In order to live immortal, I changed a martial artist world to a xianxia world

Chapter 55: Lin’an City, Earth Dragon Awakens

Song Dynasty Empire.

Lin’an City.

Songhe Tower, the largest restaurant in Lin’an, was bustling as usual.

With the news of immortal opportunities spreading across the Five Dynasties, martial artists had left their homes in droves, eagerly seeking their share of the celestial blessings. As the most prosperous city in Jiangnan, Lin’an naturally became a popular destination for many martial artists.

The influx of these warriors meant that Songhe Tower’s business was booming, with crowds flocking in every day.

“Ah!”

“What’s going on?”

“Why have the other dynasties found immortal legacies, yet nothing has surfaced in our Song Dynasty?”

“Could it be that no immortals lived in Xizhou during ancient times?”

A man in elegant attire sighed helplessly, voicing his frustrations to his companion.@@novelbin@@

Before arriving in Lin’an, he had visited countless places, yet he hadn’t uncovered even a whisper of immortal opportunities. The steady stream of discoveries in the other dynasties only deepened his despair, making him question whether Xizhou had ever been graced by the presence of immortals.

“Shh! Don’t talk nonsense!”

His companion hastily covered his mouth, his expression panicked. While he harboured similar doubts, he dared not voice them aloud.

For in recent days, the imperial court had been ruthless in silencing dissent.

The crackdown had begun after a group of scholars openly claimed that the lack of immortal legacies in the Song Dynasty was due to the incompetence of the ruling government. Although discerning minds dismissed these as baseless accusations, such claims spread quickly among the common folk, sowing widespread discontent.

Outraged, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin unleashed a brutal campaign to quash the unrest. Those involved were summarily executed to preserve the court’s authority.

Even so, many citizens remained dissatisfied, though fear of retribution kept them silent.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

“What are you afraid of?”

The elegantly dressed man pushed his companion’s hand away, his defiance unabated.

He was the type to flout authority, caring little for imperial decrees. Asking him to hold his tongue was like asking him to forfeit his life.

“You…!”

Seeing his obstinacy, his companion’s face darkened with frustration.

If not for the man’s past kindness, he would’ve severed ties with such recklessness long ago.

Around them, other diners began edging away, wary of being implicated by association.

“Over there!”

Suddenly, a servant rushed into the restaurant, followed closely by a group of armed constables.

“It’s him! He’s the one defaming the imperial court!”

The servant pointed at the elegantly dressed man, prompting the constables to surround him.

“You’ve got guts, boy!”

“How dare you speak ill of the court? Come with us!”

The elegantly dressed man froze, panic flashing across his face. Despite his bravado, he was merely a pampered son of a wealthy family and had never faced such a dire situation before.

“Officers, please!”

“My friend didn’t mean any harm. Can’t we…”

His companion stepped forward, attempting to mediate.

Before he could finish, a constable’s blade pressed against his neck.

“Shut it!”

“This has nothing to do with you!”

“Get lost, or you’ll be joining him!”

The constable’s icy tone silenced him, forcing him to reconsider.

Just as the constables moved to apprehend their target…

BOOM!

A deafening explosion echoed through the restaurant, shaking it violently.

Dishes and wine jars crashed to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.

“What’s happening?”

“An earthquake?”

“Run! If you don’t, you’ll be buried alive!”

Panic spread like wildfire as patrons scrambled for the exits, including the constables who abandoned their captives in the chaos.

Out on the street, the tremors intensified.

BOOM!

Another massive quake rippled through the city, reducing dilapidated buildings to rubble.

The streets filled with screams as citizens fled in every direction.

“This isn’t an earthquake!”

“The tremors are coming from outside the city!”

A middle-aged man in a blue robe narrowed his eyes, murmuring in astonishment.

“Father, are you saying this isn’t a natural disaster?”

Beside him, a beautiful young girl looked up in confusion.

She couldn’t imagine what else could cause such terrifying tremors.

The middle-aged man, a Grandmaster of the Heavenly Phenomena Realm (Tiān Xiàng Dà Zōng Shī), nodded solemnly.

Suddenly, his expression shifted to one of excitement.

“Could it be…?”

“Rong’er, come with me!”

Without another word, he scooped up the girl and darted toward the outskirts of Lin’an.