Misty Cloud Sect

Chapter 27

The Misty Cloud Sect was the most powerful force in the Jia Ma Empire. Through generations of unbroken inheritance, this ancient sect had come to stand at the very pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire.

Had it not been for the sect rules forbidding them from seizing imperial power, the Misty Cloud Sect would likely have taken complete control of the Jia Ma Empire during one of the empire's many dynastic transitions.

For this very reason, every generation of the imperial family had been exceedingly wary of this colossal presence so close at hand.

By the time of the current Jia Ma Royal Family, however, they finally possessed some strength capable of making even the Misty Cloud Sect somewhat wary, thanks to the protection of Jia Xing Tian and that mysterious magical beast.

That was why the battle-hardened elite legion stationed by the royal family at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain had remained in peaceful coexistence with them.

The royal family had deployed and stationed the legion here for many years. Nearly everyone knew their purpose: they were guarding against the Misty Cloud Sect...

The Misty Cloud Sect did not react too fiercely to this action by the royal family.

Aside from a few young disciples within the sect occasionally causing trouble in the military camp at first, the sect's higher-ups remained silent on the matter.

They understood as well that no one would tolerate another person sleeping beside their bed. Imperial households were full of suspicion, and they had long grown accustomed to it.

So long as the Misty Cloud Sect did not collapse, the legion at the foot of the mountain would never dare make the slightest unusual move.

No dynasty of the Jia Ma Empire had ever dared to truly strike at the Misty Cloud Sect, because they all knew that once this enormous hornet's nest was stirred, it could turn the heavens upside down...

Hai Bodong, the Grand Elder of the Mite'er Family and a Two-Star Dou Huang, was currently together with two other figures.

Jia Xing Tian, an Old Man dressed in coarse linen, possessed the strength of a Peak Nine-Star Dou Huang and had one foot in the Dou Zong realm. He was the protector of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family and had once fought Queen Medusa before retreating unscathed.

Fa Ma, president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association, was a Fifth-Grade Alchemist and also a Dou Huang expert.

These three old men from the same generation had gathered together naturally because of today's events at the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Old fellows, today will be interesting."

Hai Bodong chuckled as Dou Qi Wings formed behind him, and he flew at the forefront.

"You seem rather close to that Xiao Yan. Could it be that you know something?"

Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian laughed and cursed at him, but Hai Bodong kept his mouth tightly shut and refused to reveal any extra information.

The three Dou Huang experts flew together toward the Misty Cloud Sect.

Misty Cloud Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist. Beyond the mist lay an enormous Plaza, entirely paved with uniform massive stones, ancient and imposing in appearance.

At the center of the Plaza stood a towering stone monument, upon which were inscribed the names of every previous sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, as well as those who had rendered great service to the sect.

Looking across the Plaza, nearly a thousand people sat cross-legged there.

These people sat in a semicircle. Without exception, they all wore moon-white robes. At their cuffs, embroidered clouds and longswords fluttered in the wind as if alive, faintly containing traces of sword intent.

At the upper end of the Plaza rose tiers of lofty stone seats. The steps ascended gradually, and those seated higher up were generally older. The highest stone platform was currently empty.

Below it sat over a dozen white-robed Old Men, cross-legged with their eyes closed in meditation. Powerful auras lay concealed within them; the strength of these Misty Cloud Sect elders needed no further explanation.

Further down was a solitary stone seat occupied by a Woman dressed in a moon-white robe.

Her eyes were slightly closed. As the breeze brushed past, her robes clung tightly to her delicate body, revealing the perfect curves beneath. She was none other than Nalan Yanran!

Although nearly a thousand people filled the Plaza, it was utterly silent. Other than the howling wind, not another sound could be heard.

One figure after another appeared atop the massive trees surrounding the Plaza. They were the three Dou Huang experts.

"The Misty Cloud Sect's formation truly isn't weak."

Hai Bodong glanced at the thousand or so figures in the Plaza.

From what he sensed, the breathing rhythms of the nearly thousand Misty Cloud Sect disciples were completely synchronized. Their auras intertwined with one another, and disturbing any single part would invite a relentless, torrential assault.

Upon this Plaza, these nearly thousand people were practically one entity. If they attacked together, even a Dou Huang expert would have to avoid their edge.

It was not only Hai Bodong. Even Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian had deep gravity in their eyes, especially Jia Xing Tian.

Though he was a member of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family, as long as the Misty Cloud Sect remained, their royal family would always feel as though their position lacked true legitimacy.

Although everyone publicly acknowledged the status of the Jia Ma Royal Family, the true master of the Jia Ma Empire was the Misty Cloud Sect atop Misty Cloud Mountain beside the Imperial Capital!

There were also many other figures beside the three Dou Huang experts. They were people from major powers invited by the Misty Cloud Sect, including the Mu Family of the Three Great Clans, along with other factions.

It was worth mentioning that the old master of the Nalan Family, one of the Three Great Clans, was currently hanging between life and death. After great difficulty, someone possessing Heavenly Flames had appeared—Xiao Yan's alternate identity, "Yan Xiao."

Yet once the Alchemist Grand Meeting ended, Yan Xiao vanished without a trace. The Nalan Family could not find him no matter how they searched, so Nalan Jie could kick the bucket at any moment. The Nalan Family had no mood to send anyone here.

The Misty Cloud Sect was built atop Misty Cloud Mountain, which lay only several dozen li from the Imperial Capital. The two were extremely close, like two colossal beasts confronting one another.

Xiao Lin, Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Lü Man headed toward the snow-white peak that pierced the clouds.

At the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain were not disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect, but the Jia Ma Empire's elite legion. This showed just how guarded the Jia Ma Royal Family was against the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Lü Man, White Fang, Ling Ying, the Seven-Colored Heavenly Python, Yao Lao, and me..."

Xiao Lin counted their numbers, a faint smile lifting the corners of his mouth as streams of incomparably powerful Dou Qi coursed through his body.

Two months of arduous cultivation, coupled with the feedback from his clansmen, had produced remarkable results.

However, this did not mean Xiao Lin's side could simply sweep through the Misty Cloud Sect, because the Misty Cloud Sect currently had a Dou Zong expert.

Dou Zong and Dou Huang were two completely different realms, impossible to mention in the same breath.

System! Xiao Lin softly called upon the system's power in his heart.

Name: Xiao Lin

Cultivation: Ninth Star Dou Huang

Cultivation Techniques: Raging Lion's Fury, Earth Water Fire Wind (System Reward)

Identity: Xiao Family Old Ancestor, Former Patriarch

Xiao Family Members: 213

Selected Clan Member: Xiao Yan

Cultivation Feedback: When clan members cultivate, the host will receive bonuses.

Cultivation Breakthrough: Ninth Star Dou Huang (99%)