Swish!

An exquisitely made map of the power dynamics in the Frosty Air Region unfolded, revealing details of the various cities sprawled across the land.

The ten region lords’ territories were clearly marked on the map.

Evil Emperor Heikong’s eyes gleamed as he stared at it.

In the end, he fiercely pointed at an area of the map and said in a low voice, "Send a message to Sword Demon Daoyuan and tell him to seize old bear Xuening’s territory. Whatever territory he manages to take over will be given to him!"

"Supreme One, what if Sword Demon Daoyuan refuses?"

"How can he avoid work after choosing to submit? Just go, he is a smart man who knows what decision he should make."

“Understood.”

……

Nightmare City.

In the City Lord Residence, Ji Leng nearly tripped on himself when he learned of Region Lord Heikong’s order.

“Not just anyone would dare to provoke that old bear. Region Lord Heikong clearly wants to send Elder Daoyuan to his death..."

Ji Leng was distraught.

He originally thought that Region Lord Heikong highly regarded Lin Xun, and even felt that they would no longer need to worry about survival after obtaining Region Lord Heikong’s protection.

Who would have thought that the complete opposite would happen?!

"Elder, horrible news!"

Ji Leng immediately found Lin Xun and told him everything with an agonized and anxious expression.

Region Lord Heikong’s territory only encompassed a small part of the Frosty Air Region. The territory next to his was controlled by Region Lord Xuening, one of the ten region lords.

Over the years, Region Lord Heikong and Region Lord Xuening had engaged in countless territorial clashes, which often resulted in bloody and brutal conflicts.

Most of the time, however, Region Lord Heikong would suffer slightly more losses.

In the past, Region Lord Heikong controlled more than 190 cities, but was now left with only 109.

Nearly all of the lost cities were currently under Region Lord Xuening’s control.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that there was a mortal feud between Region Lord Heikong’s and Region Lord Xuening’s forces.

In recent years, Region Lord Heikong had tried to recover the lost territories, but was never able to achieve his wish, causing it to become a sore spot for him. 𝐫ΑＮՕʙĚ𝓢

Hence, Ji Leng immediately realized that the situation wasn’t good when he heard the order!

After finishing his explanation, Ji Leng couldn't help but say in frustration, "Elder, while we can't afford to offend Region Lord Heikong, we can't afford to offend Region Lord Xuening even more. In my opinion, we should...run away..."

Lin Xun's black eyes flickered in thought as he said, "Don't you think this is an opportunity?"

Ji Leng was stunned, "Opportunity?"

Lin Xun's eyes glimmered. "Region Lord Heikong is hoping to use me against his enemy to test my loyalty. While it might not make him happy if I die, he certainly won't feel any regret. But...what if I survive?"

Ji Leng smiled bitterly and said, “Survive? How is that possible? Region Lord Xuening’s forces are far more terrifying. While it might be profitable for us in the short term, do you think Region Lord Xuening will let us off in the end?"

Clearly serious about the matter, Lin Xun said, "We’re only responsible for capturing the city. If we do encounter fatal danger, we can escape to Region Lord Heikong’s territory. At that time, do you think he will idly sit by and do nothing?"

Still hesitant, Ji Leng asked, "Isn’t that...too risky?"

Lin Xun grinned and meaningfully said, "If we don’t achieve anything, how can we make Region Lord Heikong determined to protect us?"

He added in his heart.

Region Lord Heikong, you won’t be able to escape the blame!

Ji Leng took a deep breath and asked, "Elder, are you...really confident?"

Lin Xun stood up, patted Ji Leng on the shoulder, and said, "Ji Leng, you’re a talented person, which is also why I didn't kill you. You’ve been doing well so far and I haven’t been able to find any fault in the way you’ve handled things."

By this juncture, Ji Leng was already sweating buckets. He realized that Lin Xun had been observing his every move.

"I will now give you a chance. As long as you seize it, even becoming a region lord won’t be impossible, let alone a city lord. The only issue is whether you’re brave enough."

Ji Leng shuddered after hearing Lin Xun’s words. Someone like him becoming a region lord?

If it had been said by someone else, Ji Leng would have spit in his face. What kind of joke was this?! He wasn’t even a quasi-Emperor but a lowly supreme Big Saint, how could he dare to even dream of the position of region lord?

That was nothing short of a delusional fantasy!

However, when these words came from Lin Xun’s mouth, Ji Leng's heart shook and he couldn’t help but consider such an unrealistic notion.

He violently shook his head as if trying to sober himself up, before he cautiously asked, "Elder...are you serious?"

"Do you think that I'm kidding?" Lin Xun displayed an earnest expression.

Ji Leng grew increasingly conflicted. "It's just that...it feels far too unrealistic to me...can you explain a little?"

