The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

"The reach of the Central Plains Holy Land is truly extensive."

Ye Niannu narrowed her peach blossom eyes slightly.

"Even across a vast territory, they can still probe into a small border country like the Great Qian."

"It is precisely because the Great Qian Dynasty is so remote that it is easier to make a move."

Wang Long's voice deepened.

"The locations they chose were all areas with the weakest spatial barriers and least likely to attract attention; this layout doesn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision."

The little chirp let out a short chirp, as if agreeing with its owner's judgment.

From the northern border of the Great Qian Dynasty to Tianque City, even at Xiao Qiu's speed, it would only take half a day.

As the outline of the majestic city gradually became clearer below the clouds, Wang Long patted Xiao Qiu's neck, signaling it to descend.

The walls of Tianque City appeared even thicker than when Wang Long last left, and the array patterns above the walls shimmered with a warm light, clearly indicating that the array was fully activated.

There were several times more guards at the city gates than usual, and the queue to enter the city stretched into a long line. The identity of each person had to be strictly verified.

As Xiao Qiu folded its wings, transformed into a ball of golden fluff, and nestled into Wang Long's arms, Wang Long and Ye Niannu descended from mid-air.

When they reached the city gate, two guards immediately stepped forward, their eyes scanning the two men warily.

Please show your identification.

Wang Long didn't say much, but took out the pitch-black city lord's token from his pocket and flashed it.

The two guards' expressions changed instantly upon seeing the token.

One of them almost reflexively took a half step back, then bowed sharply, his voice filled with hurried respect.

"Your subordinate was blind and did not know it was you, sir. Please forgive me!"

Another guard turned and gestured towards the city, indicating that someone had made a message.

Wang Long put away the token, nodded slightly, and said.

"No need to announce my arrival. I'll go directly to the city lord; I have important matters to report!"

The guards quickly stepped aside to make way.

"Please, sir! The city lord happens to be in his residence today. I will send someone to show you the way immediately."

Wang Long did not refuse and followed a young guard through the city gate, walking along the wide main street towards the city lord's mansion in the center of Tianque City.

There were fewer pedestrians on both sides of the street than usual, but you could still feel an undercurrent of tension.

The passing cultivators hurried along, some with newly acquired magical artifacts hanging from their waists, others whispering about the recent news of the cracks.

"Have you heard? Another rift appeared in Pingzhou yesterday, and this time, one of the magical beasts that emerged was a Saint-level being!"

"Saint rank?! And then what?"

"They were intercepted by the city's demon-hunting team, led by the elder of the Lin family. It took a lot of effort to kill him."

"Even Saint-level beings have appeared... and this is just the beginning, isn't it?"

The murmurs faded away as Wang Long walked.

He didn't stop, but those words had already reached his ears.

Saint-level magical beasts can already appear in those rifts that have not yet expanded.

This indicates that the cracks are expanding rapidly, and the methods used to activate them are likely more complex than what they just witnessed.

The gates of the city lord's mansion were already open when they arrived.

Two guards dressed in black armor stood on either side of the door. Upon seeing Wang Long, they bowed respectfully.

"The city lord is already waiting in the main hall."

Wang Long nodded slightly and stepped inside.

Ye Niannu followed beside him, her steps unhurried, but her gaze subtly swept over the furnishings of the mansion.

In the main hall, Song Tiange had already stood up.

He was dressed in a dark blue casual robe, without any complicated patterns, yet he still exuded the composure and calmness unique to those who had long held high positions.

Upon seeing Wang Long enter, he nodded slightly, his voice gentle yet carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Mr. Wang, you've come at just the right time."

He gestured for Wang Long to sit down, then glanced at Ye Niannu beside Wang Long, but didn't ask any further questions, only saying...

"Please sit down with me."

Wang Long did not stand on ceremony and sat down in the guest seat.

After the waiter served tea and then withdrew, he looked up at Song Tiange and spoke bluntly.

"Lord Song, I have come to inform you of something important."

Song Tiange paused slightly as she picked up the teacup, put it down, and looked at Wang Long with a more serious expression.

"Please speak."

Wang Long did not rush to speak, but instead glanced at the servants standing in the hall.

Song Tiange understood, raised his hand and waved it gently, and said.

"All of you, leave. No one is to approach the main hall without my order."

The waiters retreated silently, and the heavy hall doors were slammed shut from the outside with a dull thud.

Only three people remained in the hall.

Wang Long then spoke, his voice lower than before.

"Before I left the Great Qian Dynasty, deep in the Northern Mountains, I captured several people who were artificially activating spatial rifts."

Song Tiange frowned slightly, but did not interrupt him.

Wang Long continued.

"They were dressed in uniform black outfits and held an object that emitted a ghostly blue light, which could activate the weak points of the spatial barrier in advance, creating cracks."

"Their goal seems to be more than just creating chaos; they have a plan to have those rifts appear in remote places throughout the Eastern Region."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it. Several golden lights flashed, and several figures bound by golden ropes were thrown out of their storage rings, landing on the ground with a dull thud.

The men in black were tightly bound by golden, literary ropes, unable to move.

The man in black was ashen-faced and lay sprawled on the ground, too weak to even glance at Song Tiange.

Song Tiange's gaze fell on the men in black, taking in everything from the style of their robes and the dark patterns on their cuffs to the leader's subconscious arrogance despite his weakness.

His expression didn't change noticeably, but Wang Long noticed that his fingertips tapped lightly on the table, paused for a moment, and then returned to normal.

"Where did they come from?"

"Those who claim to be from the Holy Land of Central China."

Wang Long told the truth.

The hall fell silent for a few moments.

Song Tiange stood up, walked to the group of men in black, and looked down at them for a moment.

He didn't make a move, nor did he ask any more questions. He just watched silently for a while, then turned to look at Wang Long.

"This intelligence is more valuable than any other information I've received recently."

His tone was calm, but Wang Long could sense something profound churning beneath that calm.

Song Tiange raised his hand, and a gentle yet irresistible force surged from his palm, lifting the men in black along with the golden ropes binding them and placing them into a separate space within his sleeve.

After doing all this, he looked at Wang Long again, his voice becoming more solemn.

"Mr. Wang, Tianque City will remember your kindness."

"Lord Song, you're too kind."

Wang Long shook his head.

"I am also from the Eastern Regions; it is my duty to protect my homeland!"