In the city was a quiet restaurant with very few customers. It was a private restaurant that only its regulars knew about. That was where Zhuge Zhi had brought Xiang Shaoyun's group. An old man walked out to receive them. After serving them some food and drinks, the old man retreated.
Xiang Shaoyun did not wait for Zhuge Zhi to speak. He took the initiative and asked, "Are you someone from the Zhuge Clan?"
Zhuge Zhi stroked his beard and smiled. "You know our Zhuge Clan, Young Master Xiang?"
"I have a brother. His name is Zhuge Zhantian, a member of the Zhuge Clan. He also resembles you slightly," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"That kid? He's my great-grandson," said Zhuge Zhi with a smile.
Xiang Shaoyun blanked out and said, "For real?"
"Hehe, of course. However, I never got the chance to teach that child anything. I knew that he would go further than me, so I left him in the clan so that he could have the chance to properly temper himself. Looks like I did the right thing," said Zhuge Zhi with a smile.
"Why so?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Because he managed to meet you," said Zhuge Zhi seriously.
With a frown, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Please tell me what you want from me. I won't blindly trust you just because you're Zhantian's grandfather."
Xiang Shaoyun did not want to waste any time, and he was more interested to know Zhuge Zhi's intentions. Zhuge Zhi did not say anything. Rather, he emptied his glass of liquor and then looked at those behind Xiang Shaoyun. Evidently, he did not intend to speak in public.
Xiang Shaoyun sank into silence before waving at his people. "Wait for me outside."
Everyone knew how capable Xiang Shaoyun was. They weren't afraid that anything would happen to him. Thus, they left readily.
After Xiang Shaoyun's people left, Zhuge Zhi solemnly said, "Young Master Xiang, you should give up on being the young guild master and leave the city. That is the only way you can preserve your life."
Xiang Shaoyun raised his brow and asked, "Do you think that there are still people who would dare to harm me in the city?"
"The Divine Dominion City might be the guild's territory, but this isn't a peaceful place," said Zhuge Zhi with a sigh. "Young Master Xiang, you're someone who has combined nine powers to forge a physique nobody can forge. That is proof of your fortune. However, you are still too young. If you were given several hundred years, I don't think anyone would be able to compete against you for the position. But for now, you are not strong enough."
Xiang Shaoyun asked, "Why do you think that?"
"Take the incident earlier as an example. That Young Master Jiu was trying to make you dead. Those with you are far from enough to contend against the forces at his disposal. Furthermore, there are more people who want you dead. Listen to me and withdraw. You will have the chance to dominate the world in the future. If you remain here, it is unlikely that you will survive," said Zhuge Zhi.
Xiang Shaoyun laughed and said, "I understand. If there is nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
Prior to this, the Saintly Forest Courtyard's master had told him the same thing. He had long thrown all caution to the wind. He would not back away just because of the threat of death. He would not disappoint the hopes of his master.
"Young Master Xiang, do you know that the guild has already picked two candidates internally? Apart from them, nobody has any chance to become the young guild master," said Zhuge Zhi. He stared right into Xiang Shaoyun's eyes, searching for any trace of fear.
Xiang Shaoyun raised his glass of liquor and said, "Shaoyun thanks you for the warning. However, a man should choose bravely and do what's right. If I withdraw, I will lose the courage to fight for the world. Therefore, whatever stands before me, I will proceed with no regrets. Only death can stop me."
He then stood up, drained his glass, and left. Zhuge Zhi did not stop Xiang Shaoyun from leaving. He narrowed his eyes as they flickered with unknown emotions. Inwardly, he thought, Well said. Looks like Zhantian has far better insight than me.
After Xiang Shaoyun left, he brought his people to a tavern called East Wind House. There, he met the shopkeeper and took out an item. The shopkeeper showed a look of astonishment at the sight of the item. He then arranged the accommodation for Xiang Shaoyun and company.
"Young Master Xiang, is Lord Lu well?" asked the shopkeeper while they were on the way to their rooms.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "Old Lu is well. I believe he will be back soon."
The so-called Old Lu was none other than Lu Jiang. Lu Jiang was the one who had given Xiang Shaoyun the token to be shown to the shopkeeper. Lu Jiang was also the one who had told Xiang Shaoyun to go to the East Wind House. He knew that in the Divine Dominion City, it wouldn't be easy for Xiang Shaoyun to find a safe place of dwelling. The East Wind House was under Lu Jiang's management, so nobody would dare to create trouble there.
After Xiang Shaoyun and company settled down in the tavern, Xiang Shaoyun started asking the shopkeeper about the city. Lu Jiang had told Xiang Shaoyun about the city, which includes Young Master Jiu and Zhuge Zhi, whom Xiang Shaoyun had just met. He had merely been acting clueless.
The shopkeeper updated Xiang Shaoyun on all that had happened recently. After listening to the full report, Xiang Shaoyun finally understood just how powerful his opponents were. The young Gods of the entire world seemed to have arrived. The competition to become the young guild master would be incredibly intense. The moment one participated, withdrawing would no longer be an option. He also learned that the two internal candidates were busy recruiting the talented individuals of the world to increase the chips in their hands.
If Xiang Shaoyun wanted to participate in the fight for the young guild master, he had to first join the Guardians Guild. To join, he had to go through three tests that were designed to reveal one's character. The Guardians Guild was a righteous organization that existed to serve the world. If one did not have the right character, how would one be able to serve the dominion?
Xiang Shaoyun decided to verify his identity the next day. He wanted to get it over with as soon as possible so he could obtain the qualification to fight for the position. After the shopkeeper left, Xiang Shaoyun gathered all his people. He assigned all of them missions, telling them to investigate the ongoings in the city. Only by knowing themselves and their enemies would they be able to react to everything accordingly.
Everyone left with their respective missions, leaving only Xiang Shaoyun and Huang Baiwu in the tavern. Huang Baiwu was a sixth-stage Rebirth Realm cultivator. He voluntarily took on the role of being Xiang Shaoyun's personal guard. He would not allow anything to happen to Xiang Shaoyun.
That night, Xiang Shaoyun was cultivating in his room while Huang Baiwu was standing guard outside when the wind suddenly started blowing. Spatial undulations appeared around the tavern, noiselessly sealing the entire tavern.
Huang Baiwu immediately sensed the seal. He shouted, "Who is it? Show yourself!"
He sent a palm attack in one direction. That attack was not to be underestimated, yet it was completely swallowed by a gust of dark energy that had suddenly appeared.
"Hehe, not bad at all. Unfortunately, it's useless before my devouring formation," a smug voice rang out.
Next, 18 individuals wrapped in black death energy appeared from the darkness. They were completely covered in black, revealing only their emotionless eyes, giving off the impression that all of them were cold-blooded individuals. In fact, they were no ordinary people. These were all assassins.