Liou Yuan’s cultivation level was naturally transparent in front of Xu Xiang, who was in the late-stage of Qi Cultivation.

He was not surprised at all that Xu Xiang revealed his cultivation level.

However, the information contained in just one short sentence left the four people present in shock.

Even Mr. Ge looked at Liou Yuan with astonishment.

He had already seen that Liou Yuan was at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer, but he never imagined that he was about to break through the Qi Cultivation Third Layer so quickly.

One must know that he had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer for a full fifteen years, and only yesterday did he break through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer.

If it weren’t for the bottle of Qi Condensing Pills given by Liou Yuan, he would have no chance of breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer in this lifetime.

For him, the insurmountable barrier was like child’s play in front of Liou Yuan.

Saying there’s no sense of defeat would be a lie.

"This kid, so quiet. If the City Lord hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have known he broke through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer."

"Truly a little freak."

The loose cultivators Hua Xuanyi and Di Xi also gave Liou Yuan a few more furtive glances.

Fortunately, with Brother Liou Yuan as a shield, Liou Zhen’s reputation as a genius had long been renowned in the Yanhe City cultivation circle.

Although Liou Yuan’s cultivation speed seemed fast, it was still within their range of acceptance.

Among those present, the most unconvinced was Wei Ying.

As a disciple already designated by the Yanluo Sect, the little girl’s talent was beyond doubt.

Having grown up with praise for her genius, Wei Ying was also not far from the Qi Cultivation Third Layer.

Upon hearing that Liou Yuan was also about to break through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer,

she pouted slightly, looking at Liou Yuan with a competitive gleam in her eyes, secretly thinking, "Let’s see who breaks through first then."

Everyone’s reactions were observed by Liou Yuan, who was also left helpless by Xu Xiang’s sudden speech.

His intent was to keep a low profile until his elder brother returned, quietly tagging along when he left.

He didn’t want to attract anyone’s attention before then.

But since he was already seen through, Liou Yuan didn’t mind, for he had a ’background.’

He grinned at Xu Xiang and said, "The City Lord has a keen eye."

With the arrival of Liou Yuan, almost all five cultivators of Yanhe City were present.

Xu Xiang didn’t bother with much chatter.

He gently reiterated the current situation of Yanhe City, then said to the five: "Right now, Yanhe City is on the brink of danger, and I need to maintain the Moat Array, so I cannot act."

"The safety of the city lies with you five."

Because of her father Mr. Wei, Wei Ying greatly admired Xu Xiang and eagerly said, "Uncle Xu, don’t say that. Yanhe City is also our home."

"Protecting Yanhe City is simply our duty."

As she said this, Wei Ying sweetly smiled at Liou Yuan, "Isn’t that right, Liou Yuan fellow Daoist?"

Liou Yuan had previously helped Wei Ying argue with Di Xi, so Wei Ying had long considered him one of her own.

At this moment, she naturally pulled Liou Yuan into her ’camp.’

Liou Yuan smiled brightly, responding, "Miss Wei is right."

In his heart, however, he was secretly embarrassed.

"This little sister is so easily deceived. If she goes out into the world, she’ll be sold without knowing."

As for Mr. Ge and Hua Xuanyi, although they didn’t speak, they had already shown their stance that day.

Only Mr. Di Xi, Dean of the Yanluo Sect, was forced to be here.

Now, given the situation, he had no choice.

"Good!" Xu Xiang scanned the five, especially pausing for a moment on Liou Yuan and Wei Ying before saying ’good,’ and then he reached out into the empty air in front of him.

Five talismans of various colors appeared in Xu Xiang’s hand.

"The city defense artifact of Yanhe City was lost due to Mr. Wei’s death."

"The City Lord still has some talismans that can assist you all."

Xu Xiang proceeded to explain the power of each talisman in his hand.

Among them were two attack talismans, two defense talismans, and one for trapping opponents.

After explaining, he let Liou Yuan and the others choose.

"Talismans, great stuff!" Liou Yuan’s eyes slightly sparkled.

It seemed that Xu Xiang put a lot of effort into this, as talismans are quite precious.

Liou Yuan noticed that the spiritual power fluctuations from those talismans were far stronger than those from his Cyan Wood Talisman.

Surely the quality was not low.

Xu Xiang taking out five at once was likely a significant expenditure for him.

After Xu Xiang finished, he looked at Liou Yuan and Wei Ying, gesturing for them to choose first.

Whether because of potential, background, or their earlier statement, both of them had Xu Xiang’s trust.

With a defense magical artifact, Liou Yuan naturally wanted to choose a powerful talisman.

