Chen Tieshou led the way, Zuo Lieyang brought up the rear, and the staff officials walked between them. Like prisoners being escorted, they left the mountain gate of the Staff Department, then left Auspicious Chimes Immortal City.
They flew west for three thousand li without stopping, finally landing atop a mountain shrouded in drifting clouds.
More than a hundred people had already gathered there, divided into two groups. It took no careful inspection to tell that one group belonged to the Night Walkers and the other to the Plum Blossom Iron Guard.
Xu Yi scrutinized the makeup of both groups. Even the weakest had reached the Mortal Transformation Second Realm, most were in the Mortal Transformation Third Realm, and more than ten were Fourth Realm experts.
Once they arrived, Chen Tieshou returned to the Plum Blossom Iron Guard's ranks and cupped his hands to Zuo Lieyang.
Zuo Lieyang stepped before the assembled ranks and declared, "The mission we're about to undertake is extremely important. Otherwise, there'd be no need to combine the strength of the Night Walkers and the Plum Blossom Iron Guard, or even borrow the help of the staff officials. You don't need to know the details of the mission. Just follow orders. To ensure its secrecy, everyone must submit their Starry Sky Rings for inspection..."
At this, the staff officials erupted in an uproar.
There were far too many secrets inside a Starry Sky Ring.
What cultivator didn't have something to hide?
Zuo Lieyang's lips curled coldly. A jade tablet appeared in his palm, and light coalesced into an official decree.
At its end was the Lord's seal.
"Do any of you still have something to say?"
Zuo Lieyang sneered. "Not just you all. Brother Chen and I, along with the brothers of both guards, have already