The Prodigies War

The young man in black was a seventh longevity tribulation King expert called Mu Chuan.

In the Ancient Wasteland Domain, Kings who had undergone longevity tribulations were prominent figures who could dominate a region.

In Nightmare City, however, Mu Chuan was clearly just a small fry. Otherwise, he wouldn't have to find business outside the city.

At the dilapidated city gates, two guards openly displayed stern and intimidating expressions.

One of the guards appeared to be familiar with Mu Chuan and teasingly said, "Oh? Another transaction is here."

The other guard looked at Lin Xun and stiffly said, "Three thousand dao crystals."

Mu Chuan explained in a low voice, "Dao Friend, that's the fee newcomers have to pay when they enter the city for the first time. With this, you can receive an identity badge which will allow you to enter and leave Nightmare City at will."

Lin Xun acknowledged with a soft grunt and tossed out a storage bag.

Mu Chuan and the two guards were taken aback, not expecting that Lin Xun would hand over such a large sum of money so readily.

Mu Chuan smiled and said, "No problem, no problem."

"Take it." One of the guards handed Lin Xun a bronze nameplate.

A crocodile was engraved on the nameplate, making it easy to recognize.

In Lin Xun's eyes, however, the nameplate was so crude that he could easily make it if he wished.

However, he didn't make any remarks. Since he had just arrived, he wasn't going to make a big fuss over a mere three thousand dao crystals.

"Dao Friend, please." Mu Chuan led Lin Xun into the city.

One of the guards stroked his chin and said, "It seems that Mu Chuan has caught himself a cash cow..."

The other guard replied in a deep voice, "There are no ordinary people among those who have managed to arrive at the Ancient Nebula Underworld. We're just people guarding the gate so it's best not to worry about other things. Living...is already not easy for people like us."

It was equally run-down inside the city, with the ruins of several collapsed buildings overrun with weeds. The streets were crowded with pedestrians, and restaurants and teahouses could be found everywhere. It was no different from the outside world.

Along the way, Mu Chuan quickly transmitted, "The current city lord of Nightmare City is Daoist Croc. He's a ruthless individual with Supreme Big Saint Stage cultivation and is considered a top expert even in the Frosty Air Region."

Lin Xun silently listened, although he didn't pay much attention.

At his current level, even supreme Saint-Kings and supreme quasi-Emperors weren't worth his attention, let alone a mere supreme Big Saint.

Upon seeing Lin Xun's disinterest, Mu Chuan asked, "Dao Friend, may I inquire why you have come to Nightmare City?"

"I'm waiting for someone."

Mu Chuan was taken aback. He tactfully didn't probe any further and said, "If you wish to reside in the city, you'll have to pay a daily fee of one thousand dao crystals to the City Lord Residence."

"Of course, Dao Friend may also choose to serve the City Lord Residence. For example, you can serve as a city guard, mine minerals, collect materials... In short, as long as you work for the City Lord Residence, you'll be able to stay in the city forever."

Surprised, Lin Xun asked, "Why is it so complicated just to stay in the city?"

Mu Chuan sighed and said, "Only by staying in the city will you receive the protection of the City Lord Residence and you won't have to worry about any unexpected incidents. If you're killed outside the city, there won't even be anyone to collect your corpse."

Lin Xun immediately understood. At the end of the day, it was all for survival.

"It's the same for other cities in the Frosty Air Region. If you wish to survive, you must pay the corresponding price."

Mu Chuan said, "That's the law of survival in the Ancient Nebula Underworld."

While they were talking, a sudden scream rang out from the street ahead, followed by a burst of laughter.

Lin Xun frowned.

In an instant, his spirit sense found a robed man whipping a woman with a silver whip.

The woman, stripped bare and with disheveled hair, was curled up on the ground screaming in agony. Her once fair and graceful body was covered in raw, bloodied lash marks.

The robed man had a cruel gleam in his eyes as he swung the whip which crackled with fierce, divine light. While whipping the woman, he said in a cold, sinister tone, "Bitch, are you going to submit or not? Hurry up and submit. It is a great blessing to be the concubine of the young city lord."

"Exactly, exactly."

A crowd had gathered nearby. Their expressions were filled with excitement, mockery, cruelty, and indifference—without a single trace of pity.

By this juncture, the woman was barely clinging on to life.

Unsurprised, Mu Chuan said, "Look, Dao Friend. That's Daoist Croc's adopted son, Dong Jinrong. He's known for his indulgent lifestyle and foul temper."

Lin Xun didn't respond. His black eyes were deep and inscrutable.

Mu Chuan cautioned, "Dao Friend, as a newcomer, I would advise you not to meddle in other people's affairs. That woman may look pitiful, but you must remember that this is the Ancient Nebula Underworld."

Young City Lord Dong Jinrong ordered, "Men, take this bitch back and lock her up. Sooner or later, I will make her completely submit to me!"

Several guards immediately rushed over and carried the horribly wounded woman away.

