Seven-colored City was world-famous for producing a type of Seven-colored Porcelain, hailed as the "rainbow of the mortal realm" and extremely valuable. Deep in Ling Xiao’s memory, he recalled seeing a set at home when he was a child. His mother had treasured it, hiding it away like a precious jewel, terrified the children might accidentally break it.

But it wasn’t until he arrived in Seven-colored City that he suddenly understood the meaning of true luxury!

Song Mingyue gasped in awe, "Gods, it’s so beautiful! They... they actually covered the entire city wall with Seven-colored Porcelain! Is there a more magnificent wall in all the world?"

The sun was setting, painting the sunset clouds red. Bathed in the light of the setting sun, the Seven-colored City’s walls radiated countless brilliant, seven-colored rays!

The sight was completely dreamlike!

If the Divine Realm truly existed, Song Mingyue was willing to believe this was it.

"The people who live here must be unbelievably fortunate!" Song Mingyue murmured to himself.

Tiger glanced at Song Mingyue, confused by the man’s effeminate display. ’What’s the point of making it so pretty?’ he thought. ’Could it even withstand a few of my punches?’

’I wonder if a smashed wall would look this good!’

Ling Xiao said with a smile, "Brother Song, if you like it so much, why not negotiate with the City Lord and buy the place?"

Song Mingyue rolled his eyes at Ling Xiao. ’This guy can be so infuriating with his sarcastic comments!’

’Buy Seven-colored City? What a joke. The Song Family is wealthy, but they aren’t so bored they’d run out here and buy a city. And for what? Just because the Seven-colored Porcelain is pretty?’

Hurrying to get in before sunset, the group prepared to enter the city, only to find the gate blocked by a large crowd. A squad of armor-clad soldiers stood guard, their faces cold and impassive.

The trio, somewhat confused, squeezed closer and heard someone at the front protest, "Why aren’t you letting us in? Officer, we all have travel permits!"

"Permits don’t matter! This wasn’t our decision; it’s a rule from Lord Zhe! Look..." The soldier pointed to a large notice posted on the seven-colored wall behind him. Ling Xiao looked closer to read it.

Sure enough, it stated that due to recent bandit activity near Seven-colored City, the city would be sealed every evening. No one was permitted to enter or exit.

Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue exchanged a look, and the same thought rose in their minds: ’Could this... possibly be related to my sister, Ling Su?’

The people at the front were either name-dropping their connections or secretly trying to bribe the soldiers. After all, night was falling. Being stuck outside the city for a night would be miserable, as there wasn’t a single place to rest, let alone any taverns.

However, the soldiers remained completely unmoved, refusing to even glance at the crowd. A man who appeared to be their captain shouted with a grim face, "Close the gates!"

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from within the city. A young man in fine clothes rode up to the captain and whispered a few words in his ear.

The captain was visibly startled, then gave a casual nod to show he understood. Ling Xiao noticed that just before the young man left, he cast a discreet glance at the exceptionally tall and conspicuous Tiger!

"We’ve been spotted," Ling Xiao said to Song Mingyue with a wry smile. "Looks like bringing Tiger, this big lug, along wasn’t such a great idea. I just hope they didn’t change the plan on our account."

"In any case, we can get into the city now, can’t we?" Song Mingyue said with a faint smile. Truth be told, while the Zhe Family was powerful, the Song Family was no pushover! Thus, Song Mingyue didn’t think much of the Zhe Family. And even setting aside their family’s power, achieving the strength of a Fourth Rank Demon Sword Master at his age was reason enough for pride!

’After we enter the city, I’ll definitely be watched by the Zhe Family,’ Ling Xiao thought. ’If that young man had just openly stared at Tiger with a look of surprise, I wouldn’t have suspected a thing.’

After all, almost everyone’s first reaction to seeing Tiger was fear.

It wasn’t just Tiger’s size. He was a Tiger-headed Person, a true Beastman, and he always carried the ferocious aura of a wild beast. Most people felt an instinctive fear upon seeing him.

Even without turning to look at Tiger, one would feel a certain tension, like being stalked by a ferocious predator.

But Ling Xiao wasn’t too concerned. ’So what if they recognized us? I have to pay the Zhe Family a visit one way or another, be it openly or in secret!’

’First, I have to rescue my sister,’ he resolved. Strangely, Ling Xiao gave little thought to the so-called Ancient Ruins. His mind was entirely focused on the sister he had never met.

It seemed that in his year or so of worldly experience, the two words "family bonds" had already been deeply branded upon Ling Xiao’s heart.

The three of them found a tavern. Knowing his appearance would frighten people, Tiger simply ordered a large quantity of food to be delivered to his room. Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue took a seat in the main hall.

A great deal of information could be gathered in such unassuming places. Taverns were filled with people from all walks of life, a true motley crew, making them the richest source of all kinds of news.

