Chapter 2871 Treasure City in Chaos!
Zhan Lu said with a strained and pained voice, "Young Master Lin, the star pirates are berserk this time. The factions that tried to leave Treasure City were all killed by the star pirates and tossed to the Abyssal Beasts. Many of the experts who were killed came from powerful species.
"All the roads out of Treasure City have already been blockaded. Otherwise, the City Lord wouldn't be able to contact so many of Treasure City's factions! The star pirates are trying to hunt down every resident of Treasure City! Every person in Treasure City has become the prey of the star pirates!"
Lin Yuan immediately said, "Mr. Zhan, we accepted your invitation and have come to protect Fortune Treasure Palace. Since you intend to head to the City Lord Manor, we will go with you. Mr. Zhan. All you need to do is handle the guests of honor outside!"
In truth, Lin Yuan had already received a response from Winter and learned about the situation happening outside. He already knew what had happened to the factions that tried to leave Treasure City.
He asked Zhan Lu about the situation despite already being aware of it because he wanted to see if he would be able to find out anything special. Alas, he was unable to learn anything new from Zhan Lu.
Lin Yuan had been wondering about something. Why had the star pirates chosen to attack Treasure City of all places? Was it solely because the Treasure Convention was about to take place?
At present, there was a large amount of resources accumulated in Treasure City.
This was not the first Treasure Convention to take place, and there were many cities like Treasure City that had trade as their main role.
However, star pirates had never besieged any other city in the past!
Star pirates were indeed brazen—they lived by the bloody blade and killed daily.
But while the star pirates were plundering, they had to fend off vengeful enemies as well.
Star pirates were also frequently slaughtered by their enemies. Hence, they always thought out their actions before enacting them.
If the star pirates left behind even a hint of information after attacking Treasure City, they would be pursued by Honor Absent Palace!
Once Honor Absent Palace stepped in, their retribution would be swift and deadly. Hence, the star pirates were definitely planning something!
However, Lin Yuan still did not know what the star pirates were planning exactly.
Having surrounded Treasure City, the star pirates were nearer to the two void passageways than Treasure City was. They definitely had the means to suppress the two void passageways.
The Abyssal Beasts were also a threat to the star pirates.
Based on what Genius had read in the books, Lin Yuan had gained significant knowledge and could be regarded as a well of the Sky Beyond the Clouds' knowledge.
In order to take control of void passageways of such a level, the star pirates had to have Abyss Commanders.
Only Commander-class abyssal lifeforms could take control of World Emperor/Divine Kingdom Abyssal Beasts.
Abyss Commanders came from the messy abyss outside of the Sky Beyond the Clouds. Hence, the star pirates could not control the Abyss Commanders.
Lin Yuan had come to Treasure City to replenish Sky City's storage. Yet, he ended up embroiled in this situation.
Winter and Spring were strong enough to flatten this commotion and put an end to the issue, but this would cause the instigators to flee and go into hiding.
In order to uncover the reason behind this commotion, Lin Yuan could not allow Spring and Winter to cause such a spectacle.
Lin Yuan intended to develop quietly so he could find out who was behind the star pirates and learn what their aim was!
Zhan Lu let out a sigh of relief when he heard what Lin Yuan said. He had been terrified that Lin Yuan would turn him down. This was especially so because he had become the mouthpiece for these three special honor guests.
Now that Lin Yuan was willing to work with him, things would be able to progress without issue.
Zhan Lu noted the favor he owed Lin Yuan.
In the past, Zhan Lu would definitely begin guessing what Lin Yuan had done to gain Yin Ruo and Jin Chen's support. These two had not been present when Lin Yuan became a special honor guest.
However, Zhan Lu was now fully focused on this issue.
In the thousands of years that Zhan Lu had lived in Treasure City, he had never experienced such a crisis. He prayed that others outside of the city would be able to notice what had happened and spread the news.
Zhan Lu was certain that the experts in Treasure City would not be able to safely overcome this crisis without external aid.
