The Uninvited Guest

Once the second round of activities concluded, the cultivators from the various major factions gathered their disciples.

The members of the Yunhua Sect also converged on a deserted peak on Six Yang Mountain to hold a summary meeting.

“This time, our Yunhua Sect performed quite admirably, with two-thirds of our disciples passing the second round. However, there were also some rather embarrassing incidents, though, of course, these had their reasons and are understandable.”

“However, Lin Mo’s conduct today was far from exemplary. The envoy from the Orthodox Alliance was quite displeased. Despite having no deep-seated enmity with Hua Yunxuan, you deliberately tormented him, which is hardly the style of an orthodox cultivator,”

Fairy Yunshuang remarked, casting a glance at Lin Mo, who sat on the periphery, before speaking in a deep voice.

Lin Mo, who had been in deep contemplation, slowly opened his eyes and chuckled at Fairy Yunshuang.

“Sect Master, this was my first battle after successfully cultivating the poison art. I admit I became a little too excited. It will absolutely not happen again,” Lin Mo hastily explained.

Fairy Yunshuang merely snorted coldly, offering no further comment.

After addressing Lin Mo, Fairy Yunshuang then turned her gaze to the family of three, who were huddled together.

“The three of you were also a bit overzealous this time. Though the Lin family may be your sworn enemies, they are still disciples of our Yunhua Sect. Engaging in infighting before so many people, how am I, your master, supposed to present myself to other fellow Daoists?”

The moment Fairy Yunshuang’s words left her lips, the family of three immediately rose to their feet.

“Cough, cough, Master, there won’t be a next time.”

“Indeed, Master, we guarantee we won’t bring you shame again.”

“That’s right, Sect Master, in the subsequent rounds, we will certainly no longer target members of a specific family.”

The three spoke one after another, ostensibly admitting their faults, but it was all for show.

Particularly, Yan Yun’s statement about no longer targeting the Lin family was utterly meaningless, as no one from the Lin family, apart from Lin Mo, had advanced to the third round.

“Let this be the last time,” Fairy Yunshuang said, offering only a few symbolic words of blame before proceeding to discuss the matters of the third round.

Meanwhile, at the Lin family’s designated area, a large group of their members sat on the ground, crestfallen.

This family had truly met their comeuppance, suffering the greatest setback in their history.

“Family Head, if this continues, our Lin family must resolve to completely eradicate the Yan family. Otherwise, should they grow for a few more years, our Lin family will become lambs to the slaughter,” an agitated high-ranking member of the Lin family declared.

“That’s right, Family Head. Our Lin family was almost completely wiped out this time. We stand to gain nothing, while our enemies will surely reap substantial rewards. Failing to address these future troubles early will lead to immense problems.”

The younger disciples of the Lin family also became filled with righteous indignation.

Yet, what right did they have to be so indignant? When they bullied others, they never once considered the consequences. But such is human nature; often, people fail to look inward for problems. Having lived in an oppressive environment for so long, they naturally believe that tyranny and the law of the jungle are not wrong.

Lin Xiong clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, seemingly contemplating some sinister scheme.

“Rest assured, I have already made preparations. The Yan and Jiang family members, including Jiang Yao, will die by ‘accident’ in the third round,” Lin Xiong declared, a grim expression on his face.

His words startled the Lin family members, for they had not known beforehand that he had already made such arrangements.

The venue for the upcoming third round had undergone significant alterations, with several Divine Venerables from the Immortal Alliance taking action to reshape the geographical features of a certain area of Six Yang Mountain.

When these Divine Venerables acted, it was truly a world-changing feat. Earth-attribute Divine Venerables effortlessly raised towering mountains from the ground, water-attribute Divine Venerables easily created numerous lakes and rivers, and wood-attribute Divine Venerables conjured various kinds of vegetation.

Almost all attribute-aligned Divine Venerables participated.

The third round would feature five arenas, with five groups of participants randomly assigned to them.

These five arenas were arranged according to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. This stage remained a battle for qualifications, but it harbored dangers. It contained restrictions and various offensive and defensive formations, and a large number of demonic beasts would also be released into it. The qualifications themselves would need to be sought out by the participants, potentially hidden within formation restrictions or even on the bodies of the demonic beasts.

So, this third round held many unknowns.

The Immortal Alliance would also assign a Divine Venerable to oversee each arena. If a danger arose that even a Divine Venerable couldn’t prevent, then nothing more could be done. Before the Immortal Dao Assembly, the Immortal Alliance had already warned that the later stages would carry increasingly greater risks, and those without courage were best advised not to participate.

The various major factions gathered their advancing disciples specifically to instruct them to be cautious.

Concurrently, within the Immortal Alliance Hall, Shangguan Jinyang was conversing with Dou Ke.

Suddenly, Dou Ke seemed to receive a message. He picked up his communication artifact and glanced at it, and with that single look, his expression changed.

