C6 From Now on This City Was Known as the Grimgarth!

Not only Liang Zun and his companions, but even Ling Ji from the Voidlands had taken note of the situation in the great hall, her beautiful eyes brimming with confusion. Xing Yun had granted her the ability to see everything within the Voidlands, and just last night, Xing Yun himself had patrolled the city. This confirmed that the rumored support behind Xing Yun had truly vanished.

How could a martial artist at the ninth level of the Martial Meridian Stage, no matter how formidable, offer any protection to the city beyond his own ability to hide and survive in this vast world?

"Master, this situation has become even more perilous!" Lee Lang trembled all over as he pleaded desperately, appearing to have aged a decade overnight.

"Please reconsider, Master!" Liang Zun and the others implored earnestly.

Xing Yun responded with firm resolve, "Stand up, all of you! Let it be known that henceforth, you may inquire about my decrees, but you shall not doubt them!"

Upon hearing this, Lee Lang and the others vowed their compliance before Lee Lang ventured cautiously, "Master, if I may be so bold to ask, what shall we do without any tax revenue?"

The monthly revenue from the city's official businesses amounted to a mere ten thousand gold coins, scarcely enough to purchase provisions, much less to pay the guards' salaries.

Xing Yun replied with a reassuring smile, "Just go ahead with your duties. In less than a fortnight, the Keep will no longer have any economic concerns. Do you really think I'd let you go hungry?"

Relieved by these words, Lee Lang's concern turned to delight, "It seems the Master has a contingency plan. Your command shall be followed!"

The anxiety on Liang Zun and the others' faces vanished as well. Xing Yun's confidence suggested he had ample resources or support, which was promising for them. The greater Xing Yun's influence, the more substantial the support they could rely on.

Xing Yun gave a slight nod of approval, "Lee Lang, you do have some wit! Now, onto the second order of business: the city will no longer be known as Tianluo City. From this day forward, it shall be called Grimgarth City!"

"Grimgarth?" The group was taken aback once more.

Lee Lang spoke up anxiously, "Master, you must be aware of our city's unique position... It is the only small city on the eastern side of the Demonic Spine Ridge and serves as the heart of the Shadowlands, acting as a buffer among the major powers..."

The reason why Heavenly Luo City remained unclaimed by other powers was twofold: firstly, Xing Yun hailed from the Upper Realm and was not someone to be taken lightly. Secondly, the city itself was a proverbial hot potato!

Located to the west of Heavenly Luo City, the Demonic Spine spanned tens of thousands of miles with an environment so harsh that ordinary people dared not venture into it, for it was home to countless Hellbeasts.

Deep within the Demonic Spine, there were even whispers of Sixth and Seventh Rank Hellbeasts prowling about. A Sixth Rank Hellbeast was as formidable as a human at the First Breath stage, while a Seventh Rank Hellbeast surpassed even those at the Creation Stage, capable of reigning supreme over the Shadowlands.

Each year, the outskirts of the Demonic Spine could erupt into a Beast Tide, with Heavenly Luo City being the first to face the onslaught. This naturally required a massive expenditure of manpower and resources. Yet, the spoils reaped after quelling the Beast Tide—mainly Hellbeast cores—were negligible, as the bulk of the beasts were of lower ranks.

A territory that offered more trouble than it was worth was not attractive to would-be conquerors. However, the humans of the Shadowlands needed a frontline bastion against the Beast Tides from the Demonic Spine, and thus Heavenly Luo City was established. Despite this, it struggled to grow in size.

The major powers of the Shadowlands had initially intended to appoint Xing Yun as the lord of a prosperous city, as a courtesy to his Upper Realm family. Contrary to expectations, Xing Yun chose the challenging Demonic Spine City.

Xing Yun's initial plan involved Xing Chen holding back the beasts at the periphery of the Demonic Spine to tap into its resources. Alas, with Xing Chen's sudden disappearance, all such plans evaporated, leaving the city fraught with peril.

Xing Yun declared with conviction, "I am well aware of the situation, but it's important that everyone understands that from this moment forward, this city shall be known as Grimgarth. The significance of this name will become clear in time."

Lee Lang, seeing his master's resolve, nodded vigorously in agreement. "As soon as I depart, I will dispatch someone to post a proclamation."

Satisfied, Xing Yun continued with a stern tone, "Effective immediately, all medicinal herbs and materials within the Keep are to be reserved for our own use and are not to be sold."

Upon hearing this, Lee Lang was startled once again, but recalling Xing Yun's prior words, he dared not question and hastily agreed. Yet, Xing Yun added another directive:

"Additionally, purchase all the medicinal herbs from the city's shops at market price, without concern for the cost. Lee Lang, you will have full authority over these matters."

The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances. With the Keep's tax revenue ceasing from today, they were puzzled by the decision to buy rather than sell medicinal herbs, making it even harder for the Keep's finances to stretch to the anticipated timeframe.

"Yes! I will follow the Master's commands!" Lee Lang affirmed with gravity.

Xing Yun went on, "Liang Zun, organize a thousand people into ten teams to collect medicinal herbs from the surrounding area. You will lead these teams and maintain order in Grimgarth. Execute any lawbreakers on the spot!"

Despite his growing confusion, Liang Zun solemnly agreed.

"What in the world is he up to?" Ling Ji mused, her expression fluctuating as she stood in the Voidlands. Xing Yun's maneuvers were beyond her comprehension.

Yet, upon reflecting on Xing Yun's capability to 'imprison' her in her own vast world, she came to terms with it: "It seems his ego has inflated since acquiring this grand world, hastening Grimgarth's downfall... Perhaps I overestimated him."

After issuing a few more minor orders, Xing Yun dismissed everyone.

