Chương 237: The Opening of Ten Thousand Sects
Autumn had arrived.
Last night, there was a light rain that stopped early this morning. The drizzle trickled down the eaves and pooled on the uneven ground. Chen Xia stood at the doorway, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, his eyes slightly raised as he surveyed the scene outside.
The raindrops formed fine lines in front of him, which accumulated into a delicate curtain of water that obscured his view.
The row of cultivators hanging on the wall stayed dry; Chen Xia had built them a shelter, a thoughtful design.
These cultivators dared not speak, knowing that Chen Xia was waiting for someone.
About half an hour later, hurried footsteps approached from afar. Bai Jie appeared in everyone's sight and quickly reached the door, apologizing to Chen Xia.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
"It's alright," Chen Xia nodded, lifting his finger to stop the curtain of raindrops before stepping out leisurely and saying,
"Let's go. Today is the day of the gathering of ten thousand sects. Zhen Hu informed me two months ago."
"You don't need to rush. We can walk slowly; the alchemy competition part of the gathering is still some time away," Bai Jie smiled, glancing at Chen Xia.
"Alright," Chen Xia nodded, walking alongside Bai Jie. He suddenly turned back and said,
"Watch the house well. This is the last period. I'll release you all when I return. Don't come to see me after that. You've been forced to watch for decades; you must be tired of it by now, right?"
Bai Jie looked over and saw the row of various cultivators hanging on the wall. He was momentarily stunned into silence.
The cultivators began to protest loudly.
"Don't, Lord Chen, don't send us away. We want to keep watching."
"Lord Chen, can we visit when we miss you? Just for a glimpse!"
"The people here talk so nicely and interestingly. I really don't want to leave."
"..."
Their words were filled with sadness.
Chen Xia replied, "Fine, then you can keep hanging."
Immediately, someone laughed and explained,
"Actually, it's not that hard to let go. If we have to go, we will. Life has no eternal feasts."
"Indeed, indeed."
"..."
"Indeed," Chen Xia also nodded, then took another step forward, walking alongside Bai Jie, "Let's go."
As he lifted and placed his foot down, a crisp sound echoed.
Bai Jie noticed a small wine flask swaying at Chen Xia's waist, seemingly light, unsure if it contained any wine.
Lost in thought, Bai Jie realized Chen Xia had already walked ahead and quickly caught up, walking side by side.
Their figures gradually faded into the distance.
A small figure lingered at the entrance, staring blankly at Chen Xia's departing silhouette until it vanished completely, then whispered softly,
"May the immortals protect you."
The cultivators on the wall regained their vigor.
"Brother Zhang, you're already a Mountain Moving realm immortal. Why do you need the protection of other immortals?"
"Haha, exactly, we are all immortals."
"..."
Zhang Daoming's cloudy eyes flickered, shaking his head.
"I am not an immortal. Only those who can protect can be called immortals."
The cultivators on the wall questioned again.
"Which immortal can protect Lord Chen? It would probably be at least Fifth Heaven of the Heaven Mending realm."
"Not just that. Lord Chen isn't afraid even of Triumph Mountain. To truly protect Lord Chen, it would have to start from the Ninth Heaven of the Heaven Mending realm."
The discussions continued, but Zhang Daoming remained silent, sitting on a small wooden stool by the door.
It was dawn, with the sun rising.
An elderly man sat at the entrance, beginning his wait.
———
The gathering of ten thousand sects was located in the central area of the Inner Realm, spanning a hundred miles, with various zones clearly defined for each sect.
The Starry Sky Alchemy Sect was situated relatively inward, neighboring sects of similar standing.
Zhen Hu introduced Chen Xia, "To the left is Jia Mu Mountain, the sect of Wang He who offended you that day. To the right is Zhengyang Sect, whose patriarch is at the Third Heaven of the Heaven Mending realm, with solid overall strength and heritage."
"As for Triumph Mountain, it's further inward, one of the top-tier sects in the Inner Realm. Its patriarch is at the Fifth Heaven of the Heaven Mending realm, very powerful with strong heritage. But our Starry Sky Alchemy Sect doesn't fear them either."
Zhen Hu spoke confidently, justified by his own status at the Third Heaven of the Heaven Mending realm.
The gathering had three main events:
1. Display of magical treasures, showcasing the sect's heritage and power. If a treasure caught one's fancy, negotiations for purchase could be made.