Lin Xun, who had been silent for a while, asked, "Didn't you say that anyone who enters the city will be protected by the City Lord Residence? Is there no one who will manage such situations?"

Mu Chuan revealed a strange expression. "Dao Friend, he's the young city lord. The rules of the city are decided by his father."

Lin Xun suddenly remembered the words of the middle-aged man from Fog Obscured Alms.

"The most important rule in the Ancient Nebula Underworld is that there are no rules! The rules are dictated by the strong!"

Soon after, Mu Chuan brought Lin Xun to the entrance of a crumbling hall and said, "Dao Friend, since it's getting late, you can rest here tonight. I will take you to the City Lord Residence to register tomorrow."

Lin Xun inquired, "Register?"

Mu Chuan explained as he led Lin Xun into the hall, "Yes, in addition to the daily one thousand dao crystal fee you pay to the City Lord Residence, you'll also have to pay rental fees. Again, I strongly suggest you work for the City Lord Residence because it will save you a lot of money."

The shabby old hall was covered in dust. A bonfire flickered in the corner, chasing away the shadows.

A group of figures stood or sat around the hall. Each of them carried a faint yet unmistakable ominous bloodthirsty aura.

Gazes immediately locked onto Mu Chuan and Lin Xun when they walked in.

A skinny old man said in a raspy voice, "Mu Chuan, you only brought back a single person after a whole day?"

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in the voice.

Mu Chuan's face turned ashen as he stammered, "Uncle Huai, you should know that fewer and fewer newcomers have been coming to Nightmare City in recent times, and business isn't good."

The skinny old man called Uncle Huai coldly snorted. He revealed a strange look as he stared at Lin Xun and said, "Mu Chuan, what drug did you feed this friend, that he so obediently fell into your trap?"

The other people in the hall laughed as they looked at Lin Xun in amusement.

Lin Xun appeared indifferent as if he was unaware of the situation. He looked at Mu Chuan, who was walking away after entering the hall, and asked, "What is this?"

Someone couldn't help but chuckle. "Haha, I can't believe he still hasn't realized. Could he be a little chickling who has come to the Ancient Nebula Underworld for the very first time?"

Others joined the laughter.

Lin Xun continued to ignore them and looked at Mu Chuan, who clearly felt uncomfortable. He couldn't help but respond in a slightly embarrassed and annoyed tone, "Idiot! Are you still asking what's going on? This is the Ancient Nebula Underground! What kind of fool will trust others as easily as you?"

Lin Xun said, "You're not very smart yourself."

Mu Chuan sneered, clearly disdainful.

The skinny old man said, "Young man, since you're new here, I will teach you how to survive in the Ancient Nebula Underworld."

After a slight pause, he said, "First, hand over all your treasures. This is called paying your respects. Second, prove your worth, because the only fate that awaits useless trash is death. These are the rules."

A pretty woman giggled and suggestively said, "Let's see how a strapping young lad like you performs."

The others murderously stared at Lin Xun.

The atmosphere grew tense.

"So those are the rules..."

Lin Xun sighed softly.

Although his tone was calm, each word slammed into the hearts of the thin old man and the others like heavenly thunder. Their vision blurred and blood spurted from their noses and mouths as they collapsed one by one.

Their faces immediately filled with horror and disbelief.

Without lifting a single finger, he had subdued them with words alone. What kind of terrifying cultivation must one possess to achieve such a feat?

Mu Chuan was the only one who wasn't harmed, but he was frozen in shock by the scene he had witnessed.

He could never have imagined that the newcomer he deceived outside the city would turn out to be such a frightening entity!

"Elder, please have mercy!"

With a thud, Mu Chuan fell to his knees. He repeatedly slapped his face as he begged, "This pathetic one was blinded by greed and failed to see your greatness. I hope you can be magnanimous and spare my pitiful self!"

Lin Xun nonchalantly looked at him and said, "I told you that you're not very smart."

Bang!

Mu Chuan trembled, then silently crumpled to the ground. His spirit had been shattered.

Uncle Huai and the others were scared out of their wits, a complete opposite of the fearless expressions they had shown earlier.

Lin Xun walked to the bonfire and casually sat down. He took out a wine gourd, drank from it, and said, "I want some information. If you guys cooperate, I will spare your lives."

Uncle Huai and others nodded repeatedly, each desperately trying to appear more obedient and honest than the others. Their eyes were filled with the desire to survive.

They didn't disappoint Lin Xun. No matter what he asked, they eagerly scrambled to provide answers.

Of course, his questions were mostly related to the situation in the Ancient Nebula Underworld and weren't difficult to answer.

After his final question, Lin Xun couldn't help but nod in approval. "Okay, you guys performed well."

Uncle Huai and the others perked up. One of them could no longer hold back and asked, "Elder...may we leave now?"

"Sure, I'll send you guys off."

After hearing that, Uncle Huai and the others felt a chill in their hearts and their expressions changed drastically.