Hearing the voice and sensing the surging demonic aura of the other party, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang stopped in surprise, turning to look toward the entrance.
The one who had called out to them was a mid-stage Core Formation Demonic Cultivator, appearing to be in his thirties with black hair, a short beard, and a hooked nose that gave him a shrewd yet sinister look.
"Fellow Daoist, are you calling us?" Mo Tiange asked, seeing his gaze fixed on her and Nie Wushang.
The man scrutinized the two of them carefully before replying, "Indeed. Fellow Daoists, my surname is Liang. I am the Ceremonial Elder of Xingluo City."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang bowed together. "So it's Elder Liang."
Seeing their calm and composed demeanor, neither subservient nor arrogant, Elder Liang knew they were both experienced individuals. A hint of a smile appeared on his face as he returned the courtesy. "No need for such formality, Fellow Daoists. May I ask how you are addressed?"
Mo Tiange suppressed a laugh. Honestly, this Elder Liang was better off not smiling—he just looked sinister otherwise. But when he smiled, it immediately gave the impression of ill intent.
"I am Qin Wei," she said, maintaining impeccable politeness on the surface despite her inner amusement.
Nie Wushang merely cupped her hands and said indifferently, "Tian Can."
"Ah, so it's Fellow Daoist Qin and Fellow Daoist Tian Can," Elder Liang said, then got straight to the point. "Might I ask what brings you two to our Xingluo City?"
Mo Tiange glanced at Nie Wushang. Nie Wushang had no interest in dealing with people and merely lifted her chin, signaling for Mo Tiange to answer.
Mo Tiange then said, "We are merely passing through, taking a casual look around."
"Oh? Is that so." Elder Liang's gaze shifted back and forth between the two, as if weighing the truth of her words. The next moment, still wearing a smile, he said, "The two of you possess outstanding cultivation. It is truly rare for you to visit our Xingluo City. Might I have the honor of inviting you both to the City Lord's residence as guests?"
Hearing this, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang exchanged surprised glances. Both were seasoned travelers, well-versed in the ways of the world, yet this was the first time they had encountered such a situation. Among cultivators, it was rare to be so warmly enthusiastic unless both parties had the intention to befriend each other. They had just arrived in Xingluo, yet this Elder Liang had coincidentally come to invite them. Was it truly a chance encounter, or did he have some purpose?
Thinking this, Mo Tiange simply asked directly, "May I ask, Elder Liang, what is this truly about? If it is merely for socializing, why not wait until Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I have settled in before visiting the City Lord's residence?"
"That won't be necessary," Elder Liang said, his eyes flashing as he glanced around. The attendant who had been serving them had long since stepped aside when he arrived. Now, the inn's staff only watched from a distance, not daring to approach.
He said, "To be frank with you two, this is an order from the City Lord. Recently, any Core Formation or above cultivators appearing in our Xingluo are to be invited to the City Lord's residence."
Mo Tiange was taken aback. Seeing Elder Liang's solemn expression—though not forceful, his attitude was resolute—she said, "Please forgive us, Elder Liang. We are both Core Formation Cultivators. Without a clear reason, it would be inconvenient for us to accompany you."
Her meaning was clear. Core Formation Cultivators were not so easily pressured by authority. The City Lord of Xingluo City was merely an early-Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator. Though they were not his match, they were not at the point of being completely at his mercy. If this Elder Liang explained properly, they, being in Xingluo City, would have to give the City Lord some face. But if he said nothing and merely used authority to pressure them into accepting the invitation, they would not obediently submit.
Elder Liang, clearly accustomed to such situations, showed no sign of difficulty on his face. He smiled and said, "There's no need for you two to be nervous, Fellow Daoists. It is merely that the City Lord has a matter to discuss. As for what it is, this is not the place to speak of it. If you two don't mind, we can talk as we walk."
Elder Liang's attitude was too calm, and he truly didn't seem to harbor any conspiracy. Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang exchanged another glance. Nie Wushang transmitted via Secret Voice Transmission, "It wouldn't hurt to go take a look."
Mo Tiange considered for a moment, then slowly nodded. She looked up at Elder Liang and said, "In that case, we shall accompany Elder Liang."
Hearing this, Elder Liang revealed a smile and said politely, "Thank you for your cooperation, Fellow Daoists. Please follow me." With that, Elder Liang exited the inn.
Mo Tiange watched his retreating back, then beckoned to the attendant who had originally served them. "Is that truly your Ceremonial Elder? Have other Core Formation Cultivators been invited to the City Lord's residence recently?"
The attendant hesitated before replying respectfully, "Senior, such matters are not for ordinary cultivators like us living in Xingluo City to know. Moreover, Core Formation Seniors rarely appear in the world. The only Core Formation Seniors our inn has received recently are you two. However, he is indeed the Ceremonial Elder of our Xingluo City; that much is true."
As soon as he finished speaking, a Foundation Establishment cultivator dressed as the manager nearby said, "Seniors, I happen to know a little about this matter. Just yesterday, a Core Formation Senior was invited to the City Lord's residence from the tea house."
"Oh, thank you," Mo Tiange said to them, then turned and walked out. Nie Wushang followed.