2. Combat matches between cultivators of the same major realm. These matches could result in death unless the weaker party surrendered.
3. Finally, the alchemy competition, involving only alchemists, held as a grand finale.
Currently, it was the display of magical treasures. The Starry Sky Alchemy Sect showcased thirty-six treasures: ten spirit artifacts, twenty-five dao artifacts, and one semi-divine artifact.
This was the entirety of the Starry Sky Alchemy Sect's heritage. The semi-divine artifact was defective, reportedly picked up by an ancestor from the ancient battlefield of the Inner Realm.
"Quite the scavenger," Chen Xia commented.
"Indeed," Zhen Hu nodded, agreeing. It was rumored that this ancestor loved collecting discarded items like used robes and broken treasures.
Chen Xia sat on a small stool, watching the exchanges among cultivators from various sects, asking,
"Are the materials for refining the great medicine really prepared thoroughly?"
Zhen Hu laughed, "You've asked several times. I've always answered yes."
"Yes, I'm a bit anxious," Chen Xia admitted.
"You don't look anxious. More like you're confident," Zhen Hu chuckled.
"Fake confidence," Chen Xia shook his head. He had never refined a great medicine before, so how could he be confident?
The display of treasures was somewhat boring, just sects visiting each other. Although lively, it seemed meaningless to Chen Xia. He didn't care about treasures, and nothing in the Inner Realm interested him.
For example, things like AK Fire Kylin or Hellfire Gatling guns didn't exist here.
Very boring.
Chen Xia started rocking his stool idly.
Zhen Hu greeted visitors from other sects, laughter echoing.
Bai Jie had gone somewhere, likely viewing treasures at another sect.
"You... you're really here," a clear voice sounded.
Chen Xia turned to see a woman in black, frowning slightly.
"Who are you?"
"One of the sixteen who clashed with you. I defended you," the black-clad woman explained, her brows raised anxiously, fearing Chen Xia wouldn't recognize her.
Chen Xia thought carefully. His recent memory issues made it hard to recall. He asked,
"Did I hit you? If I did, I apologize."
"No, no, you didn't hit me. You only hit Qin Guan. I tried to persuade him afterward. I'm a descendant of the Zhang family, my name is Zhang Bailu."
The black-clad woman explained hastily.
Chen Xia thought seriously, staring intently at Zhang Bailu, nodding lightly with a faint smile. Then, under her hopeful gaze, he replied,
"Still no impression."
Zhang Bailu opened her mouth, unsure how to explain further. After a moment, she suddenly asked,
"Do you know Zhang Daoming?"
"How?" Chen Xia's tone cooled slightly.
Zhang Bailu hurriedly explained, "Zhang Daoming is my third uncle. We are all descendants of the Zhang family."
Chen Xia frowned, not recalling Zhang Daoming mentioning this. Looking at Zhang Bailu, he asked calmly,
"Information from spies?"
Zhang Bailu placed her hands on her skirt, lowering her head, "Sorry, we didn't mean to offend. We just probed a little."
"Understood," Chen Xia nodded, yawning, feeling bored. He suggested,
"Let's talk about Zhang Daoming. Since he's your uncle, you should know something about him."
Zhang Bailu nodded, recalling, "I'm young, I only heard that Uncle's talent wasn't great..."
"I know that. Later, Old Zhang chose to leave the Inner Realm to cultivate elsewhere, right?"
Chen Xia interjected.
A hint of doubt flashed across Zhang Bailu's eyes, quickly disappearing. She was about to nod when Chen Xia suddenly asked,
"What did you hear?"
Zhang Bailu pursed her lips, speaking softly,
"I... I heard that Uncle was... expelled by... the Zhang family..."
"Expelled."
The autumn wind felt desolate.
Chen Xia blinked, speaking softly,
"Old Zhang lied to me."
Perhaps to preserve his last shred of dignity, not wanting to lose face in front of Chen Xia.
Or perhaps fearing Chen Xia might look down on him.
Who knew?
Life was unpredictable, and human hearts were unfathomable.
An old man wanted to maintain his dignity in his final moments, which was understandable.
Chen Xia shook his head, declaring solemnly to Zhang Bailu,
"I hereby state that it wasn't you who expelled Old Zhang. It was Old Zhang who isolated all of you."
Zhang Bailu was taken aback.
There was such a perspective?!
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