The city was silent.
The events of the day had spread like wildfire. The disciples of the Iron Fang Sect—arrogant, untouchable, feared—had been crushed in an instant by an unknown figure. Their leader, once seen as an unshakable force, had been left broken on the streets, unable to lift even a finger in defiance.
And yet, no one knew who the man responsible was.
They whispered in the dark, in the alleys, behind locked doors. Some called him a monster. Others believed him to be a hidden expert who had descended upon their city for reasons unknown.
But one fact remained unchallenged.
This city was no longer the same.
Shao Xian walked through the streets, his presence unnoticed by those who did not possess the eyes to see beyond the mundane. He had allowed the rumors to spread. It was necessary. The first steps to dominance did not always require force. Sometimes, fear was a more efficient tool.
But there was more work to be done.
The Iron Fang Sect was not the true power of this city. They were nothing more than a gang of thugs who had risen to prominence in the absence of true rulers. Their downfall was inevitable, but their elimination alone would not bring order.
No, this city needed something more.
It needed a new ruler.
And Shao Xian would grant them one.
He reached the central district, where the wealthiest merchants and most influential figures resided. Unlike the outer parts of the city, where survival was dictated by brute strength, here, power took a different form—gold, information, and influence.
But in the end, it was still the same.
Those with power ruled. Those without it suffered.
Shao Xian's lips curled slightly.
He had no interest in gold or political games. He was not here to barter or negotiate.
He was here to claim.
With a flicker of movement, he vanished.
And in the next moment, he stood before the gates of the Jade Pavilion.
The Jade Pavilion was the heart of this city's power. A grand establishment that housed the most influential figures—merchant lords, sect representatives, underground leaders. Deals were struck here. Fates were decided.
And now, it belonged to him.
The guards at the entrance stiffened as he appeared before them. Unlike the common warriors at the city gate, these men were stronger. Cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement, perhaps even touching upon the Foundation Establishment Realm.
It did not matter.
One of the guards stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "This is not a place for commoners. Leave."
Shao Xian did not respond.
The guard frowned. "Did you not hear me?"
Shao Xian raised a single finger.
The guard's body convulsed.
His eyes widened as an invisible force clamped down upon his soul, his breath stolen from his lungs. The other guards reacted instantly, weapons drawn, Qi flaring. But before they could act, a wave of pressure descended upon them.
The air grew heavy.
Their bodies locked in place.
Terror seeped into their bones.
One by one, they collapsed to their knees, unable to withstand the force that suffocated them.
Shao Xian stepped forward. The doors swung open before him, and he walked into the Jade Pavilion unchallenged.
Inside, the atmosphere was luxurious, filled with the scent of rare incense, the walls adorned with gold and jade. Figures of wealth and power filled the main hall, engaged in quiet conversations, their eyes sharp with calculation.
But as Shao Xian entered, the air shifted.
Whispers died.
Eyes turned.
And then, silence.
The presence he exuded was not something they could ignore.
He did not need to speak. His existence alone demanded recognition.
One man, seated at the center of the room, leaned forward. He was dressed in elegant robes, his aura refined yet potent. Bai Ren, the de facto ruler of this city. A merchant lord who held more power than any single sect within these walls.
His eyes studied Shao Xian with interest. "You are the one they speak of."
Shao Xian met his gaze. "And you are the one who believes himself in control."
A flicker of amusement crossed Bai Ren's face. "Power is not something one takes lightly. I have spent decades building my influence. If you believe strength alone is enough to rule, you are mistaken."
Shao Xian took another step forward. "And if you believe influence alone is enough to keep you alive, you are mistaken."
The air tensed.
Bai Ren's expression remained composed, but the slight shift in his posture betrayed his wariness.
"You speak boldly," Bai Ren said. "But words alone do not make a ruler."
Shao Xian raised his hand.
The room shifted.
A force unseen swept through the hall, pressing down upon every soul present.
Merchants, warriors, sect representatives—all found themselves gasping for breath, their bodies trembling beneath the weight of an existence far beyond their comprehension.
Bai Ren's calm facade cracked.
His fingers twitched as he struggled against the crushing power that bore down upon him.
Shao Xian lowered his hand.
And in an instant, the pressure vanished.
Bodies collapsed, gasping for breath, their faces pale with lingering terror.
Shao Xian's voice was soft, yet absolute. "This city no longer belongs to men who sit in halls and pretend to wield power. It belongs to me."
Bai Ren straightened, his breathing steadying. Despite the fear that lingered in his eyes, a smirk tugged at his lips. "You are not the first to seek control of this city."
Shao Xian tilted his head. "And yet, I will be the last."
Bai Ren chuckled. "Then tell me, ruler of this city, what do you intend to do with it?"
Shao Xian turned his gaze to the figures still kneeling in the room. "This place has been governed by greed, by men who believe wealth grants them power. That ends now."
He took another step forward.
"From this moment forward, there is only one law."
His eyes darkened.
"My law."
Silence.
No one dared to speak. No one dared to oppose him.
For in that moment, they understood.
The man before them was not simply another power-hungry figure seeking control.
He was an existence beyond their realm of understanding.
And resistance was meaningless.
Bai Ren exhaled, his gaze lowering in quiet submission.
And with that, the city's fate was sealed.
A new order had begun.