In the pavilion at the center of the lake, Ji Wuchang and Zhou Guangrong sat facing each other. Seeing that Ji Wuchang was really about to leave, Zhou Guangrong stopped him directly; everything that had just happened was merely a test!

"City Lord, what exactly do you need me to do? As long as I can do it, I certainly won't refuse!" Ji Wuchang looked at Zhou Guangrong with a guarded expression in his eyes. He wouldn't easily trust Zhou Guangrong, even if he was recommended by his own master, Zhou Haotian.

When the other party mentioned the Fifth Prince earlier, a flash of killing intent appeared in his eyes, and Ji Wuchang couldn't have mistaken it. This meant that although it seemed like he was testing him, what he said might actually be true. If Ji Wuchang really agreed, and something went wrong later, Zhou Guangrong could easily shift the blame.

Hearing Ji Wuchang's words, Zhou Guangrong's expression became serious. "Wuchang, as you know, for this Thousand Cities Battle, my White Sheep City needs ten participants, but including you, we only have five so far. There are more than ten noble families in White Sheep City, and they all have their own disciples. I once made an agreement with them for an internal challenge. As long as the people I send from the city lord's residence can defeat their family members, they will send people to participate. Of course, the people from the city lord's residence can only participate once. Currently, I have arranged for four families, and there is one more crucial family. I want you to challenge them. What do you think?" Zhou Guangrong slowly stated his purpose.

Ji Wuchang was slightly stunned and muttered to himself. Could it really be that simple? He was a bit skeptical; there must be something he didn't know. But he didn't seem to have a reason to refuse this request, so he could only ask, "City Lord, when is the challenge? And what is the cultivation level of the opponent?"

Zhou Guangrong smiled slightly and then said, "The challenge is tomorrow, and as for the cultivation level, the opponent is at the fifth level of the Six Gods Realm."

Ji Wuchang nodded, having a rough idea, and then said, "In that case, I can only do my best, but I can't guarantee anything!"

Zhou Guangrong nodded slightly and then smiled, "Alright, it's settled then!" Ji Wuchang nodded slightly, clasped his hands in salute to Zhou Guangrong, and then turned to leave.

Zhou Guangrong watched Ji Wuchang's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly. After Ji Wuchang disappeared, a figure appeared—an old man.

"What, don't you trust this young man's abilities?" The old man smiled and sat down in the seat Ji Wuchang had just occupied. This old man was named Li Xiongdong, a close friend of Zhou Guangrong, with a life-and-death bond between them. Zhou Guangrong had a formidable intelligence network, which was managed by Li Xiongdong.

Zhou Guangrong smiled slightly and then said, "It's not that I don't trust him. Since Zhou Haotian, that old fellow, sent him here, his strength must be good. But knowing your enemy and yourself ensures victory in every battle! This plan is quite important to us; we can't afford any mistakes! By the way, has the identity of Jia Yi been confirmed? Is she really from Gu Xuan Pavilion?"

Li Xiongdong smiled and said, "Confirmed, she is indeed from Gu Xuan Pavilion! But you might not know, this little girl was originally from the Tianxing Dynasty. She joined the Thousand Cities Battle to seek revenge. Her original name was Ying Rou, from the Ying family of the Tianxing Dynasty. Her father was Ying Zhanguang, who was executed by dismemberment decades ago. After escaping from the Tianxing Dynasty, she voluntarily joined Gu Xuan Pavilion and became an assassin. Over the years, she has almost never failed, becoming the top assassin on Gu Xuan Pavilion's Jia list, also known as Jia Yi. Ying Rou didn't have a good life in Gu Xuan Pavilion; she was bullied multiple times, even by the pavilion master, Gu Liuyang. Ying Rou harbors deep hatred for Gu Xuan Pavilion and wants to rid herself of this malignant tumor. Some time ago, Jia Yi was ordered to assassinate Ji Wuchang. After roughly understanding Ji Wuchang's strength, she decided to trick Gu Xuan Pavilion. So, under her arrangement, many assassins from Gu Xuan Pavilion were successively killed by Ji Wuchang. Later, she stole a treasure from Gu Xuan Pavilion, the Xuan Guang Stone Mirror, and then disappeared without a trace. Who would have thought she would appear in White Sheep City now? It seems she is preparing to take action against the royal family of the Tianxing Dynasty."

After Li Xiongdong finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on his lips. He controlled a vast intelligence network, so gathering information wasn't difficult for him.

Zhou Guangrong's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he smiled, "That's great! It seems she is much more suitable than Ji Wuchang!"

Li Xiongdong also nodded slightly, obviously agreeing with Zhou Guangrong's words, but he still reminded him, "City Lord, Jia Yi is not easy to control and has a special ability to hide in the void. You should still be careful!"

Zhou Guangrong smiled slightly and then nodded. What he wanted was simple: the royal blood of the Tianxing Dynasty. With the royal blood, his cultivation could instantly leap to the next major realm. Of course, he wouldn't miss the Thousand Star Flame either!

Ji Wuchang returned to his courtyard, holding a porcelain bottle containing the Seven Star Pill given to him by Zhou Guangrong. "Yao Yao, can you check this pill for me? I don't trust Zhou Guangrong. A man filled with the hatred of losing his son can do anything." Ji Wuchang spoke to Ji Yaoyao, his trust in Zhou Guangrong nonexistent.