As one of the prominent sects within the Balak Kingdom, the Qinshan Sect might not have been well known among ordinary people, but it enjoyed considerable fame in the world of soul masters.
Figures from the Qinshan Sect occasionally darted through the forest. From afar, they resembled apes, their long, powerful arms gripping vines clinging between trees as they swung past, making entire trees tremble.
"Rumble!"
A bolt of thunder suddenly erupted beneath the clear sky, shattering the forest's tranquility.
Countless Qinshan Sect disciples looked up at the sky in confusion. There was not a cloud for miles, and a blazing golden sun hung overhead. Where had that thunder come from?
"That thunder was rather strange."
A vermilion pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters lay hidden amid a lush bamboo grove.
An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard stood by the window, gazing at the sky as he murmured with a frown.
"It is indeed strange."
Behind the old man, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes also glanced curiously at the sky before withdrawing his gaze and continuing his earlier question.
"Father, what did you mean when you said we should beware of an attack from the Heaven Dou Empire?"
The middle-aged man frowned. He was the current sect master of the Qinshan Sect—Qin Ming. The elder before him was the previous sect master and pillar of the Qinshan Sect—Qin Ze.
Qin Ze sighed and gave Qin Ming a disappointed look, his voice heavy. "Xue Song is not someone easy to deal with. Back when the Heaven Dou Empire was weaker than the Star Luo Empire, he forged alliances in every direction and forcibly held back the aggressive Star Luo Empire."
"That man is deeply calculating, and he cannot tolerate even the slightest blemish. Our support for