Captured

Luo Feng and Moro Sa arrived at the Zhu Clan's residence, which was located in the 'Chaos Armor Zone' and was relatively close.

"No wonder the Zhu Clan is so powerful; the cost of this formation alone must be extremely high." Luo Feng observed the grand formation in operation, its power being the strongest he had seen in Hu Yang City.

With such a terrifying formation, even an assassin like Ying Cang wouldn't be able to break in.

Luo Feng had significantly improved his cultivation over the past twenty-odd Eras, and even in his current state, he might only have a chance to break through the formation by burning his divine power.

"Our Zhu Clan has nearly a billion core members living here; we can't afford to be careless," Zhu You explained with a smile as he accompanied Luo Feng. "Back then, our Zhu Clan also expended significant resources to establish this formation."

Luo Feng nodded. Unlike the five major families, which were just branches, the Zhu Clan was rooted here and had naturally made their residence as secure as a fortress.

Soon, Luo Feng met a small, elderly man whose skin was marked with green secret patterns. He smiled kindly at Luo Feng and said, "Divine Lord Luo He."

"Clan Leader Zhu Hu," Luo Feng replied politely. Clan Leader Zhu Hu's reputation in Hu Yang City was on par with Moli Xiao and Xue Yun.

"Please." Clan Leader Zhu Hu invited Luo Feng into a small building.

Zhu Hu, Zhu You, and Luo Feng sat down, and exquisite food and wine were served.

"Today, I finally have the opportunity to meet with Divine Lord Luo He," Clan Leader Zhu Hu said as he looked at Luo Feng, admiringly. "Although you haven't been in Hu Yang City for long, your reputation is now the most prominent in the city."

"That's just an empty title," Luo Feng responded.

"You're too modest," Clan Leader Zhu Hu said with a wave of his hand, and a jade-green bottle flew over to the table in front of Luo Feng. "Here are 2 million Universe Sand; you can verify it."

Luo Feng used his divine power to check and confirmed that there were indeed 2 million Universe Sand, not a single one missing. This made Luo Feng marvel at how deep and unfathomable the Zhu Clan, representing the local forces, truly was—able to produce such a large sum of wealth so easily.

"Here is the Jie Zhong Sword." Luo Feng handed over the mechanical treasure, the 'Jie Zhong Sword,' to Clan Leader Zhu Hu.

After a brief inspection, Clan Leader Zhu Hu accepted it.

With the transaction completed, the atmosphere became even more pleasant.

After they finished eating and drinking, Luo Feng bid farewell to Clan Leader Zhu Hu, with Zhu You personally seeing him off.

"No need to see me out."

Outside the main entrance of the Zhu Clan's residence, Luo Feng and Moro Sa boarded their flying boat and left.

Clan Leader Zhu Hu stood in front of the small building, watching the flying boat disappear into the distance.

A gentle woman appeared beside him.

"Divine Lord Wei, here is your Jie Zhong Sword," Clan Leader Zhu Hu handed the sword to the woman. "Divine Lord Wei, you were secretly observing; did you discover anything about this Divine Lord Luo He?"

"He gives me a very unique feeling," the gentle woman said with interest. "As I traveled through the cities of Yuguo after leaving the capital, I feel that this Divine Lord Luo He is the most impressive one I've seen."

Clan Leader Zhu Hu was surprised, "The most impressive one?"

"It's just a feeling," the gentle woman quickly added. "Thank you for handling this transaction, Clan Leader Zhu Hu. Now that I have the Jie Zhong Sword, I'll take my leave."

"It was nothing," Clan Leader Zhu Hu was still eager to be of service. In terms of strength, he was not inferior to Divine Lord Wei, but her background far surpassed that of the five major families, so he naturally had to treat her well.

In the following days, Luo Feng sold some of his 'war spoils' to several businesses within Hu Yang City, converting them all into Universe Sand.

"I now have 3.3 million Universe Sand, but the materials needed for the third body refinement are estimated to cost 3.6 million Universe Sand. Considering some unexpected losses during the refinement process, I should prepare a bit more," Luo Feng thought to himself. "I'm still short by about 300,000 Universe Sand, so what should I do?"

He didn't want to sell the two mechanical treasures, the Life Blood River and the Wan Jie Dun Xing Ling, just yet.

He had some Eternal True God-level armor, weapons, exotic beast materials, and other items, which were worth around 300,000 to 400,000 Universe Sand combined.

The 'Ye Beast Blood' that the City Lord's Mansion had given him earlier still had more than half left, which was worth around 500,000 to 600,000 Universe Sand. But Luo Feng didn't want to sell that either.

"Since I'm short by about 300,000 Universe Sand, I'll just take on another bounty task," Luo Feng nodded slightly. "It's been a while since I've made a move; they might not be as fearful of me anymore."

"I'll pick a target that deserves to die." Luo Feng began to browse the assassination tasks in the dark hall of the Yan Feng Pavilion, carefully selecting one.

Suddenly—

"Luo He, hurry to Tian Yan Gate," Moli Meng sent a message to Luo Feng.

"What's wrong with Tian Yan Gate?" Luo Feng was puzzled. Tian Yan Gate was the crafting sect founded by his friend 'Shang Tian Yan.'

"The forces of Shiguo have captured several formation experts, and they might also be targeting Shang Tian Yan," Moli Meng sent.

Luo Feng's heart tightened.

