The Land of Exile, the City of Sin

After the moat's array was broken, massive cracks appeared above Hanyuan Main City, as if a mirror were shattering.

Seeing this, Chen Xu summoned dozens of skeleton mages and pointed toward the fractures above.

The skeleton mages received their orders and gathered energy in unison, condensing fireballs with a destructive aura before launching them into the sky.

"Boom!"

As the fireballs exploded, the mirror-like surface collapsed piece by piece, like falling dominoes.

"Xiao Wu, take two C-type probes and fly them up to scout the situation inside Hanyuan Main City."

"But Professor Liu, there are laser turrets on the Hanyuan walls that automatically target flying objects."

"Nonsense, do you think I don't know that? Use two C-type probes at maximum speed, one after the other. That should be enough to capture a few frames of photos."

"Oh, I'll get right on it."

A researcher pulled two flight probes from a nearby supply vehicle. After powering them on, he set their cruise routes and operating modes.

"Professor Liu, the two C-type probes are configured."

"Once they're ready, launch them immediately."

"Yes, sir."

With the roar of engines, the two aircraft soared vertically into the air. Strangely, they were not attacked this time.

Seeing this, Professor Liu immediately grabbed the remote for one of the aircraft and switched the operating mode to manual.

"So this is what Hanyuan City actually looks like. Everything we detected before was an illusion. What a sophisticated illusion array."

Chen Xu was also curious, so he leaned in to look.

The screen on the remote was filled with Western medieval-style buildings: churches, taverns, dilapidated wooden houses, and several low-slung stone bungalows.

The streets were densely packed with various races: elves, dwarves, orcs, dragon-kin, and ordinary humans. It was a complete melting pot.

"So many races living in one city?"

Chen Xu was puzzled. Even in the divine kingdoms of gods, different races had their own designated areas. Yet in this small Hanyuan City, multiple races were living together.

Given the habits of elves and orcs, it was a miracle they weren't fighting each other, yet they seemed to get along quite well in Hanyuan City.

Besides the mixture of races, Chen Xu noticed another detail: the people in Hanyuan City all looked menacing. Even through a screen, he could sense the murderous intent in their eyes.

Interesting. This Hanyuan City was not simple. Thus, he secretly sent a few ghosts inside. Now that the array was no longer blocking the way, the ghosts could ignore the walls and phase into the city.

Professor Liu wanted to continue scouting for more information when he saw an elf pull out a bow and attack the aircraft.

"Clang!"

Fortunately, it was just an ordinary arrow, and the aircraft remained unharmed, save for a small white mark. However, it was likely just a warning; the opponent hadn't gotten serious yet.

Professor Liu stopped pushing deeper and instead hovered the aircraft in the sky outside Hanyuan City, overlooking the interior.

Before long, Xia Qiming arrived with a large group of Daxia powerhouses.

Professor Liu had already informed him of the situation inside Hanyuan City. As soon as Xia Qiming arrived, he pulled out his smart terminal and issued an order.

"Hanyuan defense line, provide fire support. Aim for the city and give them a full round of bombardment."

Xia Qiming's tactics were conservative. With ample ammunition, he chose to use dense artillery fire for a carpet bombing first.

This was a classic Daxia strategy. In the early days of the dungeon era, resources were scarce, so they had to trade lives for advantages before using artillery for the killing blow.

In the mid-to-late stages, resources became abundant, and mana cannons were no longer a luxury. If the situation allowed, Daxia would generally start with a round of carpet bombing to maim the dungeon monsters before sending in troops to harvest them.

"Please wait, Commander of the otherworld."

A raspy voice echoed from within Hanyuan City.

"Wait, hold your fire."

Xia Qiming immediately issued a new order.

"Who goes there? If you want to talk, stop hiding."

"Hehe, respected Commander of the otherworld, please forgive my negligence. Time has taken too much from me. I can only barely move with the help of a dwarven creation."

"Rumble!"

With a loud noise, a crack opened in the city gate. A muscular dragon-kin pushed out a device resembling a wheelchair.

On the wheelchair sat a gaunt night elf, nothing but skin and bones. He looked as if a gust of wind could blow him away.

However, he was dressed magnificently and possessed a majestic aura, clearly carrying himself as a high-ranking individual.

"The Night Elf King?"

Chen Xu remembered the roar of the Evil Spirit of Ice.

"The Night Elf King? You know him?"

Xia Qiming turned to look at Chen Xu.

"The evil spirit sealed in the permafrost earlier mentioned the Night Elf King."

"Hehehe, Night Elf King... what an ancient title. I haven't heard it in a long time."

The night elf stopped once he was outside the gate.

"Respected Commander of the otherworld, I am the executive officer of this City of Sin. I believe there must be a misunderstanding between us. Once it is cleared up, there is no need for bloodshed."

"Hah. Those monsters outside have already invaded our territory. You call that a misunderstanding?"

"Are you referring to those ice demons? Hehe, that is indeed a misunderstanding. Your powerhouses have reached the gates of the City of Sin. Those ice demons were merely a means of intimidation.

This city is filled with poor souls who have suffered injustice and were exiled here. They are sensitive and prone to extremes. We only seek a peaceful and quiet life; we have absolutely no ill intent.

On behalf of the City of Sin, I can sign a contract with you. The citizens of the City of Sin will never step a single foot outside the city in exchange for you not attacking us."

Xia Qiming remained firm, ignoring the night elf's proposal.

"First, this territory originally belongs to Daxia. Second, you are in no position to negotiate. However, I can give you one chance: lay down your weapons and walk out of this city, and you may live.

Otherwise, you will face Daxia's artillery and blades."

The night elf shook his head. "Sir, are you truly this cruel? These are just miserable people who want to live in peace. Why drive them to extinction?"

"Hah, miserable people?" Chen Xu stepped in front of Xia Qiming. "Just a bunch of exiled criminals putting on an innocent act."

In the distance, a ghost flew out from Hanyuan, holding a scroll in its hands.

The moment the night elf saw the scroll in the ghost's hands, he raised his hand and fired a mental shock directly at the ghost.

But Chen Xu was faster. His mythic-tier mental strength instantly solidified into a spirit shield, blocking the strike for the ghost.

"Getting anxious already?"

Chen Xu took the scroll from the ghost and tossed it to Xia Qiming.

Xia Qiming caught the scroll and opened it to check. It was a record of the City of Sin. This City of Sin was a common land of exile for the Valuo Continent. Regardless of the kingdom or race, the most heinous criminals would be exiled to the City of Sin.

But according to the scroll, the executive officer of the City of Sin was not a night elf. On the contrary, the name of a Night Elf King appeared on the list of criminals.

The night elf ignored Chen Xu's mockery and silently activated a teleportation array, warping back into Hanyuan. He left the dragon-kin standing there in a daze.

There was nothing he could do; Chen Xu's mythic-tier aura had terrified him. If he had known there was a mythic-tier powerhouse here, he wouldn't have stepped a single foot out of the City of Sin even if it meant death.

After reading the scroll, Xia Qiming pulled out his smart terminal.

"Fire! The enemies are all heinous criminals and extremely dangerous. Give me two rounds of carpet bombing first."