Everyone in the hall paused when they heard Cao Zhen mention the Jintai Grand Tournament, a trace of confusion crossing their faces.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Mountain-Suppressing Peak Master Qin Gang frowned slightly and asked, "Sect Master, isn't the 50th Jintai Grand Tournament supposed to be held this June? It's only early March now. There are still more than two full months before the tournament.
"By the usual custom, we don't begin discussing the arrangements until late April. Why are we starting so early this year?"
Taking in everyone's puzzled expressions, Cao Zhen slowly rose to his feet. Clad in an ink-black brocade robe, he exuded an increasingly imposing air.
He strode to the center of the hall, swept his gaze over everyone, and said gravely, "The Demon Cult has infiltrated the Stone Mountain Secret Realm and is lying low, plotting something sinister. If we don't wipe them out soon, once they've amassed their strength, they will inevitably deal a devastating blow to Linshan County and even the rest of Jintai Prefecture."
"For that very reason, the masters of the other four sects and I have decided to move this year's Jintai Grand Tournament forward by a month and hold it in May."
At those words, understanding dawned on everyone in the hall.
Li Zhihai stroked the graying beard beneath his chin and nodded slowly. "Twice in Jintai Prefecture's history, invasions by the Demon Cult have forced the Jintai Grand Tournament to be brought forward or postponed. Both decisions were made in response to the circumstances."
Cao Zhen continued, "The first reason for holding the Jintai Grand Tournament early is to gather the Heavenly Prodigies of the younger generation as soon as possible and use the tournament to select those with the greatest potential.
"The second is