Chapter 138: Attack on the Spirit Vulture Sect? Cleansing the Black Mountain Pass

At most, it would shift halfway north. How could Kuye City, located near the swamp, possibly be involved?

As this thought crossed his mind, Wang Yu's gaze grew cold.

Exerting a subtle pressure befitting a Core Formation cultivator, he grabbed the informant's collar.

“Are you lying to me?”

“No, no, no... Senior, it’s a misunderstanding! Everything I said is true. That’s exactly how the City Lord’s Manor announced it; the city gates were just closed at noon.”

“Though it's a compulsory conscription under the Sword Sect’s name, there’s a substantial reward. With your unfathomable cultivation, Senior, you’re sure to profit greatly.”

Wang Yu took a deep breath, sensing the man wasn’t lying.

“Get lost.”

He casually tossed the man from the second floor. The young informant scrambled away, not daring to look back.

Those nearby who witnessed the scene quickly averted their eyes, not daring to look further. Yet, Wang Yu felt a surge of anxiety, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

No! Something was definitely wrong!

Unless he was being deliberately manipulated, such a coincidence was impossible.

He needed to reconsider.

According to the intel, the compulsory conscription of rogue cultivators near Heishan Pass was meant to purge the Lingjiu Sect. This didn't make sense.

The Lingjiu Sect was a major sect, based on a spiritual vein, and its stronghold was fixed. As long as they were monitored, they could be purged at any time; there was no escape.

It was a classic case of 'the monk may flee, but the temple remains!'

Kuye City was too far from the Lingjiu Sect; it shouldn't have been included in any conscription efforts.

Assuming the target wasn't the Lingjiu Sect, then by the principle of proximity...

That left only... Heishan Pass!

Wang Yu's pupils suddenly constricted. That was it! Even if Changxi had gone to Heishan Pass to make arrests, she couldn't have apprehended everyone.

The border garrison itself was a mix of personnel from various factions, all of whom had some connection, however tenuous, to the three adjacent Nascent Soul powers: the Azure Cloud Sect, the Moon-Gazing Palace, and the Thunderflame Temple.

Their intricate connections were impossible to sever. Even a Sword Sect envoy wouldn’t have the authority to arrest everyone. But if she planned to 'strike first, report later,' then it made sense.

Then he recalled why he had come to Kuye City.

It was because of Changxi’s intimidation!

That woman was truly ruthless, scaring him with her sword. But if she truly calculated him, how would she know he’d choose Kuye City? What if he had just hidden in any random city, or returned to Shihun City to visit relatives?

Furthermore, what would she need him for? What purpose would he serve?

It didn't add up.

After much thought, only one possibility remained.

“My lies... were exposed.”

Wang Yu squinted, continuously pouring wine into his cup, his thoughts flowing like a torrent.

If the Celestial Void Sword Sect’s intelligence network was more formidable than he had imagined, then every detail of his life at the Wang family in Shihun City would likely have been thoroughly investigated.

This would include his conflict with Wang Wu, and the true cause of his father’s death.

In that case, his rationale for Changxi’s initial contact would have been untenable, as Wang Wu’s disappearance made him highly suspicious.

From this point, all his subsequent fabricated stories would make no sense. Only the spiritual slave was real!

They would naturally know that he hadn’t crossed the Heishan Demonic Lands. So, what safe passages were nearby?

Heishan Pass!

Where money could grant entry.

With his identity exposed, Changxi’s purpose for him became clear: she needed him to identify people at Heishan Pass, provide concrete evidence, and ensure she wouldn’t face procedural issues after her 'strike first, report later' approach.

“What a terrifying woman. I actually lost to her in terms of scheming.”

Although he never considered himself exceptionally intelligent, he was certainly not foolish. He had mastered navigating social intricacies, concealing his sharp edges, and more.

He sullenly downed a cup of wine, then Wang Yu let out a long sigh.

As for him being forced to Kuye City, that wasn’t a coincidence either.

Given his exposed identity, he couldn’t venture deep into the Taihu Spiritual Realm, and he had already been to Shihun City. Considering the cultivation world's restrictions on maps, his knowledge of the area was limited, forcing him to hide somewhere nearby.

By centering on Heishan Pass and sealing off a few cities close to the demonic lands and swamps, they could corner him.

This was the most plausible theory; he refused to believe he was truly that unlucky.

His identity as a disciple of a Demonic Sect had been exposed, yet she was using him, indicating she was far from conventional. This expedition had certainly broadened his horizons.

The Taihu Spiritual Realm was too treacherous; he wanted to return to Chiyuan!

After setting down his cup and settling the bill,

Wang Yu put on his bamboo hat and walked towards the city wall. There was no way he would comply obediently.

If he were forcibly taken to Heishan Pass, he could forget about returning to the Chiyuan Demonic Realm. His best outcome would be to have his information extracted, then be locked away in a prison until his death.

Perhaps her calculations were thorough and precise, but she clearly didn't understand his disposition.

Dare to scheme against me, and I’ll bruise your face raw.

Kuye City, categorized in the cultivation world as a typical trade hub, attracted a substantial flow of people due to its close proximity to the Kuye Swamp.

The number of ordinary mortals residing here was relatively small; most inhabitants were high-level cultivators. The abundance of demonic beast resources, rare treasures, and other spiritual items produced in the Kuye Swamp fueled the city’s prosperity.

This in turn allowed it to radiate influence to surrounding areas, becoming a central hub for trade and transport.

The city spanned a vast area, yet its defensive array only encompassed the City Lord’s Manor. Watchtowers, hundreds of meters tall, were evenly distributed throughout the rest of the city.

Wang Yu's goal was simple.

In a city this large, there had to be some neglected corners, perhaps even 'dog holes' or similar weak points.

If not, bribing the city guards with spirit stones was another option.

Alternatively, there were certainly other cultivators in the city unwilling to accept the compulsory conscription. Some might even be connected to Kuye City’s power hierarchy.

Hitching a ride with them, with some money, wouldn't be too much to ask, would it?

As the saying goes, 'for every policy from above, there's a countermeasure from below.' Changxi’s arrogance in attempting to remotely control his movements and direction was immense; she underestimated human nature and the resourcefulness of those seeking a way out.

Seeing no one around, Wang Yu lightly touched the moss-covered city wall. His spiritual energy penetrated but was quickly repelled.

Yet, a smile spread across his face.

“Just as I thought. The City Lord’s Manor has a third-tier array. If there were an array covering the entire city, it would at most be second-tier. It’s impossible, and they wouldn’t have the financial means, to extend a third-tier array to every part of the city.”

Having found a weakness, Wang Yu didn't rush to act. Leveraging his Concealment Art, he openly walked along the city wall, searching for a vulnerable point.

His efforts finally paid off at dusk.

“This is it.”

He took a few steps back, observing the wall riddled with cracks and debris. It was clearly poorly repaired, perhaps from a previous beast tide attack.

Taking a deep breath, his Demonic Arm of Divine Power began to gather energy.

The Nether Demonic Dragon tattoo on his back came to life, coiling around his left arm. After his body refinement reached Core Formation, the previous inability of their powers to stack had been resolved.

He could now unleash Wang Yu’s full, uninhibited power!

But that wasn’t all.

The gray-black Black Nether Hand, like a gigantic gauntlet, actively merged into his left arm from its attached state, manifesting a fist several times larger than a human's.

Wang Yu threw a sudden punch, slamming it fiercely into the city wall.

A thunderous crash ensued—