"Does the Xuanlong City Lord control the divine artifact of Xuanlong City?"
Xue Luo smiled faintly, "It seems I underestimated Xuanlong City. With the divine artifact of Xuanlong City assisting this time, victory is assured. Xuanlong City will undoubtedly command great authority throughout the Ancient Desolation World!"
Facing these words, the Xuanlong City Lord smiled faintly, but he didn't seem to pay much attention. At this point, it was no longer important. The most crucial matter was dealing with the Holy City.
If experts from the Holy City were to arrive in Xue Luo City, it would undoubtedly lead to a massacre. Therefore, they dared not be the slightest bit negligent.
Meanwhile, within the Holy City, Lu Fan and his companions had arrived. As they walked through the streets of the Holy City, a sense of unease began to settle in their hearts.
They had come to the Ancient Desolation World thinking themselves to be top-tier powerhouses, but upon arriving at the Holy City, their perspectives shifted dramatically. They found it almost unbelievable.
"So this is the Holy City!"
Zhao Xiaotian said solemnly, "I never imagined there would be such terrifying auras within the Holy City, and in such abundance. It's truly horrifying!"
"If the Holy City weren't terrifying, why would the other four cities fear it?" Patriarch Tianhuo chimed in. "More importantly, the Holy City being the most powerful force in the Ancient Desolation World, it naturally has its reasons!"
Lu Fan and Zhao Xiaotian nodded slightly at these words, finding no grounds to disagree.
"You lot must be outsiders!"
Just then, an old man's voice rang out, blocking Lu Fan and his group's path. "Outsiders entering the Holy City require a patron to stay. Otherwise, you'll be bullied!"
"We don't seek trouble, so we'll be fine!" Zhao Xiaotian replied.
"That's where you're mistaken. Even if you don't seek trouble, the local experts of the Holy City will find you!" the old man said with a smile. "However, if you hand over the treasures you possess, I can become your patron. Then, within the entire Holy City, no one will dare to easily lay a hand on you!"
"Are you senile, old man? You're mad for treasures!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes, completely unimpressed by this charade.
Even though this was a world of cultivation, it shouldn't be this chaotic, especially not within the Holy City.
"Little fellow, you're truly outspoken. Old man, I have cultivated for many years and have considerable influence within the Holy City. Speaking to me like this will come at a price!" the old man narrowed his eyes, his words carrying a veiled threat.
Lu Fan ignored him, leading his companions forward without wishing to engage further with the old man.
However, at that moment, the old man in black suddenly let out a cold laugh and grabbed Patriarch Tianhuo. "So this old man isn't human, but born from heavenly fire. No wonder I felt something was off!"
"What do you want!"
Lu Fan's expression changed drastically, and he spoke out, a frown deepening. He hadn't expected the old man before him to make such a move.
"This is a treasure of heaven and earth, far better than any other trinket!" the old man in black said with a smile. "Originally, I might not have troubled you if you had willingly offered your treasures. But you chose to oppose me. In that case, this old man belongs to me!"
Patriarch Tianhuo's expression shifted. He tried to resist, but he found the old man to be incredibly powerful. Even if he attempted to act, he was no match for the elder and lacked any power to resist.
"This is bad, he's absorbing my heavenly fire essence!" Patriarch Tianhuo shouted, his eyes growing grave.
He was originally formed from the essence of heavenly fire. If his essence were absorbed, it would be equivalent to his dissolution.
Lu Fan could no longer afford to hold back. He immediately attacked with all his might, striking towards the old man in black.
The old man in black let out a burst of laughter and, directly taking Patriarch Tianhuo with him, moved forward. He did not linger to engage with Lu Fan. Having finally encountered the essence of heavenly fire, he had no intention of letting it go easily.
Many people within the Holy City watched with surprise, wondering what was happening.
After all, fighting within the Holy City was no trivial matter. If the City Lord were to find out, severe punishment would befall those involved.
"Little fellow, you're no match for me, so this old man shall be my tribute!" Patriarch Tianhuo said with a cold laugh. "If you dare to act rashly, I won't show any leniency!"
"He is my friend. If anything happens to him, I will take your life!" Lu Fan's voice was icy, without any hint of reservation.
"Hahahaha..."
The old man burst into laughter, finding the situation rather amusing. Lu Fan's declaration seemed like a cosmic joke in his eyes, as he did not consider Lu Fan to be worthy of such a threat.
"What should we do?"
Zhao Xiaotian's brow furrowed. He also wanted to intervene, but the old man in black was incredibly swift. More importantly, Patriarch Tianhuo, who was also a powerful individual, was helpless in the old man's grasp, which was a truly terrifying prospect.
"No matter what, we cannot abandon the Patriarch!"
Lu Fan's gaze turned heavy. Along their journey, they had come to consider the Patriarch a friend. How could they stand by and watch him perish before their eyes? If they did, what face would they have left?
Seeing Lu Fan and his companions relentlessly pursuing, the man in black revealed a sinister smile, appearing quite confident, as if everything was within his control.
With no other recourse, Lu Fan directly summoned the Haotian Pagoda. A powerful divine energy pressure rippled through the entire Holy City, drawing the attention of many who wondered what was transpiring.
"Divine artifact pressure, this is actually divine artifact pressure!"
The crowd was astonished and incredulous. They had clearly not expected to witness such divine artifact pressure within the Holy City; this was no small matter.
Within the entirety of the Holy City, only the City Lord's mansion possessed a divine artifact, which had always been guarded and never used. Now, the manifestation of divine artifact pressure naturally gave rise to suspicion.
"Good小子, I underestimated you!" The old man in black looked at Lu Fan, feeling a touch of apprehension.
He had initially only intended to absorb the essence of Patriarch Tianhuo's heavenly fire but hadn't expected to provoke a divine artifact.
With the augmentation of the divine artifact, Lu Fan's aura became significantly more formidable, catching many off guard.
"Release Patriarch Tianhuo, I have no desire to be your enemy!"
Lu Fan stated coldly, "But if you remain ignorant of your place, I will personally send you on your way!"
"Hahaha... do you truly believe that with divine artifact protection, you can do as you please?"
The old man in black erupted into laughter, taking the matter lightly. In his eyes, even if Lu Fan unleashed his divine artifact, he might not be able to threaten him.
"Quickly retract the divine artifact's aura!" Patriarch Tianhuo shouted, "If you expose your divine artifact, you will inevitably attract pursuit!"
"It matters not!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "Things have come to this point, I can't afford to worry about so much!"