Chapter 536 - 505: Primordial Sect, Second Time in the Palace

It was a pillar of light, as dazzling as a shooting star, that shot nine thousand zhang into the heavens!

This heaven-shaking phenomenon and thunderous boom not only drew the attention of all the Golden Core Cultivators under the Primordial Sect's jurisdiction, but even ordinary mortals could see it. Of course, in the eyes of mortals, it was a celestial event, a comet streaking past the sun.

But to a Cultivator, it was the phenomenon produced by a Magical Treasure ascending into the sky.

Inside and outside the Valley.

Stunned by the sound and the phenomenon, every Cultivator stopped what they were doing and stared in astonishment at the massive pillar of light in the sky.

"What Magical Treasure is that?"

"To think a Magical Treasure could produce a phenomenon like that. That direction... it must be the Primordial Sect..."

For a moment, a clamor erupted.

The few Golden Core Cultivators who emerged from the main hall stared at the pillar of light hanging in midair, showing no signs of dissipating. Their expressions grew grim.

Because this was the Primordial Sect's highest-level Summoning Order!

Once the order was issued, all Golden Core Cultivators within the Sect's jurisdiction had to summon every Foundation Establishment Cultivator in their territory, regardless of age or gender. They all had to reach the Primordial Sect within fourteen days. Anyone who failed to arrive on time would be treated as a traitor to the Sect.

'Man proposes, but heaven disposes!'

Chen Xi's eyes flickered behind their mask.

They had originally planned to watch from the sidelines, waiting to see what the Primordial Sect's Chiefs would decide.

But it seemed the other side had no intention of giving them that chance. This Summoning Order was a move to bind them to the great ship that was the Primordial Sect, at any cost, forcing them to share its fate!

"What do we do?"

Meng Qianxun turned to the others.

Everyone's brows furrowed. The situation was changing too quickly, far beyond what they had anticipated.

Moreover, the appearance of this Summoning Order meant that the Primordial Sect was at a tipping point between life and death. For a moment, the immense pressure of an approaching storm weighed on everyone's heart.

"Do we go, or do we stay?"

"We're going to the Primordial Sect!"

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Che said in a deep, decisive voice, showing no hesitation:

"At the same time, notify our subordinate territories to go on high alert to prevent Evil Cultivators from raiding them in our absence. We also need to be prepared for two outcomes. If the Primordial Sect can't hold on, we will immediately lead our people away from our lands."

"Alright!"

The others agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Staring at the pillar of light in the sky, Chen Che's gaze became resolute.

This wasn't an impulsive choice, but a carefully considered one. By being at the Primordial Sect, they could more easily access its core secrets. If the Sect Leader had no hope of a breakthrough, or had perhaps already fallen...

They would leave immediately, without a second thought.

Against the overwhelming tide of events, if the Primordial Sect couldn't hold on, neither could they!

...

After the emergency Summoning Order appeared, the Sixteen States under the Primordial Sect's jurisdiction were thrown into chaos.

Many Golden Core Influences made the same choice as Chen Che. Perhaps it was out of blind faith in the Primordial Sect, or perhaps they didn't dare openly defy the order, so they chose to go and see how things would play out.

Of course.

There were also many factions who believed the Primordial Sect was beyond saving and chose to flee at the first opportunity.

"Clan Leader, are we fleeing again?"

The Lü Family had once fled Jinyun Valley to seek refuge with Duobao. Now, upon seeing the emergency Summoning Order, they were once again calling their kinsmen to pack up and leave. An Elder within the family couldn't help but exclaim in alarm:

"This is treason against the Sect! Once the Primordial Sect finds out, our entire family will be wiped out!"

Every time a war between major powers ends, the various sects and influences begin a great purge of people like this.

It has been this way since time immemorial.

"That was before!"

Lü Shiyong angrily grabbed the Elder by the collar and snarled:

"But the Primordial Sect is a lost cause now! They can barely save themselves, so how could they have time to bother with ants like us? If we don't leave now, are you saying we should stay and be buried with the Primordial Sect?"

'What a terrible miscalculation!'

Back when Jinyun Valley was in turmoil, they chose to side with Duobao. They believed that with his high position and authority in the Primordial Sect, they would surely prosper by seeking his patronage. Later, when Duobao became the Interim Sect Leader, they thought glory was right around the corner.

But in the end, glory never came.

Instead, they got this Summoning Order!

"The enemy army is at our doorstep, right at the foot of Primordial City, and the Primordial Sect has shown no reaction whatsoever. That 'Interim Sect Leader' is cowering like a turtle in its shell, calmly issuing orders from within the Sect, while sending us to the front lines to die!"

Lü Shiyong nearly ground his teeth to dust. "I'm not going!"

