The long night wore away.
Until dawn broke the next day.
Outside West Creek Commandery.
A dark sea of people stretched for over a dozen miles, filling the wilderness, yet it was strangely silent.
Countless cultivators and demons stood with their hands at their sides in the wilds beside West Creek Commandery, their eyes fixed ahead.
Taking in the spectacle, Chu Tiange turned to the calm young woman in white beside him.
After a moment's hesitation, he lowered his voice and offered an explanation.
"By the Buddhist Gate's longstanding custom, on the day of the Repayment Gathering, its members go to the Eight-Treasure Merit Pool first to take their seats and begin preaching. Only after the golden bell by the pool rings nine times may cultivators and demons from outside the Buddhist Gate enter and fight for their own opportunities."
"If anyone takes even half a step before then, the Buddhist Gate's Arhats will expel them on the spot, even if they've reached the Myriad Phenomena Heaven Realm. They'll be barred for life, with no exceptions."
At this, Qiu Yinong, who had been about to explain a few things to Jiang Yuechu herself, could not help looking at Chu Tiange curiously.
Her surprise was understandable.
Senior Brother Chu was usually steady and loyal, but he was hardly warm. He rarely had the patience to offer anyone an explanation unprompted.
Yet something was different today.
Not only had Senior Brother Chu taken the initiative to caution fellow cultivator Jiang, there was a trace of deference in his words. He had even unconsciously fallen half an inch behind her.
At the thought,
Qiu Yinong's gaze darted between Chu Tiange and Jiang Yuechu.
She could not help wondering.
Something big must have happened between Senior Brother Chu and fellow cultivator Jiang...
Jiang Yuechu