Chapter 2542: Conscript Authority

In the void, Yuanxi City once again went into hiding, gazing from afar at the strange phenomenon. Lian frowned and remarked, "This might be hard to seize. We're only two people, and the other two cities are hidden somewhere unknown."

Yuanxi City had executed a swift return. By the time their city reached this vicinity, the enemy's Barren-rank and Heaven-rank Cities had already vanished.

They wouldn't have simply left; they must be hiding somewhere, waiting for the lotus sprout to emerge.

Yuanxi smiled, raising a finger and wagging it. "The Grand Commander can handle one!"

Lu Ye, standing nearby, remained silent.

Huanqing's issue was mostly resolved, but her use of the Brahma Eye had depleted her energy. Therefore, she still needed time to recuperate before she could directly confront a Dao Integration cultivator. She couldn't be relied upon at this moment.

Like when she cooperated with Lu Ye to kill the inspector previously, it was only a sneak attack.

However, without the blood curse as a hindrance, her recovery was no longer difficult.

"Isn't the Grand Commander only at the Dao Melting realm?" Lian asked, utterly surprised.

Yuanxi replied, "The Grand Commander has killed at least ten Dao Integration cultivators!"

Lian couldn't help but glance sideways. She wouldn't have believed this if Yuanxi hadn't said it. How could a Dao Melting cultivator kill a Dao Integration cultivator in this world, and so many of them at that?

"That's still not enough," she slowly shook her head.

"So, what I'm thinking is, when the lotus sprout emerges, the two of us will create chaos. Then, the Grand Commander can act as he sees fit. If we can seize it, that's ideal; if not, we'll retreat."

Yuanxi's plans were always straightforward, which was naturally related to the city's current limited resources. With only a limited number of personnel available, they couldn't devise overly complex plans and could only act directly.

Lian, who undoubtedly knew her close friend's temperament well, couldn't help but rub her forehead. "Whatever makes you happy!"

In any case, with her and Yuanxi's combined strength, handling this situation wouldn't pose too great a danger. She then turned to caution Lu Ye, "Grand Commander, please proceed carefully and don't push yourself too hard."

"I understand," Lu Ye nodded. If Yuanxi and Lian could indeed create enough chaos, he should have an opportunity to act. If not, he could send out his Talent Tree avatar to seize the lotus sprout. As long as the avatar succeeded, it could be sent back using the void dao patterns, and its survival wouldn't matter—which was better than his main body taking the risk.

"My Lord!"

As the group secretly planned, You Die's slightly weakened voice suddenly echoed from the Central Hall. "News has come from the Governor's City again."

Yuanxi became furious. "I'd like to see what exactly they want!"

She had merely kept the previous matters in mind, not yet having had the chance to settle scores with the Governor's City. Yet, they sent another message. Did they truly think she was someone to be trifled with?

She flashed towards the Central Hall. Lu Ye and Lian exchanged a look and followed closely behind.

"What did they say this time?" Yuanxi demanded angrily.

You Die's expression was somewhat peculiar. "The Governor's City stated that, after investigation, it was confirmed that Dawn Moon City harbored malicious intentions. While appearing to switch allegiances, it was actually a hidden pawn planted by the enemy within our ranks. Therefore, our city's eradication of Dawn Moon City is considered a great merit. Furthermore, it has been verified that our city is a Grand-rank Dao Integration City. Consequently, the Governor's City has specifically granted our city the authority of requisition as a commendation. Additionally, the Governor's City hopes we will continue to exert ourselves and eliminate more enemies."

"Hmm?" Yuanxi was momentarily stunned, her expression immediately softening. "Good, they know what's good for them!"

Beside her, Lu Ye's expression was odd.

"Dawn Moon City harboring malicious intentions"—that sounded completely baseless. The Governor's City's sudden change in attitude was likely related to Yuanxi herself.

Yuanxi had previously told Luo Feng of Dawn Moon City that even Skinny Bamboo wouldn't dare to act presumptuously in front of her. Given this, the Governor's City Lord must know Yuanxi.

All previous incidents were merely the doing of Vice City Lord Jing Lei. Now, Skinny Bamboo must have learned some things, which explains the Governor's City's shift in attitude.

However...

"My Lord, what is this authority of requisition?" Lu Ye asked.

"I don't know either," Yuanxi said, spreading her hands. She had genuinely never heard of it. She then looked at You Die, "Send a message and ask for clarification."

You Die replied, "I've asked. The Governor's City replied that during wartime, our city has the right to requisition up to five Dao Integration Cities of a lower rank than ours. They stated this right is exclusively granted to a few Grand-rank Cities with significant merits, and is the result of discussions among the various Cosmic-rank City Lords."

At these words, both Yuanxi and Lu Ye's eyes lit up.

If Yuanxi City was previously just a pawn rushing around in this war, then possessing this authority of requisition meant it had at least gained some official standing.

It seemed the Governor's City genuinely dared not provoke Yuanxi; otherwise, they would never have casually granted the authority of requisition like this.

This was a right exclusively granted to a few Grand-rank Cities with significant merits, not all of them. What great merit had Yuanxi City performed? Merely annihilating Dawn Moon City. Yet, to be granted such authority now clearly demonstrated the Governor's City's apprehension towards Yuanxi.

