Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"That's... the smoke signal from a beacon tower?"

Hundreds of meters away from Jiayuguan, watching the plume of black smoke slowly rising into the sky, Wu Yunmi's face was grave. He turned to Lu Feng in the carriage behind him, "Young Master Lu, the garrison inside the pass has lit the beacon towers. What should we do next?"

Leading the entire Wuyun tribe into the pass was not his personal wish, but rather Lu Feng's suggestion.

Originally, Wu Yunmi's plan was simply to evacuate from the desert oasis and then find a new place to settle in the southern barbarian territory, while also settling the surviving members of his tribe.

However, Lu Feng suddenly proposed to help their tribesmen relocate to Dongyun Kingdom and settle down, while also guaranteeing the safety of their Wuyun tribesmen.

This is why Wuyunmi dares to lead a large group of his people to approach Jiayuguan.

After all, without Lu Feng's strength as a guarantee, their small tribe wouldn't dare approach the heavily guarded border pass "Jiayuguan" of Dongyun Kingdom, let alone lead their tribe into the pass.

"It's alright, continue through customs."

Lu Feng sat cross-legged on top of the carriage, his face still calm as ever, seemingly having anticipated the smoke rising above the beacon tower, and even taking it in stride.

"this...!"

Seeing this, Wu Yunmi hesitated at first, then gritted his teeth and waved his hand, "Brothers, as Young Hero Lu instructed, continue into the pass!"

Although he was a little worried that leading his tribe into the pass would lead to a bloody battle, since the Southern Barbarian tribes and the four kingdoms of Lingnan had always been irreconcilable, Wu Yunmi did not dare to say anything to refute Lu Feng's words now that he had said so.

After all, he was saved by the other party. If Lu Feng hadn't intervened in time, Tianmu and the others would most likely have used him as the next "human sacrifice" to feed the hungry Ghost Kiss Crocodile at the bottom of the Blackwater River!

Before long, a vast barbarian army approached the entrance to Jiayuguan.

The once calm and tranquil pass was instantly transformed into a scene of chaos. At the same time, a large number of armored guards poured out from various watchtowers, and the air was filled with a strong sense of impending doom, as if a great battle was about to break out!

"You audacious barbarians! How dare you invade the borders of Dongyun? Are you tired of living and looking for death...?"

Above the city wall at the pass, a middle-aged man clad in silver armor and wielding a long spear roared angrily. His Yuan energy was also quite impressive, having reached the first level of the Spirit Soul Realm. He seemed to be a commander in the guarding army, holding a high position.

In Dongyun Kingdom, whether they are court military officers or border garrison officers, their official positions are generally linked to their strength. The highest-ranking officer is the Grand General, followed by the Lieutenant General, then the Commander-in-Chief, and then the various captains and the lowest-ranking squad leaders.

The fact that Wu Yunmi and his group had only just approached Jiayuguan and yet had already attracted a commander-in-chief to intercept them demonstrates the formidable defenses of Jiayuguan, which are by no means just empty boasts!

"Fellow Daoist, you must have misunderstood something. We are martial artists from the four kingdoms of Lingnan, not some barbarian invaders!"

Before Lu Feng could even explain, the middle-aged man had finished speaking when Lu Xiaoxiang stepped forward, her tone slightly displeased.

After all, she was the new head of the Lu family of the Southern Yue Kingdom, yet she was being stopped outside the pass by a middle-aged man who mistook her for a barbarian intruder, and they were facing off with swords the whole time. Naturally, Lu Xiaoxiang was a little unhappy.

"good."

At this moment, Lu Feng also loosened his muscles and bones, then jumped down from the carriage. At the same time, he looked at the middle-aged man on the city wall above the pass and said in a calm tone, "We are all martial artists from the four kingdoms of Lingnan, not barbarians who have invaded our territory."

"We hope this gentleman will be lenient and let us through."

"Are you all martial artists from the four kingdoms of Lingnan?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man was taken aback for a moment, then frowned deeply. At the same time, he pointed his spear at Wu Yunmi and the others behind Lu Feng, "If that's the case, then who are these barbarians behind you? Don't tell me you're all in cahoots...!"

"Although they are barbarians, they have no hostility. Moreover, their entry into the pass is only to seek a place to settle down. They will not cause trouble or overthrow the Dongyun Kingdom's court."

Faced with the middle-aged man's questioning, Lu Feng merely shook his head slightly, his face remaining calm.

"Hmph! You really think I'm an idiot?"

