Li Xuan entered Shanhai City after paying ten high-grade spirit stones.
To Li Xuan's surprise, the city prohibited any form of combat. This point greatly satisfied Li Xuan. Besides that, apart from not being able to fly, there were no other rules. Moreover, within the city, Li Xuan discovered quite a number of local residents.
After some inquiry, Li Xuan learned that the origin of the Shattered Lands was unknown, but many spiritual masters had entered. Over time, they had descendants. Generation after generation, some could not cultivate to become spiritual masters and thus regressed to ordinary people. Furthermore, the number of people entering the Shattered Lands was immense, naturally leading to a larger population of ordinary people.
After wandering in the city for a while, Li Xuan had gained a general understanding of Shanhai City.
Within the city, it was rather similar to cities on the outer continent. In the center was the City Lord's Mansion. To Li Xuan's surprise, Shanhai City even housed many shops and trading firms. The presence of the Longxing Trading Firm, in particular, reminded Li Xuan of the Longxing Trading Firm on Zi Nian Continent.
As for whether there was any connection between the two, Li Xuan did not inquire further. Soon, Li Xuan entered a teahouse and sat down.
Li Xuan glanced at the several figures within the room, his eyes filled with seriousness.
The five people in the teahouse, though seated at different tables, each emanated a terrifying aura. They maintained a certain distance from each other, neither interacting nor encroaching.
Li Xuan quickly withdrew his gaze but then, with a thought, looked towards an old man sitting by the window not far away. Li Xuan frowned slightly, sensing no spiritual energy fluctuations from the old man at all. It was as if this old man were just a common mortal.
However, Li Xuan would not underestimate him so easily. As he entered the teahouse, those five individuals had all glanced at Li Xuan with disdain. Yet, when they looked at the old man, there was a discernible hint of apprehension in their eyes.
In this Shattered Lands, without strength, how could one command such fear?
This was a powerful figure, Li Xuan thought to himself, then picked up the tea that the waiter had just served and took a sip.
Time gradually passed. Li Xuan looked at the pedestrians on the street below, his eyes filled with astonishment. In less than half an hour, Li Xuan had seen no fewer than twenty individuals at or above the Life and Death realm. This Shattered Lands was indeed extraordinary.
"Are you alone, young friend?" Just then, a voice pulled Li Xuan back from his thoughts. Following the sound, Li Xuan saw that the old man from before was now sitting opposite him.
Li Xuan's heart trembled; he had not sensed him approach at all!
"Alone," Li Xuan said, maintaining a calm facade, then nodded slightly in response.
The old man smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "It seems, young friend, that you have only just entered this Shattered Lands."
Li Xuan looked at the old man without speaking, then smiled and poured him a cup of tea, saying, "Senior, please have some tea."
Seeing this, the old man smiled and replied, "Young friend, you need not be so cautious. In Shanhai City, you can rest assured of your safety."
Li Xuan frowned slightly and said, "Senior, please state your intentions."
The old man smiled and spoke, "Very well. My surname is Yang, and my given name is Diao. Within Shanhai City, I am considered a notable figure. To be frank, I find you to be clean-featured and refined, and since you are new to the Shattered Lands, I wish for you to meet my daughter."
"Meet your daughter?" Li Xuan was taken aback. What game was Yang Diao playing? Moreover, judging by Yang Diao's appearance, he looked like an old monster who had lived for over a hundred years. His daughter would likely be over fifty. Even if spiritual masters had means to preserve their appearance, their bone age was a concrete reality that could not be altered.
"Young Master, this old fellow likely wants you to be his live-in son-in-law," the Heavenly Dao Pen's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan felt a shudder of revulsion and took another sip of tea, then looked at Yang Diao.
"My daughter is not yet thirty. While she might not be extraordinarily beautiful, she can certainly be called lovely. If the people of this Shattered Lands were not all inclined towards fighting and killing, I would not be so bold. Of course, if you and my daughter are not fated to be, I will not force the issue," Yang Diao said.
Li Xuan forced a bitter smile and replied, "Senior, I fear I cannot agree to this matter. To be frank, I am already married and have two children. I appreciate your kind intentions."
Yang Diao's brow furrowed immediately. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "It is normal for a true man to have three wives and two concubines. Young friend, you only need to meet my daughter, and perhaps you might change your mind."
Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said, "Senior, a forcefully plucked melon is not sweet. Please forgive me."
Listening to Li Xuan's words, a trace of anger clearly flashed in Yang Diao's eyes. However, he quickly suppressed it. After glancing at Li Xuan again, Yang Diao stood up.
"Little fellow, I have been in this Shattered Lands for so long, and this is the first time I've encountered someone who doesn't show me any respect. Little fellow, I think highly of you." Yang Diao finished speaking and turned to leave, vanishing from Li Xuan's sight in an instant.
"Indeed, a newborn calf fears no tiger. Newcomer, I advise you to run for your life. Hmm, running might not work either, perhaps have a good meal instead. At least, you won't die hungry." As Yang Diao departed, the atmosphere in the teahouse eased considerably. Just then, a voice reached Li Xuan's ears.
Li Xuan looked towards the source of the voice. A burly man with a saber at his waist raised his teapot, took a large gulp, and then stood up.
Seeing this, Li Xuan immediately stood up and cupped his fists, "What do you mean by that, sir?"
The burly man turned to face Li Xuan and nodded slightly, "As expected, clean-featured and handsome. No wonder you caught that person's eye. Newcomer, you probably don't know who that just was. In Shanhai City, apart from the Controller, he is the one with the highest status."
"You rejected someone like that. What do you think the consequences will be? From what I know, none of those who rejected him before met a good end."
The burly man let out a laugh, then gripped the hilt of his saber and turned to leave.
Li Xuan felt ten thousand horses stampeding in his mind. He had only just entered Shanhai City, and he had already offended the person second only to the Controller?
What made Li Xuan even more speechless was, was being handsome also a mistake?
"Young Master, what do we do next?" the Heavenly Dao Pen's voice asked in Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan offered a wry smile, then hesitated before saying, "I believe, within Shanhai City, he shouldn't make a move against me, right?"
Heavenly Dao Pen: "..."