Chapter 579: How is this person more arrogant than me?

White Paper Immortal City.

Emerald green flames raged upon the colossal paper figure statue near the South Gate.

Some employed magic, conjuring immense waves to extinguish the inferno.

But as the tides surged, the green flames abruptly transformed into golden hues, continuing to burn, and leveraging the power of the waves, the fire’s might quadrupled!

Ning Zhuo, observing this from afar, mused inwardly: "This fire possesses peculiar properties, seemingly capable of borrowing from the Water Element and transforming it into the Fire Element. If I could witness it firsthand in battle, perhaps I could discern its techniques."

Ning Zhuo’s mastery of the Five Elements was profound, and he himself was privy to numerous methods of bolstering fire with water.

Regardless of whether it matched the techniques he possessed, Ning Zhuo was confident that upon close inspection, he could uncover the secrets within and surely grasp them.

But soon, the water waves dissipated, having almost entirely fueled the fire.

Golden and green flames enveloped the entire statue, which then collapsed with a crash. Its broken form struck the ground, triggering seismic tremors, alongside swirling air currents and plumes of dust.

Ning Zhuo’s mood inexplicably grew heavy.

He said to Sun Lingtong: "Boss, White Paper Immortal City is too chaotic. A dignified Immortal City, supposedly protected by formations, yet people still dare to act."

"Not only do they engage in fierce combat, but they can also burn down the city's symbolic structures. What does this signify?"

"White Paper Immortal City has been infiltrated, with countless internal spies. Otherwise, the Immortal City formations alone would have been sufficient to suppress these individuals thoroughly."

Even from afar, the specific details of the battle were unseen, but judging solely by the intensity, it was evident that these destroyers experienced minimal, perhaps even zero, suppression from the formations.

Otherwise, such extensive and catastrophic damage would have been impossible!

"White Paper Immortal City faces internal and external threats; great chaos is imminent," Sun Lingtong nodded, deeply in agreement.

The defenses of an Immortal City were exceptionally formidable.

Compared to the front-line camps of the Two Zhuo Kingdom, the defensive power was vastly superior.

The effect of the Immortal City's grand formation in suppressing cultivation and combat prowess was exceedingly apparent. For the defending side, it afforded a tremendous geographical advantage.

Had the grand battle of Thousand Peaks Forest in the Two Zhuo Kingdom, the second great engagement, seen the Two Zhuo Kingdom army occupying an Immortal City, the entire course of the war would have been entirely different.

In fact, the allied forces of Thousand Peaks Forest would never have even considered actively attacking an Immortal City garrisoned by the Two Zhuo Kingdom army!

The notion of observing the battle up close, which Ning Zhuo had held moments prior, was now extinguished.

"Although we didn't have the opportunity to gather detailed local intelligence before entering the city, judging by our current experiences, White Paper Immortal City is plagued by internal and external threats, swaying precariously in the wind and rain."

"The external threat is the ghost tide. The White Paper City Lord, as the pillar of this place, seems to be in a predicament, casting a colossal shadow over the Immortal City's defense against the ghost tide."

"And the internal threat should be the City Overturning Alliance. As of now, one member of the City Overturning Alliance I know of is the White Bone Crocodile Demon. As for Xie Sichao, the military advisor of the Yin Soldiers, he should hail from a certain force in the Underworld. The City Overturning Alliance, as a local rebellious force, has already colluded with external powers, becoming even more menacing."

"Alas, White Paper Immortal City is a place of turmoil; we must not linger. Boss, let's find the Melancholy Music Ghost Spirit as quickly as possible, have her perform a divination, and once we have the results, we'll leave this place immediately."

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong communicated in secret.

However, Sun Lingtong held a different opinion.

He shook his head slightly, transmitting his thoughts: "Don't be like that, Xiao Zhuo. We've never experienced what a ghost tide is like. It should be quite interesting to try it out."

"Furthermore, the more dangerous it is, the more opportunities it contains."

"Think about it carefully, our wealth is now thousands of times more than before. Why?"

"Is it not because we disregarded life and death to participate in the grand war of the Two Zhuo Kingdom?"

"Looking at it now, this ghost tide crisis in White Paper Immortal City could also be another immense opportunity for us!"

Ning Zhuo fell silent.

Sun Lingtong then persuaded: "Xiao Zhuo, we have an advantage now. You currently possess the identity of a male consort, allowing you to approach the city's highest echelons!"

"Should an opportunity arise, this identity will bring even greater fortunes."

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly: "You have a point."

"But why do I feel, Boss, that you just want to watch the spectacle?"

Sun Lingtong chuckled: "Just tell me, are the words I've spoken correct or not? Are you tempted?"

Ning Zhuo fell silent once more.

He was indeed tempted.

Had it been in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, or during his time at Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, he would definitely have been against it, wanting to leave White Paper Immortal City as early and as far as possible.

But now...

He had indeed benefited greatly from taking risks, and the extent of the benefits was immense.

His experiences on the battlefield had also triggered another level of understanding regarding life and existence.

"Then we shall first approach the Immortal City's high-ranking officials using this identity and see if there are any opportunities," Ning Zhuo said.

