Above the azure sea, crimson clouds spread across the sky as two high-level Qingjing Sect cultivators, a woman and a man, descended one after another onto the clouds. In midair, a massive white crane crouched down docilely, its long neck extending horizontally to form a wide path.
The female cultivator was dressed plainly without the slightest adornment, save for a battered, tattered scabbard hanging from her waist.
The male cultivator, on the other hand, was opulent to the extreme, draped in gold and jade. Adorned with magic treasures from head to toe, he wore a jade ring carved with lotus and pixiu patterns in his hair, a gold-threaded jade pendant carved with the five venomous creatures at his waist, and a diexie belt patterned with twin fish and honeysuckle. Suspended from the belt hung three sachets, a jade brush, a folding fan, a quiver, and a golden abacus.
The gap between their apparent wealth was vast.
The two took their seats atop the clouds first, solemn and dignified.
“It’s True Lord Gongshu—Gongshu He—and True Lord Hua—Hua Rusong—from the Qingjing Sect’s Three Gentlemen of Snow, Pine, and Crane!”
“Of the Three Excellencies of Snow, Pine, and Crane, why are there only two? Where is True Lord Gu—Gu Ningxue?”
“I heard Ancestor Ningxue went in person to guard the mortal realm’s Demon Suppression Division...”
“The Demon Suppression Division?”
“Among the Three Gentlemen of Snow, Pine, and Crane, both Hua Rusong and Gongshu He are at Nascent Soul Great Circle, half-step Deity Transformation. Only Gu Ningxue reached Deity Transformation early on, yet she didn’t come today—”
“Is the Qingjing Sect Master still in seclusion? It’s been several hundred years, hasn’t it?”
“I heard he’s attempting a breakthrough to Deity Transformation. If he succeeds, the Qingjing Sect will gain another Deity Transformation True Lord!”
The crowd’s chatter revealed the identities of the figures in the sky. Hearing a somewhat familiar name, Nan Zhi turned to ask Hai Ying and Tu Jiuxiao:
“What is the background of True Lord Ningxue?”
Before Hai Ying could speak, Tu Jiuxiao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, began to explain in a matter-of-fact tone:
“Presently, North Province has thirty-five Deity Transformation cultivators. Aside from five rogue cultivators, the rest all hail from the Three Sects.
“The Qingjing Sect has the Three Gentlemen of Snow, Pine, and Crane, which others also call the ‘Three Excellencies of Snow, Pine, and Crane’—namely, True Lord Gu, Gu Ningxue; True Lord Hua, Hua Rusong; and True Lord Gongshu, Gongshu He.
“These three are the current lineage leaders of the Qingjing Sect’s formation, talisman, and sword lineages. Although only True Lord Gu has stepped into the Deity Transformation stage, when the Three Gentlemen join forces, their might is even greater.
“A hundred years ago, the Three Gentlemen jointly slew eighteen Body Integration stage Sky Demons at the North Province Heavenly Pillar, a feat known to all under heaven.”
So that legendary True Lord Gu—her current nominal immediate superior—was unable to attend this Four Directions Assembly because she had to guard the mortal realm’s Demon Suppression Division?
Nan Zhi nodded thoughtfully.
No wonder there seemed to be such a huge gap in their wealth; one was the leader of the sword lineage, while the other led the talisman lineage.
It seemed the stereotype of impoverished sword cultivators had just been reinforced once again.
Suddenly, waves of cheers erupted among the Wuwei Sect disciples, signaling the arrival of their sect’s True Lords.
On the light screens in the arena, two high-level cultivators—one dressed as a monk, the other as a Daoist—strode leisurely across the surface of the sea.
The monk was bald, his head smooth and round. Rather plump, he possessed an air of prosperity at first glance. Around his neck hung 108 black prayer beads. Though his feet trod upon seawater, his shoes and socks remained completely dry.
Despite the crashing waves, the fat monk walked as though on flat ground.
Most striking of all, his arms were uneven in girth; his right arm was charred black, dangling limply beneath his sleeve.
The Daoist was gaunt, almost excessively frail, resembling a willow branch swaying in the wind. A standard-sized Daoist robe draped over his frame hung so loosely that wind seemed to blow right through it from all sides.
“It’s Heaven-Cripple Monk! Perfected Yun, Yun Tianming, came as well!”
The surrounding Wuwei Sect disciples were thrilled, and Hai Ying clenched her fists, shouting along with them for a few rounds.
