Wu Du at night.
The entire city was immersed in the festive bustle of the New Year. This was one of the ways the Martial Dynasty differed from the other provinces.
In other provinces, those lofty sects would never join the common folk in celebrating the Spring Festival.
But in the Martial Dynasty, it was a way to foster unity and a sense of belonging. Even the Sacred Emperor took part personally.
That was how the Mitian Grand Assembly came to be.
By now, the talented young people from the Four Great Martial Cities had settled on a mountain.
The mountain stood in the heart of Wu Du. The Martial Dynasty's imperial palace sat atop it, and even its mid-slope was a place ordinary martial artists wouldn't dare dream of reaching.
At that moment, a gentle breeze stirred, carrying the fresh fragrance of the mountains through the soil. On the ground, six people sat in a circle.
"I've already found out. The people from Wu Yin City are staying right across from us. This fork in the road is the only way through. No one dares fly around inside the imperial palace, so they'll have to walk right past us. They're bound to notice!"
Jin Lingfeng spoke in a low voice, his face alight with excitement.
Qin Chen, who had come from Pengze Commandery, looked worried. "What if they don't take the bait?"
"Impossible! The people of Wu Yin City pride themselves on fighting insects. The moment they see us competing, they won't be able to resist coming over to watch!"
"But we don't have any fighting insects?"
Xiang Qianxiu asked sheepishly.
That was right. Besides Ye Kang and Jin Lingfeng, the people present were Little County Princess Wei Huan, Qin Chen and Xiang Qianxiu from Pengze Commandery, and Su