Above Qingliu City, a golden flash tore across the sky.

  It was the Yao Clan’s Spirit Severing cultivator, the Golden Dragon True Lord.

  Upon his shoulder sat a woman so bewitchingly beautiful it bordered on the demonic.

  The Golden Dragon True Lord sent a voice transmission to the woman.

  [Are you certain the Teleportation Formation has been destroyed?]

  The woman shot a fierce glare at the True Lord’s golden eyes.

  “Do I look that careless to you? I destroyed it thoroughly. There is nothing to worry about.”

  [Hm hm, it is not that I distrust you, Mo Xuelian. It is that I fear that man’s appearance.]

  The woman, Mo Xuelian, knit her brows.

  “That old man is just as frightening to our demonic path. I dealt with it cleanly. So do not even think about backing out now—do your utmost.”

  The Golden Dragon True Lord replied with sincerity.

  [Is that not obvious? Since we have already stepped forward, we must do everything we can. Hmph, those damned human clans. They dared to exclude us and feast among themselves?]

  “Exactly. They have grown this arrogant, so we have no choice but to make a move.”

  Mo Xuelian gritted her teeth, frost seeming ready to form upon her face.

  At the Qingluo Exchange Gathering, all the treasures, spiritual herbs, and medicinal pills of the world gathered in one place.

  Yet they dared to monopolize it for themselves—how could such a thing be tolerated?

  The Golden Dragon True Lord gnashed his teeth as well.

  This was not merely a matter of being invited or not invited to an exchange gathering.

  If they were excluded like this, sooner or later they would be pushed out of the mainstream entirely.

  The timing, moreover, was perfect.

  On the righteous human side, there were only two Spirit Severing cultivators.

  The strongest, Qing Xianzi, had long secluded himself, and the other’s life or death was uncertain.

  So long as the Teleportation Formation was blocked, they were confident they could handle Qingliu City and the rabble of the Exchange Gathering.

  The other side would surely be on guard.

  But they would never have anticipated two Spirit Severing cultivators joining hands to launch a joint assault.

  The demonic human cultivators and the Yao Clan.

  There was a reason these two forces had allied.

  Within the span of a hundred years, two Heavenly Treasures had appeared.

  Yet neither the demonic path nor the Yao Clan had obtained even one.

  And when both righteous Spirit Severing cultivators entered seclusion, suspicion turned into certainty.

  They were monopolizing the treasures.

  Of course, from the human side, the thinking was the opposite.

  Seeing the demonic path and the Yao Clan expand their influence, it was obvious they had swallowed the treasures.

  Thus, they had taken the drastic step of refusing their participation in the Exchange Gathering altogether.

  In truth, it was a conflict born of misunderstanding—but with both sides tightly controlling information, there was no way to know.

  As the two Spirit Severing cultivators appeared, twelve figures shot into the sky from various parts of Qingliu City.

  All were Nascent Soul cultivators, yet their expressions were nothing short of grim.

  Among them, one representative stepped forward and paid his respects to the Golden Dragon True Lord and Mo Xuelian.

  He was Yuan Hao, the only Nascent Soul cultivator of the City Lord’s family in Qingliu City, and the uncle of City Lord Yuan Shu.

  “May I ask what brings Seniors to this humble place…?”

  “Hmph! Do you ask because you truly do not know? When the Exchange Gathering began, what did you prattle on about? You said there would be no exclusion no matter what happened. Yet you did not even send us an invitation? Is this what you call good faith?”

  “That is… recently, due to the excessive expansion of the Yao Clan and the demonic cultivators, the human race has suffered heavy losses.”

  Mo Xuelian cut in.

  “That is merely the misconduct of individuals. Can you monitor every movement of every righteous human cultivator? I cannot. Golden Dragon True Lord, is it possible for you to monitor the actions of every Demon Beast?”

  “It is likewise impossible for me.”

  Yuan Hao forcibly suppressed the anger surging within him.

  They spoke thus, but no one was ignorant of the fact that they were moving in a coordinated, deliberate manner.

  Already, countless cities had suffered harm.

  Watching such conduct only further solidified the suspicion that they had monopolized the Heavenly Treasures.

  Seeing that Yuan Hao dared not retort, Mo Xuelian let out a cold snort.

  Over the years, the Qingluo Exchange Gathering had brought them no small profit.

  If they could no longer insert themselves into it, then at the very least, they would sabotage it.

  And incidentally, seize a few treasures.

  After all, had they not already claimed the Heavenly Treasures?

  Then it was only fair they make this much concession.

  “No need for long words. We have come to attend the Exchange Gathering. Lead the way. If you refuse, we will simply break through.”

  Yuan Hao’s face twisted further.

  Originally, twelve Nascent Soul cultivators had been standing by precisely to guard against their intrusion.

  But who could have expected Spirit Severing cultivators to come?

  Who in the world would have imagined such a situation? Shameless and brazen beyond measure.

