Song Changsheng was truly shocked. His head spun as if he were listening to some far-fetched myth. The Celestial Sword Sect’s most prized possession was gone? Stolen right from under their noses?

’Are you sure you’re not telling a story?’

The Celestial Sword Sect might have placed that Sword Stele in public for all to see, where anyone could get close.

But in reality, who knew how many powerful Arrays and watchful eyes were secretly guarding that monument.

Given the Celestial Sword Sect’s sheer power, not even an Early-stage Golden Core Cultivator would dare to venture in alone, right?

Besides, he hadn’t heard any sounds of fighting yesterday. Did the culprit somehow make the Wordless Sword Stele vanish into thin air?

Song Changsheng said in a grave voice, "Fellow Daoist Pi, this is no joking matter."

"Hah, I’m not the one who said it. This is news that just came from the City Lord’s Mansion. They’re sealing the city to catch the scoundrel, so leaving before they do is going to be difficult.

According to the grapevine, the Sword Stele was fine last night. But who would have thought that when the Sword Stele Forest reopened this morning, the stele had somehow been replaced with an ordinary stone slab.

The Celestial Sword Sect’s Sect Leader was furious and swore to find the thief and utterly obliterate their Divine Soul." Pi Xiu lowered his voice, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Song Changsheng still felt a sense of unreality. The Sword Stele was just standing there, and it was stolen just like that?

’Could it be an inside job by the Celestial Sword Sect?’

’Or to be even more conspiratorial, maybe this is all a show put on by the Celestial Sword Sect themselves.’

But in any case, Ten Thousand Swords City was now under lockdown, and there was no telling when it would be lifted. This made Song Changsheng a little anxious.

Pi Xiu, however, didn’t seem to mind. He had always been a wanderer with no fixed home, his travels taking him across several kingdoms. Since this was his first time in the Daqi Cultivation World, staying a bit longer in Ten Thousand Swords City was no big deal. Besides, he would get to watch a good show.

Just then, a figure stepped forward. He had a formidable build, and the dense Mana surging from his body radiated out like a tide, causing the expressions of those nearby to change as they hastily moved away.

"It’s Lord Li Tianzhao! I can’t believe he’s in Ten Thousand Swords City too." Someone in the crowd immediately revealed the man’s identity.

It was actually the renowned Independent Cultivator Great Power of the Daqi Cultivation World, a Mid-stage Purple Mansion Great Cultivator. It was said his Swordsmanship was no weaker than that of a Sect Leader from the Celestial Sword Sect.

Li Tianzhao stared at the old man sitting cross-legged at the city gate and said in a deep voice, "Your Celestial Sword Sect is being far too tyrannical! You failed to protect the Celestial Sword Stele yourselves, and now you’re restricting the freedom of so many fellow daoists. What are your intentions!"

The old man’s eyelids were drooping, and he looked as if he were at death’s door. Hearing Li Tianzhao’s accusation, he slowly opened his eyes. A flash of Sword Light flickered within them and vanished. In a hoarse voice, he said, "My sect has no intention of restricting the freedom of our fellow daoists.

It is just that the Celestial Sword Stele is the very foundation of our sect. Its sudden theft has forced our hand. We hope you can all understand. As soon as the thief is caught, this old man will naturally open the gates and see you all on your way."

"Hmph! The theft of the Celestial Sword Stele is a sign of your Celestial Sword Sect’s incompetence. What does that have to do with me!" Li Tianzhao’s brows furrowed in anger, and the churning Mana around him seemed about to break free of his control.

The crowd was in an uproar. No one had expected Li Tianzhao to be so utterly disrespectful to the Celestial Sword Sect. Wasn’t this a direct slap in their face?

"Looks like the rumors were true after all. This Li Tianzhao has always been at odds with the Celestial Sword Sect. Now we’ve got a real show to watch." Pi Xiu folded his arms, looking like he was settling in for some entertainment.

Song Changsheng wasn’t interested in the feud between the two parties. In comparison, the round, fluffy giant panda was far more intriguing to him.

He had once read about an Exotic Beast in an ancient text called a Zhiyi. The description of its appearance was about fifty percent similar to the adorably goofy giant pandas from a certain great nation on Blue Star.

At the time, he had thought it was a coincidence. But now, seeing Abao, he knew it was no coincidence at all. They were clearly one and the same.

There were some differences, however. On Blue Star, giant pandas had been reduced to making a living off their cuteness, but in this world, the Zhiyi was a genuine Fierce Beast.

From what he knew, the Zhiyi were most active in ancient times. They roamed the lands relying on their formidable Bloodline Power, and a fully grown one could even contend with a True Dragon.

So many years had passed. True Dragons had vanished, and the Zhiyi from the same era were now on the brink of extinction. Even if the one Pi Xiu owned wasn’t pure-blooded, it was still not something an ordinary person could possess.

Song Changsheng shot him a meaningful glance. ’This guy’s background is anything but simple.’

At that moment, the old man sitting cross-legged at the gate spoke again in a heavy tone, "The Sword Stele is not just a treasure of my Celestial Sword Sect; it is a treasure for all Sword Cultivators under heaven. Now that it has been stolen by a vile person, it is a loss for all our peers in the world.

Fellow Daoist Li, you are also a Sword Dao Cultivator. I ask for your understanding."

The Cultivators of the Celestial Sword Sect were known for being rigid and hot-tempered. Li Tianzhao had already slapped them in the face, and the crowd had expected to witness Magical Combat between Purple Mansion Cultivators. They hadn’t thought this Sect Leader from the Celestial Sword Sect would be so reasonable.

Unfortunately, Li Tianzhao wasn’t buying it. He took a step forward and said coldly, "And what if I insist on leaving the city!"

The old man gave him a cool glance and said calmly, "You may. As long as you submit to an inspection and prove you have not stolen the Celestial Sword Stele, you are naturally free to leave."

Hearing this, Li Tianzhao’s expression darkened. From the sound of it, the old man wanted to search his Storage Bag.

Everyone had secrets. Even if he hadn’t stolen the Sword Stele, how could he allow someone to inspect his Storage Bag so easily?

No matter what, he could never accept the humiliating condition of having his Storage Bag searched. But today, he had a reason he absolutely had to leave the city.

"Absurd.

Do you really think you can stop me?" Li Tianzhao roared, transforming into a streak of light and shooting toward the city exit. He was trying to force his way out.