nebula Underworld where order was broken and the strong prey on the weak. The more conspicuous someone was, the more likely he would encounter a mishap.

"Although Nightmare City is currently occupied by Sword Demon Daoyuan and Ji Leng, it’s still one of the many cities under Region Lord Heikong. Additionally, when Daoist Croc was alive, he had good relations with several of Region Lord Heikong’s capable generals.

"Without their recognition, Sword Demon Daoyuan and Ji Leng will only die more miserably the more of a fuss they cause now!"

A city lord predicted.

"Just wait. In half a month, it will be time for Region Lord Heikong’s monthly tribute. At that time, Region Lord Heikong’s subordinates will definitely pay Nightmare City a visit to collect the tribute. Who knows...that might be when Sword Demon Daoyuan finds himself in big trouble!"

Someone sneered.

"Half a month huh...I can wait a little longer then."

……

Although the Ancient Nebula Underworld was extremely vast and on a comparable scale to the Primordial Chaos World, it was a land with barely any aeth power.

The aeth power here was thin and sparse, while most of the land was inhospitable and barren.

In contrast to the Primordial Chaos World where aeth power was extremely rich and blessed lands could be found everywhere, the Ancient Nebula Underworld was akin to the desolate barrens.

Moreover, the Ancient Nebula Underworld was a chaotic place without order. It was a place where small factions usually wouldn’t survive for long.

In Nightmare City, for instance, the city lord had been replaced more than a hundred times in a mere thousand years!

Only a few titan-like factions could survive longer in the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

For example, each of the Three Dark Giants possessed strong and old foundations that could match the likes of the Great Six Courts and the Great Ten Battle Clans.

On the other hand, most of the other Ancient Nebula Underworld factions always seemed to be in a precarious position where they could be destroyed at any moment.

Therefore, although Sword Demon Daoyuan had become rather famous recently, the majority of the Ancient Nebula Underworld old-timers felt that he could also be eliminated at any time!

Woo woo woo~

Sandstorms raged outside Nightmare City, creating a hellish and hostile environment where the many years of bloodshed had left a lingering scent of blood in the air.

Lin Xun sat alone on the city walls as he drank from his wine gourd.

It was the twenty-third day since he arrived in the Ancient Nebula Underworld, but Xi still hadn’t appeared.

What had been the outcome of that battle?

Lin Xun couldn't guess.

Xi and Yanxing were both so unimaginably powerful that to them, killing a normal Emperor was as easy as slaughtering a chicken.

Hence, the result of a battle between two such individuals was something that even Emperors couldn’t predict.

"Elder, you’re here."

Ji Leng flew over with a respectful expression.

"What is it?"

Lin Xun didn’t bother to turn his head. Perhaps, due to the constant fighting and turmoil, the atmosphere was filled with an ominous aura and the environment was horrible beyond belief. 𝖗ΆƝỖᛒËṩ

It was especially so outside the city, where thick ominous energy seemed to cover the land like a fog. If one stayed there for too long, even one’s mind would eventually become tainted.

This reminded Lin Xun of something someone else once said: the Ancient Nebula Underworld had never been a place to live and thrive, but a training ground where life was as worthless as grass and the fighting never ended.

No one would willingly come to the Ancient Nebula Underworld unless they had no choice.

It was indeed so. Here, one could only cultivate through dao crystals, so whoever had more dao crystals would become stronger and survive a little longer.

Ji Leng reported in a low voice, "In three days, two generals under Region Lord Heikong will come to collect the tribute."

Lin Xun was aware that Region Lord Heikong controlled a hundred and nine cities in Frosty Air Region and the lords of these cities needed to pay tribute to him every month.

The so-called tribute was basically sixty percent of the wealth collected by each city every month!

Nightmare City was one of the many cities under Region Lord Heikong’s control.

At present, since Daoist Croc was dead and Ji Leng was the city lord, Nightmare City’s tribute naturally needed to be paid by Ji Leng.

"Then give it to them." Lin Xun was unconcerned.

He had no intention of expanding his territory or influence in the Ancient Nebula Underworld, so he didn't mind paying some money to avoid trouble if possible.

Ji Leng was taken aback. He lowered his voice even more and said, "Elder, our forces have taken over four of the nearby cities. In addition to Nightmare City, there’s also Flame Sin City, Beituo City, and Water Caltrop City.

"The seven small dao crystal mines controlled by these cities and several mineral veins have also been taken over by us.

"I estimate that we collect about three million dao crystals per day. In a month, that totals to ninety million dao crystals, leaving about seventy million after deducting all expenses."

At this point, Ji Leng took a deep breath and said, "The sixty percent we’ll have to give as tribute to Region Lord Heikong...is no small amount."