Lin Xun said, "You won’t believe me even if I tell you now. Why don't you just follow me to Region Lord Xuening's territory? Of course, I won’t force you if you don't want to. How about this, I’ll set off tomorrow morning so you have until then to think it through and give me your answer."

Ji Leng quickly agreed.

Until Lin Xun watched Ji Leng leave, he couldn't help but inwardly sigh.

"Where has Xi gone? Am I not famous enough that she doesn’t know I’m in the Frosty Air Region?

"If so, it’s time to go all out and make a scene. At the very least, I’ll make the name Daoyuan become known in every corner of the Frosty Air Region!"

……

Early the next morning.

When Lin Xun awoke from his meditation, Ji Leng, who had a sleepless night, was already waiting outside the hall.

Lin Xun stood up and walked out of the hall with a smile. "Have you made your decision?"

Ji Leng took a deep breath and nodded.

After an entire night of struggling, he was ultimately unable to resist the unrealistic ambition in his heart and made his choice.

Ji Leng took out a jade strip and handed it to Lin Xun. "Elder, this is the map of Region Lord Xuening’s territory that I compiled...

"Region Lord Xuening's influence covers 249 cities, and he has 59 quasi-Emperor generals under his command. Those are also his most feared core force.

"Among them, there are two people who need to be taken note of, Lu Xian and Mu Qingyang. They are both supreme quasi-Emperors who are notorious even in the entire Frosty Air Region. They are also Region Lord Xuening’s left and right hand men."

Lin Xun couldn't help but reveal a slightly surprised expression.

Supreme quasi-Emperors!

Such experts were extremely rare even throughout the cosmos. Who would have thought that there would be not one but two of them working under Region Lord Xuening!

Lin Xun couldn't help but ask, "Does Region Lord Heikong also have a supreme quasi-Emperor subordinate?"

Ji Leng answered, "Yes, but only one. His name is Lie Guang."

Lin Xun softly grunted in acknowledgment as he opened the jade slip and began to flip through it. "Continue what you were saying."

"After much analysis last night, the safest method is to attack some of the weaker cities in the outer perimeter..."

Ji Leng had obviously done his homework. He talked with confidence as if he knew all of the information like the back of his hand.

This was precisely what Lin Xun valued in Ji Leng.

Although his combat abilities weren’t impressive, he was resourceful and meticulous. When given trivial matters to handle, he was guaranteed to do a great job.

"Elder, in my opinion, we should start with Vibrant Mulberry City. It is right next to Region Lord Heikong’s territory and although its city lord, Lan Jiao, is a supreme Saint-King..."

Before Ji Leng could finish, Lin Xun interrupted, "We shall do as you suggest."

Ji Leng was stunned. He hadn't even finished explaining the pros and cons. How could Lin Xun make a decision already?

Lin Xun patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "I'll have no worries when you’re handling things."

Ji Leng was an old-timer who had experienced countless bloodshed and dark events over many years. As such, his character had long been tempered to be unfeeling and tough.

At this moment, however, a warm sensation flowed in his heart as his nose felt sour. It was really rare...to be trusted in the Ancient Nebula Underworld.

……

That same morning, Lin Xun and Ji Leng left Nightmare City.

By evening, the two of them arrived at a dangerous mountain range three thousand miles from Vibrant Mulberry City.

Woo woo woo~

A ghastly air rose between the mountains, tinged with the pungent smell of blood and decay while the cold mountain winds howled.

Atop a mountain, Lin Xun stood with his hands behind his back and said, "There is no order in the Ancient Nebula Underworld and countless killings take place every day. A city can be destroyed at any time with the power of a Saint, so why are people so obsessed with taking over cities?"

He truly couldn’t understand.

"Elder, you may not know this but a city can be rebuilt if it is destroyed. Only by occupying a city can one attract the experts drifting in the Ancient Nebula Underworld. The more people come, the more cultivation resources can be taxed, which can in turn grow one’s forces."

Ji Leng quickly said, "Take Vibrant Mulberry City for example, it is adjacent to Region Lord Heikong’s territory, and is one of the bloodiest and most chaotic areas.

"In the past thousand years alone, the city has been destroyed more than fifty times and the city lord has changed more than a hundred times.

"But even so, the city will be rebuilt from the ruins after every battle and continue to attract numerous experts.

"Most of these experts are desperate criminals who come to Vibrant Mulberry City for a very simple reason. It’s because battles will frequently break out here. As long as they are strong and tenacious enough, they will be able to earn more rewards the more people they kill.

"In short, they are risking their lives to gain wealth.

"There are also some experts whose goal is to hone their cultivation. While they are few in number, they are also the most feared and are known as the trial seekers.

"These people often possess frightening foundations and power and polish their dao through countless battles. They’ve taken innumerable lives and are far more frightening than any desperate criminal!"