Heaven-Cripple Monk lived up to his name. Born with physical deficiencies, he had never hidden them, instead rising to the Deity Transformation stage despite his broken body.
“Why don’t we see Master Zong, Zongfang, who fought Sky Demons alongside Lady Dragon Girl on the Splendid Platform?”
Nan Zhi turned to ask Tu Jiuxiao, who was resting with his eyes closed. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes, and he shook his head.
Hai Ying slapped his chest boisterously:
“Aren’t you a Wuwei Sect disciple? Why do you look like limp seaweed at a market stall when your sect’s True Lords make their entrance?”
“...”
Tu Jiuxiao stifled his words for a while, seeming to rack his brain for an excuse before finally squeezing one out:
“I haven’t been in the sect long. I’m slow to warm up.”
“Ohhh—”
Nan Zhi cast him a meaningful look, then refocused her attention on the arena’s light screens.
...
While they spoke, palm-sized illusory golden Hehuan blossoms fluttered down above the venue.
Amidst the clouds and mist, specks of pink light sprinkled down, instantly taking nourishment from intangible substances to gracefully sprout a ten-zhang silk tree brimming with golden blossoms—
As the golden mist slowly parted, a woman and a man took their seats, conjuring out of thin air a flower-carriage pavilion crafted from silk tree branches and adorned with blossom cups!
“Ah, it seems fellow Daoists have already arrived. Forgive the two of us for keeping you waiting.”
A woman clad in pale pink immortal robes landed gracefully. She possessed a slender, enchanting figure and picturesque features, with delicate arched brows and a carmine dot gracing each cheek.
Her hair was styled into a spirit snake bun adorned with gold and jade by the temples, branches of flowers and leaves set against sparkling gemstones, and over a dozen tiny Hehuan blossoms coiling upward around the bun, blooming into golden blossoms amidst her pitch-black locks.
Upon closer inspection, one would realize that those tiny, delicate blossoms with distinct petals were actually uniquely shaped butterflies.
This was none other than the Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect, Gu Yini of Thousand Silks and Ten Thousand Poisons, who was also at the Deity Transformation stage.
Behind her stood a green-robed man—her husband, Mo Zhaoming. Though only at Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, his peerless elegance was unmatched under heaven.
Half-hidden behind golden Hehuan blossoms, Mo Zhaoming wore a half-mask on his face, revealing only a sleek, jade-white chin.
This left spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of the former “Young Master Zhaoming” thoroughly disappointed.
Gu Yini was already magnificent beyond compare, yet her husband’s visage surpassed even hers. Furthermore, he cultivated the Hehuan Sect’s secret technique, the 《Four Seas Spring Return Heart-Bewitching Art》.
Legend had it that regardless of whether one was male or female, a single glance from him would make them unconsciously speak the innermost truth of their heart, with an efficacy rivaling soul searching.
Among the representatives dispatched by the Three Great Sects to oversee the event, only Gu Yini and Heaven-Cripple Monk were genuine Deity Transformation cultivators.
Yet, with the exception of Mo Zhaoming, the others were all half-step Deity Transformation masters of renown.
The personal presence of two Qingjing Sect lineage leaders in particular underscored the great importance they attached to the Four Directions Assembly.
Clack, clack, clack!
As they settled into their seats, Hua Rusong shook the golden abacus in his hand. The golden beads rolled with crisp clicks:
“Now that everyone has arrived, why is the Sea Market Master, Ao Mingzhu, still nowhere to be seen?”
“Benefactor Ao fought her way out of the Wuwang Sea; she is likely still in secluded meditation.”
Heaven-Cripple Monk chanted a Buddhist prayer, but the emaciated, stick-like Daoist Yun Tianming snapped back bluntly:
“We all know the nature of the Sky Demon Black Mist Poison. Even if that little dragon girl fails to show up today, this Four Directions Assembly must proceed.
“Your Qingjing Sect certainly lives up to its name of ‘pure and quiet’—for a mere Four Directions Assembly, you actually sent both the sword and talisman lineage leaders in person.
“So you’ve made up your mind to bring the twelve nations of the four directions under Qingjing Sect jurisdiction, have you? No wonder you were in such a frantic rush to hold this Four Directions Assembly ahead of schedule!”
Yun Tianming’s words were blunt and uncompromising, sharp as a honed blade.
The moment he spoke, the surrounding atmosphere grew tense.
The Wuwei Sect and the Qingjing Sect had long vied for leadership of the righteous path. Yun Tianming’s accusation laid the Qingjing Sect’s hidden schemes bare for all to see.