"Then, I just tried something and discovered something very interesting," You Die slowly began.

"What?" Yuanxi asked.

"There's still a Barren-rank City lying dormant nearby."

"How do you know?" Lu Ye asked, puzzled.

You Die explained, "After the Governor's City granted this authority, I can use the resonating imprint of the Dao Integration Orb to detect nearby allies, determine their rank, and even send them messages. So, I just checked, and there's a Barren-rank City lying dormant nearby—an ally, not far away."

"A Barren-rank City... could it be that City Lord Zhao didn't leave?" Yuanxi wondered.

During the previous battle, almost all hidden Dao Integration Cities were drawn out. There was no reason for another hidden Barren-rank City to remain, which is why Yuanxi had this conjecture.

Hearing this, Lu Ye immediately drew his Pan Mountain Blade. He gave it a slight shake, then raised an eyebrow, "It really is them!"

Lian asked, confused, "How can the Grand Commander be sure?"

Lu Ye explained, "My Dao weapon left some special power on City Lord Zhao. It hasn't been long, so he hasn't had time to dissipate it. If the distance isn't too great, I can sense it."

Liao was now a Soulbound Treasure, so even a Dao Integration cultivator like City Lord Zhao wouldn't find it easy to dissipate its power. Liao's power still lingered on City Lord Zhao, and since Lu Ye sensed it, it meant City Lord Zhao was nearby.

From this perspective, City Lord Zhao was also quite covetous of the lotus sprout. However, having had a very unpleasant dispute with Yuanxi earlier, he was unwilling to cooperate with her. After feigning departure, he had secretly returned to seek an opportunity.

"Then let's requisition them!" Yuanxi said excitedly. "They wouldn't agree to cooperate properly, so if the ox won't drink, we'll force its head down!"

Lian asked a crucial question, "Xiao Die, can they refuse such a requisition?"

This was also what Lu Ye wanted to know.

Hearing this, You Die said, "I'll ask."

Saying this, she used the Dao Integration Orb to send a message to the Governor's City to inquire. A moment later, she received the answer: "The Governor's City says that we need to communicate with the requisitioned Dao Integration City ourselves. This type of requisition is not mandatory, and the requisitioned city has the right to refuse."

Yuanxi was greatly displeased. "Then what's the big use of this authority?" She had thought it was mandatory and could not be refused. If that were the case, she would have arranged for City Lord Zhao to lead the charge.

Lian shook her head. "It's useful. At the very least, we can use this authority to detect the number and location of nearby allies, and we can send messages directly. Many times, don't you need feedback from resonating imprints to identify friend or foe? With this authority now, it won't be so troublesome."

Hearing this, Yuanxi's expression softened slightly. "That makes sense," she conceded. She then turned to You Die, "Then send a message and inform them that our city intends to requisition their cooperation in seizing the lotus sprout."

"Yes!" You Die responded.

"Wait," Lian said, raising a hand to stop her. She instructed You Die, "Don't forget to tell them that once this lotus sprout is seized, it must be offered to the Governor's City. Therefore, it's of utmost importance and must not be lost. If successful, the Governor's City will certainly not forget their contributions."

You Die blinked, then pursed her lips into a smile. "I understand."

Yuanxi slowly realized, "You're still the one with more schemes."

Lu Ye couldn't help but sigh with emotion. After all, she was the owner of Golden Pistil Pavilion, skilled at discerning people's true intentions through welcoming and seeing off guests. There was only one lotus sprout. Even if they requisitioned the Barren-rank City to cooperate, the distribution after seizing it would still be an issue. Even if the other party politely allowed Yuanxi City to take it, wouldn't Yuanxi City still need to offer some compensation?

But if the message was conveyed as Lian suggested, then no compensation would be needed at all, nor would there be any need to consider the ownership of the lotus sprout.

Because it was to be offered to the Governor's City, who would dare covet it? As for whether it would truly be offered in the end... everyone would know the truth in their hearts.

As for compensation, the Governor's City's gratitude would suffice. Ordinary Dao Integration Cities rarely had the opportunity to receive the Governor's City's attention.

In a hidden location, enveloped by several floating landmasses, a Barren-rank City lay quietly dormant. It was precisely City Lord Zhao's Dao Integration City.

In the previous battle, they had made some minor gains. Although they had a rather unpleasant dispute with Yuanxi City, there was ultimately no mortal enmity, so there was no need to delve deeper.

The lotus sprout was about to emerge, and a major battle could erupt at any moment. Therefore, many Dao Integration cultivators were currently gathered in the Central Hall, waiting.

Suddenly, the Dao Integration cultivator who had met and fought with Lu Ye spoke, "My Lord, a message has arrived!"

City Lord Zhao, who was currently dissipating the strange power from his wounds, immediately opened his eyes. "Has the Governor's City replied?"

His question was natural; they had been in frequent contact with the Governor's City just moments ago. However, after reporting Yuanxi's detailed situation, the Governor's City had remained unresponsive.

A sudden message now surely meant the Governor's City had new instructions.

The stationed Dao Integration cultivator frowned and said, "Not the Governor's City, it's Yuanxi City!"

"What?" City Lord Zhao's expression changed in surprise. Many Dao Integration cultivators also showed astonished expressions, almost doubting if they had misheard.