A couple of hours later, two pieces of news exploded across Grimgarth like thunder, causing a significant uproar:

Henceforth, Heavenly Luo City would be known as Grimgarth.

Effective immediately, all taxes within Grimgarth would be permanently abolished!

Suddenly, Grimgarth was abuzz with excitement, the news becoming the talk of the town. The signs at the four gates of Heavenly Luo City were swiftly replaced with Grimgarth's name.

"Permanent tax exemption? Has the Grimgarth Keep lost its mind?"

"I heard they're not even selling medicinal herbs starting tomorrow! No taxes, no herbs—do they think they can survive by just purchasing trinkets? This is a path to ruin!"

Throughout the city, people were abuzz with conversation. In the Shadowlands, the items of value weren't the everyday goods or food, nor women, but rather those connected to spiritual energy: spiritual herbs, fairy stones, spiritual artifacts, Blackcrystals, scrolls, martial skills, and special professions...

Nearly everyone believed the Keep was sealing its own fate. A minority held the view that the Keep must have some form of support, but given Xing Yun's previously tarnished reputation, these faint voices were soon overwhelmed by a flood of mockery.

Yet, in less than half a day, the sentiment across Grimgarth shifted: "Who cares if the Keep has gone mad? Tax exemption is a boon for us all!"

"Gratitude to the City Lord for his magnanimous gesture!"

By evening, Grimgarth resonated with voices of appreciation and gratitude for the City Lord, particularly among the common folk.

These ordinary people, lacking in spiritual Qi cultivation, struggled to survive in these tumultuous times. Now, with the tax exemption in Grimgarth, they saw a glimmer of hope for a better life.

In an eastern tavern of the city, two women clad in black and donning black masks overheard the surrounding chatter. They exchanged glances, each detecting the astonishment in the other's eyes.

The elder woman on the west side, her voice tinged with bewilderment, asked, "What trick is the City Lord of this place playing?"

Her companion, with a sweet tone, replied, "Mother, I've never heard of such actions before. But to do this without substantial financial backing would mean eventually revoking the tax exemption, betraying the people's trust, and further tarnishing his reputation, leading to his downfall."

The two fell silent, their whispers barely audible, lost in the distance from the crowd.

After a pause, the old woman spoke harshly, "You make a good point, but regardless of his methods, the crime of defiling the saintess is unforgivable. Xiao'er, we must proceed with our plan to assassinate Xing Yun!"

Xiao'er responded, "Mother, I still recommend that we observe for one more day."

"Why?" the old woman asked, her dissatisfaction evident.

Xiao'er cautioned, "Even though he has shown disrespect to the saintess, his actions today might not be just to win over the populace. If that's the case, he's certainly no fool and would have considered the Keep's financial strain. Yet, he proceeded regardless."

"Are you suggesting he has a backup plan? But our secret sources say that the powerful individual by his side has long since vanished."

Xiao'er shook her head, "Perhaps he has another ace up his sleeve. We shouldn't make any hasty moves. Our actions aren't sanctioned by the Sect Master... The Sect Master also warned that if Xing Yun were to die under mysterious circumstances, the Order of the Celestial Veil would be the prime suspect."

Their mission was to eliminate Xing Yun. As the Order of the Celestial Veil's leadership chose not to confront Xing Yun directly, other high-ranking members orchestrated this plot.

"But Miss Gu is adamant about his demise..." The elderly woman was troubled, "Besides, I have more pressing tasks at hand and cannot afford to linger here too long!"

"Mother, perhaps I should stay behind while you attend to those crucial missions," Xiao'er offered.

After a moment's thought, the old woman agreed. "Very well, but you must dispatch Xing Yun swiftly, whether he is formidable or feeble. We cannot face Miss Gu without results. With your capabilities, it should be a simple task. Complete the mission and return at once. Should anything unexpected occur, use the secret technique to summon me for assistance."

Once Xiao'er consented, the old woman vanished into thin air, startling the nearby warriors who quickly gave way, marveling at her power. "What level of mastery is this!"

Certainly, only those at or above the Soul Conduit Stage could achieve such ethereality, not to mention the ranks below it: Awakened Soul, Azure Paragon, and True Spirit.

Alone, Xiao'er gazed toward the Keep, her brow furrowed in concern. "He can't be as incompetent as the rumors suggest. And since he's responsible for Gu Yan's death, he's indirectly connected to me. How can I possibly let him off?"

With a single edict, Xing Yun had soothed the anxieties of the city's inhabitants, paving the way for a smooth renaming of Grimgarth.

One evening, Lee Lang and Liang Zun arrived at the grand hall to see Xing Yun, offering their congratulations: "Congratulations, Master! Your tax exemption decree has significantly improved the people's perception of you. It's unlikely that any riots will break out in Grimgarth now!"

Xing Yun acknowledged their praise with a smile and a nod. "The citizens are wise. Overthrowing me would be pointless if the next City Lord were to impose heavy taxes. That would be a classic case of winning the battle but losing the war."

Yet, Xing Yun's true aim wasn't merely to appease the populace. He was intent on attracting more people to Grimgarth, as increasing its population was crucial for expanding the city's influence and eventually vying for dominance in the Shadowlands.

"You didn't come here just to offer congratulations. With such resolute looks on your faces, what brings you here?" Xing Yun inquired abruptly.

Lee Lang and Liang Zun immediately fell to their knees, earnestly beseeching, "We have pledged our undying loyalty to you, Master. We've heard that you hail from the Upper Realm, where powerful secrets like the family spirit curse exist. We wish to receive this family spirit curse!"

At this, a flicker of surprise and suspicion crossed Xing Yun's eyes. He responded gravely, "If you're aware of the family spirit curse, then you must understand the gravity of its consequences. Why, then, do you still seek it?"