"Master, is this Floating Cloud City?" the young man asked, his eyes bright with interest as he surveyed the bustling crowds below.
"Mm. The city's name hasn't changed, but the people and things are all different. A thousand years brings too many changes," the elder sighed.
"That peak over there is where the Gazing Heaven Cliff is located?" the young man gazed toward the mountain range several dozen li away.
"That's right. The Thousand-Year Demon Flower blooms at its summit," the elder nodded slightly. "Yao'er, I brought you here mainly for the blooming of the Thousand-Year Demon Flower. You've trained in the wilderness with me since birth and understand nothing of worldly affairs. When we arrive, do not cause trouble, and be wary of the treacherous hearts of men."
"Your disciple understands," the young man said respectfully, bowing his head. "But Master, you once went to refine the Thousand-Year Demon Flower's medicinal liquid. Can you tell me about the situation there in detail? I'm very curious about it."
The elder smiled faintly. "It's not something that can be explained in words. When that day comes, you'll understand naturally. Alright, first we'll pay a visit to the city lord here. If I recall correctly, the current city lord should be the third-generation descendant of an old acquaintance of mine."
"Please, Master, take your time." The young man addressed as Yao'er carefully supported the elder as they descended slowly from the void.
Many people in the city looked on with marvel at the elder and youth, but there wasn't too much attention paid to them. After all, too many martial artists were coming and going from Floating Cloud City these days. The elder looked frail, as if he might drop dead at any moment, but a powerful aura emanated slowly from his body.
City Lord's Manor. The strongest experts of the Human, Monster, and Demon races had gathered.
City Lord Aogu was a powerful expert of the Demon race. Vice City Lord Zhou Liang and Golden Horn belonged to the Human and Monster races, respectively. All three of them were saints.
Every three years, these three would compete for the position of City Lord. The two who lost would take on the roles of Vice City Lords, jointly governing Floating Cloud City.
At this moment, the experts of the three races were discussing important matters. The Thousand-Year Demon Flower was about to bloom, and Floating Cloud City was packed with people. They needed to make arrangements to prevent a major disturbance that might harm the city's foundation.
Moreover, during this critical period, they would not allow any saint-level experts to set foot within a hundred li of Floating Cloud City.
The Thousand-Year Demon Flower was the symbol of Floating Cloud City and the very source of its prosperity. In the thousand years the flower remained dormant, many people would still come to admire the Gazing Heaven Cliff. The constant flow of martial artists brought considerable income to the city.
Precisely because of this, they were being so cautious, ensuring that during the flower's blooming, the aura of any saint-level expert wouldn't interfere.
While they were discussing, a guard of the Monster race rushed in hurriedly and cupped his fists. "Lord Aogu, an old man outside the manor wishes to see you!"
"An old man?" Aogu frowned and waved his hand dismissively. "I don't want to see him. Send him away."
The guard didn't leave, stammering hesitantly, "But my lord, he said he knew Senior Aosi, and asked me to give this to you."
Aogu's expression changed, and he stood up abruptly. "He knew my grandfather?"
Frowning slightly, Aogu asked, "What is it? Show me."
The guard hurriedly presented the item. Aogu glanced at it, and his face changed dramatically. His expression flickered uncertainly, as if he were recalling something. After a long moment, he finally took the item and turned to Zhou Liang and Golden Horn. "Gentlemen, let's leave things here for today. I must go receive someone."
"Please, do as you see fit, City Lord," Zhou Liang nodded slightly.
After Aogu left, Golden Horn gazed thoughtfully toward the door and said in a deep voice, "Brother Li, if this person knew Aogu's grandfather, doesn't that mean he's lived for nearly a thousand years?"
Zhou Liang glanced at him. "Are there not enough ancient monsters of power in this world?"
Golden Horn chuckled. "There are plenty, but not many have a connection to Aogu's family. Brother Li, did you notice? The item the guard brought in just now was a family token of Aogu clan. Generally, only those who have made immense contributions to them are qualified to receive one. As far as I know, the Aogu clan has only issued three tokens in total to this day. Two are in the hands of the Demon race, possessed by Aogu's retainers. One is with a human."
"The visitor is human!" Zhou Liang declared. He hadn't sensed any powerful demonic energy from outside the manor.
"Then the matter is significant," Golden Horn said, his expression shifting.
"How so?"
"Do you know which human expert obtained the Aogu clan's family token?"
Zhou Liang pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "To receive a family token from the Aogu clan... that human expert must be extraordinary."
The hatred between the Human, Monster, and Demon races ran deep, and they basically had no dealings with each other, except in neutral territories. The Aogu clan was no small family; to make such a massive contribution to them meant this human expert was someone with vast capabilities and connections.
"Brother Jin, I don't know about these hidden histories. If you do, perhaps you could share?"
Golden Horn glanced around, leaned closer to Zhou Liang, and whispered a few words.
Zhou Liang's face changed drastically. "Really?"
"That's right," Golden Horn nodded firmly.
"If it's really him..." Zhou Liang and Golden Horn exchanged a glance, unable to remain seated. They hurriedly stood and rushed out, closely following Aogu.
Outside the City Lord's Manor, Aogu hurried over. Upon seeing the old man before him, he stared blankly for a long while before bowing deeply with utmost respect. "This junior had no idea it was really you, Elder, who had come. Please forgive my failure to welcome you properly."
The few guards outside the manor nearly had their eyes pop out.
The Demon race was an extremely fierce and stubborn race. Strong experts of the Demon race would never easily bow to others. Aogu was especially so in this regard. In all these years, they had never seen the City Lord treat any arriving expert with such respect.