Chapter 1241: Overbearing

## Chapter 1241: Arrogance

The city walls were covered with axe marks and sword cuts, weather-beaten and mottled with age, yet they exuded a profound sense of history and an added air of desolation. Dao patterns shimmered faintly. This was the first city on the Ultimate Trial Road, and naturally, formations were etched into its walls, protecting its peace and preserving it through countless eons of conflict.

The magnificent city gate stood thirty meters high, built from a rare type of stone. The sword marks and hammer imprints on it made Ye Fan's heart tremble; he distinctly sensed the aura of ancient Great Saints.

The gateway was tall and deep. A man on horseback rode alone, no one else riding abreast of him. The atmosphere was somber and oppressive. Ye Fan's spear strike had been too astonishing, so swift that people couldn't react. It had instantly impaled a Half-Saint level exotic beast. Many wondered if they could have dodged it had it been aimed at them.

The middle-aged Daoist nun stood with a somber expression in front of the magnificent city, staring at Ye Fan's retreating back. Her eyes were sinister, with murderous intent faintly visible, but she had no way to act. On the city gate tower, the soldiers exuded an overwhelming aura of killing intent. They glared menacingly at the people below. Since the rules of the place had been stated, no one dared to challenge them.

Inside the gateway, there were also several soldiers, their combat aura sharp and chilling. Clad in heavy armor and cold, imposing metallic battle suits, they were truly breathtaking.

“This is a warning: You are not to cause trouble here. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without question!” said one of the soldiers, a man of average height in black iron armor, wielding a bronze spear. The cold glint in his eyes was chilling.

Ye Fan showed no reaction, his expression calm and indifferent. He sat atop his horse, as steady as a pine tree on a mountain peak. The Dragon Horse was exceptionally majestic. Its hooves clanked on the bluestone ground, maintaining a slow, steady pace as it advanced.

“I’m speaking to you, do you hear me?!” the captain of the soldiers bellowed. The bronze spear in his hand gleamed with a cold, sinister light, poised as if to strike.

Many cultivators showed surprise but said nothing, watching the scene quietly. No one had expected the city gate guards to give Ye Fan a show of force, aiming to intimidate him. Everyone knew that these were definitely not ordinary soldiers and should be treated with caution. These were undoubtedly formidable cultivators, powerful individuals who had climbed out of piles of corpses.

“I’m not one to cause trouble, so don’t provoke me, and all will be calm,” Ye Fan said. He neither turned sideways nor looked back. He rode past indifferently, without even glancing at the captain.

Many were startled. Although Ye Fan's words were calm, they held an underlying assertiveness: he wouldn't cause trouble, but if targeted, a storm would surely erupt!

“Are you threatening me?” The captain's eyes turned chilling. He pointed the ancient bronze spear forward, but ultimately did not thrust it.

Ye Fan did not turn back, explain, or acknowledge him. He simply left his back view as he entered the city. The black long spear hanging from the Dragon Horse gleamed with a cold, dark light, its killing intent reflected in the eyes of those behind.

“I’m warning you, once you enter the Human Race’s First City, even a dragon must coil, and a tiger must crouch. No one can run wild here!” Ye Fan’s indifference and his cool demeanor made the captain feel his authority undermined and provoked. He coldly transmitted a message and heavily struck his bronze spear onto the bluestone ground, making it rumble.

“What kind of soldiers are these? I feel like they're only stronger than us, not weaker.”

Outside the magnificent city, people entered in an orderly fashion. Some conversed in low voices, finding these armored soldiers quite extraordinary, and even calling them 'Heavenly Soldiers' would not be an exaggeration.

“Because their origins are similar to ours, it’s only natural they are exceptionally powerful,” a slightly older cultivator sighed.

“What... exactly is their identity?” Many were astonished.

“They are also people who embarked on the Ultimate Trial Ancient Road, years or even decades before us. They simply failed and remained on this path.” Upon learning this hidden truth, people were startled. These could be considered their kin, a group of pioneers who had set out earlier. Seriously wounded and on the verge of death, they were rescued and then dispersed across various sections of the Starry Sky Ancient Road.

“Don’t provoke them. When there are many people, there are naturally good and bad among them. Some, despite their failures, still hold onto resentment and can't let it go.” Many nodded. At the very least, the captain at the city gate was definitely not someone to trifle with; he had just shown significant animosity towards Ye Fan.

Fewer and fewer people remained in the star field, forming a long line as they gradually entered the city. The strength of some individuals became undeniable, initially establishing their status.

The city was vast, with wide streets. Ancient trees lined both sides, their branches and leaves lush. There were also many buildings, including alchemical shops, weapon stores, as well as inns, taverns, and casinos. Everyone was surprised. This was a city suitable for living, though located in space, not on a planet. It was separated from the vacuum of the cosmos and had many residents.

This was a vibrant grand city. Some children were running around, curious about the newcomers, constantly observing them. Normally, the streets should have been bustling. From the array of buildings, one could infer its prosperity; it should have been filled with people, shoulder to shoulder. However, today few hawked their wares. People in the shops were looking out, and many street vendors had temporarily moved into alleys, making way for them.

“Why are there so many people here?” The Dragon Horse looked puzzled.

