Tianman City, as one of the nine great majestic cities of the Earth Alliance, and situated so close to the Savage Forest of the Celestial Realm, held undeniable strategic importance. The City Lord was a demon named Mu, the most trusted subordinate of Yuan, the current de facto ruler of the Earth Alliance. Mu’s strength also reached the Cosmic level. Although he hadn't attained the peak of the Cosmic level like the Seven Fiends of the Earth Alliance, in an era where Universe-level experts could not intervene, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse dominating the region. Most crucially, his brother, Mu, was one of the two demons who accompanied Yuan when he first entered the human world...

At this moment, Ye Jingyu and his group were walking along the streets of Tianman City. Like the cities in the Heavenly Alliance, the demons here had also learned commerce and embraced all trades. Of course, humans were occasionally interspersed among them, but the humans who managed to establish themselves here were far from the frail sort found in Xue Ling's village; many humans possessed strength reaching the Heavenly level, or even the Desolate level...

These individuals were almost all wanted fugitives in the Heavenly Alliance, having fled to the Earth Alliance out of sheer necessity...

Ye Jingyu observed the surrounding transactions. While much of the trade was still steeped in violence—for instance, a three-headed demon was haggling fiercely with the elderly, white-haired werewolf owner over a spiritual herb. When the owner adamantly refused to budge, the enraged three-headed demon smashed him out of the shop with one blow. Immediately, a pack of werewolves rushed out, tearing the monstrous creature to shreds...

But regardless of the brutality, the Earth Alliance had now developed a semblance of commercial structure. Though highly irregular, they were, at last, treading this path. Humans didn't fear the demons' cruelty, their terror, or their barbarism; what truly terrified them was the prospect of demons mastering human civilization and discipline...

If the demons truly assimilated everything human, established nations, and united effectively, humanity, given their overwhelming combat prowess, would stand no chance.

Witnessing all this, Ye Jingyu felt a profound weight settle upon him. Perhaps he needed to take some action here?

"Esteemed guest, our young master wishes to acquire this female slave of yours. Might I inquire as to your asking price?" Just then, a middle-aged man resembling a steward suddenly blocked Ye Jingyu's path, inquiring with remarkable politeness.

Female slave? Ye Jingyu blinked, turning to look at Xue Ling, who was now walking behind him in a new set of clothes. She was dressed well, even better than he was, so why was she being labeled a slave?

"You mean her?" Ye Jingyu gestured toward Xue Ling in confusion. How could he possibly tell she was a slave?

"Yes..." The man nodded with a slight smile...

"How did you determine she is a slave?" Ye Jingyu asked, feeling even more bewildered. Did he look like a slave owner?

"Heh heh, esteemed guest, you are quite the jester. You are clearly an expert at least at the Desolate level, yet she is just an ordinary person. Is she not your female slave?" the steward said good-naturedly, chuckling.

The Earth Alliance differed from the Heavenly Alliance; everything here revolved around strength. An expert, regardless of where they traveled, would be welcomed by various factions. Furthermore, an expert’s companions and friends were invariably other experts, or at least individuals whose power differential wasn't vast. It was inconceivable for a Desolate-level expert to be accompanied by someone utterly without power, unless that person served as a pleasure slave...

"She is not a slave..." Ye Jingyu, having vaguely grasped the customs of the Earth Alliance, let his voice turn cold. After uttering the words, he took Xue Ling's small hand and steered her aside. Considering the steward was human, he would spare his life this time...

"Guest, please listen to me. My young master is truly taken with this female slave. Whatever conditions you name, our master will certainly meet them!" However, the steward seemed oblivious to the warning, stepping forward and blocking Ye Jingyu and his entourage once more...

"I said, she is not a slave. She is my sister..." Ye Jingyu's voice was now laced with fury...

Hearing Ye Jingyu claim her as his sister, Xue Ling, who had kept her head bowed, lifted it. Seeing his sharply defined features, she was overcome with emotion. She was just an ordinary girl, yet this powerful expert treated her as kin—how could she not be moved? In that moment, she felt willing to do anything for Ye Jingyu, even though she knew she was currently incapable of helping him in any significant way...

"Sister?" The steward clearly faltered. Where would an expert at the Desolate level ever keep a powerless sister by his side? With the means available to a Desolate expert, creating a master fighter out of someone would be trivial...

"Guest, I..." The steward was about to speak more when Ye Jingyu’s enraged roar echoed forth...

"Begone..."

The massive sound wave slammed directly into the steward's mind. He felt as if his skull were about to shatter; blood spurted from all seven orifices simultaneously. He staggered backward, finally collapsing onto the ground. The leaf-shaped insignia over his heart shattered completely...

"Guest, I did this for your own good. Whether she is your sister or your slave, I urge you to sell her to me, or you will invite immense trouble!" Despite being severely injured, the steward struggled to stand and shouted at Ye Jingyu...

But Ye Jingyu paid him no heed, tugging Xue Ling's hand forward. Watching this, the steward sighed softly to himself...

At that moment, in a three-story tavern beside the street, a man clad in brocade robes, bearing a single horn on his head, reclined lazily on a chaise lounge. Standing beside him were four tall, grotesquely featured brutes.

"What is the strength of those three?" The man’s gaze was fixed on Ye Jingyu as his low voice resonated...

"Likely Desolate level or above..." One of the brutes, whose face strongly resembled a horse's head, stepped forward, looking down at a leaf-shaped insignia he held.

"Oh? Do you have the confidence to deal with them?" the man asked calmly.

"We do..." This time, all four brutes spoke in unison...

"In that case, you may proceed and seize that young girl for me. Remember, I want her intact," the man stated coldly...

"Yes..." The four brutes bowed respectfully, then vanished instantly...

The next moment they reappeared, they had already surrounded Ye Jingyu and his party. Seeing them enclosed by his subordinates, a sinister smile spread across the man's lips: "You refused the polite invitation, so don't blame me for using force now?"