These days, Ji Leng was like a warmonger who had been invading everywhere. He first swallowed up Flame Sin City which used to be ruled by Butcher Meng, then successively conquered Beituo City and Water Caltrop City.

In truth, after learning about Butcher Meng’s death, the city lords of Beituo City and Water Caltrop City had realized the situation didn’t bode well, abandoned their cities, and fled with their wealth.

This was one of the reasons why Ji Leng had conquered more territories so easily.

However, Lin Xun never imagined that the wealth collected from a mere four cities would reach a staggering amount of three million a day!

That was ninety million a month!

Even someone with his cultivation and wealth of experience was shocked when he learned of this number.

However, after a brief contemplation, Lin Xun calmly said, "Forget it, just follow the rules."

"We really have to hand over sixty percent as tribute?"

Ji Leng was unable to remain composed. That was sixty percent of the seventy million dao crystals he had earned in a month, which was forty-two million dao crystals!

Who wouldn’t be agonized by this?

Lin Xun glanced at him. "Are you planning for me to go against Region Lord Heikong?"

Ji Leng suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and hastily shook his head. "How can this lowly one dare to? I promise to act according to your wishes, Elder."

The incident left Ji Leng suddenly feeling confused.

He couldn't understand the young man who called himself Daoyuan. He had such terrifying strength, but seemed to have no ambition whatsoever.

Any other expert with such power would have been busy expanding their influence to earn more dao crystals, so they could grow stronger and survive longer in the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

Yet, Daoyuan...was simply lacking in desire and ambition!

It was undoubtedly very strange.

In the end, Ji Leng could only think of two possibilities. He either had something bigger in mind, or simply didn’t care about the dao crystals that were to be handed over!

No matter which it was, Ji Leng became increasingly frightened the more he thought about it, making him more and more respectful and fearful of Lin Xun.

Ji Leng understood that the smartest thing for him to do now was to be a good ‘city lord’!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Region Lord Heikong’s two generals arrived as scheduled.

One of them had the appearance of a strong young man. He wore a scarlet cloak and his eyes were as cold as a blade. His name was Shan Yong. The other was called Xing Lianqi. He wore a brocade robe and was short and round like a ball.

Both of them had reached the third quasi-Emperor Stage.

Ji Leng, who was already waiting outside Nightmare City, immediately greeted them with an extremely friendly and humble smile, "This lowly one is Ji Leng, and I am here to greet the two lords!"

Piak!

As soon as he finished, he was sent flying with a slap. Blood gushed from his mouth and nose as he miserably crashed onto the ground.

Shan Yong's expression was cold and unsympathetic, and his aura was imposing and oppressive. "I heard that it was you who killed Daoist Croc?"

Ji Leng climbed to his feet and covered his swollen red cheek with an uncertain expression.

He never expected that he would be slapped without warning the moment they met. The brutish treatment made him feel humiliated like never before.

He took a deep breath, lowered his head, and answered, "Lord, you may go ahead if you’re here to avenge Daoist Croc. However, please watch your behavior if you’re here to collect tribute for Lord Heikong."

Iciness flashed in Shan Yong's eyes. Just as he was about to strike again, he was stopped by Xing Lianqi.

"Why get angry over a small fry?" Xing Lianqi smiled and said, "What's more, Daoist Croc is already dead and dead people have no value in the Ancient Nebula Underworld."

After a pause, he asked Ji Leng, "Is the tribute ready?"

Ji Leng nodded. "Everything has been prepared. The four cities, Nightmare City, Flame Sin City, Beituo City, and Water Cantrope add up to a total of forty-two million dao crystals."

Xing Lianqi praised, "I can tell that you’re a very resourceful person. However, this alone is far from enough."

Ji Leng immediately understood and said, "I have also prepared some small gifts for the two lords and will be grateful for the two lords to have a look."

Xing Lianqi burst into laughter. He turned to Shan Yong and said, "See, this guy is a smart man, much better than Daoist Croc."

Soon after, he smacked his lips and sighed. "However, that still isn’t enough..."

Taken aback, Ji Leng forced a smile and said, "Lord, as the saying goes, a steady stream of water will last a long time. I will definitely hand over more tribute once I’m able to better manage the four cities. Of course, I won’t forget to give extra gifts to the two lords as well."

Shan Yong coldly snorted and said, “Ji Leng, do you know that we’ve already decided to get rid of you when we came here? Yet you still dare to bargain. Do you think that I won’t kill you right now?"

Overwhelming murderous intent spread from Shan Yong and smothered Ji Leng, making him tremble as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Meanwhile, Xing Lianqi smilingly said, "How about this, on account that you’re quite smart, we won’t pursue the matter of you killing Daoist Croc as long as you have over a hundred million dao crystals. What do you think?"

A hundred million!

Ji Leng felt a sudden sense of hopelessness.