Chapter 126: Wu Tian Is Arrested

In an inconspicuous room at an inn within the Imperial City:

"Word has just come in: the Fierce Tiger Hall's assassination of Wu Tian was a failure. Even the Hall Master of the Fierce Tiger Hall died at Wu Tian's hands. How do you intend to proceed?" A figure in a black robe, wearing a mask, asked the middle-aged man beside him. The masked man’s voice was exceptionally gloomy and terrifying, as if it carried an eerie echo.

"Wu Tian actually killed the Hall Master of the Fierce Tiger Hall? Does he possess such formidable strength?" The middle-aged man found it hard to believe.

"Outside of Tianmen Pass, hundreds of people witnessed it with their own eyes," the black-robed man said coldly.

"Hu Xiaofeng at least held the cultivation of a second-tier Martial King. To think he couldn't even defeat a piece of trash like Wu Tian—it’s incredible! Could someone have stepped in to help him?" the middle-aged man asked.

"No one helped him. It was his own strength alone. However, based on the reports, it appears Wu Tian possesses high-tier equipment."

"That makes sense. That waste Wu Tian was crippled back in Pingyang City. Without the aid of a top-tier expert or peerless medicinal pills, he should have been unable to recover. I don’t know where he found the luck to obtain such high-tier equipment," the middle-aged man nodded.

"Regardless, Wu Tian must die. Use every means necessary!" the black-robed man commanded coldly.

"That goes without saying. His entry into the Qitian Sect headquarters is a threat to me as well. However, I don't believe we need to take action at this moment. Back in Pingyang City, the Asura Gate accepted the mission to assassinate Wu Tian. Although their first attempt failed, according to their rules, they will continue to pursue the target until the mission is complete and Wu Tian is dead. We only need to wait for news of his demise," the middle-aged man reasoned.

"If the Asura Gate can finish the job, that would be for the best. That way, we won't need to expose ourselves."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black-robed man’s figure rippled like water, slowly fading until it vanished entirely.

After the black-robed man disappeared, the middle-aged man’s expression turned icy. As he walked out of the room, he muttered, "Wu Tian, since you managed to make it to the Imperial City alive, welcome to the Qitian Sect headquarters. But I swear, your days here will be far from pleasant."

...

At that moment, Wu Tian and his companions finally approached the Imperial City.

"A thousand years ago, a war between the three realms plunged the entire Divine Dragon Continent into endless slaughter. In order to resist foreign enemies, the Kuangwu Empire gathered all the formation masters in the nation to construct a vast and magnificent defense line fifty miles outside the Imperial City. This line encircles the entire city, creating a defensive barrier that covers even the sky above it. Not even an expert at the Martial Emperor level can break through this barrier. We are currently standing just outside it," Li Tie-dan said, looking at the endless wall before them.

Wu Tian was stunned by the sight. In his previous life on Earth, China possessed the Great Wall, an epic architectural feat, but it paled in comparison to the defensive fortifications of this Imperial City.

It was composed of massive fortresses and walls dozens of meters high, encompassing the entire city and the surrounding region. Standing before this defense line, Wu Tian felt incredibly insignificant.

"The Imperial City truly lives up to its name. Even fifty miles out, there is such a massive barrier. It seems entering won't be simple," Niu Wuji remarked, gazing at the towering defensive shield.

"It doesn't look like there are many guards here. It’s different from what I imagined," Wu Tian observed, scanning the area and noting very few patrolling sentries.

"If anyone tries to force their way through the barrier, the energy of the formation will kill them on the spot. Furthermore, this barrier cannot be broken even by Martial Emperor-level experts. If someone capable of breaking it truly arrived, more guards would be useless, which is why there isn't a heavy garrison," Old Li explained.

Just then, guards atop the wall spotted Wu Tian’s group and shouted, "Who goes there?!"

"He and I are Qitian Sect disciples here to report to the headquarters. These three are my friends," Wu Tian replied to the guards.

"State your names!"

"Wu Tian!"

"Men, arrest them all! If they resist, kill them without mercy!" Without further ado, the guards atop the wall waved their hands, and a swarm of city garrison troops poured out, surrounding Wu Tian and his companions.

Though the number of guards at the barrier was small, each one was an elite among elites. Many held the cultivation of Martial Spirits, and there were quite a few Martial Kings as well, leaving Wu Tian bewildered.

"What is going on?" Wu Tian raised his hands in confusion. With so many experts present, even in his most arrogant state, he knew he couldn't fight them all.

"Wu Tian, you are a nationally wanted criminal from Xinye City. You killed the six generals of Xinye City and numerous garrison troops, violating the laws of the Kuangwu Empire. You have been declared a traitor. You would be wise to surrender now, or you will be executed on the spot!" the garrison commander shouted coldly, pointing at Wu Tian.

"It's over. They're serious. We can't even run now," Niu Wuji said to Wu Tian.

"There’s no choice. The Imperial City garrison has too many experts; we can't escape. We have to go with them and try to reason it out later," Wu Tian said helplessly.

As he spoke, the surrounding garrison troops bound Wu Tian and his group with heavy chains.

"Hahaha!" Suddenly, a wild laugh echoed from the defensive wall.

Wu Tian and his group looked up to see that the one laughing was Wei Aoxiong, the Young City Lord of Xinye City.

"Wu Tian, you never thought you'd end up like this, did you? You were so full of yourself back in Xinye City! Why don't you try acting arrogant with me now? You didn't even put me, the Young City Lord of Xinye, in your eyes... Hahaha! This is your consequence. You are nothing but a traitor now—a traitor to the Kuangwu Empire. You will never rise again!" Wei Aoxiong roared down at Wu Tian from his vantage point.

"So it was you! What power do you have to command the Imperial City garrison? You're just the Young City Lord of Xinye!" Niu Wuji spat at Wei Aoxiong.

"In the end, Xinye City serves the Kuangwu Empire and the Imperial Family. By causing trouble in Xinye, you were going against the Imperial Family. It is only natural for the Imperial City garrison to apprehend a traitor like you. Why is that so surprising? Now that you've been arrested, stop thinking about escape and start thinking about how to mitigate your crimes!"

With that, Wei Aoxiong descended and walked up to Wu Tian, triumphantly saying, "Wu Tian, I've finally caught you. You won't be escaping this time!"

At that moment, a troop of riders on Blazing Fire Horses galloped through the defensive barrier. At their head was Liu Qingxu, an elder of the Qitian Sect.

"Commander, these people are disciples of the Qitian Sect. I hope you will show them favor and release their bonds," Liu Qingxu said, bowing to the garrison commander as he approached.