"This Stone Rock City is near the Lihuo Realm.

It’s a barrier between the two realms. If the Water Beasts attack the Chaos Fire Realm,

Then their first stop would be Stone Rock City.

Although Tyrant Blade may have some character issues, his management skills are quite strong.

Under his management, Stone Rock City has become a force to be reckoned with over the years.

It has always been a steel barrier for our Chaos Fire Realm.”

Upon hearing Fire Cloud He’s words, Xu Zimei understood the situation.

Stone Rock City cannot go a day without a lord, and this is quite a tough job for Fire Cloud Heir.

Unlike other cities, they have to constantly defend against the Water Beasts.

If managed well, with Tyrant Blade’s previous example, it’s manageable.

However, if there’s a management mishap, accountability must be sought.

"It’s also because Tyrant Blade died too suddenly, leaving no time for them to assess others above.

They can only have me come over first,” Fire Cloud Heir said with a bitter smile.

He truly didn’t want to manage this situation.

He had retired years ago, but there’s no choice.

After all, the Ancestor of Fire trusts him.

The Ancestor probably wouldn’t feel secure having someone else as the City Lord.

"Don’t worry, we’re just passing through Stone Rock City this time, not looking for trouble.”

Xu Zimei reassured him, saying, “My target is the Lihuo Realm.”

"You are indeed the first among the younger generation of our Chaos Fire Realm.

While others stay away from the Lihuo Realm,

You go there on your own accord,” Fire Cloud Heir laughed.

"It’s a pity your ambitions are too grand; otherwise, you’d be the perfect candidate for Stone Rock City’s lord.”

Xu Zimei didn’t respond.

Even if he wanted to be a City Lord, the Ancestor of Fire probably wouldn’t trust Stone Rock City to him.

The Ancestor has significant reservations about him.

The three of them walked into the Teleportation Array together.

The strong force of the void came upon them, and their figures were swallowed instantly.

Only after Xu Zimei and the others left did the Ancestor of Fire finally breathe a sigh of relief, watching the projected image in the Chaos Palace.

"Finally, they’re gone.”

"You seem quite fearful of him,” the bandaged man stepped out timely.

"It’s not fear, just that uncontrollable factors are better to leave early,” the Ancestor of Fire shook his head and said.

"His heaven and earth are not in the Chaos Palace.

Once he reaches the Origin Land, he can do as he wishes, and I won’t mind.”

"And what about the Palace? How do you plan to deal with it?” the bandaged man asked.

"The Palace has already been destroyed, what else needs to be done?” the Ancestor of Fire retorted.

"The Palace is gone, but what about the children there?

They’re all bloodlines of the Palace.

What are you planning for them?” the bandaged man inquired.

"That’s simple, send them to other cities.

In any case, they can’t stay within the Fire Domain,” the Fire Tribe stated bluntly.

"You’re truly ruthless,” the bandaged man replied.

"If I weren’t ruthless, I probably wouldn’t be the Hall Master of the Chaos Palace.”

The Ancestor of Fire said, “The strong keep getting stronger. Everything I do has long abandoned personal sentiments.

As long as it benefits the Chaos Fire Realm, that’s what matters.”

The bandaged man let out a few cold laughs and then vanished.

…

After a long period of time-traveling through space.

The figures of Xu Zimei and his companions finally saw the light.

A ball of flame exploded before their eyes, followed by the light descending, and their feet landing.

The group found themselves in the Teleportation Square in Stone Rock City.

There weren’t many people in Stone Rock City because of geographical reasons; many residents have moved away.

So when Xu Zimei arrived here and looked around, he found it sparsely populated.

The wide streets had only a few people moving about.

Even street vendors were basically nonexistent here.

However, Stone Rock City was vast, and its military strong, with its soldiers all physically robust and powerful in cultivation.

If there’s no strength, how could they suppress these Water Beasts and act as a barrier for the Chaos Fire Realm?

……

Fire Cloud He’s figure soon followed.

He smiled and said, “You two, I won’t be able to host you.

There are a lot of things waiting for me here in Stone Rock City.”

"No worries, you do your thing,” Xu Zimei waved his hand.

He now needed to inquire about a few things. subtex./subtex

About the Lihuo Realm.

Accompanied by Shangguan Xian, he wandered through several streets of the city.

"This Stone Rock City is desolate,” Shangguan Xian remarked.

"It’s like it’s built on a desert.”

"Probably not far off,” Xu Zimei nodded.

He said, “I don’t even know what the situation in the Lihuo Realm is, whether those Water Beasts manage cities.”

Talking as they walked, they arrived in front of an inn.

This Stone Rock City had only one inn, which Xu Zimei and his companion circled for quite a while.

As they approached the inn, there was little business.

The inn didn’t even have staff; the owner was lying on the table alone.

"Owner, you have guests,” Xu Zimei called out.

The owner quickly stood up, smiling, “Rare visitors.

We rarely have anyone come to Stone Rock City.

My inn hasn’t had business for quite some time.”

Saying this, the shopkeeper apologized with a smile, “I’m afraid I can’t offer you your choice of dishes.”

"No problem, we’ll eat whatever you have,” Xu Zimei waved his hand.

He wasn’t really there for the food anyway.

What mattered was gathering information.

The shopkeeper nodded happily and hurried to the back kitchen to cook.

In no time, several plates of steaming dishes and rice were served.

"Enjoy your meal, and for the price, just pay as you see fit,” the shopkeeper said cheerfully.

"Shopkeeper, I have some questions,” Xu Zimei smiled and said.

"Ask away,” the shopkeeper nodded, sitting down beside him.

With no business in the shop, chatting with Xu Zimei suited him just fine; otherwise, it’s too boring on most days.

"Is the Lihuo Realm far from here?” Xu Zimei asked.

"Not too far, not too close.

Cross a mountain to the north, and you’ll reach the borders of the Lihuo Realm.”

The shopkeeper replied, “But the Water Beasts are all gathered in the center of the Lihuo Realm.

So there are few Water Beasts at the borders, making it seem desolate.”

Xu Zimei nodded slightly, then asked, “Besides the Water Beasts, have you seen other creatures?”

He actually wanted to ask about the Blue People.

The shopkeeper shook his head slightly and said, “Even though we’re close to the Lihuo Realm,

The fact is that Water Beasts rarely attack Stone Rock City, and I’ve seen few of them.”

"Do you have a map of the Lihuo Realm?” Xu Zimei asked again.

He had never been to the Lihuo Realm and couldn’t just wander around like a headless chicken.

"Hold on,” the shopkeeper stood up.

After searching for a while within the inn, he brought out a scroll.

He handed the map over to Xu Zimei, saying, “A long time ago, before the Lihuo Realm was overrun, maps of Stone Rock City were widely circulated.

Later when it was overrun, everyone knew how priceless these maps were.

So many were printed, and it’s not particularly rare.”

Xu Zimei took the map, opened it, and looked at it briefly.

He then put the map away.

He was ready to leave. Before going, he left many Spirit Crystals with the shopkeeper.

Though the shopkeeper kept refusing, he was ultimately grateful.