The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2727 - 2702: Dragon City Battle

Lin Bai, whose cultivation was at the Wending Realm, was now confronted by Zhao Huchen. If Lin Bai refused to accompany Zhao Huchen to the Zhao family, a conflict between Lin Ye and Zhao Huchen seemed inevitable, potentially leading to severe repercussions.

Consequently, Lin Bai conceded to visit the Zhao family.

Lin Bai was also curious about the true intentions behind the Zhao family’s invitation!

Upon their arrival at the Zhao family residence, Lin Bai and Lin Ye were led by Zhao Huchen into the courtyard and proceeded towards the main hall.

Entering the main hall, Lin Bai observed a multitude of martial artists gathered. From the inner chambers to the outer areas, an array of exquisite dishes and fine wines were meticulously laid out.

Numerous other martial artists were also present, engaged in conversation.

It was evident that the banquet had not yet commenced, and the guests had not yet taken their designated seats.

"Patriarch, Lin Bai has arrived!"

Zhao Huchen announced, entering the grand hall with Lin Bai and Lin Ye, his hands clasped in a respectful gesture.

Seated above, Zhaoyun Tian was in discussion with the Grand Elder of the Zhao family. Upon hearing Zhao Huchen’s announcement, both Zhaoyun Tian and the Grand Elder paused their conversation and looked towards Lin Bai and Lin Ye!

"Lin Bai is here."

Zhaoyun Tian remarked, a pleased smile gracing his lips.

Lin Bai responded with clasped hands, "I, Lin Bai, pay my respects to the Head of the Zhao family!"

Zhaoyun Tian chuckled, "Haha, there's no need for such formalities. Please, make yourself at home."

"Grand Elder, now that Lin Bai is present, let us commence the banquet!"

"Lin Bai, please take your seat!"

Zhaoyun Tian stated with a warm smile.

Without delay, Zhao Huchen escorted Lin Bai to his designated seat.

Lin Ye took a seat positioned behind Lin Bai.

Shortly thereafter, elegant young maids presented platters laden with delectable dishes and premium wine, placing them before Lin Bai’s small table.

Lin Bai found himself not particularly enticed by these gastronomic offerings.

However, Lin Ye, upon noticing a substantial beast leg on Lin Bai’s table, began to salivate!

A wry smile touched Lin Bai’s lips as he picked up the beast leg and offered it to Lin Ye.

Lin Ye gratefully accepted the leg, eagerly sinking his teeth into it and commencing his feast with gusto.

Zhaoyun Tian, at that moment, let out a laugh and commented, "I never imagined Brother Lin Bai would share such a cordial relationship with the ‘beast,’ the Undefeated General of the Fighting Arena from the Qian Family."

Lin Bai replied with a smile, "He now follows me!"

"Furthermore, he is not to be referred to as a ‘beast’!"

"He has his own name, Lin Ye!"

Zhaoyun Tian nodded, his smile conveying his understanding of Lin Bai’s words, and he did not press the matter further.

At this juncture, two men and a woman entered from the hall's entrance and approached Zhaoyun Tian. They bowed respectfully, clasping their fists, and greeted, "Your child greets Father; nephew greets Uncle!"

Lin Bai observed the trio; the two men and one woman possessed handsome and beautiful features, appearing as dragons among men. Their profound cultivation reached the Great Perfection of the Death Reversal Realm, and they carried an aura of extreme pride.

Even in the presence of Zhaoyun Tian and the Zhao family Elders, they exuded an air of arrogance.

Zhaoyun Tian introduced them with a smile, "Brother Lin Bai, allow me to make introductions. These three are remarkable talents among the younger generation of our Zhao family. Among them, Zhaosi Yun and Zhaosi Yuan are my son and daughter, respectively!"

"As for Zhao Zheng, he is my nephew!"

Following Zhaoyun Tian’s introduction, Lin Bai offered a brief nod to the three as a polite acknowledgment.

However, the three merely cast a cursory glance at Lin Bai, noting his cultivation at the Seventh Layer of the Death Reversal Realm, before emitting a cold snort and dismissing him entirely.

Noticing their disinterest in engaging with him, Lin Bai felt no annoyance and chose to disregard them.

"Take your seats," Zhaoyun Tian instructed the trio.

The three then proceeded to their seats.