His sharp, direct jab ripped away any veneer of politeness without sparing a shred of face.
“Old Monster Yun, I’ll treat those words of yours as nothing more than hot air.
“Expanding a sect’s sphere of influence and claiming jurisdiction is the duty of its disciples. Without Sea Market trade and the resources of the twelve nations of the four directions, could your Wuwei Sect have ever ranked among the Three Great Sects?
“You make yourself sound so noble, Old Monster Yun, as if your disciples don’t eat, drink, or relieve themselves!
“You’re noble, you’re grand—but where do the spirit stones to maintain your sect come from? How are the families of disciples who perish while slaying demons each year provided for?
“Where do the spirit stones and resources required for inner sect disciples’ cultivation come from?
“Lady Dragon Girl is heavily injured right now. If we don’t seize this chance to hold the Four Directions Assembly to deter the Sky Demons of the Wuwang Sea, are we supposed to wait for them to crawl ashore and devour the Sea Market?”
Hua Rusong glared and immediately sneered in retort:
“If the Wuwei Sect were truly that aloof, it wouldn’t have sent Heaven-Cripple Monk along with you today!
“You look down on the Qingjing Sect as worldly and reeking of copper coins, yet your Wuwei Sect can’t bear to sit idly by either—why don’t you yield the trade routes of the twelve nations of the four directions with both hands?!”
His rapid-fire retort caused Yun Tianming’s face to twitch:
“You make it sound so grand, but who doesn’t know that the Qingjing Sect Master was poisoned by Black Mist Poison? Scheming for the Sea Market was probably done under his orders—”
“Thank you for your concern, but our Sect Master is currently preparing to break through to Deity Transformation. His health is in peak condition, far better than your Wuwei Sect’s nonsense.”
Hua Rusong grew increasingly sarcastic:
“I heard that months ago on the Wuwang Sea, when the dragon clan’s Jiao-dragon Ao Run colluded with High-level Sky Demons to assassinate Lady Dragon Girl, your Sect Master’s son, Zongfang, was also aboard that ship? Quite the devoted lover, isn’t he—”
“And yet I heard that your sect’s traitor, Qinglong, imprisoned his lawful wife, Immortal Danxia, defied the heavens to slaughter mortal lives, and ultimately met his downfall at the hands of a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.
“I heard that in the end, Gu Ningxue had to clean up his mess—a dignified Deity Transformation cultivator reduced to guarding the mortal realm.”
Yun Tianming flicked the whisk in his hand and cast a sideways glare:
“With a scoundrel like Qinglong emerging from your ranks, does Hua Rusong have any right to question the Wuwei Sect’s upbringing?”
“You!”
Hua Rusong’s face darkened grimly, but he found himself unable to formulate a rebuttal. He only wished Qinglong were still alive so he could blast him forty-nine times over with talismans.
The Qinglong affair had long been broadcast to fellow Daoists across all four quarters, while his accomplice Huiyuan had been placed on the Three Sects’ wanted list for execution.
Thus, the full truth of the matter had naturally been brought into the open.
Qingjing Sect disciples had always been proud, considering it their sacred duty to eliminate demons and defend the Dao. For someone like Qinglong to come from their ranks was as sickening as swallowing a fly.
At present, the sect’s Nascent Soul cultivators were all bent on tracking down and executing Huiyuan to wash away this stain on their reputation.
Even so, having the matter brought up so abruptly still caused Hua Rusong intense embarrassment.
Looking at the other figures, each had their own thoughts.
Heaven-Cripple Monk smiled genially without uttering a word.
Gu Yini seemed occupied solely with admiring the Sea Market’s scenery, while Mo Zhaoming remained just as silent.
“Fellow Daoist Gu, your pace may be unhurried, but your skill in conjuring creations from thin air has advanced considerably.”
The Qingjing Sect’s Gongshu He suddenly spoke up, offering congratulations as she gazed at the golden Hehuan blossoms in midair:
“The blossoms carry fragrance, demonstrating that Fellow Daoist’s art of turning illusion into reality has already reached the pinnacle of perfection.”
This change of subject provided both sides with a graceful way out of the argument.
Gu Yini smiled radiantly. “My, with so many people in your Qingjing Sect, it’s no wonder Gongshu He is the only one I truly like.
“I heard you took a daughter of the Hua family as your direct disciple. Congratulations. The Three Gentlemen of Snow, Pine, and Crane are as close as ever, I see.”
