A man's name is like the shadow of a tree—it follows wherever he goes.
The moment news reached Starfall City that Qi Ping was to be appointed as its Warden, the leaders of the various illegal factions within the city's black industry instantly felt their composure crumble.
To rise to the position of a faction leader and manage illegal trades so systematically under the nose of the Qingyuan Sect required far more than just having a powerful backer. In the Qingtian Domain, maintaining stability and prosperity was the baseline. Consequently, illegal industries were, by definition, "under the table" affairs. If they grew too large or became too conspicuous, the low-level cultivators—the lifeblood of the workforce—would flee to other domains, causing the Qingtian Domain's economy to wither.
Yet, these black industries were among the most lucrative ventures imaginable. Naturally, many high-ranking figures within the sect were loath to abandon such wealth.
To these elites, the survival of low-level cultivators was not their true concern. What mattered was the performance: they had to make the common cultivators feel that the Qingyuan Sect was a benevolent place worth settling in, while simultaneously milking the illegal trades for maximum profit. Simply put, everything was driven by interest.
The black industry in the Qingtian Domain was a delicate existence. There were many cities like Starfall City that thrived on such trades, though the patrons standing behind them differed, leading to constant competition and conflict.
Thus, maintaining the perfect "degree" of operation was crucial, making the leaders of these factions the key figures in this balance. Almost every one of them was a formidable and cunning individual, with cultivation levels at least at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
It was precisely because they stood at this level that they understood Qi Ping's terror more clearly than anyone else!
In the battle of Lingxiao City, six cultivators at Foundation Establishment Perfection and one at the late stage had ambushed him. Qi Ping had turned the tables, slaughtering every single one of them without a soul escaping. In the end, he had only sustained injuries that looked heavy but did not damage his foundation.
Those six perfected cultivators were famous powerhouses they all knew well. In other words, if they were to face Qi Ping, their ends would be no different.
Therefore, upon hearing that Qi Ping was taking the mantle of Warden here, the leaders of the eight most notorious factions in Starfall City gathered in haste to deliberate on how to deal with him...
Starfall City.
Shadowed by industries involving human trafficking, toxic pills, and the sex trade, the city boasted the finest cultivator slaves in the Qingtian Domain, a variety of addictive narcotics that could destroy a man's will, and service workers trained from childhood in countless styles. These offerings attracted countless cultivators every year, who flocked there to spend their spirit stones in a frenzy of consumption.
However, over the past few days, the once-boisterous streets had suddenly turned desolate. Many shops had simply shuttered their doors, leaving only the ordinary taverns and shops selling daily cultivation supplies open.
All of this was because of one man's arrival.
On this day, countless eyes in Starfall City converged, whether intentionally or not, upon the white-robed figure standing atop the city gates.
He was the disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, Lin Ya!
"Is that Lord Lin Ya of the Qingyuan Sect?"
"What a terrifying aura!"
Countless people watched that figure—whose name had been like a thunderclap in recent times—their eyes filled with wonder and fear.
This was the monstrous existence who had swept through his peers single-handedly. Now, he was suppressing all of Starfall City alone, bringing the entire metropolis to a standstill. One must remember that Starfall City was one of the most famous cities in the Qingtian Domain, housing a significant number of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Yet, such a powerful city trembled under the gaze of that lone, white-robed figure!
Atop the city gates of Starfall City.
"I thought Starfall City was a major hub in the Qingtian Domain. Why is it so quiet?" Qi Ping gazed down at the sparse streets, looking with confusion at the burly Zhang Da-niu and the plain-looking Han Li beside him.
"They probably heard you were coming, Senior Brother Ya, and didn't dare show their faces," Zhang Da-niu guessed.
Han Li gave a wry smile. "Senior Brother Ya, do you really not realize how fearsome your reputation is? Not even the legacy or core disciples of the sect can compare to you right now! The world is starting to call you the 'God of Slaughter Reincarnate,' specifically one who hunts down those who break the rules. Since Starfall City's main industries are the gray and black markets forbidden by the Qingyuan Sect, now that you're here, what customer would dare show up? They've almost all fled! And those shop owners—slave traders and brothel keepers—their products are all kidnapped and trained from various places. None of it can withstand an inspection. Many of them packed up and ran overnight..."
Hearing Han Li's explanation, Qi Ping was slightly stunned. He had spent all his time recently on researching cultivation knowledge and spells; he hadn't paid much attention to external affairs. He knew he was famous, but he hadn't expected it to reach this level.
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
Zhang Da-niu nodded solemnly. "Yes, Senior Brother Han is right."
"Does that mean as long as I am here, the black and gray industries of Starfall City will remain paralyzed? Which also means my arrival here makes a conflict with the powers behind Starfall City inevitable, right?"
"Exactly. That is where their sinister intent lies," Han Li added with a grave expression. "No matter what you do, Senior Brother, this conflict is almost unavoidable. Unless you announce that you won't interfere in any of Starfall City's affairs... but given your personality, you certainly won't do that. And if you did, they could then move against us for dereliction of duty and refusing to execute mandatory sect missions! After all, it is the Warden's responsibility to handle these things."
"So, isn't this a dead end?" Zhang Da-niu blurted out.
Hearing this, a surge of killing intent rose within Qi Ping. He had done nothing, yet he had been targeted time and again. This time, they had set up a literal death trap! Now, whether he moved forward or retreated, the blade was already at his neck. Even though he knew their entire scheme, he was forced to follow their rhythm.
"Fine! Very well! Since that's the case, I'll play a big game with them!" Qi Ping let out a cold laugh, a terrifying power of slaughter radiating from him.
Feeling this aura, which belonged to the second stage of the Dao-Heart—the Intent of Slaughter—Zhang Da-niu and Han Li both felt a chill in their souls. They knew without a doubt that their Senior Brother was about to do something massive. Their intuition told them it might even dwarf what he had done in Lingxiao City. Even after killing so many people and experts in Lingxiao City, Qi Ping had never shown this kind of emotion.
"Senior Brother, if we're going to play big, what should we do?" Zhang Da-niu asked.
"Yes, Senior Brother, this dead end isn't easy to break. Have you thought of a counter-plan?" Han Li had thought for a long time but couldn't find a way out. He was curious to see what brilliant plan Senior Brother Lin Ya had.