The Abyssal Beasts alone would be able to destroy Treasure City with ease!
If Treasure City was truly unable to handle the number of Abyssal Beasts, the factions there would have to retreat and allow themselves to be besieged.
Once they broke through the star pirates' blockades, they would have the chance to escape and flee!
"Young Master Lin, having received your response, I will go and handle the guests now. They definitely won't turn me down! If any of them reject me, they will only be able to 'continue' remaining in Fortune Treasure Palace."
Even during moments of crisis, Zhan Lu was still level-headed and could think clearly. He would not only show the special honor guests superficial respect but also toss them aside when push came to shove.
Zhan Lu had yet to communicate with the guests of honor outside before he came to speak with Lin Yuan, Jin Chen, and Yin Ruo. If he had spoken to the honor guests first and then asked Lin Yuan and the rest for appearances, his relationship with them would have been soured once they found out what he had done!
Zhan Lu did not tell the people from Fortune Treasure Palace to pack up the resources on display before he spoke with Lin Yuan, Jin Chen, and Yin Ruo. But now that Lin Yuan and the rest had agreed to his suggestion, Zhan Lu not only needed to communicate with the honor guests outside but also had to pack up all the valuable resources on display.
Zhan Lu was not overly concerned about communicating with the honor guests outside because they did not possess significant power. It was more likely that these people were gathering there because they wanted to seek protection rather than protect Fortune Treasure Palace!
Furthermore, once Zhan Lu described the dangers of this situation, the honor guests would voluntarily head to the City Lord Manor. Although they would have to listen to the City Lord's orders and participate in fighting this crisis, they would be far safer than in Fortune Treasure Palace.
Once Zhan Lu left, shock lingered on the faces of Jin Chen, Yin Ruo, and their attendants.
Jin Chen had become Lin Yuan's follower, and all he needed to do was listen to all of Lin Yuan's decisions. Lin Yuan would ensure his safety. Hence, Jin Chen was not worried.
He was unlike Yin Ruo, who was currently swept up in regret. If she had known that Treasure City was in the midst of such an emergency, she would not have come and gotten herself involved.
The Silver Blue Fairy Sharks had just as rich a store of resources as the Treasure Convention.
Yin Ruo turned to look at Lin Yuan and saw that he did not look as worried as her. She asked him, "Young Master Lin, how do you plan to handle this situation? Even during times like this, Holy Spirit experts have the most sway in the City Lord Manor. The three of us are currently allies. Once we get to the City Lord Manor, we need to continue working together. You will still be our representative!"
Yin Ruo spoke to Lin Yuan sincerely, trying to get on his good side.
Yin Ruo now fully saw Spring as her source of support.
Lin Yuan did not give Yin Ruo any confirmation. Rather, he said with a smile, "Since all of you trust me and still want me to be your representative, I will make sure to safeguard your profits when we get to the City Lord Manor. You don't have to worry about that at all!
"But I don't know much about the current situation. I entered Fortune Treasure Palace some time ago, just like you. Before I ascertain the enemy's power, any discussion of safeguards is empty talk. I will just have to do my best!"
At first, Yin Ruo had been very panicked and craved an answer with certainty.
Lin Yuan only said that as long as they continued recognizing him as their representative when they got to the City Lord Manor, he promised to safeguard their profits. Despite not saying anything else, Yin Ruo already felt reassured. Her positive impression of Lin Yuan improved significantly!
Lin Yuan's words proved that he was a cautious and reliable character.
…
After Lin Yuan left Fortune Treasure Palace and was on the way to the City Lord Manor, he could sense the atmosphere of terror that permeated the air throughout Treasure City.
The species had already closed down their chambers of commerce, and not a single chamber of commerce in Treasure City was operating.
In truth, aside from the ongoing crisis, another major reason for the atmosphere of terror was that many species' merchant groups had turned into robbers and had started to prey on the weak species and their merchant groups.
