By Mingxiu Lake (Please Subscribe)

Two days later, early morning. A gentle breeze stirred.

The sky was a wash of azure, while layers upon layers of wool-like white clouds drifted overhead, veiling the soft morning sun.

Crystal-clear dewdrops slowly crept and gathered on flower petals, leaves, and blades of grass before finally falling.

Inner Lingwu City, southern district, by Mingxiu Lake.

This had originally been the designated spot of scenic beauty in the inner city's southern district, with dense shaded woods, flowers fragrant enough to assail the nose, waterside pavilions and terraces, elegant and secluded.

It was the first choice for visitors seeking a view, and for men and women enjoying spring outings.

Yet before dawn today, it had been tightly guarded by squads of fierce-looking martial artists wielding sharp blades. The beggars and drifters who had lingered here had been driven away, temporarily turning the place into a private ground where not even mosquitoes could fly in or flies could settle.

Meanwhile, as time passed, one splendid carriage after another, along with fine steeds, gathered here like a winding dragon.

They were the great figures of the city, people who had once been considered formidable, arriving in clusters.

The Xun, Zhuo, and Ding families of the Aristocratic Family Alliance had all sent their leading figures. The other aristocratic families, including the Wang, Deng, Sha, Wu, Sun, Song, Southern Lin Family, Beilin Family, and other large and small clans, had likewise sent representatives, most of them elders bringing along younger descendants.

Beyond the Aristocratic Family Alliance, representatives from major powers had also arrived: the chief instructor of Tianhuo Martial Hall, the chief instructor of Xindeng Martial Hall, the branch master of the Lingxu Cult, an elder of Qianhuan Temple, a True Person of Xuanxin Temple, and more. They too had brought many younger disciples.

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