Reconnecting Heaven and Earth

For the days that followed, Li Shun stayed at the Kong Family Ancestral Residence, quietly conserving his strength as he waited for the Hundred Schools Gathering to begin. Kong Zhao remained busy day and night, secretly plotting to make Zhou Shengzhe a sacrifice with which to raise his banner and his name. Most of the time, he was nowhere to be seen. But when he did appear, the joy he could not quite suppress told Li Shun that his plans were progressing well.

For once, Li Shun's days of cultivation fell into a rare stretch of peace.

So did the whole of Great Qian, from court to countryside.

Ever since the upheaval in the Sacred Capital, officials throughout the realm had tacitly settled into a strange hibernation. At this moment of gathering undercurrents, none wanted to be the bird that stuck its head up and got shot.

Half a month later, on the third day of the third month, Year 575 of the New Calendar.

That rare calm finally broke.

Even within the quiet Kong Family Ancestral Residence, Li Shun could sense that the air around Dai Mountain had grown markedly more restless. Disciples from the Hundred Schools and countless other traditions had gathered there. The gathering had yet to formally open, but many had arrived early and were climbing Dai Mountain in groups of three or five while they waited.

Then, that day, Li Shun saw a familiar face.

Zhao Cheng.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Cheng studied Li Shun closely, then gave a slight nod.

He sighed. "Everything that happened in East Mountain Town still feels as though it were yesterday. I never imagined so much would change."

"Junior Brother Fang is gone, and you've reached the upper grade of the Spirit Resonance Realm."

"You'll represent our Spring-Autumn