MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 194
Chapter 194: Shifting Power Dynamics
As soon as Li De's words faded, silence descended upon the assembled crowd.
A moment later, a bold voice broke the hush, muttering, "But the Heaven Saber Gang discovered this ruin..."
Before the Spirit Realm expert could address Meijixi, another, more informed voice whispered, "It seems the Heaven Saber Gang no longer exists."
"No longer exists?"
"Yes, a few days ago, the Divine Dao Gang attacked the Heaven Saber Gang. That old fox Meijixi secretly rallied several Spirit Realm experts and wiped them out. The Jing father and son never even showed their faces, supposedly out of fear..."
Another murmur arose from the crowd. "So, we have to follow their rules, pay an entrance fee, and get searched when we leave? I don't believe they'd dare to search Spirit Realm experts, even if they're strong."
"Shh... Keep your voice down... They absolutely would..."
"It's said that the big battle in Flame City yesterday was their doing. The patriarchs of the Rao Clan, the Qi Clan, and the Stone Clan were all killed. Apelo of the Black Feather Tribe barely escaped and is now hiding somewhere in the city."
"These people have probably formed an alliance under Meijixi's leadership. Their intentions are clear: they want to control the entire ruins and keep outsiders out."
The Flame Clan ruins were a treasure trove, overflowing with untold riches.
But no matter how abundant the treasures, no one was willing to share.
Why distribute wealth to the common rabble?
Driven by this greed, Meijixi had secretly gathered over ten Spirit Realm experts!
With these powerful individuals maintaining control, and the members of the Divine Dao Gang handling the mundane tasks, a formidable alliance had been forged. And yesterday, this alliance had brazenly attacked and nearly wiped out all the dissenting Spirit Realm experts.
With the Spirit Realm experts subdued, the remaining low-level Awakened had no chance of resistance.
Li De's voice boomed once more, "The rules have been set. Those who don't submit will die."
"If any Spirit Realm expert has objections to my rules, they're welcome to challenge me."
"Whether we settle this with fists or cooperation depends on your abilities."
Li De's words offered a sliver of face-saving for other Spirit Realm experts, but the message was clear: defiance would not be tolerated.
Meijixi interjected, "Now, everyone, start paying."
This new development caused some minor inconvenience for Lu Ming, but it wasn't a major obstacle.
He could afford the entrance fee. Though not wealthy, he had accumulated a decent amount of corpse crystals from his battles with Hachima An and the other zombies.
And he certainly wasn't afraid of being searched.
The opportunities he sought in this place were not physical items, to begin with. No matter how thoroughly they searched him, they would find nothing.
Of course, encountering such blatant extortion still soured his mood.
However, adhering to his principle of avoiding conflict whenever possible, Lu Ming suppressed his anger and prepared to join the queue to pay the entrance fee.
A long line had formed.
Lu Ming blended into the crowd, his presence unremarkable.
About half an hour later, seeing that order had been restored, Li De and the other Spirit Realm experts took to the skies and returned to Flame City. They were eager to continue their search for opportunities and hunt down Apelo and the other fleeing Spirit Realm experts.
As Spirit Realm experts, they naturally wouldn't stoop to the mundane task of maintaining order.
However, with no other Spirit Realm experts present and only Meijixi, a Level Nine Physique Realm expert, overseeing the situation, they assumed there wouldn't be any major trouble.
But they had underestimated the volatile nature of the crowd.
Those who dared to explore the Flame Clan ruins were individuals who valued wealth more than their own lives. They resented restrictions and possessed a rebellious spirit.
Furthermore, the Divine Dao Gang Alliance wasn't without enemies.
Within the crowd, a figure concealed beneath a black robe slowly raised their head, their eyes burning with hatred as they watched the Spirit Realm experts fly away.
Suddenly, they threw back their hood, revealing the face of a Rao Clan member.
"Damn the Divine Dao Gang!" they roared. "Damn the Divine Dao Alliance!"
"Kill!!"
With a powerful punch, the Level 9 Physique Realm expert unleashed their fury, striking down several members of the Divine Dao Gang. Then, they soared into the air, charging towards the distant Meijixi.
This act of defiance triggered a chain reaction.
Sometimes, all it takes is one fearless individual to ignite a rebellion.
With the Rao Clan member leading the charge, others in the crowd with their own agendas seized the opportunity.
Explorers who couldn't afford the entrance fee or simply refused to pay joined the fray, resorting to violence and theft or scattering in all directions.
Paying the fee was no longer an option.
If they wanted to explore the ruins, they would have to sneak in during the chaos.
As for how they would escape later...
That was a problem for another time.
Could a group of desperate outlaws with no future be expected to plan that far ahead?
The entrance to the ruins descended into chaos.
Lu Ming observed the unfolding pandemonium with a furrowed brow.
"What should I do?"
Unlike the reckless explorers, Lu Ming was thinking several steps ahead.
The Divine Dao Alliance, now in control of the ruins' heart, wouldn't tolerate this breach of their newly established order.
It was easy to foresee the impending consequences: the entire Flame Clan ruins would soon be engulfed in chaos and turmoil.
"And then..."
Lu Ming didn't dwell on it any further. He turned and sprinted in the opposite direction of the chaos.
The commotion would surely attract the Spirit Realm experts of the Divine Dao Alliance back to the entrance.
And when Spirit Realm experts intervened, they wouldn't discriminate between the innocent and the guilty.
Better to kill ten innocent people than let one guilty one escape. It was a brutal but effective strategy.
Lu Ming's speed was astonishing.
Within minutes, he had cleared the square.
After briefly orienting himself, he took a longer, less populated route, avoiding both the main crowd and the likely path of the returning Spirit Realm experts. He headed towards the towering walls of Flame City.
About an hour later, as Lu Ming reached the foot of the city walls, an earth-shattering roar echoed from the square behind him.
His prediction had come true.
When Spirit Realm experts attacked, devastation was inevitable.
"You don't mean to harm others, but others can mean to harm you!"
"I originally wanted to treat you well, but my efforts were in vain..."
Standing at the base of Flame City's wall, Lu Ming sighed.
He had simply wanted to utilize the ruins to quietly cultivate his attributes, minding his own business.
But the environment had turned hostile.
"What should I do now?"
Returning to the entrance was out of the question. The Divine Dao Alliance would undoubtedly station Spirit Realm experts there now.
Moreover, the rules regarding entrance fees might have changed entirely.
Going back would be walking into a trap. Lu Ming had to stay within the ruins.
After a moment of contemplation, he looked up at the imposing city walls.
"Let's enter the city."
Lu Ming reached out, his fingers finding purchase on the rough stone. Like a gecko, he began to climb.
End of Chapter 194
