The news eventually reached the Cave Abodes of the Nine Sons of the Endless Sea, where Inner Sect elders and Personal Disciples sat cross-legged with their eyes closed, snatching a little rest.
"Tsk, tsk. I thought that after they killed that Demon General from the Southern Sea Dragon Palace, our fellow cultivators would at least lie low for a while."
"Who would've thought someone would jump out again before even a few months had passed?"
"Looks like an unclaimed Dao-Merging Grounds is more tempting than any of us imagined!"
Some of those who received the news knew roughly what lay behind the affair.
Seeing someone step forward to stir up trouble, they felt the greed they had barely managed to suppress rise again.
From the intelligence they had gathered during this time, they had formed a rough idea of Sect Master Luo's strength.
And now that someone had taken the lead, that person must have come fully prepared.
"No. We can't let someone else snatch the prize!"
They feared the Dao-Merging Grounds would fall into the hands of whoever was plotting in the shadows.
The next moment, several streaks of light rose from the sects of the Nine Sons of the Endless Sea at once and sped toward the Cloudveil Waterside Pavilion.
Dawn light glimmered as a thin mist began to rise.
Painted beams caught morning clouds drifting from the southern shore; jeweled curtains rolled up at dusk to reveal rain over the western hills.
Though the name Cloudveil Waterside Pavilion called to mind pavilions and terraces beside mountain streams,
its grounds were actually several times larger than even the Talisman Sect's.
Suddenly, a faint streak of light crossed the mist-shrouded sky.
"So this is the place?"
The Green-Robed Youth stood upon his spear, looking down at the pavilion