Outside Pingwang county.
The sprawling mountain ranges extended for miles, dotted with tents and bonfires, creating an ambiance of community and vibrancy. However, this was underscored by a lingering, potent scent of blood.
Down in the valleys towards Pingwang county, a river, deep-red with blood, wound its way. Vultures and crows perched on treetops, eyeing the unsettling sight below.
Inside the encampments, distinct groups formed. There were those in gray Daoist robes, bald figures exuding calm, and scholarly individuals radiating righteousness. While these three groups stood apart, various martial artists blended into the crowd. Their appearances and energies varied. Some hailed from lesser-known sects, while others were independent cultivators from renowned towns across Great You.
Pingwang county was surrounded by seven camps in total. The six clans and three sects each claimed their territory.