Luo Hua City was secured with a circle of very tall walls. The gate was made of solid metals, which made it exceptionally strong. The metals would remain rust-free even after years of exposure to the air. Moreover, it had the ability to work like a magnet to attract all the weapons of the intruders. Both sides of the gate were tightly sealed at the moment. There was only a small entrance visible in the corner; only one person could enter at a time.
There was a wide and deep river surrounding the city walls. Instead of being a moat filled with water, it contained fiery red molten lava that would melt the skin and bones of anyone who unfortunately fell into the river. When Gu Xijiu’s group approached the city wall, it was already late in the evening, and the place was getting dark very rapidly. Right behind them, wild beasts were growling loudly as the night started to fall upon them.
On top of the walls, guards were looking down at them from above, as if looking at a group of beggars. “Go! Go! Leave! Our city will only accept people with great strength or special ability. Beggars are not welcomed here. You should leave now.”
The clan leader was not ready to give up. He took two courageous steps forward and said, “Sir, with all due respect, we used to be the citizens of Luo Hua City. However, we were trapped in the outskirts due to some unfortunate incident. We are simply returning now.”
“I do not care who you are. If you wish to enter, you must have the spiritual crystals. One crystal for every 20 entries, not a stone less!” The unscrupulous guards tempted to harass these villagers with ragged clothes. They also did not believe that these people would be able to offer any spiritual crystals.
Indeed, the clan leader had nothing to offer. Di Fuyi was still out there hunting. Last night, after making sure that Gu Xijiu and the rest of the people were in safe hands, he left promptly after a short rest. All alone, he ventured into the dangerous land to obtain the spiritual crystals.
This morning, Gu Xijiu started escorting the villagers. About ten miles away from the city, they realized that there were fewer greens. The more they approached the city, the milder the beasts they encountered. Hence, there was barely any danger left in the journey. There were many experts, Zhao Fengxing, for example, to secure the perimeter.
Gu Xijiu was worried for Di Fuyi, for it was already late in the evening and he had yet to return, so she gave the villagers a few reminders and left to search for her man. Therefore, the clan leader was the one who took the lead at the moment.
Zhao Fengxing was at the back of the troop, initially. Upon hearing the fuss at the walls, he stepped forward and looked up confidently at the guards. “Don’t worry; we will present the spiritual crystals to you, not one less.” Zhao Fengxing had seen the way Di Fuyi and Gu Xijiu fought in battles, so he was confident about their return with the crystals.
The guard at the city gate recognized Zhao Fengxing. He had been here at the gate with his men a few days ago. The guard gave him a suspicions look and started judging. “When did you start mixing around with these beggars? Are you trying to use these beggars to gain our sympathy to let you into the city because you have failed to obtain the spiritual crystals? Let me tell you; there is no chance at all.”
Zhao Fengxing refused to argue with these arrogant guards. He retrieved a red crystal from his bag. “We already have one.” The glistening red stone shone with great luster. The guard took a careful look at the crystal and said, “All right, you are capable. All 12 of you may enter, but not the rest of the group.”
“Didn’t you say that one stone could permit the entry of 20 people?” Zhao Fengxing questioned.
“Right, you can pick eight people from this group of beggars to come in with you.”
Zhao Fengxing heaved a sigh of relief before selecting 20 women and children to enter the city. These people were generally weaker, so they eagerly needed a place to rest after a long, dreadful day of travel.