Since they hadn’t had a decent meal on the road and neither of them was the frugal type, they ordered several of the tavern’s house specialties. This delighted the owner, who personally instructed a waiter to serve the two gentlemen well. He even asked if Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue wanted a private room. The cost of their order was far beyond what a typical Adventurer or small-time merchant could afford! One had to curry favor with customers like these.

Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue shook their heads and refused. They wanted to listen in on the goings-on in Seven-colored City. Who would they listen to in a private room?

Song Mingyue was a dashingly handsome youth, like a refined gentleman in a vulgar world. Even though he was a bit travel-worn, he still exuded a noble air. Ling Xiao, while more reserved, also possessed a certain aristocratic bearing.

Therefore, both the owner and the waiter served them with the utmost care. A single glance from either of them was enough to send the waiter scurrying over.

Song Mingyue held a single ten-value Silver Coin in his hand, worth a hundred copper coins—several days’ wages for this waiter. Song Mingyue tossed the coin into the waiter’s palm and said, "I have a few questions for you."

’What a generous gentleman, and he tips, too!’ the waiter thought. Aloud, he said, "Whatever you want to know, sirs, just ask. There’s nothing that ’All-Ears’ here doesn’t know!"

"’All-Ears’?" Ling Xiao couldn’t help but smile. ’That’s certainly an interesting nickname.’

"We’ve just arrived from out of town," Song Mingyue began with a soft sigh. "We’ve long heard of Seven-colored City’s fame and came especially for a visit, but you don’t seem very welcoming. Why close the city gates right at sunset?"

The waiter quickly glanced left and right. Seeing that no one was paying attention to their corner by the window, he whispered urgently, "You have to be careful what you say! If an Official heard that, it would be big trouble. You can’t speak so freely."

"Oh? Then tell us what’s really going on."

As he spoke, Song Mingyue dangled more bait, tossing out another ten silver coins.

The waiter accepted the tip, no longer feeling he could play coy. He spoke carefully, "Recently, I heard Lord Zhe’s estate was robbed. They say it was done by an incredibly powerful group! Lord Zhe flew into a rage and began these strict inspections."

Song Mingyue looked at the waiter with a faint, knowing smile. The waiter chuckled awkwardly and continued, "Of course, that’s just a street rumor, not to be taken seriously. The real story is this: apparently, a group of archaeologists discovered some Ancient Ruins, which are said to hold countless treasures! Then, a traitor within their expedition told Lord Zhe. So, Lord Zhe had the whole group arrested. I heard one of them has some serious backing, which is why Lord Zhe ordered strict checks on everyone entering and leaving the city. It seems they’re planning to force the group to lead them to the ruins very soon."

The waiter glanced around again, a fawning smile on his face. "This is the absolute truth, because one of the Household Generals from Lord Zhe’s own estate came here drinking, got drunk, and let it slip. You must not tell anyone else, or I’m a dead man!"

Ling Xiao laughed to himself. ’If you haven’t told a hundred people this story,’ he thought, ’you’ve surely told ninety-nine.’

’If that were a death sentence, how would you still be alive today?’

Song Mingyue chuckled and tossed the waiter another twenty silver coins. Having received thirty silver coins in such a short time, the waiter was ecstatic. He left, showering them with thanks.

Song Mingyue looked at Ling Xiao and said quietly, "This Zhe Family is more than they seem. They must know your sister’s identity. And... knowing we were here, they still brazenly let us into the city, including... that fellow, Tiger. It’s a clear sign that they aren’t afraid of us. That kind of confidence doesn’t come from just holding a single hostage."

Ling Xiao nodded, his eyes filled with resolve. "Let’s hope they’re realistic about this. Hmph." He said no more, but that single snort was laden with meaning.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the tavern’s entrance, and many patrons turned to look. Ling Xiao had his back to the door and no interest in turning around, but he heard footsteps approaching their table.

Then, a young man’s voice rang out, full of delighted surprise, "Well now, this young master is in luck today! To think I’d run into such a rare beauty!"

Ling Xiao was puzzled. ’That sounds like some arrogant, spoiled young noble,’ he thought, ’the insufferably haughty type. But... there aren’t any women here?’

Just then, he saw a dangerous light flash in Song Mingyue’s eyes. The gentle smile was gone from his face, replaced by an icy expression. "What do you mean by that?" he said, his voice frigid.

"Haha, what do I mean?" The young man jutted out his chin and gestured to his companions. "You lot, tell him... what this young master means!"

One of the young noble’s lackeys snickered. "Our young master has taken a liking to you, pretty boy. You should feel honored!"

PFFT! Ling Xiao nearly sprayed a mouthful of wine. He’d heard that some nobles preferred the company of men, but he’d never witnessed it himself. To think he’d actually run into it in a foreign city.

Song Mingyue’s face flushed beet-red. He slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, his eyes radiating a chilling killing intent. "You have the guts? Say that again!"