The sun gradually climbed higher, golden light spilling across the vast grasslands and bathing the entire hunting grounds in bright warmth.
More and more people arrived for the Autumn Hunt Ceremony, and the hunting grounds buzzed with noise. Civil and military officials stood in ranks on either side of the imperial tent according to their rank, while representatives of the major factions were assigned positions farther away. Soldiers guarding the hunting grounds patrolled the perimeter, maintaining order.
Shen Xiu and the other two stood in an inconspicuous corner, doing their best not to draw attention. Murong Zhan had arranged for them to pose as "the Crown Prince's retainers." This status carried no official post in court and did not require them to stand at the front, making it convenient for them to observe in secret.
"Who is that?" Shen Xiu's gaze settled on an old man in a gray robe to the left of the imperial tent. The old man was small and thin, with a withered face, looking no different from an ordinary rural elder. Yet Shen Xiu sensed an exceedingly well-hidden chill emanating from him, an aura strikingly similar to the cultivation arts of the Dark Church.
Following his gaze, Liu Qingyan's expression changed slightly. "That is an elder of Netherworld Valley, called Netherworld Elder. His cultivation is said to be around the eighth level of the Saint Venerable Realm. He is one of Murong Feng's most capable aides."
Shen Xiu nodded and committed Netherworld Elder's appearance to memory.
"What about those people over there?" Lin Fan suddenly asked, looking toward a group of black-clad men on the right side of the imperial tent.
There were five of them, all dressed in black robes and wearing bronze masks that revealed only pairs of cold eyes. They stood together,