  In such circumstances, they could only rely on the city’s Protective Formation and hold out.

  If they could stall for time, reinforcements from the Heavenly Palace would arrive.

  Once the Supreme Palace Lord personally descended, these people would not dare run rampant.

  Before Yuan Hao could answer, the Golden Dragon True Lord stepped forward.

  “No reply? Then I shall take that as permission to enter.”

  Clenching his teeth, Yuan Hao shouted.

  “That cannot be allowed!”

  At the same time, the eleven Nascent Soul cultivators beside him raised their Dharma Treasures in unison.

  Light flashed in all directions, and wind howled violently.

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  Mo Xuelian sneered.

  “Hmph! Do you think delaying will change anything? Have you checked the city’s Teleportation Formation?”

  In an instant, Yuan Hao’s face turned deathly pale.

  Could it be… they had tampered with the Teleportation Formation?

  The Golden Dragon True Lord burst into loud laughter.

  “Hahaha! You do not even know the state of your own house, yet you dare challenge us? Today, I shall show you that above the heavens, there are still greater heavens.”

  Mockery bloomed across the faces of Mo Xuelian and the Golden Dragon True Lord.

  Just as the two Spirit Severing cultivators were about to teach the Nascent Soul juniors a lesson—a voice, calm as rippling water, drifted through the air.

  “Oh? Is that so? I would quite like to see what that heaven looks like myself.”

  It was Qing Xianzi.

  Qing Xianzi was in an exceedingly foul mood.

  Waking from sleep only to hear that the master of Pavilion No. 25 had disappeared had already angered him greatly.

  And now, two early-stage Spirit Severing cultivators dared to join forces and attack Qingliu City?

  Perhaps it was not so bad.

  He had found an outlet for his anger.

  ***

  “Wah….”

  I stood atop the city wall, mouth agape, staring at the fierce battle unfolding above.

  I could not see clearly, but one thing was certain.

  This city would be very safe today.

  When the dragon first revealed itself, I had thought we were all doomed.

  Yet Qingliu City’s preparations were unexpectedly solid.

  There was actually a late-stage Spirit Severing cultivator holding the line!

  Had he come to participate in the Exchange Gathering?

  It was somewhat puzzling.

  At the level of Spirit Severing, was there any need to mingle in waters where Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators played?

  Then again, what did it matter?

  Thanks to it, I was witnessing a battle I might never see again. Dharma Treasures exploded like fireworks.

  What were that golden dragon and that demonic woman feeling right now?

  ***

  What were they feeling?

  They felt as if they were dying.

  That monster who never even left the Heavenly Palace—why did he have to be here at this very moment? What business did he have in this place?

  They had come prepared to sacrifice themselves to pave the way for their juniors.

  No—if they were honest, they had come to plunder cultivation resources.

  But this monster had no such need.

  A man who sat firmly at the pinnacle of the Qingxiu True Realm, enjoying everything at his leisure—what could he possibly want to seize here?

  Had their plan been exposed?

  Or… could it be?

  The two nearly glared at each other simultaneously.

  ‘You insane dragon bastard?’

  ‘That wretched woman?’

  ***

  Though watching the battle was entertaining…

  Not being able to clearly see what was happening gradually made it dull.

  A boom here! A flash there! What enjoyment was there in that?

  If I were at least at Core Formation, perhaps I could sense something profound and gain enlightenment.

  But for me now, it was beyond reach.

  It felt like a middle schooler watching mathematical genius Perelman solve one of the Seven Millennium Problems in person.

  After a long while of flashing lights, the sky grew quiet.

  The Demon Beasts that had followed the golden dragon caught him midair as he fell and fled.

  The demonic female cultivator escaped as well, sacrificing the Nascent Soul cultivators of her own side as decoys.

  Mm, the difference between races showed itself here.

  The Demon Beasts seemed rather cohesive.

  As for the demonic side… I must absolutely never associate with them.

  ***

  “Withdraw. I wish to be alone.”

  Qing Xianzi, who had singlehandedly blocked the joint assault of the Yao Clan and the demonic path, stepped into Pavilion No. 25. Yuan Hao, who had stood beside him, retreated with a regretful expression.

  He had not even known that the Supreme Palace Lord was present here.

  Paying respects would have to wait.

  “Cough….”

  With the suppressed cough, a mouthful of stale blood spilled out. He immediately swallowed a Restoration Pill to stabilize his internal injuries.

  Even if they were only early-stage, Spirit Severing was still Spirit Severing.

  Taking on both of them at once had made injury unavoidable. Had those two not faltered at the end, the wounds might have been far more severe.

  ‘Fortunately, their trust in each other was thin.’

  He let out a sigh of relief.

  He had come to seek Haoranzi, but had he remained in the palace, imagining what might have happened here made his heart tremble.

  Thousands—tens of thousands—of city residents might have been massacred, and the cultivators attending the Exchange Gathering would not have escaped unscathed.