Sun Lingtong was so delighted he almost clapped Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "Xiao Zhuo, you're becoming more and more to my liking. Had I known this earlier, I should have let you travel a few years sooner."

Ning Zhuo added: "But I think it's a bit questionable. If I were the City Lord, I would definitely subject any male consort approaching her to rigorous scrutiny."

"It's highly likely we won't pass the first layer of scrutiny."

Sun Lingtong: "Although my thieving skills have greatly increased, I do not have confidence in facing the Immortal City's review."

"We'll take it one step at a time. Even if we're discovered, we can simply declare our identities. The Melancholy Music Ghost Spirit's position here is not low."

"Even if they want to punish us, we can still escape with Ten Thousand Mile Roaming Dragon."

Having agreed on their plan, the two followed the others and continued their journey.

Soon after, they arrived at a separate manor.

Three large characters adorned the manor's plaque—Cang Yang Separate Manor.

Upon seeing the group, the grey paper lion statues at the entrance proactively spoke: "Are you the newly arrived male consorts?"

The leader affirmed.

"Enter," the grey paper lions opened the gates.

The crowd entered in single file.

Upon entering the separate manor, paper figure maids bowed to everyone: "Please follow me, everyone."

The group绕过了影壁, passed through the great hall, traversed three layers of green-tiled corridors, and through five layers of Yin energy barriers, arrived at a small, exquisite garden.

"Please wait a moment, everyone; the steward will be here shortly."

Half an hour later, a human cultivator, middle-aged in appearance, clad in silver robes, slowly paced forward and stood before the crowd.

He surveyed the group, tilting his head back slightly, and spoke with an arrogant tone: "Listen, newcomers, this steward will first speak of today's three matters—Dining, Familiarization, and Room Assignment."

"From today onwards, you will reside here for a period of time. I look forward to your good performance in the future!"

Having spoken, the steward clasped his hands behind his back and paced away.

"Strange, there's no scrutiny?" Sun and Ning exchanged glances, feeling exceptionally odd.

As it was midday, a paper figure maid arrived and led the group to the dining hall first.

When Sun and Ning entered the dining hall, they discovered a large number of people within, at least a hundred.

"Could all these people be..." someone questioned.

The paper figure maid nodded: "That's right, all of them are this year's male consorts."

Everyone looked at each other in silence.

The seating was not fixed; everyone took their seats freely.

Just as Sun Lingtong was about to sit next to Ning Zhuo, a paper figure guard barked: "Impudent! A mere servant of the ghost race, how dare you sit with a male consort?"

Ning Zhuo was unwilling to be separated from Sun Lingtong and roughly explained: He is my savior.

As a result, the paper figure attendant proceeded to scold Ning Zhuo once more, showing no regard for his status as a male consort.

Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback, but glancing at the male consorts filling the great hall, he instantly understood the true status of this group.

Sun Lingtong gave Ning Zhuo a look, decisively separated, and like the other servants, squatted in a corner to eat.

Just as Ning Zhuo was about to sample his lunch, another paper figure attendant called out to him: "Jiao Ma, the head steward has summoned you."

"For what matter?" Ning Zhuo was puzzled.

The paper figure attendant immediately sneered: "As a newcomer, you violated the rules as soon as you arrived; naturally, you are to be reprimanded. Do you still think there's something good?"

Ning Zhuo was immediately speechless.

In a private room, he met the silver-robed steward again.

The steward was enjoying a table full of delicacies, and while picking his teeth, he said to Ning Zhuo: "Jiao Ma, you've just arrived and immediately violated the rules; you are to be punished!"

Ning Zhuo immediately clasped his fists, bowed, and spoke with a smile, neither humble nor arrogant.

Seeing his demeanor, the steward's arrogance slightly diminished: "Judging by your appearance, you must be from a prominent family. So you weren't ignorant of the rules, but rather arrogant due to wealth. Speak, how much money have you brought for me? I need to see your sincerity before I can arrange a good room for you."

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but be surprised.

He hadn't expected this steward to solicit bribes so openly.

He immediately recalled the steward's previous words in the small garden, mentioning three matters: dining, familiarization, and room assignment.

"It seems there are good and bad rooms, and the steward holds the power of allocation. Thus, he abuses his power for personal gain, extorting and profiting greatly in this area," Ning Zhuo instantly understood.

As a newcomer, completely in the dark, he wanted to probe for more information and asked: "Steward, what is the price of the rooms? Please inform me."

The steward scoffed dismissively in response: "What is my status? Am I to explain to you? Since you've come to be a male consort, haven't you done even this much homework?"

"Give me money, and I will arrange it accordingly, understand?"

Ning Zhuo possessed immense wealth; if he were to reveal it, the steward would undoubtedly find it hard to believe. Giving only a fraction of his wealth would leave the steward immensely satisfied.

But Ning Zhuo thought for a moment and chose not to do so.

He directly shook his head and retorted with a cold laugh: "Heh! Young Master I despise your kind of face the most. Originally, I intended to give you some to be rid of it. Now? Heh heh."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Leaving the steward dumbfounded, watching Ning Zhuo stride away.

"No..."

"No!"

"How can this person be even more arrogant than me?!"

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