Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Several thoughts flashed through Xia Jin's mind.

Yesterday in the military tent, Senior Brother Qisong proposed to report to the Grand Hall Master that he be appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Silver Sand Army.

Could it be because of this?

"Okay, I understand."

Xia Jin gave a simple reply.

The maid outside the door seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and hurried away.

He wasn't opposed to the position of Deputy Commander of the Silver Sand Army. In this Mirage Realm, while strength was paramount, status and position could sometimes save him a lot of trouble. With the title of Deputy Commander of the Silver Sand Army, his actions in Silver Sand City would be much easier, and he would have access to more resources and information.

As for the rest...

Xia Jin shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and turned to go to the city lord's mansion.

The gates of the city lord's mansion were wide open, and two guards stood at the entrance. When they saw Xia Jin, they did not stop her, but simply bowed respectfully and stepped aside to make way for her.

Xia Jin arrived at the entrance of the council hall.

The door to the hall was ajar, and faint voices could be heard coming from inside.

Xia Jin could hear the voices of Senior Brother Qisong and the Great Hall Master from afar.

nobody else.

He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door frame, then pushed the door open and entered.

"Grand Master, Senior Brother Qisong."

After Xia Jin entered, she respectfully bowed to the two of them.

"Xia Jin, you've finally arrived! Qi Song and I have been waiting for you for a long time!" The Grand Hall Master's smile widened upon seeing Xia Jin. He then gestured to a seat beside him and said, "Sit down and let's talk."

Xia Jin responded and sat down opposite Commander Qisong.

"I've called you here today for two main reasons." The Grand Hall Master's smile faded, and he got straight to the point without beating around the bush. "The first thing is that Qisong should have already mentioned that matter to you yesterday, and I've already considered it."

Xia Jin looked calmly at the Grand Hall Master, waiting for his next words.

"You have indeed made a great contribution this time," the Grand Hall Master said slowly, his tone carrying a hint of approval. "Not only did you successfully bring back Xiong Kui and the other two, but you also brought back the young master of Tianbao City, a crucial bargaining chip, alive. There are very few people in the entire Silver Sand City who can achieve this."

Senior Brother Qisong nodded slightly and quietly gave Xia Ji a thumbs up.

"Therefore, the position of deputy commander of the Silver Sand Army is yours from this day forward."

"Just as I guessed!" Xia Jin stood up with a smile. "Thank you, Great Hall Master."

"Alright, no need for formalities, sit down."

The Grand Master waved his hand at Xia Jin.

"There is a second matter, and it is also the most important one!! In three days, you will accompany me to Dragon Abyss City."

"Dragon Abyss City!?" Xia Jin frowned slightly.

He wasn't unfamiliar with the name. Although he didn't know it very well, he did know some basic information about it.

Longyuan City is the largest and strongest of the five cities within a radius of three thousand miles.

Whether it's the size of the city, the number of cultivators, or the strength of the top experts, Longyuan City is far superior to the other four cities.

"But why go there?" Xia Jin looked at the Grand Hall Master with a puzzled expression.

When the head of the hall goes on a trip, he should logically bring a great general like Senior Brother Qisong. Why did he think of bringing him?

The Grand Hall Master seemed to see through Xia Jin's doubts and explained calmly, "The Five Cities Meeting will be held in three days."

Five-City Talks?

Xia Jin's heart stirred, and he vaguely remembered seeing it on the jade slip that introduced the Mirage Cloud Realm.

"The so-called Five Cities Conference, to put it bluntly, is the division of spheres of influence that takes place every twenty years." The Grand Hall Master's eyes gradually turned somewhat cold. "The five cities, covering a territory of three thousand miles in radius, will have their territory determined in this conference, including who occupies which area and how many resources each receives."

"That's right!!" Commander Qisong nodded and continued, "Every twenty years, the city lords of the five cities gather in Longyuan City to redefine their respective territories. Over these twenty years, the power of each side has waxed and waned. Some cities have greatly increased in strength and naturally want more territory; others have declined in strength and can only give up some benefits. The Five Cities Meeting is where these disputes are resolved."

Xia Jin nodded slightly, already understanding about 70-80% of what was going on.

"Over the past twenty years, Silver Sand City has developed quite well," Senior Brother Qisong continued, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Especially this time, we've acquired the important bargaining chip of the young master of Tianbao City. With this chip in hand, Silver Sand City is going to give them a good thrashing at this Five Cities Conference."

As he finished speaking, Brother Qisong's tone revealed a hint of undisguised pride.

Xia Jin didn't reply, but instead quickly made plans in her mind.

"Great Hall Master, since the Five Cities Conference is so important, why not let Senior Brother Qisong accompany you? I believe he would be a more suitable candidate than me!"

Clearly, Xia Jin didn't want to get involved in this mess; he just wanted to stay here and enjoy a relaxing time.

The Five Cities Talks? Just hearing that name makes it clear that there's a lot of trouble involved. If he can avoid getting into trouble, Xia Jin won't go out of his way to participate.

After hearing Xia Jin's words, the Grand Hall Master glanced at Commander Qisong, and the two exchanged a smile.

"Silver Sand City cannot be leaderless. After I leave, Silver Sand City needs someone to take charge. Qi Song is the commander of the Silver Sand Army and knows everything about the city. I will feel at ease if he stays to take charge."

Senior Brother Qisong nodded and said solemnly, "Junior Brother Xia, we really need to trouble you this time!"

Xia Jin remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

It seems I can't avoid it this time. Oh well, I've never been to Longyuan City anyway. If this so-called Five Cities Conference triggers another system mission from the system, I'll have hit the jackpot.

"Since you have no objections, then it's settled." The Grand Hall Master looked at Xia Jin and said solemnly, "Take these two days to prepare well. We will set off for Dragon Abyss City together early in the morning three days from now."

"Yes." Xia Jin and Senior Brother Qisong stood up at the same time.

......

In stark contrast to the relaxed atmosphere in Silver Sand City, a suffocating sense of oppression permeated the air in Tianbao City, eight hundred miles away.

The same was true inside the city lord's mansion.

At this moment, Jiang Yunzhou, the city lord of Tianbao City, was sitting in the main seat, his face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

His right hand gently caressed the two white jade beads in his palm, objects he had played with for many years, accompanying him through countless days and nights. Whenever he was troubled, he would caress these two white jade beads to calm himself down.

But today, this method has clearly failed.

"Snap!"

A sharp, piercing sound rang out.

Jiang Yunzhou clenched his right hand tightly, and the two white jade beads that he had polished until they shone instantly turned into a cloud of white powder in his palm.

"Butler Wang."

Jiang Yunzhou spoke, every word in his voice filled with suppressed anger.

"This old servant is here."

An elderly man with gray hair and beard walked out from the side, his cloudy eyes looking at Jiang Yunzhou in front of him.

"Still no news of Yan'er?" Jiang Yunzhou raised his head, his gaze fixed on Butler Wang.

Butler Wang paused slightly, a bitter look appearing on his aged face, and slowly shook his head.

"Reporting to Master, not yet."

"This old servant has already dispatched three groups of people to search almost the entire area within a radius of five hundred miles, but... but still no trace of the young master has been found."

Jiang Yunzhou's breath hitched.

"Three days. It's been a full three days since Yan'er left Tianbao City."

Jiang Yunzhou placed his palm on the table beside him.

"Bang!!!"

A deafening explosion resounded throughout the hall.

The table was as fragile as paper; he smashed it to pieces with a single slap.

"These useless idiots!"