  All of them were pillars of prominent sects and clans.

  It was chilling to think that the righteous human faction might have lost a massive pillar that day.

  They had even destroyed the Teleportation Formation.

  It seemed he had secluded himself for far too long.

  Qing Xianzi let out a long sigh.

  Since matters had reached this point, he would have to temporarily suspend his pursuit of Haoranzi.

  He was not so foolish an old man as to lack such discernment.

  Gazing at Pavilion No. 25, where his old friend had once stayed, his heart ached.

  Even so… what a pity. Hah… let me set aside these thoughts for now. When the time is right, we will meet again someday.

  ***

  At dawn, I left the inn.

  It seemed the Exchange Gathering had completely ended.

  A notice floated in the air.

  [This Qingluo Exchange Gathering is hereby concluded early due to certain circumstances.]

  Well, with two Spirit Severing cultivators having stormed in, that was only natural.

  If I had been at Okheon Pavilion when that happened, how my flesh would have trembled.

  Had the righteous Spirit Severing cultivator not appeared, everyone at the gathering would have been forced to fight… and my identity would have been exposed.

  A Qi Refinement cultivator dropped into a nest of Core Formation and Nascent Soul monsters.

  The mere thought was terrifying.

  With my heart still pounding, I headed toward Huami Inn.

  At times like this, information was vital.

  The Plum Blossom Elder greeted me with a smile.

  “Oh, were you well yesterday?”

  “I did not sleep a wink. I suppose anyone within the city was the same.”

  The Plum Blossom Elder chuckled and shook his head.

  “Who would deny it? This Exchange Gathering was truly something.”

  My ears perked up. Did he know additional information?

  “Well now, at this gathering, materials for a three-thousand-year-old Foundation Establishment Pill appeared. It was sold for over ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Quite astonishing, is it not?”

  I nearly spat out my tea.

  More important than two Spirit Severing cultivators fighting was that Foundation Establishment Pill material had appeared?

  Sensing my confusion, the Plum Blossom Elder smiled wistfully.

  “For those at the Spirit Severing level, they are already beyond the heavens. But a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is another matter entirely. Especially for an old man like me.”

  My heart grew solemn.

  An aged Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass not only raised the success rate of Foundation Establishment but also had another effect.

  It allowed an elderly Qi Refinement cultivator to enter Foundation Establishment.

  For the Plum Blossom Elder, now over a hundred years old, how could it not weigh heavily on his mind?

  Shaking his head again, he lamented.

  “Over ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones per herb. Even if one herb yields ten pills, that is a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. How could one possibly obtain such a thing? I have been chasing an empty dream.”

  As he sighed, the Plum Blossom Elder suddenly lifted his head and looked at me.

  “I will no longer cultivate.”

  Suddenly?

  Had he not been striving to raise his realm, even if only a little?

  “Brother, what do you mean by this so abruptly?”

  “After hearing that news, my heart broke. In what lifetime could I gather a hundred thousand spirit stones? More frightening still is that even with spirit stones, my turn would never come. It is better to invest in my granddaughter instead.”

  Seeing the resolve in his eyes, I dared not persuade him.

  His granddaughter was seven years old this year and was said to possess dual spiritual roots.

  With such talent, entering the inner sect of a decent sect would pose no difficulty.

  A strange emptiness stirred in my heart.

  I had merely sold spiritual herbs for cultivation resources.

  Yet to someone else, that had become the reason to lose hope.

  So this was the cultivation world.

  A path where one must step upon others to rise.

  “Haha, do not feel too disappointed. I will still be here. If not for this trade, where would I earn spirit stones?”

  Yes. Since I had chosen this path, I could only stride forward. Did I not have a past to reclaim?

  The Plum Blossom Elder added—

  “That aside, I have heard that this incident is related to Heavenly Treasures.”

  “Heavenly Treasures?”

  “Indeed. Ninety-seven years ago, a Heavenly Treasure containing the power of space and time appeared. And this very year, another Heavenly Treasure possessing the power of chaos emerged. They say it can intertwine truth and falsehood, reality and illusion.”

  …That sounded awfully familiar.

  The Plum Blossom Elder continued.

  “The suspicions surrounding the Heavenly Treasures have turned into certainty. Those detestable demonic cultivators and Demon Beasts must have seized both treasures. With that confidence, they dared to challenge our side.”

  My hands began to tremble.

  Thankfully they were hidden beneath the table as I reached for my spirit stones.

  I… was the master of Heavenly Treasures?

  Not one—but two?

  I hastily lowered my head. It would not do for anyone to see my agitation.

  Unaware of my turmoil, the Plum Blossom Elder spoke again.

  “Be careful regarding the city’s affairs. There are rumors that a mobilization order will soon be issued.”

  My hands trembled once more.

  A mobilization order?

  Could it be… a war mobilization order???