A Sect Council
Yuhai Sect, the council hall.
The hall stood on a spiritual leyline node on the island. It was built entirely of deep-sea black jade and thousand-year-old ironwood, and ancient formations that warded off water and fire were carved into its walls. At that moment, they gave off a faint blue shimmer and ripples of spiritual energy. The hall was spacious, with room for at least a hundred people to meet.
Its domed ceiling was also set with eighty-one luminous pearls, arranged in the pattern of a minor celestial cycle. They illuminated the entire hall as brightly as day.
Meanwhile, in the hall's four corners, incense that calmed the mind and steadied the spirit was burning, its wisps of green smoke curling through the air.
Unfortunately, no matter how much of that incense burned, it could not dispel the anxiety and dread permeating the hall.
For the past half month, a vicious criminal had been committing frenzied crimes across Jiangnan, especially near Yangzhou. Numerous officials, gentry, wealthy merchants, and even sects had been slaughtered, leaving everyone in a state of panic. So, cultivators, powerful gentry, and elders and patriarchs of certain clans who believed they might be targeted had gathered at this island sect, ostensibly to discuss countermeasures, but really to seek refuge.
Yes, refuge!
This island sect was called the Yuhai Sect. It was little known, yet ranked among the foremost sects across several prefectures of Jiangnan. Generally, only important figures from great clans or powerful factions knew of its existence.
That was the main reason so many cultivators, powerful gentry, clan elders, and patriarchs had gathered at this island sect, joining forces for protection.
But none of that mattered!
What mattered was that tonight, many cultivators, powerful gentry, and sect elders and patriarchs who believed they