After the Cyan Bird King left, Chu Ming returned to his room alone and took out a top-grade spirit stone from his storage ring to begin his cultivation.

For experts in the Realm of Transcendence and Life and Death Realm kings, top-grade spirit stones were the main resource consumed during cultivation. Given that at such a realm, it might only take two hours to deplete the spiritual power in an upper-grade spirit stone, Life and Death Realm kings were even more terrifying, able to drain the power from an upper-grade spirit stone in an instant.

Surging spiritual power flowed along the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, eventually merging into Chu Ming's Sea of Spiritual Power. He didn't have many top-grade spirit stones, and the spiritual power in them was undoubtedly much purer compared to upper-grade spirit stones.

As he operated the Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique, wisps of white steam rose above his head. His cultivation gradually improved, and he estimated that one top-grade spirit stone could last him for half a month.

...

In the City Lord's Mansion of Yuanjiu City, two figures, one in black and one in green, sat at a chessboard, leisurely placing their pieces.

"City Lord Jin, your chess skills have improved quite a bit over the past decades."

After a long time, the middle-aged man in green robes, who had been hesitating to make a move, finally sighed and smiled bitterly.

The middle-aged man in green robes had a handsome face, shoulder-length hair, and dark green eyes like a poisonous snake. The most distinctive feature was a green seed mark on his forehead.

"What's the use of improving my chess skills? It's been over a decade, and my cultivation hasn't advanced at all. It seems like being a Low Tier King is my limit. Unlike you, Profound Spirit King, you're still young and have plenty of time to break through."

Jin Hao, the City Lord of Yuanjiu City, shook his head with a bitter expression.

Known as the Golden Wheel King, the City Lord of Yuanjiu City was a Low Tier King. He earned this title due to his cultivation of a gold attribute technique and possession of a golden attribute wheel weapon.

The Golden Wheel King had a fair complexion, with black hair interwoven with strands of white, making it quite striking. Clad in black, his expression remained cold and aloof, giving off a sharp aura due to his cultivation of a gold attribute technique.

The Golden Wheel King had claimed his title over five hundred years ago, becoming the City Lord of Yuanjiu City long before the Cyan Bird King and Profound Spirit King reached the Life and Death Realm.

"City Lord Jin, there's no need to be too disheartened. Though a great calamity is approaching, it might also be an opportunity for the Human Race. If we survive this, we could rise to great heights."

The Profound Spirit King briefly pondered before speaking in a low voice. The chess game was merely a metaphor for life for these two Life and Death Realm kings.

"Enough about me. What brings you to Yuanjiu City this time?"

The Golden Wheel King shifted the topic, casually inquiring.

As an elder of the Beiling Alliance, the Profound Spirit King held a significant position.

The Beiling Alliance was a force on par with Beicang Island, occupying a quarter of North Sea. Yuanjiu City fell within the territory of the Beiling Alliance, making the Golden Wheel King a part of it as well.

"I came to handle some personal matters."

The Profound Spirit King replied calmly, naturally not revealing the news about the Wood Profound Fruit, as it related to his advancement to a Middle Tier King. Despite their relationship, he couldn't afford any mishap.

"Hmm?"

The Profound Spirit King momentarily paused, then his expression returned to normal. "A friend of mine has arrived. I must take my leave."

He had just received a message from the Cyan Bird King.

"Very well, Brother Profound Spirit. Don't forget to visit often. It's quite lonely for me in this massive City Lord's Mansion."

The Golden Wheel King didn't attempt to detain him, but politely invited him to stay longer.

"Alright."

The Profound Spirit King nodded, his body transforming into countless green lights. The entire space rotated, and in an instant, he vanished from the chessboard, leaving the Golden Wheel King alone in the courtyard.

...

In an inn, an exceptionally beautiful woman sat alone on the second floor, her gaze cool and indifferent as she watched the bustling street below. An otherworldly aura enveloped her, causing several martial artists to occasionally cast lecherous glances her way.

Yuanjiu City's proximity to the North Sea meant that female martial artists were rare, and the area was a haven for all sorts of scum, with extremely chaotic public security.

Soon, a burly man with a dark complexion finally couldn't contain himself. He slammed his wine cup on the table with a thud and strode towards the woman, his eyes filled with lust.

"It's Qi Yun!"

Recognizing the man, the surrounding crowd immediately changed their expressions. Qi Yun's dark complexion and the palm-sized scar on his right cheek gave him a ferocious look.

Qi Yun's cultivation was not weak either, being in the Eighth Heaven of the Realm of Transcendence. He was notorious around Yuanjiu City and had a penchant for beautiful women, having raped and killed many. People feared his strength and dared not speak out against him.

"Alas, such beauty is doomed to fall into Qi Yun's hands."

An elderly man with white hair whispered regretfully. The others remained silent, fearing that speaking poorly of Qi Yun might cost them their lives.

"Hey beautiful, let's get acquainted. I'm Qi Long!"

Qi Long approached her, speaking domineeringly while revealing his cultivation of the Eighth Heaven of the Realm of Transcendence.

Unfazed, the woman continued to stare coldly out the window, seemingly ignoring Qi Yun.

Anger flickered in Qi Long's heart, and he pressed on, "My name is Qi Long. Stay with me, and I promise you a life of wealth and luxury."

The woman's expression remained unchanged, as if a statue, unmoved. Qi Long's eyes reddened with rage, his anger erupting as a terrifying aura enveloped the inn. The onlookers all felt a chill for the woman.

"Don't be ungrateful!"

In a fit of rage, he reached out to grab the woman's left arm, his right hand cutting through the air sharply.

Just then, gasps echoed through the air. Qi Yun's hand halted in mid-air as he turned to look outside. A green figure suddenly emerged from the void, shrouded in layers of mist. The terrifying aura covered the inn, causing the martial artists to tremble. They believed that if the newcomer wished, a single thought could end their lives instantly.

"That's... a Life and Death Realm king..."

A martial artist stuttered, though Life and Death Realm kings were rare, they could occasionally be seen in Yuanjiu City. However, they had never been so close before.