Xia Feng's interest was piqued when he heard the city guards mention strange occurrences within the imperial city.
Things would be boring if they were as calm as still water.
This was precisely the effect he wanted; it had to be eventful, otherwise, it would be meaningless.
The guards were slightly taken aback by Xia Feng's words.
Most people, upon hearing that the imperial city was not peaceful and that there were strange events leading to a lockdown, would turn and flee. Yet, Xia Feng intended to proceed.
Of course, one could not leave the city, but entering was permitted. Since Xia Feng intended to enter, the guards naturally had nothing more to say and waved him through.
As Xia Feng and the women entered the city, they saw the bodies of those who had died bizarrely, with many forensic investigators examining the causes of death. Xia Feng did not linger but headed directly towards the most bustling area of the city.
Setting aside the recent strange events in the imperial city, it was indeed magnificent and lively.
This place, known as the foremost city of the Saint Realm Dynasty, lived up to its reputation, possessing a long heritage and prosperity.
The streets were thronged with people, and many cultivators strolled at their leisure, each face reflecting their love for the imperial city.
As it was called an imperial city, there naturally had to be royalty.
The Murong family was the royal family of the imperial city. The current emperor, Murong Tianhua, had ruled the dynasty for three million years and was now approaching the end of his natural lifespan.
Murong Tianhua's strength was only at the mid-stage of the Saint Emperor realm, which was why his lifespan was nearing its end.
Of course, Murong Tianhua's mid-stage Saint Emperor strength was entirely supported by resources and various elixirs. If he had relied solely on his own cultivation, he might not even have reached the Saint realm.
The Murong family had consistently poor cultivation talent for reasons unknown, as if deliberately suppressed by heaven.
However, it was recently rumored that a young girl from the Murong family had been tested and found to possess exceptional talent, breaking all previous records for the Murong family.
Some even suspected she was not of Murong lineage and wanted her executed.
Fortunately, Murong Tianhua personally appeared to vouch for his granddaughter, assuring the world that this girl was indeed a member of their Murong family. He had even arranged for an expert at the peak of the Saint Venerable realm to perform a bone examination to confirm her bloodline.
After the peak Saint Venerable’s confirmation of her bloodline, people ceased to doubt the authenticity of the matter.
They could only lament that the Murong family's luck had finally turned.
However, after confirming the girl's Murong bloodline, strange events began to occur incessantly in the imperial city, leading to what Xia Feng witnessed upon his entry.
Due to these occurrences, some claimed it was a heaven-sent disaster, caused by the emergence of a cultivator in the Murong family, thus directing suspicion back to the girl.
It was impossible for this to happen without someone orchestrating it from behind the scenes.
Although the Murong family was royalty, this was a world where strength spoke volumes. The Murong family had earned the hearts of the common people, who naturally viewed them as mascots rather than those who issued commands.
The purpose of a mascot was for display and admiration. To expect them to cultivate was absurd; what would be the point of being a mascot then?
Therefore, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that certain events were being manipulated by unseen hands.
Within a luxurious courtyard in the imperial city.
Two individuals clad in brocade robes sat opposite each other.
One of them said, "The recent turmoil in the imperial city has achieved its purpose and effect."
"Indeed, how could anyone from the Murong family cultivate? Isn't that wishful thinking?" the other replied with a smile, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Haha... I truly wish we could just get rid of that girl."
"Such actions are not to be taken lightly. After all, she is a member of the Murong family, and they have protectors at the peak of the Saint Venerable realm. We must not be careless."
After speaking, they exchanged glances. It was indeed true.