The layout of Lingwang City is quite peculiar, unlike any other cities.
Other cities were built around mountains, with one side bordering the Blood Land Vein.
But Lingwang City was constructed surrounding the mountains.
The Blood Land Vein is situated in the heart of Lingwang City.
A large range in the center of Lingwang City belongs to the core area of the Zhao Clan, an area off-limits to outsiders.
The Zhao Clan, in the council hall atop the Blood Land Vein.
More than ten figures sat in a hierarchical arrangent.
These figures were both n and won, the only thing they had in common was their old age.
Half of them were white-haired elders, even the youngest of them looked over forty.
Any amongst these individuals could cause tremors on the ground by rely stomping their feet, all of them were renowned as top-level experts.
For they were all Grandmasters.
Li Xingyuan, the head of the Li Family, was among them.
But now, these Grandmasters all had furrowed brows.
"This matter is likely an instance of foul creatures sowing discord among us. They want us suspicious of each other, unable to unite against the enemy. If anyone leaves Lingwang City due to this, they’d fall right into the trap of these vile things."
An old man sitting in the main seat said.
This man was none other than Zhao Tiansheng, the current head of the Zhao Clan.
"Are you suggesting that a monster has possessed a martial artist and entered Lingwang City?"
An old grandmaster asked.
"Exactly." Zhao Tiansheng nodded.
The other grandmasters also silently nodded, endorsing this statent.
"How are we to identify those who are possessed?"
Soone asked.
"Those possessed by the monster wouldn’t have any visible abnormalities unless the monster attacks, even probing with inner strength won’t work. Actively seeking them out may prove to be elusive."
Soone said.
"But for a monster to possess a martial artist isn’t easy, it requires fulfilling many conditions. Those who could be possessed are usually those who are fear death and weak-willed. They would inevitably feel fear and unrest, and they might act a bit odd. You need to observe them carefully on usual days."
"People from all major feudal lords could be possessed. We must find them out as soon as possible. Otherwise, the conflict among the feudal lords will intensify. If our hearts are not united, how can we defend ourselves? Please, I wish to seek everyone’s help."
Zhao Tiansheng stood up and saluted with his hands.
"We can only try our best. Those who are possessed are cowardly, but not foolish, they might not show any lapses."
"Right, moreover with the cunning monster aiding them, finding the people out is tough."
"We must try our best and hope that no grandmaster level monster has infiltrated."
Several Grandmasters spoke out, the final sentence making all the Grandmasters sink in their hearts.
If a Grandmaster level monster had integrated, even they were in danger, let alone the Martial Marquis.
"We cannot keep this a secret. We should broadcast that monsters have infiltrated us, alert everyone to beware, and observe those close to them, making it easier to detect anomalies. This way, everyone could beco our informants. Once any anomaly is found, it can be reported."
An old woman proposed this.
"A good idea. But we should be careful to not use it as a chance to settle personal scores, falsely accuse innocents of being possessed."
Another grandmaster stated.
"Therefore, after receiving the report, we just label them as key figures to observe, there certainly is no need to take imdiate action."
The Grandmasters spoke one after the other, bringing up their suggestions and refining the plan.
...
Soon, notice after notice were posted all over the streets and alleys of Lingwang City.
Lu Yan was sauntering through a marketplace.
This marketplace was a convergence of various antiques and oddities.
Not many people were visiting. The majority of them were scavengers, hoping to dig out treasures from the lee of quirky antiques and oddities.
Lu Yan was undoubtedly there to dig out treasures as well.
He was searching for Dao Food.
But having visited this marketplace once before and finding nothing, he wasn’t too hopeful. This was his second visit.
He walked around while maintaining communication with his Dao Book.
Soon, after walking through half the street, he still hadn’t found anything.
Lu Yan had been prepared, and therefore was not disappointed. He planned to walk around the other half and then buy so Martial Food for cultivation.
"Hmm."
Just then, Lu Yan’s eyes sparkled and he stopped in front of a small stall.
The stall was run by a middle-aged fat man. The stall was cluttered with various sizes of antiques and oddities.
Such as pieces of ancient porcelain, even crumbled ceramic boxes, and food containers. Along with these were so tal items, ancient copper coins, and even so stone pieces.
Lu Yan’s attention fell on a tallic coin.
This coin was shaped like a butterfly, a very ancient currency known as a Butterfly Coin.
There were many unique currencies in ancient tis, reportedly there was even a Bread Coin shaped like a bread loaf.
Just a mont ago, he sensed sothing from his Dao Book.
The target was this coin.
This was Dao Food.
Lu Yan was thrilled inside but remained calm on the outside. He stood by the stall, looking here and there.
"Sir, did you find anything you like? Everything here is an antique, dating back thousands of years at least. There might be a rare treasure among them. If you pick one out, you will be incredibly lucky."
The middle-aged fat man introduced enthusiastically.
"Well then, you’d better keep it and beco lucky yourself."
Lu Yan put the item down, turned, and started to walk away.
"Sir, wait, have another look."
The middle-aged man quickly called him back.
Lu Yan reluctantly stayed and continued to glance around.
Finally, he picked up a ceramic bowl and asked, "How much does this cost?"
"Sir, you have a discerning eye! This is a treasure from the ancient era, often used by a powerful figure surpassing a Grandmaster. You might even comprehend unrivalled martial arts from it. It only costs one hundred silver."
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