Seeing Lu Feng's confident expression, the middle-aged man snorted coldly, then said with disdain, "Not to mention that the people of the four kingdoms of Lingnan and these barbarians from beyond the Great Wall have always been irreconcilable enemies, even if these barbarians weren't here to plunder and raid, I would never have let them into the pass...!"

"Besides, who do you think you are? I'm the Grand Commander of Dongyun Kingdom, why should I listen to a nobody like you?"

At this point, the middle-aged man also withdrew his spear, crossed his arms, and looked down at Lu Feng below the pass with an arrogant and condescending attitude, clearly not taking the latter seriously.

After all, if he, a dignified commander-in-chief, were to be intimidated by a young man like Lu Feng with just a few words, he would have no chance of continuing to serve in the military camp at Jiayuguan!

"As expected, you can't rely on just your words to survive in the world..."

Seeing that the middle-aged man not only refused to open the gate but also had a very tough attitude, Lu Feng shook his head helplessly and took out a slightly damaged gilded imperial edict from his pocket.

This imperial edict was the proof that Ren Tianxing had conferred upon him the title of Duke of Fan of Dongyun Kingdom. Originally, Lu Feng planned to keep a low profile and did not want to make a big fuss. But now, facing the middle-aged man who refused to open the gate, he had no choice but to reveal his identity as Duke of Fan.

"Look closely, all of you! This is an imperial edict from the current Emperor of Dongyun Kingdom. Receiving this edict is as good as seeing the Emperor himself! Why don't you all kneel down and pay your respects immediately?"

Lu Feng unfolded the gilded imperial edict in his hand, his face gradually becoming serious, and he spoke in a cold tone.

"An imperial edict?"

"Hey, am I seeing things? This guy actually has an imperial edict?! Just who is he?!"

"Could this person be a young descendant from a prominent family in Dongyun Capital?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Get down on your knees and pay your respects right now, or do you really want to lose your head...?"

Upon seeing Lu Feng suddenly pull out an imperial edict, not only was the middle-aged man stunned, but the surrounding guards also looked at each other in disbelief, and they all put down their weapons and knelt down in fear.

After all, imperial edicts are symbols of the emperor, representing supreme imperial power. Even some high-ranking officials have to kneel and pay their respects when they see them, let alone ordinary soldiers like them.

"Tch, this thing really works...!"

Seeing everyone kneel and pay their respects, Lu Feng's lips curled into a smile. He then withdrew the imperial edict and said, "By order of His Majesty, I am leading these barbarians into the pass today. Why don't you all open the city gates to welcome them?"

"Uh, this...!"

The middle-aged man was still completely bewildered, seemingly unable to process what had happened. He stood frozen in place, unsure whether to kneel or not.

After all, Lu Feng was just an ordinary, nameless rogue cultivator who mingled with a group of barbarians from beyond the Great Wall. He didn't look like a high-ranking official of the imperial court who held an imperial edict.

However, the imperial edict in the other party's hand had a gold seal and vermilion annotations, and it did not look like a fake at all.

Therefore, even the middle-aged man is now in a dilemma!

"Hmph! Where did these barbarian scoundrels come from, daring to run wild on the territory of my Dongyun Kingdom!"

Just as the middle-aged man hesitated, a cold, gloomy voice suddenly came from above.

Swish!

The next moment, a figure in silver robes descended from the sky. His face was gloomy and he was surrounded by a murderous aura. Moreover, his cultivation had reached the eighth level of the Spirit Soul Realm. He was obviously a ruthless character who had fought on the battlefield for many years!

"General Cao!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, the middle-aged man grasped at a straw, immediately landing before him and kneeling in greeting, "This humble general greets General Cao!"

"Your subordinate pays respects to General Cao!"

Upon seeing this, the guards around them dared not be negligent and immediately knelt down to pay their respects to the man in silver robes, all speaking in unison with their faces full of respect.

Because the visitor was none other than Cao Lin, one of the three tigers of the Cao family and the current general guarding Jiayuguan Pass!

As for the Cao family behind Cao Lin, they are also a powerful and influential family, not to be underestimated. They are one of the most prominent families in the current Dongyun Kingdom, second only to the Yun family, which rebelled in the past, and the Zhao family, which has dominated the position of prime minister for many years.

"Reporting to General Cao! This man not only possesses an imperial edict, but also intends to lead a group of barbarians of unknown origin into the pass. I am of low rank and have little influence, and dare not make a hasty decision. I humbly request General Cao's wise judgment!"

The middle-aged man bowed to Cao Lin again, then pointed to Lu Feng and the others below the pass, still looking uneasy.