Since Xiao Bai had never ridden a horse before, their journey to Spirit City, originally planned to take a day and a half, ended up taking two and a half days.
When the three of them finally saw a city ten times larger and grander than the Balak Royal Capital appear in their view, they all let out a sigh of relief.
This meant that their exhausting journey was about to end.
The Sea Witch slowed her horse, holding her waist with one hand while brushing the horse's mane with the other.
"This little horse nearly bounced me to the point of throwing up."
"Xiao Bai is about to pass out."
Ye Tian chuckled, tugging the reins and pointing at Xiao Bai ahead.
Looking over, they saw Xiao Bai slumped face-down on the horse's back, completely sprawled out like a puddle of water.
The Sea Witch let out a bell-like laugh.
"Xiao Bai, you better hold on! If you turn back into your original form, I'll have Ye Tian give you CPR."
As soon as she said this, Xiao Bai instantly sat up straight like a frightened cat, warily looking at both the Sea Witch and Ye Tian.
Ye Tian shrugged helplessly.
"Am I that scary?"
Xiao Bai's deep blue eyes stared at him as she muttered,
"I'm afraid that if I pass out, I'll accidentally kill you with a reflexive slap."
Ye Tian immediately shut his mouth.
Then, after a moment, he added,
"Looks like if you're ever injured, I'll just let you die instead of helping."
"Stop right there! Dismount for inspection!"
As they chatted, the three of them arrived at the city gates, where a squad of young soldiers armed with steel weapons reached out to stop them.
The leading soldier spoke in a loud voice,
"All spirit masters entering the city must present their spirit master badges!"
"If you're not a spirit master, proceed to the left queue and pay two silver coins as an entry tax!"
Hearing this, Ye Tian stepped forward with a questioning look.
"Soldier brother, what's going on? Last time I came, it wasn't this strict."
The soldier replied coldly,
"Mind your own business."
However, after a pause, he added,
"Recently, dark spirit masters have been rampant, so city defenses have been reinforced. Now, get in line!"
Ye Tian nodded in understanding and smiled.
"Thanks, brother."
He turned back to the Sea Witch and said,
"You heard him. You two go to the right queue, and I'll head left."
The Sea Witch whispered,
"We're from Seagod Island—we don't even have spirit master badges."
Ye Tian raised an eyebrow.
True.
The Sea Witch was a guardian of Seagod Island, and Xiao Bai was a spirit beast.
Where would they get spirit master badges?
At that moment, Ye Tian recalled the token Bibi Dong had given him.
But if he flashed that at the gate, he'd instantly expose his identity.
As long as Bibi Dong remained absent, his troubles wouldn't stop coming.
So, using the token was out of the question.
"You can cast illusions, right?" Ye Tian asked the Sea Witch.
"These gate guards are only around Rank 30 or 40. Just charm them and let us through."
The Sea Witch nodded slightly, stepping forward with a gentle smile.
She quietly channeled her spirit power into the ground.
In a soft and alluring voice, she said,
"We have urgent matters. Let us pass, please."
"Alright."
The soldiers' eyes glazed over as they nodded in unison.
The Sea Witch waved at Ye Tian.
"It's done, let's go."
However—
The next moment, a cyan barrier abruptly descended from above the city gate, sealing the entrance shut.
Even the Sea Witch, a Titled Douluo, was pushed back by the powerful force.
Before Ye Tian and the others could react, piercing alarm whistles sounded one after another.
"Emergency! Intruders!"
The sudden noise and scene startled the people lining up to enter the city.
Everyone broke into hushed discussions.
"Dark spirit masters attacking the city?"
"We should leave. This place is dangerous!"
"Run!"
"Nobody move!"
At that moment, a mounted officer riding a black warhorse leaped down from the city walls.
His voice, infused with spirit power, swept across the area.
The soldiers stationed at Spirit City reacted instantly.
As soon as the mounted officer landed, a dense wave of troops surged from all directions, completely surrounding the crowd waiting to enter.
"What's going on?"
Ye Tian frowned as he looked around.
The Sea Witch looked slightly embarrassed.
"Looks like my ability triggered a protective formation on the city gates."
Ye Tian's forehead twitched.
"If I'd known, I would've just quietly shown the token."
As expected, Spirit City's defenses were no joke.
Just as Ye Tian was about to step forward and explain—
From the crowd, three identically dressed men suddenly stepped out.
They smirked at the mounted officer.
"Heh heh heh, since we've been found out, there's no need to pretend anymore!"
"We're dead either way—so before we go, let's show you the power of a dark spirit master's self-destruct technique!"
Ye Tian blinked.
Well, that was unexpected.
Had they just accidentally exposed some real dark spirit masters?
He turned to the Sea Witch and whispered,
"Did you manipulate them with your martial soul?"
The Sea Witch rolled her eyes.
"I'm not that shameless."
The mounted officer's pupils shrank in shock.
He hadn't expected dark spirit masters to attempt a terror attack in broad daylight.
With so many people nearby, a self-destruction would cause massive casualties.
But he was too far away—there wasn't enough time to stop them.
All he could do was shout,
"Everyone, get back!"
"Haha! You think running will help? I'm a Spirit Emperor!"
The dark spirit master cackled.
"When I explode, the city gate will be reduced to rubble!"
"Prepare to die!"
Hearing this, the crowd panicked and began scrambling.
"Run!"
"Get out of here!"
But no one could outrun an explosion.
Some quick-thinking spirit masters quietly activated their martial souls, preparing to defend against the blast.
"Damn you dark spirit masters! I won't let you get away with this!" the mounted officer roared.
"Heh! Then come find me in my god's domain after death!"
The lead dark spirit master sneered before shouting,
"Activate self-destruct formation!"
Ye Tian quickly reached out.
"Sea Witch, stop them!"
The Sea Witch had been considering watching the show unfold, but hearing Ye Tian's urgent voice, she sighed.
With a light touch, she unleashed her domain.
Her immense spiritual force struck, instantly knocking the three dark spirit masters unconscious.
The crisis was neutralized.
"...No explosion?"
Someone in the crowd muttered.
Then, people noticed the dark spirit masters were already out cold.
A wave of cheers erupted in relief.
(End of Chapter)
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