"Is that it?" Commander Zhou's Primordial Qi, upon landing on Zhu Bufan's body, had been completely dissipated by the Water-Mysterious Silver Garment. The only force left on Zhu Bufan's shoulder was the chopping power of Commander Zhou's hand blade. But frankly, considering the toughness of Zhu Bufan's body, this impact was no different from an ant bite.

Hearing Zhu Bufan's icy and frightening voice, Commander Zhou's body began to tremble, and he thought about retreating immediately. However, before he could make his move, Zhu Bufan's hand snatched his wrist with lightning speed. In Commander Zhou's eyes, filled with terror, Zhu Bufan squeezed forcefully with a sudden grip.

'Crack'

A crisp sound echoed, and Commander Zhou let out a shriek that pierced the heavens, while his subordinates, seeing their commander so easily captured and one hand crippled, retreated hastily in shock. Especially the Black Armor soldier who had previously troubled Zhu Bufan at the city gate, who had now quietly blended into the crowd to escape.

"I—I am the City Guard Commander of Heiyan City—please—let me go—I will no longer pursue this matter—please—spare me..." Enduring the agony of his crushed arm, a profusely sweating Commander Zhou pleaded with Zhu Bufan. At this point, the look in Commander Zhou's eyes could no longer be simply described as terror. Logically, Commander Zhou's cultivation was actually a notch higher than Zhu Bufan's, but when his martial arts struck Zhu Bufan, they seemed to sink into the sea without causing any reaction.

Seeing the deep resentment in Commander Zhou's fearful eyes, Zhu Bufan sighed. His right hand erupted with Poison Fire in an instant.

"Don't move! Or—or I'll kill this woman!" Just then, a trembling voice rang out. One of Commander Zhou's subordinates had stealthily approached Huo Ling from behind, seizing the chance when Zhu Bufan had grabbed onto Commander Zhou. Seeing the burst of hope from Commander Zhou and Huo Ling's indifferent demeanor, Zhu Bufan sighed again, and his palm, ablaze with Poison Fire, ferociously stamped down towards Commander Zhou's crown.

'Snap'

The crisp sound of shattering bones left the surroundings eerily silent. Commander Zhou's body was soon engulfed by dark green flames at a rapid pace, and before that, Zhu Bufan had swiftly scanned Commander Zhou's hands, but found no Storage Ring or such items.

"Aren't you worried about my safety at all?" Huo Ling said indifferently, glancing at Zhu Bufan.

"Is there a need?" Seeing Huo Ling not even bother to turn her head to glance back at the Black Armor soldier behind her, who had now become as still as a wooden chicken, Zhu Bufan could only respond to her words with a wry smile.

Because her face was covered by a veil, the crowd could not see Huo Ling's expression, but most assumed she must be heartbroken at this moment. Thinking that such a delicate beauty was hurt by such a relentless man, the bystanders all frowned deeply. Many started to use peer pressure, clearly having objections to Zhu Bufan's 'indifferent' attitude.

"Beauty is a curse..." It was not the first time Zhu Bufan had lamented like this, clearly feeling that he had become an inadvertent target of public criticism.

"Hmph." Contrary to everyone's expectations, Huo Ling merely hummed softly and walked breezily toward Zhu Bufan. As if blind to Zhu Bufan's 'heartless' words, she still hadn't even glanced back at the Black Armor soldier lurking behind her, intending to use her as a leverage.

Seeing the two about to leave nonchalantly, those Black Armor soldiers injured by Zhu Bufan who were just picking themselves up stumbled to clear a path for Zhu Bufan and Huo Ling to pass.

"The show's over. This youngster using Poison Fire is no simple character. With mere Body Tempering Sixth Layer Heaven cultivation, he can summon such fierce Poison Fire. Moreover, it's obvious that his cultivation is much stronger than others at the same realm. Since when did Heiyan City produce such talent? And he's bold indeed, killing a City Guard Commander in front of so many faces. Quite audacious." Watching the climax of the show conclude, a man in blue attire no longer sat idle. As he set down his teacup and stood up, he spoke with a smile, his eyes carrying an indescribable emotion as he watched the woman.

"Compared to that man who used Poison Fire, I'm more interested in that woman." The masked woman glanced coldly at the man in blue attire as she stood up, ready to leave. "Moreover, the commanders of Heiyan City's City Guard Army change often. The weak are replaced at any moment. Today a Commander Zhou is gone; tomorrow two more might appear. By the way, the anger from last time's incident has not subsided for my father yet."

"Ha, indeed. There are few who can match you in figure and temperament, and it's surprising to see one appear today. I wonder why they were 'put' in here. Also, your concerns about my affairs are unwarranted, ha..." Saying so, the man in blue attire chuckled and shook his head, leaving the inn first. The masked woman appeared to ponder as she looked at the still chaotic street before slowly departing.

On the way, after asking a passerby again, Bufan Zhu and Huo Ling finally arrived at the Central Street in the city center.

