Autumn skies were crisp, and the fierce wind howled bleakly.
In Wang Qing Prefecture stood a vast Ancient Maple Forest.
The entire maple forest stretched for ten li, like an enormous lake of blazing red.
As the brilliantly red maple leaves whirled through the sky, they seemed like countless flames dancing in the air.
Ye Jingcheng stood amid the maple forest, letting the leaves fall around him, onto his shoulders, and even into his hair.
Under ordinary circumstances, Ye Jingcheng would have been in the mood to admire the sight at leisure.
But now, he was waiting for the cultivators who would cover for him—Prefect Wang, Prefecture Lord Xiao, and the others.
Before long, a spirit boat descended before the Ancient Maple Forest.
Prefect Wang and Prefecture Lord Xiao landed as well.
"I told you Qian Chen Daoyou had discovered us long ago!" Prefect Wang laughed, his hearty voice spreading throughout the maple forest.
Beside him, Prefecture Lord Xiao also smiled faintly at Ye Jingcheng.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng waiting here, the two of them were quite pleased.
"Prefecture Lord Xiao, Prefect Wang!" Ye Jingcheng cupped his hands. He also surveyed the group and found that, besides Prefect Wang and Prefecture Lord Xiao, there were two more Golden Core cultivators.
However, the other two had clearly been brought by Prefect Wang and Prefecture Lord Xiao.
Their cultivation was only at the Golden Core Middle Stage and Golden Core Early Stage.
Ye Jingcheng further guessed that Void Embrace True Monarch and Prefecture Lord Liu had likely come in secret as well, though it was inconvenient for them to show themselves.
The conflict between the Righteous Path Sect and the Profound Sky Demon Sect was still confined to their subordinate factions. It was acceptable for them to provide cover and protect the market,