“That child shares a destiny with me and with the sword Dao. Her temperament is extraordinary; after journeying through the mortal realm, her Dao Heart has become even more resolute. She rightfully belongs in my sword lineage.”
Gongshu He glanced at Hua Rusong, subduing him with a stern look.
Remembering something, Hua Rusong’s expression softened, a touch of affection surfacing on his face:
“That child Xijian is extraordinarily diligent. Were it not for her entering secluded cultivation to establish her foundation, I would have brought her along to broaden her horizons.”
“Then congratulations are in order for Gongshu; your sword lineage has found a worthy successor.”
Gu Yini smiled, plucked a Hehuan flower cup, and blew softly toward the air. It shifted into several cups that drifted before each of them:
“Everyone, since that little dragon girl has yet to arrive, we might as well enjoy ourselves. Why must we be at each other’s throats?”
Among those present, only Gu Yini was an early-stage Deity Transformation cultivator, so when she stepped in to mediate, no one refused her face.
Their eyes met as they raised their Hehuan wine cups and drained the golden nectar, praising the fine wine.
As they conversed, the black mist at the edge of the Wuwang Sea suddenly billowed. A living entity was charging forward aggressively, churning up the winds and clouds.
The cultivators released their divine sense, and after inspecting the disturbance, their expressions varied.
Gongshu He merely cradled her sword and gave a slight nod.
Hua Rusong wore a beaming smile, making it impossible to tell whether his delight was genuine or feigned.
Heaven-Cripple Monk beamed broadly.
Yun Tianming shot a sidelong glance at Gu Yini and Mo Zhaoming, only to find them completely unsurprised, as if they had known all along.
The Hehuan Sect was slick as always.
On the horizon at the boundary of the Wuwang Sea, a colossal, water-blue dragon soared and twisted through the air. The gruesome wounds upon its body had fully healed, radiating overwhelming ferocity.
Clutched in its jaws was a Sky Demon possessing a half-step Deity Transformation cultivation. The demon had four heads and three arms, resembling both a tiger and an ox, with three massive compound eyes set upon tumor-like heads.
Boom! Rumble, rumble, rumble—
The water-blue dragon cast down the great demon. When the hundred-zhang behemoth slammed into the ground, it sank inches into the earth, kicking up a storm of dust!
The arena erupted into an uproar.
“Lady Dragon Girl! It’s Lady Dragon Girl!”
“The dragon clan’s physical constitution is truly astonishing—she can actually move freely within the black mist of the Wuwang Sea!”
“Slaying a Deity Transformation as a Nascent Soul—the demon race truly is formidable!”
“A half-step Deity Transformation doesn’t count as a true Deity Transformation!”
“Why don’t you try saying that to the seniors up on the clouds?”
“Ao Mingzhu is terrifyingly fierce; it looks like ownership of the Sea Market and the twelve nations of the four directions won’t be changing hands anytime soon.”
The dragon girl assumed human form, the magnificent dragon horns atop her head gleaming brightly. Below, the citizens of the twelve nations howled and cheered wildly, baring their beastly nature!
Ao Mingzhu breathed slightly heavily; slaying a demon above her cultivation realm had consumed most of her strength. Even so, she held her ground, sweeping her gaze across the surroundings as she announced in a clear, resonant voice:
“Today at the Four Directions Assembly, the Sea Market and the Three Great Sects have established the Heaven and Earth Demon Slaying Boards.
“As the Sea Market Master, I have hunted the first demon on behalf of the aquatic clan of the twelve nations of the four directions. Here, I also wish our aquatic cultivators swift victory and a safe return!”
With a resounding roar, earth-shaking cheers erupted from the venue.
Banners blotted out the sun as shouts shook the heavens.
Ao Mingzhu held immense prestige among the aquatic clan. Having just escaped from the Wuwang Sea, slaying a High-level Sky Demon before the eyes of the Three Great Sects naturally won thunderous applause.
The demon race revered the strong. Ao Mingzhu had returned alive from the Wuwang Sea and even managed to cross cultivation realms to slay a great demon.
No matter what had happened before, after today, the schemes and ambitions of any dissenters within the twelve nations of the four directions would surely come to naught.
...
Above the clouds, beneath the silk tree, the figures remained calm.
Having lived for over a thousand years, how could these cultivators fail to see that Ao Mingzhu was using the Four Directions Assembly to establish her authority?
Each harboring their own calculations, their eyes remained serene.
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