Bloodbath at Qingyang Palace

The gale whipped up snow, blotting out their vision.

By now, night had fallen. Qingyang Palace lay shrouded in thick fog, without lights or sound, like a monster hiding in the darkness. The deathly silence was unnerving.

What Li Yan and the others did not know was that just an hour earlier, the people from Qingcheng Sect had seen Qingyang Palace blazing with lights and roaring with gongs and drums from outside the dense fog formation.

In its current state, something had clearly gone wrong.

The Flower God Parade consisted of more than just their group. As it passed through the streets, it had drawn countless frenzied commoners—at least a thousand.

Although they had gone mad, they still retained a sliver of memory. The Flower God Parade took place every year, and instinct had driven them to follow and join in.

They carried torches and made an incredible racket.

As the procession ahead came to a halt, the red-eyed commoners immediately began to stir. Some tried to surge forward, while others started fighting among themselves.

Seeing that trouble was about to break out, Sha LiFei hurried forward and asked in a low voice, "What do we do? Should we go investigate first?"

Li Yan recalled the arm of Dragon Girl fading in his earlier dream and shook his head. "They're already making their move. There's no time. Begin the ritual directly."

"Daoist priest, you preside. We'll protect you!"

"Good!"

Wang Dao Xuan immediately directed several of Hou Xuan's men and the women carrying flower baskets to arrange everything.

This had been the plan all along.

Wang Dao Xuan had already learned every ritual procedure of the "Flower God Parade." He alone was enough to conduct it, while the others would provide protection.

The main ceremonies included the "Three Offering Ritual,"