'Every upheaval in life is a choice. Choose right, and you soar on the wind. Choose wrong, and you're ground to dust. My decision to leave Jinyun Valley was clearly a mistake. All the families who stayed behind rose meteorically.'

'But this time, I absolutely will not choose wrong!'

...

Because of the emergency Summoning Order, countless Cultivators gathered swiftly. In just a few days, more than thirty Golden Core Cultivators had assembled outside the Primordial Sect. In addition to those from subordinate influences, a good number had come independently in response to the summons.

In any conflict, while some Golden Core Cultivators might see an opportunity to get a piece of the pie, others would naturally want to gamble on whether the Primordial Sect could rise from the ashes.

Of course, they were in the minority.

「On the seventh day.」

A massive Spiritual Boat tore through the sky. From hundreds of li away, the great city of Primordial City was already clearly visible. The roads outside were nearly deserted, a world apart from the bustling, traffic-filled scenes of just a few years ago.

The city walls were lined with all manner of defensive implements, and the patrols were made up entirely of fully-armed Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators. Countless Magic Patterns radiated out from the Primordial Sect, falling like a curtain of rain to envelop the entire city.

The entire Primordial City had been transformed into a fortress of war.

It wasn't that Chen Che had intentionally delayed until the last possible day.

Rather, along the way, he had first gathered the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from in and around the Valley, then went to pick up the Meng Clan's cultivators, and then those of the Lu Clan, forcing him to traverse nearly half the Primordial Sect's territory.

"What a massive Spiritual Boat..."

"It's Jinyun Valley! That's Jinyun Valley's Spiritual Boat!"

Inside the city, countless Cultivators looked up at the sky, their faces breaking into expressions of excitement.

As more Golden Core Cultivators arrived, many within the Primordial Sect started to believe they still had a chance to turn the tide.

"Should the Spiritual Boat stop outside the city?"

Meng Qianxun asked from the deck.

"Fly straight in."

With a flip of his hand, Chen Che sent a Token soaring into the air. It was the Identity Token the Sect Leader had given him, granting free access to any location except for a few forbidden areas.

SHIMMER—

As the Token ascended, the massive Shield trembled, and the Spiritual Boat passed directly into the Array as if moving through a curtain of water.

"If we couldn't even get into the city, I would've turned right back around."

Chen Che grinned.

After all,

the city was the safest place to be. The Spiritual Boat was carrying everyone's juniors, friends, and family. Was he really supposed to leave them outside the walls to face the Star-Picking Sect head-on?

"All Foundation Establishment Cultivators, remain on the boat."

Once the Spiritual Boat was inside the city, Chen Che leaped down from it, followed by Meng Qianxun, Meng Changtu, Chen Xi, Xiao Chan, Zhao Shifeng, and Lu Yuntian.

Yu Qian had not joined them, having remained behind in Jinyun Valley.

This time, they might have to directly confront some of the Star-Picking Sect's upper echelon. Primordial City wasn't like Celestial Ghost Ridge; it would be too easy for him to be exposed, which would be inconvenient. As for Xiao Chan, Chen Che had also intended for him to stay In the Valley, but he had insisted on coming along.

The seven Golden Core Cultivators advanced in a single, formidable line, striding down the street. Wherever they passed, pedestrians scurried out of their path in alarm.

"How nostalgic. This is the city where I grew up!"

Xiao Chan glanced around. Though his tone was one of fond remembrance, in his heart surged a powerful urge to raze the place to the ground. His Soul-Calling Banner was stored inside Chen Che's Gourd, and he carried Zuo Qinlong's Dragon-Catching Spear on his back.

"Keep it under control."

Chen Che glanced at him and warned.

Seeing Xiao Chan nod and fall silent, Chen Che looked around.

'This is only my second time visiting such a prosperous city,' he thought. 'I've been to the more distant and chaotic Faqian City more often. All thanks to that Duobao in the Sect, of course...'

As he was lost in thought, several Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators approached them. The one in the lead saw them from a distance and immediately stepped forward, bowing with his hands clasped.

"T-Tributor Chen."

"Greetings, Senior Golden Core Cultivators."

Chen Che glanced at him. He didn't recognize the man and figured he must be the new Chief Steward who had replaced Tang Linli, so he simply gave a slight nod in response.

The man showed no dissatisfaction at Chen Che's attitude; on the contrary, he became even more deferential. "The Interim Sect Leader and the Chiefs of every Hall are already within the Sect, awaiting your arrival!"

As he spoke, the man made a welcoming gesture. The people behind him respectfully dispersed, clearing a path that led straight to the Primordial Sect.

Chen Che gazed at the majestic Primordial Mountain, his eyes narrowing slightly.

'So they're all here?'

'Good.'