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

At this moment, inside the city lord's mansion of Longyuan City,

Inside the main hall, several figures sat on chairs on both sides, each with an extraordinary bearing, clearly not ordinary people. One of them was the Grand Hall Master from Silver Sand City.

In the main seat of the main hall, a burly middle-aged man sat upright, his griffin-like eyes and every gesture exuding a unique sense of oppression befitting a superior.

This person is Pei Linhai, the city lord of Longyuan City.

Before him stood a young man in a brocade robe, his face contorted with anger, his almond-shaped eyes wide open, staring intently at Pei Linhai.

It was the same "Young Master Pei" who had just been reprimanded by Xia Jin at the market.

No, she should be called Pei Qianling.

"Dad! Are you going to do anything about this or not?" Pei Qianling stomped her foot angrily, her voice filled with grievance. "That wild brat who appeared out of nowhere dared to lay a hand on your daughter in the market! You didn't see his arrogance. This isn't just looking down on me, it's practically slapping you in the face!!"

Pei Qianling didn't say some things aloud.

After all, she couldn't very well tell her father that the bastard almost slapped her in the chest, could she?

Pei Linhai looked at his precious daughter and a helpless smile appeared on his face: "Ling'er, that's enough, I already know about this."

"You know? If you know, then send someone to arrest him!" Pei Qianling's eyes widened as she looked at her father with a questioning expression. "Dad, you're not just going to let this go, are you? Your daughter is being bullied, and you're not going to do anything about it?"

Pei Linhai gave a wry smile and said, "Ling'er, you know today is the day of the Five Cities Summit. As the host, I can't just abandon them to avenge you, can I?"

"Then let them wait!" Pei Qianling muttered softly.

"You!!" Pei Linhai's face darkened slightly, and his voice became stern: "Nonsense! The Five Cities Summit is of paramount importance; how can it be treated so lightly?"

Pei Qianling shrank back in fright at her father's rebuke, but quickly retorted defiantly, her eyes slightly reddening: "Hmph, by then, it'll be too late! That wild boy might have already run away from Longyuan City! Father, you don't love me anymore!"

Seeing his daughter like this, Pei Linhai's heart softened again. He sighed, reached out and ruffled Pei Qianling's hair, and softened his voice, "Ling'er, when have I ever not loved you? It's just that I really can't leave right now. How about this, after I finish discussing important matters with the city lords, I'll go with you, okay?"

Pei Qianling pouted, looking unwilling, but she knew her father's temper. Although he usually doted on her, he would never let her do whatever she wanted when it came to serious matters.

She snorted and turned her head away, but still obediently stood behind Pei Linhai.

"Alright, alright, then hurry up." She muttered under her breath, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the city lords in the main hall.

In the main hall, several gazes also fell on Pei Linhai.

Seated at the head of the left was a middle-aged scholar with a thin face and three long strands of beard. This man was none other than Yuan Wangshu, the city lord of Shuangyue City.

To his left sat a burly man with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He didn't look like the lord of a city; he seemed more like a bandit chief who ruled over a mountain stronghold. But no one dared to underestimate him, because no one knew what schemes were hidden beneath that honest face. This man was none other than Teng Qingya, the city lord of Golden Radiance City.

On the right, seated at the head of the table, sat the Grand Master from Silver Sand City.

His next target was Jiang Yunzhou, the city lord of Tianbao City.

Unlike the other city lords, Jiang Yunzhou was clearly distracted at the moment, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the outside of the hall, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

Pei Linhai looked around at the city lords present and said loudly, "Gentlemen, we have reached an agreement on the division of the other territories. Now only the central area remains."

As he spoke, he pointed to the map in front of him.

In the very center of the map, there was a red area, quite large in size but rich in resources. It was a disputed zone between the five cities, whose ownership had not yet been determined.

"Following the old rules," Pei Linhai raised his head, his smiling gaze sweeping over the faces of the city lords one by one, "this area will be given to one young man from each city, and whoever wins will own it."

Pei Linhai's words caused Teng Qingya, the city lord of Jinhui City, to frown slightly. He put down the teacup he had just brought to his lips and said indifferently, "City Lord Pei, this rule has been in place for decades. What else is there to say? Just tell me the time period."

As he spoke, Teng Qingya's eyes became somewhat strange: "But speaking of which, City Lord Pei, it seems that your Dragon Abyss City will still emerge victorious this time, right?"

"We've all heard of your adopted son. He's been making waves in Longyuan City these past few years. It's hard to say whether those good-for-nothing young men from our Jinhui City could even last ten moves against him."

Pei Linhai smiled slightly but did not reply, though a hint of smugness was faintly revealed between his brows.

Yuan Wangshu, the city lord of Shuangyue City who had been sitting silently, nodded in agreement. "City Lord Teng is right. Although I am reluctant to admit it, I must say that City Lord Pei's adopted son is probably unmatched among the younger generation of the five cities."

The two city lords made statements one after another, and their words seemed to indicate that the territory would eventually fall into the hands of Longyuan City.

However, neither the main hall master nor Jiang Yunzhou, who were sitting on the right, responded.

The Grand Master continued to sip his tea slowly, his expression unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Teng Qingya and Yuan Wangshu's words at all. But a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

Xia Jin.

He silently repeated the name in his mind.

If they really had to send out young players, the only one Silver Sand City could probably offer was Xia Jin.

Although this kid has only been in the Mirage Realm for a short time, judging from his performance this time, he might actually be able to fight Pei Linhai's adopted son in terms of strength.

However, the Grand Master did not say these words aloud. He simply lowered his eyes slightly, continued to sip his tea, and appeared indifferent as if it were none of his business.

Jiang Yunzhou, who was sitting next to him, was completely out of sorts at the moment.

Although he was sitting in the main hall, his mind was clearly far away. His gaze remained fixed on the outside of the hall.

His son, Jiang Chen, has been missing for several days.

As the city lord of Tianbao City, nothing had ever made him lose his composure. But this time, his son's disappearance was like a thorn in his heart, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep.

"Lord Jiang?"

Pei Linhai's voice suddenly rang out, pulling Jiang Yunzhou back from his reverie.

Jiang Yunzhou was slightly taken aback, then looked up and met Pei Linhai's gaze. He quickly regained his composure.

Pei Linhai glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions. He simply said, "Since the other city lords have no objections, let's follow the old rules. Tomorrow at noon, at the drill ground in the north of the city, each city will send one person to compete and determine the winner. What does City Lord Jiang think?"

Jiang Yunzhou was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Okay."

His voice was flat and monotone, clearly showing that he had no interest in the competition at all.