Shang clan city was larger than Fang Ming expected.
Even before entering the city, the road had already changed. The narrow mountain paths from before were gone, replaced by wide roads filled with people, carts, pack beasts, and Gu Masters from different places. After the long journey through the wilderness, this kind of noise almost felt unreal. The survivors of the caravan looked at the crowded road and the distant city with blank expressions, as if they still could not believe that they had truly reached a safe place.
Zhang Xin Ci stood near the road, looking at the city ahead. Xiao Die was beside her, eyes wide, while Zhang Zhu stood behind them, still cautious even after arriving here. Fang Ming remained nearby. His expression was calm, but his eyes were also observing everything around him. Shang clan city was both an opportunity and a danger. The moment they came here, many things would change.
Suddenly, Fang Ming's expression changed slightly.
A blood-red light flashed in the crowd.
In the next moment, a man appeared not far away. He wore black robes and had long crimson hair. His face was handsome, but his eyes carried the weight of authority. The people around him were startled and stepped back. Some looked confused, while some recognized him and immediately lowered their heads.
Fang Ming's heart tightened.
Shang Yan Fei.
A Rank five Gu Master.
The moment Shang Yan Fei appeared, Zhang Xin Ci froze. She looked at him without moving. There was no explanation, no introduction, and no proof, but the blood in her body seemed to call out to him. Her eyes trembled.
"You…"
Shang Yan Fei also looked at her. For a moment, the noise around them seemed to fade. His expression changed only slightly, but Fang Ming could see it clearly.
Shock.
Recognition.
Guilt.
Zhang Xin Ci's face was too similar to her mother's. Shang Yan Fei understood everything.
Fang Ming did not waste the chance. His system reacted as he focused on Shang Yan Fei. Valid copy targets appeared one after another.
Blood Handprint Gu — Rank five — attack Gu.
Blood Robe Gu — Rank five — defensive Gu.
Blood Shadow Escape Gu — Rank five — movement Gu.
Blood Sense Gu — Rank five — detection Gu.
Blood Revival Gu — Rank five — healing Gu.
Blood Oath Gu — Rank five — control and support Gu.
There were also other Rank four Gu.
Fang Ming's breathing remained steady, but his eyes sharpened. Good. Very good. This was a complete Rank five blood-path set. Attack, defense, movement, detection, healing, and control. As expected of the Shang clan leader. As expected of one of the richest and strongest mortal powers in Southern Border. Even copying one of these Gu would be a huge gain.
But now was not the time.
Zhang Xin Ci took a step back. Her lips moved, but no words came out. Tears fell from her eyes, and then her body weakened. Fang Ming moved instinctively, but Shang Yan Fei was faster.
A blood shadow flickered.
Before Fang Ming could reach her, Shang Yan Fei had already appeared in front of Zhang Xin Ci and caught her.
Fang Ming stopped.
The gap was clear.
Rank four and Rank five were only one rank apart, but that one rank was not small.
Xiao Die cried out: "Miss!"
Zhang Zhu also stepped forward. "Miss Zhang!"
At this moment, a group of city guards rushed over.
"Who dares use Gu inside Shang clan city—"
Their words stopped halfway. The guards saw Shang Yan Fei, and their faces changed instantly.
"Lord clan leader!"
They all knelt.
The surrounding crowd burst into whispers. Shang Yan Fei did not look at them. He held Zhang Xin Ci and glanced at Xiao Die.
"You, come."
Xiao Die trembled and quickly followed. Zhang Zhu wanted to move too, but a city guard stepped in front of him.
Shang Yan Fei did not bring Zhang Zhu.
He did not bring Fang Ming either.
A blood-red flame rose. In the next breath, Shang Yan Fei disappeared with Zhang Xin Ci and Xiao Die.
The crowd remained silent for a moment. Then the noise returned, louder than before.
Zhang Zhu stared at the empty space, his expression changing again and again. Fang Ming looked calm. This result was not unexpected. Zhang Xin Ci was Shang Yan Fei's daughter. He was only an outsider.
Zhang Zhu turned to Fang Ming. "Young Master Fang, what should we do?"
Fang Ming looked towards the city. "You can wait for news from Shang clan. They will not harm her."