“Alliance Master Shangguan, I fear some unforeseen change has occurred regarding this Jiang Country Immortal Dao Assembly,” Dou Ke said to Shangguan Jinyang, his brows furrowed after reading the message.

Shangguan Jinyang’s expression froze.

“What has happened?”

“It’s nothing else. The Alliance Master has sent word that cultivators from Ji Country are rushing towards Jiang Country, effectively making them uninvited guests.”

His words startled Shangguan Jinyang.

“What? What do they intend to do? King Jiang surely hasn’t been informed of this; wouldn’t this constitute an invasion?”

Shangguan Jinyang could certainly deduce the purpose behind the Ji Country cultivators’ arrival. If he had any say in the matter, he would certainly not want them to come.

“Alliance Master Chen of Ji Country’s cultivation world has already greeted our Alliance Master Lin. As you know, within our Orthodox Alliance, Ji Country holds the greatest power and controls half of the positions on the Orthodox Alliance Elder Council. Whatever they intend to do, the Alliance Master truly cannot stop it,” Dou Ke said, his face etched with worry.

The Orthodox Alliance, also known as the Alliance of Five Countries, had its headquarters within Ji Country. The Alliance Master Lin mentioned by Dou Ke was the current Alliance Master of the Orthodox Alliance. While he held the title, it was largely symbolic. True power resided with the Elder Council. Any significant matter within the Orthodox Alliance required a vote, and only with the approval of more than half of its members could it be implemented. Therefore, the Orthodox Alliance’s authority was entirely under the control of Ji Country’s cultivation world.

Ji Country had long monopolized the majority of cultivation resources within the Orthodox Alliance, leaving the other countries to subsist on its leftovers.

“Then, where have they reached?” Shangguan Jinyang knew he couldn’t prevent their arrival. He also understood their purpose in suddenly arriving during Jiang Country’s Immortal Dao Assembly. Ji Country would always show up uninvited to the cultivation world assemblies of other nations, with three objectives:

First, to see if any geniuses had emerged in the cultivation worlds of other countries.

Second, to assess the overall strength of the host country’s cultivation world.

Third, to poach talent.

Because the Orthodox Alliance headquarters was in Ji Country, they had many underhanded ways to absorb outstanding disciples from other countries into the Orthodox Alliance, effectively drawing them back to Ji Country. This was not the first time they had done such a thing.

Of course, each country also had its own influence within the Orthodox Alliance. For instance, Dou Ke was a cultivator born in Jiang Country. From their perspective, it was naturally imperative to keep Jiang Country’s talents within their own nation’s sphere of influence to secure more resources.

“They are likely to arrive at Six Yang Mountain by tomorrow morning. Alliance Master Shangguan, let’s postpone this afternoon’s activities and first gather the Sect Masters from all major sects to discuss countermeasures,” Dou Ke said, his voice filled with apprehension.

Shangguan Jinyang nodded.

“Very well, I will go inform them immediately.”

Ji Country was certainly not coming to watch a show. Based on their past style, they would forcibly participate and assert their dominance with a show of strength. Each time they participated, the casualty count would be considerably higher.

“Notice: All Sect Masters are requested to gather at the Immortal Alliance Hall immediately. An urgent matter has arisen. Furthermore, the third round of activities originally scheduled for this afternoon will be postponed until tomorrow. Disciples are free to engage in their own activities this afternoon.” Just as Yan Yun and the others were still holding their summary meeting, Shangguan Jinyang’s voice rang out.

Fairy Yunshuang and the others frowned, exchanging uneasy glances with several elders.

Because for Shangguan Jinyang to personally issue such a notice and declare it an urgent matter, it usually implied something beyond their control.

Yan Yun and the others were also filled with bewilderment.

“What’s going on? Why the sudden postponement?” Yan Yun wondered aloud.

“Something unexpected must have happened, I suppose. But a postponement isn’t bad either. After two consecutive rounds today, my condition isn’t at its best. A night’s rest, and I’ll be fully recovered by tomorrow,” Jiang Yao mused, finding the delay to be a good thing.

Yan Yun nodded.

“Alright then, wife, mother, shall we go for a stroll?” Yan Yun suggested.

Jiang Yao immediately rolled her eyes at Yan Yun.

“I’ll pass. I’m going back to get some good rest. You go stroll by yourself.”

“Me too. And you, don’t go wasting money,” Su Muyu added.

Since neither of them would go, Yan Yun had no choice. She zipped over to Xie Yuyan’s side.

“Heh heh, Old Xie, how about we check out the Qianjin Pavilion in Immortal Alliance City?” Yan Yun invited.

Xie Yuyan’s eyes lit up at these words, and she immediately stood up.

“Let’s go, let’s go! I thought you’d forgotten your brother for your wife!”

With that, the two left the area and flew towards Immortal Alliance City.