Lin Yuan felt that these people were more despicable than the star pirates.
On the way there, Lin Yuan and his group encountered many such incidents. Before Zhan Lu could say anything, Lin Yuan instructed Spring to eliminate all of those people.
It was rare to encounter such incidents in the main world, but they were common both inside and outside of the Sky Beyond the Clouds' cities.
Based on what Lin Yuan did, Zhan Lu, Yin Ruo, and the rest knew that he was the kind of person who prioritized order.
People who prioritized order were much more suited to be allies than those with wicked and convoluted hearts because they had limits.
However, only powerful lifeforms were able to maintain a character of prioritizing order. If weak factions had leaders who prioritized regulation, they would be eliminated swiftly.
The City Lord Manor held this arriving group in high regard. The City Lord came personally to receive them.
Treasure City's City Lord was a true Domain Mountain/Holy Spirit expert and was considered capable. Otherwise, he would not have been able to develop Treasure City to such a prosperous extent before the crisis descended.
Treasure City's City Lord, Li Feng, intended to greet Zhan Lu first. Before Li Feng contacted Zhan Lu, he already knew that Zhan Lu had three special honor guests with him and wanted Zhan Lu to introduce them to him.
Firstly, this would allow him to become acquainted with experts of similar power. It would also make it easier for him to command them in the future.
Yet, Zhan Lu did not immediately make contact with him. Rather, he lowered his head and began speaking to the young man next to him.
It was clear from the formation who the leader of this group was.
The man to the right of Zhan Lu was already young. But the one Zhan Lu was currently talking to was only 40 to 50 years old!
Lifeforms who were less than 100 years old were all newborns.
Zhan Lu was acting so humbly toward this newborn. Just what was special about this newborn?
Li Feng and Zhan Lu had known each other for some time.
Both of them lived in Treasure City and were part of its upper echelon. It was inevitable for them to interact from time to time.
Zhan Lu was less powerful than him but had a much higher EQ. Li Feng admitted that.
Despite Li Feng coming personally to greet them, Zhan Lu still deferred to this young man as the leader. The meaning behind this did not have to be said. This young man was much more important to Zhan Lu than Li Feng was!
Li Feng stood there good-naturedly and waited. He was sure that once Zhan Lu was done with his conversation with the young man, they would speak. He would then be able to ask Zhan Lu to introduce him to this young man.
Normally, Zhan Lu would not introduce important clients to him. But this situation was different. It was unlikely that Zhan Lu would reject his request.
Lin Yuan did not intend to put on a show in front of Treasure City's City Lord.
Lin Yuan listened to Zhan Lu tell him about the information that Fortune Treasure Palace had discovered while he observed this elegant man standing before him.
In the Sky Beyond the Clouds, every species retained a few of their original traits when they transformed into human form.
This elegant man still had a long beard. It was likely that his bloodline was related to dragons.
Lin Yuan interrupted Zhan Lu while he was introducing him, "Mr. Zhan, this must be the City Lord of Treasure City! This is my first visit to Treasure City, and I don't have a good grasp of the situation. Won't you introduce us?"
Li Feng chuckled when he heard what Lin Yuan said. It was rare for a man this young to have such propriety.
Based on what this young man said, he intended to form ties with him. This saved him a lot of trouble!
"My name is Li Feng. Old Zhan doesn't need to introduce you. I'll tell you about myself! Treasure City is in the midst of a crisis. All of you are Treasure City's saviors. I hope that you will work with me. I am endlessly grateful to all of you!"
Li Feng's words were not just directed at Lin Yuan. He was also addressing Zhan Lu, Yin Ruo, Jin Chen, and the other experts behind Lin Yuan.
From Li Feng's words, he had set aside his pride as the City Lord and was now asking for their help.
In this world that was ruled by experts, Li Feng's attitude was not just for show.
As a result, Lin Yuan's impression of Li Feng improved.
He was already willing to protect Treasure City. If he did not protect the city, how could he reel in the people behind the star pirates?