Over the past twenty-odd Eras, Shang Tian Yan had been very forthcoming about Luo Feng's difficulties in body refinement. Moreover, after such a long period of interaction, Shang Tian Yan could be considered Luo Feng's only true friend in Hu Yang City.

As for the Butcher, Mo Yu Hu, and others, their relationships were not as equal, so they didn't quite qualify as friends.

"Qing Yan, stay and guard the residence," Luo Feng instructed, then quickly left the residence with Moro Sa in their flying boat.

"What's going on?" Mo Yu Qing Yan watched from afar, "The master seems to be in a hurry?"

At Tian Yan Gate.

"Luo He," Shang Tian Yan's burly figure came forward to greet them as Luo Feng and Moro Sa disembarked from their flying boat.

"Moli Meng sent me a message, saying you were in danger?" Luo Feng asked.

Shang Tian Yan shook his head, "Just tonight, eight formation experts were captured by a mysterious force in Hu Yang City. All eight of these formation experts are Eternal True Gods, and none of them could resist."

"Captured at the same time?" Luo Feng was surprised. Capturing Eternal True Gods wasn't easy, and capturing eight simultaneously, with each group managing to successfully capture an Eternal True God, indicated a very powerful force.

"Yes, most of these eight formation experts were in their own residences," Shang Tian Yan nodded. "They were all captured and taken away, and the City Lord's Mansion hasn't been able to track them down. A force capable of this, and that would do something like this, could only be the Shiguo forces."

"Why did they capture them?" Luo Feng asked.

"The grand formation protecting the entire city of Hu Yang is vast, composed of numerous formations perfectly integrated together. Over the ages, many formation experts have been involved in its maintenance. Among those who have worked on it and still reside in Hu Yang City, there are nine. The eight who were captured tonight are among them! I am the last one."

"They captured eight but left me alone," Shang Tian Yan shook his head. "Even the City Lord's Mansion might suspect that I've colluded with the Shiguo forces."

Luo Feng understood, "Those eight formation experts all worked for the City Lord's Mansion. Isn't the City Lord's Mansion trying to rescue them?"

"I've already inquired with the City Lord's Mansion," Shang Tian Yan said as he looked at the night sky with a sigh. "The City Lord's Mansion responded that as soon as those eight formation experts were captured, their karma transmission orders were destroyed, making it impossible to locate them."

"The City Lord's Mansion should have the karma imprints of those eight formation experts," Luo Feng said. "With those imprints, they should be able to deduce the location of the eight formation experts."

"Just using karma imprints to deduce a location?" Shang Tian Yan shook his head, "That's a technique only Chaos Sovereigns possess."

"Yan Feng Pavilion can do it," Luo Feng said.

"Yan Feng Pavilion charges 1 million Universe Sand to deduce a location using karma imprints," Shang Tian Yan shook his head. "The City Lord's Mansion wouldn't be willing to pay that. Based on past experiences, once taken by the Shiguo forces, their fate—whether they live or die—will be determined by Shiguo."

Luo Feng nodded slightly.

"That's why it's best not to get involved in their conflicts. If you do, you could be crushed at any moment," Shang Tian Yan shook his head. "However, we formation experts were ordered by the City Lord's Mansion to repair some damaged formations. We didn't have the authority to refuse."

Shang Tian Yan looked at Luo Feng, "I have no connection with Shiguo. They didn't capture me this time, and I suspect it's because they don't want to provoke you."

"Nine of us, and I was the only one left alone," Shang Tian Yan said. "The eight who were taken are all my friends; we often discussed formations together. I don't know if they'll survive this time."

In a hidden treasure space.

Blood Cloud Divine Lord, Yutian Hu, and Yutian Yi stood there, while more than ten Eternal True Gods were being interrogated in separate isolated spaces.

The Shiguo forces had two teams in Hu Yang City: a weaker team led by Chairman Zanyun, and a stronger team led by Blood Cloud Divine Lord! Chairman Zanyun could only contact Blood Cloud Divine Lord; he couldn't reach the many subordinates of Blood Cloud Divine Lord.

"Answer truthfully, and you'll live. If not, you'll die, and your family will be wiped out as well," the Eternal True Gods threatened.

They had many methods of coercion, making these formation experts wish for death but unable to die.

It didn't take long for all the captured formation experts to confess.

In truth, their knowledge was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to Hu Yang City's formations.

"Of the eight formation experts, one was already on our side, and now the other seven have confessed as well," Blood Cloud Divine Lord said with a smile.

"What should we do with these formation experts?" Yutian Hu asked.

"Release five, kill three," Blood Cloud Divine Lord said casually. "First, this will show everyone in Hu Yang City that serving the City Lord's Mansion leads to no good end. Second, it will show that Shiguo is still somewhat merciful, sparing those Eternal True Gods who cooperate."

Yutian Hu frowned, "We just need to complete the mission; I think we should kill them all."

"Do as I say," Blood Cloud Divine Lord glanced at Yutian Hu and then selected the five who would live, including the formation expert who had defected to them.

That night.

The five surviving formation experts were released.

At Tian Yan Gate.

Luo Feng and Moro Sa sat across from each other, drinking.

Shang Tian Yan was also drinking, staring at the night sky with some anxiety. Suddenly, his expression changed as he took out his karma transmission order.

"What's wrong?" Luo Feng asked.

"Three of the eight captured friends have suddenly lost their karma connections," Shang Tian Yan looked at his causal transmission order. "Their karma connections are gone; the three of them are dead. Even though they were completely powerless to resist, the Shiguo forces still killed them."