The silver city at the end of the ice and snow added a sense of ancient mystery and distant charm.

Dusk was approaching, snow danced wildly, and the endless ice river was filled with a vast expanse of white snow, like a cloud of mist covering the outlines of the mountains.

Migratory birds flew through the snow, landing atop the city walls, their gray wings already covered with thick snow.

A pavilion with lofty eaves, gilded tiles shimmering with silver light, was full of luxurious, majestic ancient charm.

Inside the hall, the curtains hung low, the fireplace burned fiercely, and the silver beast-shaped incense burner slowly exhaled wisps of blue smoke, creating a warm atmosphere.

It was completely different from the icy world outside the hall.

Standing in the hall were several elders of Shifang City, all wearing light robes, unfazed by the cold.

They held their staffs, gazing deeply at the young woman sitting with her sword in the hall.

"I wonder, Miss, how have you considered our opinions?"

The petite and frail young woman sat upright in a grand, solemn seat that didn’t match her stature.

She rested the Ten Directions Sword on her lap, her eyes as calm as still water, glancing down lightly.

The young woman spoke softly without any emotion: "In my eyes, the opinions of the elders are utterly foolish!"

Di Lianggong had served in Shifang City for 176 years, held a high position, and was considered unshakable in the main city of Tianquan.

At this moment, not to mention the daughter of the City Lord, even the City Lord himself would not dare to use such an impolite tone with him.

The initially agreeable Di Lianggong could no longer conceal his sharpness, and his gaze became aggressive:

"Now that the City Lord is in seclusion, all major matters of Shifang City are for us seven elders to decide.

Although the young lady holds the title of the young City Lord, you are too young and lack the authority to make decisions on major city affairs.

The City Lord loves the young lady dearly, which is why he granted her more authority and handed over all matters.

But everyone with discerning eyes knows that since childhood, the young lady has acted absurdly, doing things based solely on personal favor and dislike, never considering the consequences or the bigger picture.

Now Shifang City is in grave danger, facing possible destruction at any moment, yet the young lady still acts stubbornly and unreasonably, making it difficult for us to agree!"

In the hall, Fang Geyu chuckled, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

She propped up the Ten Directions Sword casually with her chin resting on its hilt.

"The things I have done may be absurd, but looking back, they are just minor antics.

How can they compare to Dean Li Qiuxing under Elder Di, who lurked in Shifang City for decades.

Unexpectedly, he developed the Witch Plague Poison that spreads only among Puppet Mecha, leaving even my grandfather, a Golden Immortal, helpless.

I must say, in terms of causing trouble, I, Fang Geyu, am far beneath the people under your command."

Fang Geyu’s little mouth was never one for minced words; each sentence seemed humble, yet every word hit the sore spot, ridiculing mercilessly.

Di Lianggong, feeling at fault, couldn’t help becoming furious, "You impudent child! Is this how you’ve been raised, only knowing how to defy your elders?"

Fang Geyu narrowed her eyes: "What kind of elder are you? Elder Di dares to say such things only in Shifang City’s inner hall.

If my grandfather were here, would you dare claim to be an elder?

As for upbringing, does Elder Di wish to discuss with my grandfather how best to teach the younger generation?"

Di Lianggong was about to speak, but was interrupted by Wang Jingque next to him: "Better to say less. Over the years, have you seen anyone benefit in a verbal exchange with the young lady?"

Wang Jingque and Di Lianggong were both elder-level figures in Tianquan’s main city, but his temper was not as fiery as Di Lianggong’s.

He frowned at Fang Geyu and said in a deep voice: "Although the City Lord is in seclusion, entrusting all city affairs to the young lady,

it underscores the deep expectations and trust the City Lord has in the young lady.

We hope the young lady will not betray this trust and make decisions carefully in times of crisis."

Fang Geyu squinted: "Do you think, in this cold weather, I got up so early just to sit here and joke with you?"

Wang Jingque was silent for a long time, thinking that it was already five quarters past the hour.

In half an hour, it would be time for the midday meal; how rare it was to rise so early?