Ye Fan listened carefully. Some people who understood the situation were conversing in low voices, and he learned a great deal. The Ultimate Trial Ancient Road had existed since ancient times, opening once every ten thousand years. However, how many had truly reached the ultimate destination throughout history? Countless powerful individuals had failed! Many had not returned to their homelands but remained along the path, excavating some pure lands and establishing ancient life zones.

And grand cities like this one, originally intact dwellings, naturally became prime choices. By this generation, it was difficult to pinpoint the ancestral lands of the residents, as they were quite mixed.

“Some have become mortals, but terrifying cultivators still exist among them, truly a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.” Someone warned against provoking the original inhabitants. In fact, ever since entering the city, everyone had begun to guard against each other, no longer trusting anyone, for they would all be competitors.

The middle-aged Daoist nun entered the city shortly after Ye Fan, and naturally remained not far behind him. Her eyes were cold, and she said chillingly, “Cherish the time you have now, for I will kill you!”

A chill immediately permeated the street, becoming sharp and cold. People in this area all turned their attention, anticipating a conflict. The middle-aged Daoist nun was truly aggressive, her murderous intent like a cold tide. She stared at Ye Fan, seemingly ready to start a fight at once.

Ye Fan glanced at her, knowing she didn’t intend to fight here. Instead, she was deliberately provoking him, trying to goad him into action, thereby attracting the soldiers and using them as a weapon against him. The captain at the city gate harbored hostility towards him. If her provocation succeeded now, he would surely seize the excuse to mercilessly lead his men to suppress and kill him.

“You have a venomous heart. However, I advise you not to provoke me, or you’ll bear the consequences!” Divine light burst from Ye Fan's eyes. Sitting majestically on the Dragon Horse, he exuded an aura of dominance over the world.

The middle-aged Daoist nun's gaze faltered. Her plan had failed. Not wanting to get entangled further, she let out a cold snort and walked forward.

A total of four hundred thirty-seven people entered the city. Walking along the wide streets, they were led by several soldiers to the central square. The square was paved with grayish-brown stone slabs, on which time had etched many marks. In front, there was a tall stone platform, and an old man silently appeared on it.

His figure was blurry, only his eyes, like golden lamps, shot out terrifying divine light in the distorted void. He said, “I am the Emissary of Guidance and the Lord of this city. I only have a few points to make. First, not everyone will be able to continue on this journey. Rest well, for you will soon enter a trial ground for your first test and selection. Second, during your stay in the city, any form of conflict is strictly forbidden. Now, disperse, find your accommodations, and recuperate.”

Everyone had expected a detailed explanation, but he only made two brief points. Many things remained unclear.

“Esteemed City Lord, I wish to understand clearly: what if we are actively attacked by others?” Someone asked.

“You may defend yourselves.” After saying this, the blurry figure instantly faded and vanished from the spot.

Everyone fell silent. This was simply too irresponsible. He left right after answering one question, clearly unwilling to provide further explanations, being overly perfunctory. The heroes were displeased but found it hard to say much. From now on, they would be competitors, each other's adversaries, and did not want to give anyone leverage.

The crowd dispersed, each going to find a place to rest. At this moment, the quiet in the city suddenly vanished. The original inhabitants began conducting business, no longer making way for them, appearing on the main streets.

“Red Moon Fruit skewers! Thousand-year-old medicinal fruit, sweet and crisp!”

“Dragon meat buns, thin skin, generous filling! If it’s not fragrant, it’s free!”

The ancient city became bustling and vibrant once more, with a constant flow of traffic. It left everyone wide-eyed with astonishment.

“Am I on the Starry Sky Ancient Road, or in a mortal capital city?” the Dragon Horse muttered to itself. A moment later, it felt much calmer. Even the food being hawked was quite extraordinary; they were truly dragon meat buns, thousand-year Red Moon Fruit skewers, roasted lightning bird wings, and the like, not mere exaggerations.

To stay in an inn, the attendant asked for a divine source stone, which stunned everyone. The prices here were outrageous. The original inhabitants explained that it was out of necessity. The Human Race’s First City was located deep in the cosmos, too barren, and lacking in resources.

“Everyone, you will soon go to the trial ground. I believe you will return with a full harvest, and divine source stones, ancient medicinal herbs, and the like will be no problem.”

Ye Fan rode his horse through the city, exploring and learning about various situations. He looked up at the sky, where a layer of shimmering crystalline divine glass covered the area. Stars across the sky flickered with light, scattering it downwards, which was absorbed by the ancient city, making it dazzling and beautiful.

“Get out of the way!”

The street suddenly erupted in chaos. A group of armored cavalry charged forward, their hooves thundering on the road, like crashing waves on a shore, creating an immense commotion. These were none other than the Thirteen Divine Riders from the Ancient Wild Star Domain. Each mount was a primeval exotic beast, breathing clouds and mist, its scales shimmering brilliantly, like a dragon emerging from its abyss, or a phoenix singing as it soared through the nine heavens.

The Dragon Horse’s entire body was covered in red scales like glowing clouds, flowing with precious radiance. The mane on its neck and back shone like silk, a foot long, flickering like fierce flames, truly majestic. It stood motionless in the middle of the road. Meeting again and still being shouted at, it exuded killing intent!

Ye Fan also remained still, watching them approach with indifference. He was as calm as a majestic and unscalable mountain, standing tall for eons, impossible to shake.