He didn’t hesitate with Xu Xiang, stepping forward to choose one of the attack talismans.

Xu Xiang smiled slightly, deliberately choosing one for him from the two, handing it to him.

"This one suits you."

Liou Yuan’s face showed a moment of astonishment, but he quickly responded, "Thank you, City Lord."

Since Xu Xiang had chosen for him, he naturally had to accept it.

Wei Ying, because she had an attack magical artifact, took a defense talisman.

Of the remaining three, Mr. Ge chose an attack category talisman.

Hua Xuanyi took a talisman that traps enemies.

Dean Di took a defensive talisman.

With the distribution of talismans complete, Xu Xiang stood in the hall, hands behind his back, earnestly scanning Liou Yuan and the four others, saying:

"As the City Lord, I am fair in rewards and punishments; I will not ask you to act without compensation this time."

"Once Yanhe City survives this crisis, there will be substantial rewards."

From the moment he entered the Qinghe Division, Liou Yuan was already prepared for the troubles that lay ahead.

Thus, he showed the most enthusiasm alongside Wei Ying, expressing their determination to defend Yanhe City to the death.

They even rejected Xu Xiang’s proposal to bring their families to the Yanhe Government Office for protection.

What a joke.

They only needed to verbally commit to risking their lives.

If they really encountered something unbeatable, Liou Yuan would run faster than anyone else.

If they brought their families to the Yanhe Government Office, they wouldn’t even dare to escape, completely at Xu Xiang’s mercy.

"The safety of Yanhe City rests wholly upon you, gentlemen!"

Finally, with Xu Xiang’s words, the five dispersed and left the Qinghe Division.

Outside the Qinghe Government Office, the Chief Constables from the east, west, south, and north regions were ready to deploy.

All awaited the instructions of Liou Yuan and the other four.

That night, in the west city.

Being from the west city, Liou Yuan was naturally assigned to guard the western district.

Initially, according to the five’s earlier discussion, it was best to act in pairs so they could support each other.

If they really encountered a tricky Star Evil, they would have a better chance of escape.

But the five talismans Xu Xiang provided gave them the confidence to act independently.

Ge Jinhong, with Qi Refining Third Layer, already had not weak cultivation, and his talismanic skill was even more powerful.

Wei Ying received a magical artifact from an elder of the Yanluo Sect.

Hua Xuanyi already had the ability to independently slay a Star Evil.

Liou Yuan had rapidly improved his strength and owned a set of yellow jade Buddhist beads.

The four had the strength to stand on their own.

As for Di Xi, Liou Yuan didn’t even count on him.

At the top of the tallest tavern in the western city, Liou Yuan sat by the window, overlooking the entire western district.

With anything that happened, Liou Yuan could immediately notice, saving him the trouble of patrolling everywhere.

This was the benefit of training in the "Five Mansions Star Gazing Breathing Skill," granting him keen hearing and sight.

While enjoying the desserts laid on the table, his other hand was not idle, holding a black talisman depicting a tiger pattern.

"It’s actually a first-class mid-grade talisman, even higher quality than the Cyan Wood Talisman."

Liou Yuan’s tone was filled with satisfaction towards this talisman.

As expected of Xu Xiang, the City Lord, with a substantial background, offering high-quality talismans.

According to Mr. Ge, a talisman of this quality would be worth two thousand silver taels, yet not readily available in the market.

Just now, Liou Yuan already used the Fixed Star Compass’s identification ability to check the talisman’s information.

[Name] Tiger Soul Talisman

[Category] Talisman

[Quality] First-class mid-grade

[Effect]

The talisman seals the essence of a tiger beast, and by using spiritual power, the tiger soul within can be activated to enhance the user’s body.

For ordinary Qi Refining cultivators, it grants a physical body matching a Body Cultivator of the same level.

For Body Cultivators, the power increases to a higher level.

(Duration is half a stick of incense; once time runs out, the talisman becomes void.)

The two attack category talismans were purposefully given by Xu Xiang to Liou Yuan, complementing his dual cultivation of spirit and body perfectly.

Only Liou Yuan could unleash the Tiger Soul Talisman’s maximum power.

"Heh, Mr. Xu is magnanimous."

"With this talisman boosting me, my raw strength absolutely won’t be beneath Dai Yao of Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, ordinary Star Evil will not pose much threat to me."

Liou Yuan, who was initially anxious due to the perilous path ahead, felt completely reassured with the acquisition of the Tiger Soul Talisman.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Liou Yuan would be complacent.

Dai Yao’s fate was still vivid in his mind; Liou Yuan would never make such a low-level mistake of underestimating the enemy.