He felt offended.

Suppressing his temper, Wang Jingque took a deep breath and said:

"Third Miss, Shifang City is renowned worldwide for its Mechanical Technique, even the Emperor of the Upper Pure Realm praises our city’s technology, with the auction hosted by the Golden Immortal Gufang Zhenren fast approaching.

If we were to annihilate all the Mechanical Puppets we have painstakingly created over the years right now, wouldn’t it be like denying all of Shifang City’s hard work over the years?"

Another elder hurriedly spoke: "Indeed, besides, Shifang City is never known for its force; the city is full of talisman masters and artifact refiners.

If we were to self-destruct the Mechanical Puppets, it would undoubtedly be opening our doors wide and exposing our weaknesses.

In that case, we would be no match for the outside Immortal Sect factions, without the protection of Mechanical Puppets.

We talisman masters and artifact refiners would soon become the fat meat cruelly contested by various forces in the dark; such a dire fate is imminent!"

"Indeed, Third Miss’s idea is too reckless and impulsive; Elder Di’s suggestion is more conservative."

"Conservative?" Fang Geyu sneered and said: "You are merely drawing a prison in the ground, confining yourselves to become livestock waiting to be slaughtered."

She stood up from her seat, her gaze coldly swept over everyone: "Don’t think I am unaware of the little tricks you all have been playing behind the scenes.

Is the Witch Plague Poison truly something that has only been developed in recent years?

Do you all really know nothing about Li Qiuxing’s secret experiments, or are you just turning a blind eye?

Infusing Mechanical Puppets with thought and Divine Sense, pursuing Forbidden Techniques, isn’t that exceedingly foolish? 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Since the outbreak of the Witch Plague Poison, how many fellow brothers and sisters have died in the city, are you blind and not seeing this?

If not for Grandpa transmitting Divine Talisman from afar, do you think your meager skills could truly suppress this crisis?"

"Given the suppression, rotten flesh should be cut with a knife, thoroughly removing the dead and decayed flesh, better late than never.

You holding onto your Mechanical Puppets is like ensuring your skulls are hard enough when the Witch Plague Poison erupts again, do you think you can keep your heads from being crushed?"

Fang Geyu sneered: "It seems you have lived too comfortably for too long, and have forgotten what Shifang City stands for."

"Cultivators of Shifang City, enter the path through talismans and artifacts, command puppets, issue commands, and control thousands of mecha.

But why don’t you turn around and see, is it really you controlling the puppets now, or are the puppets controlling you?!"

"Ludicrous, simply nonsense!" Di Lianggong was also furious and said: "Puppets have no heart, they only know how to follow orders.

We are humans with normal seven emotions and six desires, possessing wisdom and strong thoughts, how could we be controlled by those lifeless objects!"

"Oh, really?" Fang Geyu raised her hand, snapped her fingers, and said indifferently: "Bring the person up."

Soon, two armored guards brought a woman into the hall.

The woman wore a moon-white robe, seemingly having undergone torture, her clothes dirty and wrinkled, though her hair was disheveled.

But Di Lianggong immediately recognized who the woman was, he exclaimed in shock: "Shu Ya!!!"

His eyes were red as he glared fiercely at Fang Geyu: "You are simply outrageous!"

Fang Geyu remained indifferent and said calmly: "Qin Shuya, married to Elder Di thirty years ago, gentle and virtuous, dignified and generous, a model among women.

Unfortunately, born without a Spirit Root, unable to cultivate, yet because of this, she received Elder Di’s immense affection and love.

But don’t you all find it strange? A woman who was already twenty years old thirty years ago, how does she still possess the beauty of youth now?"

No one knew how to answer, only Fang Geyu cast over a glance.

An armored guard received the silent order and drew a short dagger from his waist, mercilessly slashing the elder wife’s throat.

Yet no blood sprayed out, nor was there any scream. Qin Shuya remained calm and gentle, as if she didn’t feel any pain.

Only blotchy blue liquid trickled down from her injured neck.