"Fellow Daoist Nie," Mo Tiange transmitted via Secret Voice Transmission, "use your spiritual sense to check if there are few Core Formation Cultivators in the city."
After a moment, Nie Wushang replied, "Correct. Aside from you, me, and that Elder Liang, there is only one Core Formation Cultivator active in the eastern part of the city."
Mo Tiange nodded in understanding. The City Lord of Xingluo City was an early-Nascent Soul cultivator. Logically, Xingluo City shouldn't have so few Core Formation Cultivators. It seemed Elder Liang was telling the truth—Core Formation Cultivators had all been invited to the City Lord's residence. The residence had restrictions, preventing them from detecting them.
The two walked out of the inn. Elder Liang was waiting not far away. Seeing them emerge, he smiled and approached. "Fellow Daoists, this way, please."
Mo Tiange nodded with a smile and followed Elder Liang with Nie Wushang.
With Elder Liang leading the way, the low-level cultivators around them made way, creating quite a bit of space for the three.
"Elder Liang," Nie Wushang said, lifting her bamboo hat slightly, "now can you tell us the true purpose of the City Lord's invitation?"
Elder Liang casually cast a soundproofing barrier and said, "You two have no urgent business in our Xingluo City, correct?"
Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang had already answered this question, but given the circumstances at the time, it could very well have been a casual remark. Elder Liang was asking again with seriousness.
Mo Tiange said, "Correct. Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I are merely passing through, having decided to come take a look and broaden our horizons."
Elder Liang nodded with a smile. "That's good." He paused, then said, "To be frank with you two, starting two months ago, the City Lord has invited all Core Formation Fellow Daoists appearing in our Xingluo City to the City Lord's residence for a specific matter."
"Oh?" Given Xingluo City's scale, in two months' time, it should have been enough to invite over a dozen Core Formation Cultivators, right? Adding the city's own Core Formation Cultivators, there were probably twenty or thirty. What matter required so many Core Formation Cultivators?
"As for what this matter entails, without the City Lord's permission, I cannot reveal it prematurely. However, that is the general situation. Of course, you two need not worry. The City Lord will provide compensation for the task."
"Elder Liang," Nie Wushang suddenly said coldly after he finished, "is this a matter we cannot refuse?"
Elder Liang was taken aback by her question. He glanced at Nie Wushang cautiously before replying, "I do not know that. I am only responsible for inviting Core Formation Fellow Daoists appearing in Xingluo City to the City Lord's residence. The City Lord himself will explain the matter to everyone. However, up to today, indeed no one has refused."
Mo Tiange raised an eyebrow but said nothing. This was rather unusual. Over two months, all Core Formation Cultivators appearing in Xingluo City had been invited, and not a single one had refused? One must consider that most Core Formation Cultivators appearing in the mortal realm had business to attend to. Those like her and Nie Wushang, who were just wandering around, were few. Those people had matters to handle, so why hadn't they refused? Merely because the one inviting them was a Nascent Soul Cultivator?
Offending a Nascent Soul Cultivator was indeed something Core Formation Cultivators sought to avoid. But among Core Formation Cultivators, how many had extraordinary status and powerful backgrounds? Xingluo City's influence within the demonic domain of Beilin Kingdom was only mediocre. They wouldn't force themselves just to avoid offending the City Lord of Xingluo, would they?
Looking at it this way, either the rewards were astonishing, making it difficult for those Core Formation Cultivators to refuse, or this City Lord of Xingluo had employed some means, making them unable to refuse. Which was it?
Mo Tiange looked at Nie Wushang. Nie Wushang was also looking at her.
"Fellow Daoist Mo, what do you think?" Nie Wushang transmitted via Secret Voice Transmission.
If it was the former, then so be it. But if it was the latter, rashly going to the City Lord's residence was not a good choice. Once inside someone else's territory, they would be at their mercy.
But if they didn't go, that wasn't a solution either. Although Elder Liang's attitude was still decent, it was very firm. They were already in Xingluo City. If they refused to go now and the City Lord personally intervened, it would be troublesome for them.
Mo Tiange pondered for a while before speaking up. "Elder Liang, what if I do not wish to see the City Lord? What would you do then?"
Elder Liang smiled upon hearing this. "This is not the first time I've answered this question. Fellow Daoist Qin, there have been several Core Formation Fellow Daoists who stated they had urgent matters and were unable to go. I truly could not persuade them, so the City Lord personally intervened. Later, those Fellow Daoists all agreed."
Elder Liang's words were simple, but Mo Tiange read much into them. Those several Core Formation Cultivators had likely firmly stated they would not go to the City Lord's residence, perhaps even attempting to leave forcefully. And Elder Liang's "persuasion" likely meant forcefully inviting them through force. If he couldn't win, he would report to the City Lord. As for how the City Lord of Xingluo City, after personally intervening, made others agree—whether through force or benefits—was unknown.
This made Mo Tiange even more uncertain. Should they go or not? If they didn't go, they would likely have to fight, and possibly face a Nascent Soul Cultivator. If they went, fortune or misfortune was unpredictable.
"Fellow Daoist Mo, let's just go take a look." Hearing the voice, Mo Tiange turned to look. Nie Wushang winked at her and transmitted, "You know my concealment methods. I imagine you also have unknown means of escape, don't you?"