Throughout the Azure Cloud region, the major clans and sects were mobilizing, creating a grand spectacle.
Of the twelve major Nascent Soul forces in the twenty-four counties, one was absent: Azure Phoenix Mountain, whose Grand Elder had been killed.
"By order of the Jun Prince's Mansion, the entire city is under martial law! Magistrate of Sky Jade City, receive the order!"
"Azure Cloud City, receive the order!"
"..."
One after another, servants of the Jun Prince's Mansion, riding flying swords, went to the major cities and directly contacted the magistrates and town heads.
Even the countryside.
On this day, the entire Azure Cloud region felt the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.
The powerful families and clans vaguely sensed that all this was connected to the Li family, who had wreaked havoc in Azure Cloud before.
They even received news.
Experts from those major sects and clans were arriving!
This day, the entire Azure Cloud region was unusually quiet.
...
From nine directions across the Azure Cloud region, nine exceptional experts, leading their respective clans, were lying in wait.
Within Azure Cloud region's main city, inside a small, unassuming tavern, there was a secret chamber.
In this small space, illuminated only by candlelight, which resembled a wine cellar, sat Yu Xian, the former Pavilion Master of the once lofty Azure Cloud Pavilion!
Huang Xiujin, the former Tower Master of the Yunshu Wanghai Tower, had reached the end of his lifespan and should have passed away ten years ago.
But now, he indeed appeared younger, sitting quietly in this dark place, seemingly burdened with worries, sighing repeatedly.
Within the cramped space, there was also a group of nine people. They were gathered around a table, gazing at a large compass illuminated by the dim candlelight. Around it were nine smaller compasses, connected to the central one by mysterious runes.
On those inscribed runes were blood-red characters.
"Of the twelve major Nascent Soul forces in Azure Cloud, nine are here."
"The Ghost Eye Sect, cultivators of the Demonic Pupil Technique."
"Everlife Mountain and Kirin Mountain, you represent the orthodox lineage of Azure Cloud."
"Primordial Heaven Sect, Lumina Sect, Divine Path Sect, Heavenly Saber Pavilion..."
Yu Xian looked at the group with a smile. "And then there's the Long family and Abbot Wuyou," he said. "Matters of destiny are intangible and elusive. Are you truly willing to risk everything against the Li family for this so-called destiny?"
Upon hearing this, an elder dressed in a white robe sighed. "My Everlife Mountain has always lived in seclusion," he said. "We don't concern ourselves with matters of destiny. However, the Li family is far too arrogant. They tolerate no opposition. If they grow stronger and set their sights on my Everlife Mountain, we won't be able to withstand them."
"Hmph!"
The elder from the Long family, dressed in a gold robe, declared, "The Li family youngsters have already won at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion. Li Kuangren has been taken back to the Jun Prince's Mansion. It's clear they're afraid we'll assassinate their son-in-law. Feng Qingyang is a cunning old fox. We cannot wait any longer. Otherwise, we, the orthodox lineage of Azure Cloud, will see our hundred-thousand-year legacy fall into their hands."
The monk present could only chant, "Amitabha, how benevolent, how benevolent."
"The Li family has been close to the Skyveil Sect and Black Tortoise Sect these past years," the Long family elder said. "They have always been incompatible with us. If we delay any longer, they might even join forces."
"Everyone is saying that a new era is coming to the Azure Cloud region. Well, this new era should belong to us, the orthodox lineage of Azure Cloud!"
The Long family elder clenched his fist. "First, we eliminate the Li family menace," he declared, "then we destroy the Skyveil Sect and Black Tortoise Sect. After that, it will be a matter between us, the orthodox powers."
"Fellow Daoist Yu Xian," he said, "use your Azure Cloud Pavilion's Hexa-Ren Divine Calculation. After so many years of preparation, it should be ready."
"This time, we leave no one from the Li family alive!"
His words were forceful, but everyone present harbored their own thoughts.
Yu Xian, still wearing a smile, asked the group, "And what are your thoughts?"
"Agreed."
"Good."
"Let's do it, Fellow Daoist Yu Xian. But I wonder, how will you calculate their whereabouts? My Ghost Eye Sect has also tried, but we were blinded by a large tree, a coffin, and an ancestral tablet. This Li family is truly not simple."
Yu Xian turned around and looked at Huang Xiujin, who was frowning. "Brother Huang," he said, "you spent many years with the Li family and have met all its members. Although the Li family has left their estate, they still left traces of themselves within the clan. A single hair, a piece of clothing, even the bowls and chopsticks they used, can all be used by me."
The Long family elder's eyes lit up. "No wonder Fellow Daoist Yu Xian has always prevented us from destroying their estate," he exclaimed. "You had a plan all along."
Yu Xian smiled but said nothing.
A moment later, Yu Xian took the items used by the Li family descendants from Huang Xiujin. The names of the descendants were even recorded on them.
As a bright light filled the cellar, runes emerged from the compasses.
The nine smaller compasses spun wildly, and finally, each compass pointed in a different direction.
Immediately, each of them picked up a compass and headed out of the cellar.
At the same moment, the nine major Nascent forces stationed at the borders of the Azure Cloud region all took action!
At this time, only Yu Xian and Huang Xiujin remained in the dark cellar. In the dim candlelight, they exchanged a meaningful glance.
"Brother Huang," Yu Xian said, "you currently have eighty years left to live, and your cultivation has reached the peak of Golden Core. Congratulations! You have a good chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul."
Looking at Yu Xian, who was bowing, Huang Xiujin's face showed no hint of joy at his increased lifespan or his progress in cultivation. He let out a deep sigh.
"The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion," he said, "they are truly capable."
Yu Xian smiled faintly.
The storage ring in his hand glimmered, and a yellow flag appeared in his grasp. A faint, golden light emanated from it as he murmured, "It's time to act."
"Hahaha, good!"
---
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