The so-called Lanyue Pavilion is not just a single shop or something that simple. The entire Lanyue Pavilion encompasses all the shops on the entire street, and each shop is very imposing, including an auction house, high-class inns, the Red House, banks, and more. It can be said that it is the most upscale consumption district in Heiyan City. Those who can come and go here are all people with status. In Heiyan City, the power that Lanyue Pavilion possesses is in no way inferior to that of the City Lord.

"Stop right there, who exactly are you? What business do you have wanting to enter the Central Street under the control of Lanyue Pavilion?" Just as Bufan Zhu and Huo Ling were about to walk onto Central Street, two tall men dressed in white tight-fitting clothes suddenly blocked their way. With a cursory feeling, Bufan Zhu knew that these two men both had the cultivation of the Body Tempering Third Layer Heaven.

"Body Tempering Fifth Layer Heaven cultivators as street guards?" Bufan Zhu felt a shiver in his heart upon realizing this. Although cultivators at the Body Tempering Third Layer Heaven were not strong, they should be above being dispatched to patrol the streets. If that were really the case, then the foundation of Lanyue Pavilion would be quite intriguing.

"We wish to exchange currency." Despite the slight shock in his heart, Bufan Zhu did not show this sentiment and simply stated indifferently to the two gatekeepers. Although these two men had cultivation, they spoke with utmost politeness, mainly because those who can enter this street are people with some status and background.

"If you wish to exchange currency, the first mansion on the main street is Lanyue Pavilion's bank. However, may I inquire as to how much money you wish to exchange? If the amount is small, you may go to other designated exchange spots by Lanyue Pavilion to do so," replied the burly man politely to Bufan Zhu after hearing his intentions to exchange currency.

"Oh?" Upon hearing the burly man's words, Bufan Zhu was somewhat surprised. It seemed that Lanyue Pavilion's bank couldn't be bothered to exchange money for you if the amount was too small. It appeared that this truly was an upscale consumption area, only accessible to those of status.

Just as Bufan Zhu was about to ask the robust man where the designated exchange spots by Lanyue Pavilion were, a clear and cheerful laugh suddenly sounded from behind him.

"Hahaha~~ To think that this young gentleman also came to Lanyue Pavilion. Do you need me to act as a guide and show you around?" Turning his head, Bufan Zhu saw a man in his twenties wearing a cyan tight-fitting outfit, tall and handsome, striding towards him. The hazy aura enshrouding the man made it impossible for Bufan Zhu to discern the young man in cyan's true cultivation level.

"Who are you?" The man had approached being friendly, and since Bufan Zhu did not feel any malice from him, his tone was not too harsh, just a bit puzzled as he inquired.

"Haha~~ Actually, I just happened to see you teach those troublemakers a lesson earlier, so I remember you, and seeing you again now, I couldn't help but come forward and greet you," he explained.

"Oh, I see." Concerning the commotion caused earlier, Bufan Zhu had no intention of hiding it, nor was it possible to conceal it – after all, he had publicly used Poison Fire to turn a City Guard Commander to ashes. Although Bufan Zhu was unfamiliar with the structure of Heiyan City, since it was related to the military, they were certainly not easy to deal with. Therefore, Bufan Zhu had been cautious all the way here, and now with the man in cyan bringing it up, Bufan Zhu closed his eyes slightly, raising his vigilance. In an unfamiliar place, he dared not to take anything lightly.

"Hehe~~ Young gentleman, there's no need to be tense. Perhaps you're not aware of the situation in Heiyan City. How about this - let me take you for a stroll along Central Street and explain as we go?" The man in cyan was unconcerned about the wariness rising in Bufan Zhu, and his generous attitude inadvertently made Bufan Zhu feel a trace of goodwill.

"That would be excellent." Seizing the opportunity to learn about the place, Bufan Zhu nodded eagerly. Huo Ling, who had been low-key behind him, also flashed a glint in his eyes, clearly having a strong desire to understand what this place was all about.

"Is there a problem?" asked the man in cyan, turning his head to the two white-clad robust men. Ever since the man in cyan had appeared, these two robust men had been silent, watching how events unfolded. Upon hearing the question, they quickly responded with: "Of course, since this gentleman is a friend of Master Gu Yue, he is certainly allowed to enter Central Street."

After speaking, the two robust men swiftly made way and gestured 'please' to the three, indicating through their attitude that this man called Gu Yue held a high position in Heiyan City.

Having entered the Central Street of Heiyan City, Bufan Zhu and Huo Ling finally understood what was meant by 'eye-opening.' Central Street lacked the noisy feeling of the roads Bufan Zhu had previously walked on. Everything here was so clean and refreshing. The pavilion-style buildings stood tall on both sides, exuding an imposing aura.

"By the way, Brother Gu Yue, may I ask exactly what this place is?" After entering Central Street, Bufan Zhu could no longer contain himself and asked Gu Yue.

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