All the way, Shen Yu felt something was off.
Moonstone City was quite large, its power formidable, but its reputation was just that of a typical resource-based force.
No tales of great virtue had ever circulated about it.
There's no way these refugees were unaware of this, so gathering here—what were they hoping for?
Not to mention that most were already skin and bones—even healthy folk couldn't hope to take down a big city!
Now, he finally understood.
Moonstone City had no reputation for kindness, but the West Mountain Saintess did!
Just her name alone was enough to give these refugees a sliver of hope to survive.
Shen Yu's mind raced with thoughts, but he'd made up his mind.
"I haven't come to borrow grain," he left that sentence behind, then rode straight for the east gate.
The Dragon Scale Beast passed countless refugees along the way; their green, hungry eyes fixated on the Dragon Scale Beast beneath him—such naked hunger that even the beast itself became uneasy, instinctively afraid.
It was all thanks to Shen Yu's efforts to soothe its nerves.
It took only a moment before the east gate appeared before him.
Using his formidable eyesight, one glance told him what was happening.
Two groups were in a standoff: one was his father-in-law, the Moonstone City Lord, famous far and wide for his strength, with many familiar faces behind him—not only the city's elite, but also his brother-in-law, the so-called "Grand Son-in-law" mentioned by the guards just now, Sword God Peak's first disciple, Sword One.
Sword One wasn't a real name, but the Sword God Peak's tradition.
The strongest disciple was named Sword One, and carried that name in the martial world.
The other group—apart from the veiled West Mountain Saintess—contained several who caught Shen Yu off guard.
Every one of them was a leader of a nearby faction known by name!
The tension between the two sides kept rising; the martial experts' fierce willpower was already starting to manifest, twisting reality and forming Domains.
This meant they were about to reveal their true power!
It was on the verge of erupting!
"Everyone, please stop for now!"
Shen Yu took a deep breath and leaped, landing squarely in the middle.
This scene left both sides stunned.
Of course, they'd already noticed the newcomer, but in their eyes, Shen Yu's power was nothing to worry about.
At this moment, the Primordial Spirits of both sides were already colliding and pressing forward, tense and dangerous; charging in now was suicide!
The Moonstone City Lord immediately backed off, but couldn't in time; the other side certainly wasn't about to risk pulling out.
Yet, just when everyone was certain this man's Primordial Spirit would be crushed and he'd die, the terrifying spiritual clash struck Shen Yu—and disappeared, calm and quiet, like a stone sinking into the sea.
This was even more shocking than someone rushing in!
Especially to those on the Moonstone City Lord's side.
They knew this son-in-law well, who'd won the Princess over with flattery and slick words, and whose martial arts were just so-so.
But Shen Yu seemed perfectly fine, and even spoke in a deep voice.
"Everyone, please hold your hands for now."
His words seemed to carry a strange power, almost as if they could forcibly suppress the tension on both sides!
The Moonstone City Lord narrowed his eyes, studying Shen Yu closely.
"Son-in-law, what are you...?"
The more he looked, the more surprised he became.
Yes, his power was still the same, his cultivation hadn't advanced.
So what just happened?
The other side was even more cautious.
"Father-in-law." Shen Yu cupped his hands toward his father-in-law, then glanced at the West Mountain Saintess and slowly said, "I'd intended to tell you privately, Father-in-law, but since things have come to this, saying it publicly is no problem."
The Moonstone City Lord's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
He'd already sensed something: this youngest son-in-law's power hadn't changed, but his bearing was drastically different.
The way he spoke and acted was like a different person altogether.
Before, he'd never been this casual in front of him.
But soon he was stunned—because of what Shen Yu said next.
"To be honest, everyone, in recent days I have observed changes in the world—the calamity of all peoples—and suddenly gained insight, awakening memories of my previous life," Shen Yu looked at them all, his expression serious, speaking word by word, "I am an Immortal reborn, a Saint by birth, here to save all beings, accumulate merit, and return in a new life!"
"..."
This time, it wasn't just the Moonstone City Lord who was stunned; the West Mountain Saintess and her group were also dazed.
Immortal reborn, Saint by birth?
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
"Hahahaha." On the West Mountain Saintess's side, a minor leader burst out laughing, "City Lord, how could you marry your daughter to a crazy fool? Accumulating merit? Hahahaha!"
"Exactly, that's hilarious."
Apparently eager to capitalize on the moment and rally his own side.
The group behind the West Mountain Saintess burst out in laughter.
"Thought he was some master—turns out he's an idiot."
"Probably picked up some treasure that can withstand Primordial Spirit attacks, and now he's lost his mind."
"Take a look around—the world's got no Immortals!"
"Yeah, if we're talking about merit, our Saintess should've ascended by now."
"Moonstone City Lord, hurry up and take your crazy son-in-law home—don't embarrass yourselves here."
"..."
The mocking voices kept coming, and many on Moonstone City's side turned red with anger, glaring.
Even if the son-in-law had gone mad, he was still their son-in-law!
Still, they all felt a bit sad inside.
This day and age truly could drive people mad!
Even Moonstone City Lord was silently troubled.
He'd never been fully satisfied with his son-in-law, but since his daughter loved him, he hadn't interfered, and had even helped; he just wanted his daughter happy.
But now…
Forget it, better fetch his daughter and grandchildren first, then see if the son-in-law's condition could be treated.
"Son-in-law." Moonstone City Lord softened his voice, speaking to Shen Yu, "Come here for now. We can talk about this privately."
Shen Yu's mood and expression hadn't changed throughout.
Their ridicule hadn't affected him at all.
After all, he'd changed the way he put it, but his words were completely true!
With his true self holding the Gray Mist Space, who could say he wasn't the reincarnation of an Immortal?
Saving all beings, gathering merit—he absolutely meant to do it.
These people were laughing now, but soon it'd be their turn to panic.
Still, faced with his father-in-law's kind words, his heart softened, feeling a surge of warmth.
In this life, his parents were long gone, but his father-in-law, even if he didn't treat him like his own, was indeed good to him.
"West Mountain Saintess." Shen Yu turned his head, looking at the West Mountain Saintess, and calmly said, "You've brought these people here, no doubt for the sake of the refugees and the food. As for me—I can bring grain from beyond this world!"