Volume Two: The Life of a Bandit, Chapter Forty-Three: A Visit from Thunder Punishment City

At the headquarters of the Zixuan Alliance, Qin Si strolled through the valley with a cheerful smile, greeting everyone he encountered with genuine warmth. Everyone in the Zixuan Alliance knew that their leader, Alliance Master Qin, had been in an exceptionally good mood lately.

The root of this joy was not merely that the Zixuan Alliance had become the true master of Tiehua City, nor that it had successfully integrated into the mainstream powers of the Hongmeng Divine Realm. Every member of the alliance knew that their leader had struck gold—he had discovered someone even more monstrous than himself. This was the assessment made by the God King Pingtian after he had secretly tested Li Yang.

When the brothers Qin Si and Qin Shuang returned to the Zixuan Alliance with Li Yang, Qin Si, in his excitement, immediately gathered all the members to announce that Li Yang would serve as the Second Deputy Alliance Master. Initially, many wore expressions of dissatisfaction. It was understandable; the alliance’s progress was the result of everyone’s collective effort. Even with the countless Heavenly Divine Artifacts and Hongmeng Spiritual Treasures possessed by the two brothers, they could not have achieved such heights alone.

Encouraged by Zhao Yongkui and others, the usually blunt God King Pingtian had attempted to test Li Yang’s strength while offering his congratulations. However, when his power entered Li Yang’s body, it vanished like a river flowing into the ocean, leaving no trace. Terrified, God King Pingtian had sheepishly retreated. As one of the nearly hundred God Kings, Pingtian might not have matched the strength of the top-ranked Zhao Yongkui, but he was certainly among the top ten. Since even he could not fathom Li Yang’s true cultivation, no one else dared to risk such a confrontation.

Moreover, although Alliance Master Qin Si watched their secret skirmish with a smile, those who knew him well understood that this seemingly jovial leader had little tolerance for disorder. Since he had formally appointed Li Yang as Deputy Alliance Master, it was clear how highly he valued this handsome and unique young God King. Knowing Qin Si’s temperament, the other God Kings, despite their lingering doubts, abandoned any further thoughts of testing Li Yang.

"Is Deputy Alliance Master Li Yang really that formidable?" Two High-level Heavenly Deities stood at the valley entrance, keeping guard. One, a short deity, looked at his clever-looking companion with skepticism. "To force the Thunder Punishment City to make concessions—aside from the legendary Lin Meng, it seems no one else in the entire Divine Realm could achieve that."

The other deity curled his lip. "This came directly from the mouth of God King Pingtian. Do you really think it’s false?"

"Ah..." The short deity gasped, then lowered his voice, realizing they were on duty. "In that case, Deputy Alliance Master Li Yang’s cultivation must be unfathomably deep."

"Obviously! Why else do you think God King Pingtian locked himself in the Jiang Lan Realm immediately after hearing the news, swearing not to emerge until he masters Time Stasis?" The companion looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Let me tell you, not even the Alliance Master himself might be able to defeat Deputy Alliance Master Li Yang. Perhaps only the Second Alliance Master could fight him to a draw. By the way, stop calling him God King Li Yang; he is our Deputy Alliance Master now."

The short deity nodded, his face filled with longing. "I wonder when we will master Time Acceleration and become God Kings. I truly don't know how Deputy Alliance Master Li Yang cultivated such power; while perhaps not as monstrous as the Alliance Master, he is not far off."

The companion smiled, his gaze turning toward the center of the valley, where the brothers handled their affairs. "It didn't just fall from the sky. There is no shortcut to cultivation other than hard work. We may not all reach the heights of the three Alliance Masters, but with perseverance, there is always a reward."

The short deity was about to agree when he suddenly saw three figures appear at the valley entrance. He shivered and grabbed his companion, about to shout a warning.

"Zhou Tian, the Sage Emperor of the Northwest from Thunder Punishment City, has come to visit Alliance Master Qin of the Zixuan Alliance. Please forgive our abrupt arrival." The deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the headquarters. All the deities and God Kings turned pale upon hearing the visitor's identity and scrambled into the sky in a panic. A visit from a God King of Thunder Punishment City? It could only mean they had caused offense; otherwise, why would such a formidable power bother with a group they viewed as a scattered rabble?

As chaos ensued, Qin Si, who had been in the central meeting hall, paused for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. He transformed into a streak of light and appeared at the entrance, carefully observing Zhou Tian and the young man and woman behind him. "I never expected the Northwest Sage Emperor to visit in person. The Zixuan Alliance is truly honored."

Zhou Tian appeared young, his smile gentle and kind. Were it not for his introduction, no one would associate him with the majestic Northwest Sage Emperor. Yet, Qin Si noticed the wisdom and vicissitudes of age in his eyes. He knew that beneath this peaceful exterior lay a man of iron will and absolute determination. Thinking this, Qin Si shook his head; if Zhou Tian were a fool, he would not hold the position of Sage Emperor.

As Qin Si observed them, the trio from Thunder Punishment City looked at him with equal curiosity. How could this strange young man, only a High-level Heavenly Deity, command nearly a hundred fierce and unruly God Kings and countless deities?

Hearing Qin Si’s greeting, Zhou Tian smiled politely. "Please forgive our intrusion, Alliance Master Qin."

Qin Si laughed heartily and gestured for them to enter. "Please, follow me."

Zhou Tian, touched by Qin Si’s hospitality, walked alongside him. Behind them, the young woman suddenly remarked, "Wow, this place is quite beautiful. I never imagined a bandit’s den could be so pleasant."

Since the brothers had established their headquarters here, they had invested great effort into its design, inheriting the aesthetic sensibilities of their parents, Qin Yu and Jiang Li.

"Oh, Brother Qin Si, this is my daughter, Zhou Fei'er," Zhou Tian said, glaring at the girl. "Stop spouting nonsense! How could this be a bandit's den?"

Zhou Fei'er pouted, but her eyes lit up as she looked around. She grabbed Qin Si’s arm and asked excitedly, "There seems to be a profound array set up in this valley. It’s so seamlessly integrated with the environment that I could barely detect it."

Her casual observation shocked Qin Si. The array was one he and Qin Shuang had painstakingly crafted; even a Heavenly Venerable would need careful consideration to penetrate it. Yet, this innocent-looking girl had seen through it.

The young man standing beside her, clearly smitten, chimed in with flattery. "Junior Sister Fei'er is indeed the most talented individual in Thunder Punishment City for countless epochs. Even the Sage Emperor couldn't detect the array, yet you saw it, haha..."

Zhou Fei'er shot him a look of contempt, then turned back to Qin Si with a charming smile, tugging on his sleeve. "Brother Qin Si, can you tell me how this array was set up?"

Qin Si was dumbfounded by the boldness of the girl. "Well, Junior Sister Fei'er—may I call you that?" As she nodded, Qin Si glanced at Zhou Tian, who remained impassive. *The old fox,* Qin Si thought, *letting his daughter fish for secrets.* He laughed, "Actually, the array is quite simple. With your talent, you could certainly learn it within an epoch..."

"What did you say? One epoch?" The young God King glared at Qin Si. "Do you know how long it took Junior Sister Fei'er to reach the God King stage? Eight million years! And you, a mere High-level Heavenly Deity, dare to claim a simple array would take her an epoch?"

The young man’s arrogant, pale face annoyed Qin Si. Just as he was about to retort, he saw Zhou Tian’s entire body stiffen. Zhou Tian was staring intently at a young man in white walking slowly toward them—it was Li Yang.