Chapter 132: The Gathering Before the Storm (Part 2)

The Gathering Before the Storm (Part 2)

Their guesses were far too ridiculous.

Which meant...

His disguise was still perfect.

Satisfied with that conclusion...

The ordinary-looking youth continued laughing and chatting with the others as though he were just another insignificant member of the Salvatore Family.

His smile was natural.

His words blended effortlessly into every conversation.

Nothing about him stood out.

No one gave him a second glance.

To every disciple present...

He was simply another unknown clansman accompanying the mission.

Not a single person realized...

That the quiet young man hidden among the crowd...

------

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The news of the Heavenly Secret Realm spread throughout the Dawn Empire like wildfire.

Every family, every sect, and every force fortunate enough to obtain entry qualifications immediately set out for Red Cliff Mountain.

Carriages raced across ancient roads.

Flying spirit beasts crossed the skies.

Countless cultivators hurried toward the same destination.

The once-forgotten mountain...

Had become the center of attention.

By the time dawn arrived on the third day...

The previously desolate Red Cliff Mountain was overflowing with people.

Towering cliffs surrounded the area on all sides.

Jagged black rocks rose from the earth like the fangs of ancient beasts.

Not a single tree or blade of grass could be seen.

It was a barren land...

Yet above the mountain floated a faint, translucent projection of an ancient cave dwelling.

Its outline shimmered between illusion and reality.

Ancient runes drifted around its entrance, releasing waves of mysterious power that caused the surrounding space to ripple continuously.

An enormous barrier enclosed the entire region.

Its aura was ancient and unyielding.

Anyone above the age of twenty who approached it would immediately feel an overwhelming rejection force.

Only the younger generation...

Could enter.

Because of that restriction...

Every prodigy from the major sects and noble families had already gathered beneath the phantom entrance.

Their eyes burned with ambition.

Some sought ancient inheritances.

Some desired fame.

Others wished to prove themselves before the countless powers assembled here.

High above the gathering...

Standing atop a massive black boulder...

Jessica Dawn quietly overlooked the sea of young cultivators below.

Her long silver hair danced gracefully in the mountain wind.

Her crimson eyes calmly swept across the crowd.

Clad in an elegant silver-and-red imperial robe, she looked every bit the dignified princess of the Dawn Empire.

A faint smile rested upon her breathtakingly beautiful face as she evaluated the talents before her.

She slowly pointed toward a young man wearing dark blue robes.

"Adrian Blackwood."

"Bone age: Nineteen."

"Cultivation: Celestial Gate Realm First Layer."

Her gaze shifted toward another youth standing nearby.

"Nathan Voss."

"Bone age: Eighteen."

"Cultivation: Celestial Gate Realm Fourth Layer."

A moment later, she pointed toward a burly disciple carrying a massive spear.

"Marcus Skycrest of the Skycrest Sect."

"Bone age: Twenty."

"Cultivation: Celestial Gate Realm Third Layer."

One by one...

Jessica calmly identified each outstanding genius.

Every young cultivator she named possessed an extraordinary aura.

Their expressions overflowed with confidence.

Some folded their arms proudly.

Others stood with hands behind their backs, quietly waiting for the Heavenly Secret Realm to open.

Each believed...

They would become the greatest winner today.

Yet everyone understood...

This gathering wasn’t solely about obtaining an ancient inheritance.

It was also the opening act...

Of the Empire Title War.

Naturally...

The Dawn Imperial Family hadn’t placed all their hopes upon outside families and sects alone.

They had prepared their own trump cards as well.

Standing quietly beside Jessica...

Was a handsome young man dressed in luxurious golden robes.

His sharp eyebrows and calm black eyes gave him an imposing presence despite his youth.

This was...

The Fourth Prince of the Dawn Empire.

James Dawn.

He quietly observed the gathered geniuses before speaking in a calm voice.

"Not bad..."

"But ultimately..."

"...they’re still not enough."

There wasn’t arrogance in his tone.

Only quiet confidence.

Jessica slowly turned toward her younger brother.

"James."

Her expression became noticeably more serious.

"Remember this."

"You do not possess your eldest brother’s birthright."

"You do not possess your second brother’s political influence."

"And you certainly do not possess your fifth brother’s vast wealth."

She stepped closer.

"The Azure Sovereign Empire has come with hostile intentions."

Her crimson eyes locked onto his.

"But..."

"This is your greatest opportunity."

"Do not act recklessly."

She paused briefly before adding with unusual solemnity,

"Especially toward those families that possess Stellar Sovereign Realm experts."

"You must never show them disrespect."

"And above all..."

She emphasized every word.

"The Salvatore Family."

"You are to treat them with the utmost reverence."

James nodded without hesitation.

"I understand, Sister."

Unlike the other princes...

Jessica and James shared the same mother.

Within the cold and merciless Imperial Palace...

Where brothers competed like enemies...

The two of them had always relied upon one another.

After a moment of silence...

James finally voiced the question lingering in his heart.

"Sister..."

"Is the Salvatore Family truly that mysterious?"

"A family that rose to prominence in less than a year..."

He hesitated before continuing.

"Are all those stories true..."

"...or have they simply become legends because of Adrian Valerius’s attitude and his reports?"

Jessica Dawn’s expression immediately became solemn.

Before James could finish another word...

She interrupted him.

"Think before you speak."

Her voice wasn’t loud.

Yet it carried enough authority to make James instinctively straighten his posture.

A cool mountain breeze swept across the summit, causing Jessica’s long silver hair to dance behind her.

Her crimson eyes remained fixed on her younger brother.

"Adrian Valerius..."

"...is not an ordinary man."

"He has traveled beyond the boundaries of the Dawn Empire."

"He has witnessed battles between legendary cultivators."

"He has even stepped into Sacred Lands."

James remained silent.

He knew exactly who Adrian Valerius was.

The current City Lord of Aurelia City.

A renowned Heavenly Geomancer.

A man whose Eyes of Heavenly Geomancy had earned him the respect of countless experts.

Jessica continued quietly.

"I once heard him say after drinking too much..."

"That the Destiny of the Sacred Lands was like rain covering the heavens..."