Morning.

The sky was just barely lightening, and Tuge City was enveloped in stillness, with hardly anyone on the streets. However, the city gates were already open.

Wang Xiaoqiang swaggered into the city through the gates, strolling leisurely toward the city interior.

On both sides of the main road, shops were lined up densely.

In a bun shop, steaming buns had just come out of the steamer, releasing a rich aroma, accompanied by the smell of spicy soup wafting out.

Smelling the fragrance, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a slight hunger. So, he stepped into the bun shop.

There were no customers in the bun shop. Wang Xiaoqiang sat down by the window, and the shop assistant immediately came to greet him, "What would you like to eat, sir?"

"Four buns, a bowl of spicy soup," Wang Xiaoqiang said casually.

"Alright, coming right up." The shop assistant replied cheerfully and quickly brought over four buns and a bowl of spicy soup, placing them on the table and politely saying, "Enjoy your meal, sir."

"Hey, assistant, sit down, I've got something to ask you," Wang Xiaoqiang called the shop assistant over.

The shop assistant, seeing there were no other customers, sat down at the table and sized up Wang Xiaoqiang, asking, "Sir, you're from out of town, aren't you?"

Wang Xiaoqiang nodded, "Yes, I've come to Tuge City to seek a master..."

"Oh," the shop assistant said, astonished.

"The master I want to seek is called Ding Chunqiu, but I don't know where he resides now?"

"Ding Chunqiu? Are you talking about National Master Ding Chunqiu?" The shop assistant asked, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, the only Immortal Emperor in the Hetu Empire."

"Ah, that would be National Master Ding," and the shop assistant immediately showed respect to Wang Xiaoqiang. To be a disciple of National Master Ding Chunqiu, his status must not be low. Solemnly, he added, "He has always resided in the Imperial Palace, said to protect His Majesty."

"Uh, the information is accurate, right?"

"It should be." The shop assistant hesitated, adding, "But I can't be one hundred percent sure..."

At this moment, a big man wearing an official robe entered the store, shouting in a coarse voice, "Assistant, eight buns, a bowl of spicy soup."

"Alright." The shop assistant responded quickly and went to serve the official in robes.

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced at the big man and saw he was of the Immortal Sage Realm. Judging by the official robe, he was a significant official. However, seeing such an official eating buns in a small shop was quite odd.

"Martial Overseer, here are your buns and spicy soup." The shop assistant placed the buns and soup on the table politely, adding respectfully, "I added sesame oil for you... "

The big man grabbed a bun, took a bite, and nodded, saying, "Hmm, the buns at your place remain authentic. Never tire of them."

"Will you be visiting the palace today, Martial Overseer?" The shop assistant dared to ask, appearing familiar enough with the Martial Overseer due to frequent visits for breakfast.

"Yes, with the impending battle, our tasks aren't light," the big man nodded, glancing at Wang Xiaoqiang since he noticed Wang Xiaoqiang was also of the Immortal Sage Realm, which wasn't weak in the Hetu Empire. Usually, people of this cultivation have notable status.

The shop assistant pointed to Wang Xiaoqiang, "Uh, then you and this gentleman can go together today."

The Martial Overseer's gaze sharpened, "Uh... Is this gentleman also working for the court? Why is he so unfamiliar?"

The shop assistant blurted out, "This gentleman is here to seek National Master Ding as a master..."

"National Master Ding, seeking a master...?" The Martial Overseer was startled and then disdainfully said, "That's nonsense, National Master Ding never takes disciples..."

Wang Xiaoqiang fixed his gaze on the Martial Overseer, feeling a murderous intent arise in his heart.

"Hey, what are you here for?" The Martial Overseer also stared at Wang Xiaoqiang, asking menacingly.

The shop assistant was frightened and quickly retreated to the side.

"Didn't the shop assistant already explain, or do I have to repeat myself?" Wang Xiaoqiang calmly replied.

The Martial Overseer looked suspiciously at Wang Xiaoqiang, then began devouring the buns voraciously, astonishing all present as he finished eight buns and a bowl of spicy soup in no time. Standing up, he glared at Wang Xiaoqiang and said, "Aren't you looking for National Master Ding? Come, I'll take you."

"That would be much appreciated!" Wang Xiaoqiang stood up, giving him a salute. Then he took out a piece of silver and placed it on the table. "This meal's on me."

"Bah, I don't owe you anything. I never pay for my meals. Hahaha..." The Martial Overseer laughed boastfully, then turned serious, "Let's go!"

Wang Xiaoqiang followed the Martial Overseer out of the shop, heading towards the Imperial Palace along the main road.

Afraid that Wang Xiaoqiang might escape, the Martial Overseer constantly glanced back at him, keeping his Divine Sense tightly locked on him.

Wang Xiaoqiang sensed his Divine Sense enveloping him but remained unfazed. His purpose here was to find Ding Chunqiu and kill him. Now that someone was leading the way, it couldn't be better.

Whatever the Martial Overseer intended, it no longer mattered. If he dared to act rashly, he could be instantly eliminated.

Quickly.

They arrived at the gate of the Imperial Palace.

The Martial Overseer asked Wang Xiaoqiang, "What's your name?"

Wang Xiaoqiang replied perfunctorily, "My name is Wang Shading."

"Wang... Shading...?" The Martial Overseer murmured, then sneered, "Your name certainly has a killer vibe."

Then the Martial Overseer addressed the gatekeepers, "Please inform National Master Ding that a man named Wang Shading seeks an audience."

Among the gatekeepers, someone went off to report it.

At this point, Wang Xiaoqiang was already sure that Ding Chunqiu was inside the Imperial Palace. Feeling resolved, yet fearing he might alert the enemy, he told the Martial Overseer, "Hey, let's go inside first. It's uncomfortable waiting here."

The Martial Overseer sneered coldly, quipping, "Go inside? Who do you think you are? Not to mention your suspicious identity, even if you were about to become National Master Ding's disciple, you still wouldn't have the authority to freely enter the Imperial Palace."

"If you won't go, I'll go," Wang Xiaoqiang said, starting to walk inside.

"Insolence!" The Martial Overseer burst out in anger, roaring as two Axe Divine Weapons condensed in his hands, chopping down toward Wang Xiaoqiang's head.

Wang Xiaoqiang turned back with a palm strike, his palm flashing with electricity, which struck the Martial Overseer's chest before he got close. With a crackling sound, the electric arc blasted him away.

The gatekeepers saw Wang Xiaoqiang suddenly attacking and knew without a doubt he was an assassin. They shouted, "Assassin!" and blocked the entrance, six of them, all mere Immortal Venerable Realm weaklings.

"Those who block my path... shall die!"

Wang Xiaoqiang stepped forward, not paying them any heed.

"Attack together!" The six swayed, each releasing their Avatars, the six originals spawning twenty Avatars, totaling twenty-six charging at Wang Xiaoqiang.

"Die!"

Wang Xiaoqiang unleashed the Penglai Immortal Sword with a sweep. Instantly, a fan-shaped Sword Light exploded, accompanied by the wailing cry of infants, a sound chilling to the bone.

With a boom, the twenty-six had their bodies cleaved by the Sword Light, spraying blood and stumbling back dead.

After eliminating the six guards, Wang Xiaoqiang saw no Divine Beasts coming to retaliate, realizing that the Hetu Empire's palace was different from the Black Tortoise Empire's. Without Divine Beasts stationed, he grew even more reckless, heading straight towards the Palace's depths. While flying, he spread out his Divine Sense, searching for Ding Chunqiu. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you're welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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