Chapter 522: Competition

The Red Heart Sect contingent was seated in their designated area. The ordinary disciples had their own section, while the Stewards and those of higher rank sat intermingled with members from the other sects to facilitate conversation.

After taking his seat, Zhao Xuanqi began to survey his surroundings.

The venue was divided into six areas. Five belonged to the Five Sects of Heqing. In the sixth area was a group of people dressed in black linen, their disciples carrying a variety of weapons: sabers, axes, hammers, halberds, swords, staves, and more. Some of the weapons were so bizarre in shape that it was difficult to even name their type.

Evidently, these disciples were from the Divine Weapon Tomb of Beiyun Dao.

‘Only six sects? Didn’t anyone from the Celestial Nine Pavilion of Guan Nan Dao come?’

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes.

At the same time, fine wine and food were brought to the tables. Gatherings of Martial Artists were not ones for excessive formalities. After a collective toast, everyone began to eat.

The invited Elders from each sect were seated at one table and had already begun to converse.

“My Miaoyin Hall has received word that this Lotus Lantern Dharma Assembly will not be so simple. There may be large-scale Evil Cultivation activities hidden within Heqing Dao. The incidents in Guming County and the Ghost City in the Dream were both orchestrated by someone.”

The invited Elder from Miaoyin Hall, Yu Jin, had white hair but a youthful face. He was tall and slender, slightly gaunt, and dressed in white, giving him the air of an immortal sage.

“Our Yin Mountain Sect has also received a message from the Garrison Command. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, all cities in Heqing Dao will be placed under strict lockdown. I hear that the Escape Technique tunnels within the Government Offices everywhere have been opened in case of emergencies.”

“The scale of this operation is truly massive. Two marquises from the Divine Capital have come in person with an imperial decree, yet the mastermind behind the Evil Cultivation incidents still plans to make a move. It’s hard to believe such a terrifying figure is hiding in Heqing Dao. I just hope nothing terrible happens.”

The speaker was Elder Chen Yong of the Yin Mountain Sect, a burly, tall, middle-aged man. As he drank a cup of wine, his movements revealed large, tattoo-like patterns on the arm visible beneath his black robe. The patterns looked like countless Fierce Ghosts struggling as if in Purgatory.

“Did you bring the Yin Mountain Sect’s ‘Hundred Fierce Patterns’ with you, Elder Chen? It seems the Yin Mountain Sect is taking this quite seriously. However, it looks like you can’t quite keep them suppressed. Don’t cause any trouble when their baleful qi erupts.”

Qiu Qing sat to the side, shooting a glance at Elder Chen of the Yin Mountain Sect as he spoke.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’m more concerned about your Red Heart Sect. With Master Zhu in seclusion, you’re the strongest among the remaining Elders. Aren’t you afraid something will happen at the Red Heart Base now that you’ve left?”

Elder Chen of the Yin Mountain Sect said, looking at Qiu Qing.

“The Evil Cultivation in Guming County has been uprooted, making the Red Heart Sect the safest of all. Besides, our Sect Leader came out of seclusion not long ago. You needn’t concern yourselves with our sect’s affairs.”

Qiu Qing said coolly.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression shifted slightly.

The various sects of Heqing Dao were partners in the grand scheme of things, but they inevitably competed when it came to their various business dealings. After the Red Heart Sect’s recent misfortune, many of its external enterprises had been encroached upon. Now that their Sect Leader was out of seclusion, if he had truly recovered from his injuries and was unharmed, then they really would have to be wary.

Zhu Hong of the Red Heart Sect was a Martial Artist at the Peak of Innate. Paired with his Thunderfire Golden Armor, his power was not to be underestimated.

Although the Red Heart Sect’s Thunderfire Golden Armor had lost its Dao Source and was no longer perfect, it was still a top-tier Magical Treasure, its power largely intact.

“South Mansion has the highest probability of an incident, as a ‘fierce vein’ is sealed beneath it. Although most of it has been neutralized, some of its power remains. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival’s Nine Altars of Suppression will likely be more perilous than ever. The Celestial Nine Pavilion and the Divine Weapon Tomb must be here because of this, right? I heard that the Celestial Nine Pavilion received orders from the two marquises to reinforce the Arrays throughout the city, so they’re too busy to break away, unable even to attend this small gathering.”

The speaker was Elder Lv Xin Feng from the Rebirth Palace. He was young and handsome, estimated to be only about thirty-five years old, and could have even passed for a member of the younger generation.

No one found this strange, however. The Ultimate Skills of the Rebirth Palace were an embodiment of Overbearing Fury, and thus far too intense; the older one got, the harder they were to master. After all, it was uncertain if one could even survive to that age.

“That’s right. The South Mansion’s Grand Array was originally established with Nine Altars and Twelve Pillars. The Twelve Pillars are within the city, while the Nine Altars are outside. The city is filled with experts, bustling with human energy, and guarded by the South Mansion’s City God. But the Nine Altars outside the city are a different story. If the enemy makes a move, the Nine Altars will be their primary target. The people from Celestial Nine Pavilion are currently reinforcing the nine Magic Altars outside the city and can’t get away. In a little while, my Divine Weapon Tomb will also have to go and help, so we’ll likely have to leave midway through.”

“But none of you should worry too much. With two marquises personally overseeing things with an imperial decree, everything around South Mansion is under control. The Escape Technique tunnels everywhere are already open, so Heqing Dao won’t fall into chaos. Even if you encounter danger, as long as you can hold your ground at one of the Magic Altars for a short while, you will be safe.”

Elder Jiang Shitai of the Divine Weapon Tomb spoke with a smile, his voice booming like a great bell. He was a middle-aged giant, at least two-point-three meters tall, with a full, bushy beard and rock-hard muscles, giving him an incredibly fierce appearance.

Everyone nodded upon hearing this. They had already received some intelligence before setting out and had made their preparations. If such an organization was truly hidden in Heqing Dao, they understood that they could not hope to remain uninvolved.