Lin Bai, seizing the moment, addressed Zhaoyun Tian, "Patriarch Zhaoyun Tian, since you dispatched a powerful individual to summon me from the Tang family in the dead of night, I trust you will state your purpose directly!"

Zhaoyun Tian hesitated, a flicker of awkwardness crossing his features, before smiling and stating, "Since Brother Lin Bai is so direct, I shall not mince words!"

"Brother Lin Bai, have you ever heard mention of the Dragon City Battle?"

Lin Bai replied, "I have heard whispers, mere rumors circulating in the streets!"

"In that case, allow me to provide a proper explanation for Brother Lin Bai," Zhaoyun Tian said, taking a deep breath.

Lin Bai listened intently, eager to uncover the true motive behind the Zhao family's actions.

Zhaoyun Tian explained, "The Black Water City Dragon City Battle is a martial arts competition instituted by the Eight Great Clans!"

"Dragon City is situated within a mountain range located beyond the outskirts of Black Water City."

"This mountain range is known as the Dragon City Mountain Range!"

"At the heart of this mountain range lies an ancient, abandoned city, which is precisely Dragon City!"

"Once the Eight Great Families established themselves in Black Water City, an ancient pact was forged to maintain a balance of power. This agreement has endured through generations, establishing the very method for selecting the City Lord of Black Water City!"

"As per this decree... whenever the reigning City Lord chooses to abdicate, any family aspiring to claim the position can enter the Dragon City Battle!"

"Warriors from the Eight Great Families must navigate the treacherous Dragon City Mountain Range, infiltrate Dragon City itself, and secure the Commander Flag!"

"The family that successfully captures the Commander Flag and manages to defend it for a full day, until the break of dawn, shall earn the right to rule Black Water City, with their next City Lord chosen from within their ranks!"

"This is the essence of the Dragon City Battle!"

Zhaoyun Tian articulated these words with a calm demeanor.

Lin Bai listened intently, offering no immediate reaction or opinion.

Even Lin Bai found himself pondering the reason behind Zhaoyun Tian's detailed explanation.

The Dragon City Battle, a trial designed for the Eight Great Families to vie for the City Lordship, seemed entirely unrelated to Lin Bai, given he was not a warrior affiliated with any of these prominent families.

Zhaoyun Tian then continued, stating, "Within this ancient pact lies a stringent condition: only warriors at the Death Reversal Realm are permitted to participate!"

"Consequently, with each commencement of the Dragon City Battle, the Death Reversal Realm cultivators from all Eight Great Families typically engage fully, striving to seize the Commander Flag within Dragon City."

"However, as epochs have passed and the cultivation levels within the Eight Great Families have diversified, these families began to gradually cultivate Guest Officials. They started recruiting formidable individuals from other cities to join in the Dragon City Battle!"

"While Guest Officials are granted the privilege of assisting their sponsoring families in the pursuit of the Commander Flag, the ancient agreement crucially stipulates that each family may only enlist a single Guest Official to aid in their quest for the Commander Flag!"

"As such, the Guest Officials invited by each family during the Dragon City Battle are invariably exceptionally powerful individuals!"

"And it is precisely for this Dragon City Battle that our Zhao family wishes to extend an invitation to you, to serve as the Zhao family’s Guest Official and aid us in securing the Commander Flag!"

Zhaoyun Tian delivered this proposal, his gaze fixed earnestly upon Lin Bai.

Upon hearing Zhaoyun Tian’s declaration, the other Elders present within the Zhao family were struck with astonishment, turning their stunned gazes toward him.

Even Zhaoyun Tian’s own children expressed their profound surprise.

The woman clad in white robes, Zhaosi Yun, vocalized her objection with a cold tone, saying, "Father, this must not be!"

Following her, Zhaosi Yuan, also in white robes, added, "Father, how can an individual merely at the Seventh Layer of the Death Reversal Realm possibly be deemed worthy of holding the esteemed position of Zhao family Guest Official for the Dragon City Battle?"

The youngest martial artist of the group, Zhao Zheng, also voiced his concern, stating, "Uncle, the selection of the Zhao family’s Guest Official for the Dragon City Battle is a matter of immense gravity. I implore you to reconsider this decision!"

At this juncture, Lin Bai finally grasped the Zhao family’s intention: they sought to enlist his aid in their endeavor to capture the Commander Flag!