Zhang Zhu frowned. "And you?"
"I have my own matters."
Zhang Zhu's expression became guarded, but he did not stop him. They were no longer on the road. This was Shang clan city. Zhang Xin Ci had been taken away by Shang Yan Fei himself. Zhang Zhu's worry was useless now.
Fang Ming cupped his hands lightly and left.
Shang clan city was prosperous.
Stalls lined both sides of the streets. Some sold food, some sold jewelry, some sold strange materials from the mountains. There were Gu shops, inns, restaurants, auction houses, gambling dens, and trading halls. Righteous Gu Masters walked openly. Demonic Gu Masters also walked openly, though most kept their heads lower.
The rules here were simple.
Do not cause trouble inside the city. Pay when needed. Trade when possible. Strength and primeval stones were both respected.
Fang Ming had lost most of his goods, but his Rank four cultivation was still real. That alone was enough to give him treatment most people could not buy. After walking for a while, he stopped before a tall restaurant.
Four Seasons Restaurant.
A waiter came forward immediately. "Sir, please enter."
The first floor was crowded with mortals. The second floor served Rank one Gu Masters. The third floor served Rank two. The fourth floor served Rank three. The fifth floor served Rank four. When Fang Ming revealed his Rank four aura, the waiter's back bent even lower.
"Lord, please go to the fifth floor."
The fifth floor was quiet. The windows were wide, and from there, one could see the busy streets below. Wine and dishes were brought quickly, and no one asked Fang Ming to pay first. This was the treatment of Rank four.
Fang Ming had just sat down when he saw two familiar figures.
Fang Yuan.
Bai Ning Bing.
Fang Yuan looked the same as before, calm and ugly. Bai Ning Bing wore a plain robe and a straw hat, her face cold. Her injury had recovered somewhat, but Fang Ming could still see the stiffness in her movement.
Their eyes met.
No one spoke for a breath.
Then Fang Yuan smiled faintly. "Brother Fang Ming, what a coincidence."
Fang Ming also smiled. "Brother Hei Tu, Lady Bai Yun."
Bai Ning Bing's gaze was cold enough to cut flesh.
Fang Ming acted as if he did not notice.
The three sat at the same table. Wine was poured. Dishes were served. Their expressions were calm, and their tones were ordinary. Anyone looking from outside would think they were old friends meeting after a difficult journey. No one would guess that one had ruined the other's plan, one had nearly killed another, and all three had once calculated how to use the others.
Fang Yuan lifted his cup. "Brother Fang Ming entered the city with Lady Zhang?"
"For a while." Fang Ming said. "Then Shang clan leader appeared and took her away."
Fang Yuan's eyes did not change.
"That is good fortune."
"Indeed."
Bai Ning Bing gave a cold laugh. "Good fortune comes strangely around you people."
Fang Ming looked at her. "Lady Bai Yun's injury seems better."
"Thanks to you."
"You are welcome."
The table became quiet for a breath. Then Fang Yuan laughed softly. The tension faded on the surface.
After a few cups, Fang Ming put down his wine. "Brother Hei Tu, are you familiar with Shang clan city?"
"A little."
"I want to find a Gu shop with many varieties. Rank four Gu if possible, and above if they have any."
Fang Yuan looked at him.
Fang Ming's expression was natural. He looked like a newly arrived Rank four Gu Master searching for resources after losing goods on the road.
After a moment, Fang Yuan said: "There is a shop in the inner trade district. Hundred Treasures Hall. Their prices are high, but their stock is good. If you want rare Gu, that is one of the better places."
"Rank four Gu?"
"They have them."
"Rank five?"
Fang Yuan smiled faintly. "Sometimes. But whether they sell or only display depends on the Gu."
Fang Ming nodded. "Thank you."
"No need." Fang Yuan said. "In Shang clan city, information is not difficult to buy."
Fang Ming raised his cup. "Then let this count as free information between old friends."
Fang Yuan also raised his cup.
"Old friends."
Bai Ning Bing looked at the two of them and sneered.
Neither cared.
Outside the window, Shang clan city continued moving. Crowds flowed through the streets. Merchants shouted prices. Gu Masters bargained.
Fang Ming drank his tea quietly.
Shang clan city many opportunities.