The sect master of the Fangcun Mountain Sect kept his aura drawn inward. Not a trace of magical power stirred around him; he seemed an ordinary mortal, having reached the Return to Original Simplicity.
Even so, years in a position of immense authority had given him an invisible presence that no one dared take lightly.
The hall was silent. Nong Mu said nothing, and everyone else waited.
All eleven people present held their breath and focused their minds. They waited patiently for a long while, yet not one showed a hint of restlessness.
At last, a beautiful woman entered with graceful steps. It was Duanmu Xiwei, head of the Reward Hall, who had presided over the painting, calligraphy, and chess competitions.
She gave Nong Mu a slight bow. "Greetings, senior brother sect master."
Nong Mu merely nodded, his gaze calm.
The disciples bowed to the hall master as well.
Only then did Duanmu Xiwei say slowly, "Today we depart for the East Sea. Two elders and I will escort you on this journey."
As she spoke, a faint light rose around Nong Mu. Specks of magical power flickered into being like waking fireflies.
The entire hall lit up. Countless intricate, timeworn spell formations appeared across the floor, vaulted ceiling, and walls. They linked and interlocked, finally forming one vast array—
In an instant, space was sealed.
The others stirred slightly but showed no alarm. Clearly, they knew that what came next concerned a sect secret.
Duanmu Xiwei swept her gaze across everyone present and said solemnly, "This matter is of great importance. You must each swear a grave oath against your inner demons, with the Heavenly Way as witness, never to divulge it."
She turned her hand, and a tortoiseshell scroll appeared in the air. Ancient seal-script characters covered it,