On the Eve of the Great Assembly

The Heavenly Azure Hall's forceful "invitation" stirred up a storm on the Heavenly Azure Continent. Regardless of their attitude towards the Heavenly Azure Hall, all forces began to prepare to guard against it. Time passed quietly amidst this turbulent situation.

On this day, Bright King City, which is located in the core of the Heavenly Azure Continent, was even more bustling and lively than ever before.

On the high platform in the center of Bright King City, two rows of seats face each other. The gray-white stone material gives it a sense of weight. Below the platform, people are bustling about, and pairs of tense, expectant and excited eyes are cast towards the majestic platform under the blue sky.

In particular, since this conference was initiated by the mysterious and powerful Heavenly Azure Hall, it naturally sowed the seeds of doubt in the hearts of the Wulan people, and various speculations gathered in their minds.

At this time of gathering, many people with a concern for the world will inevitably exchange so-called "insider" information.

"This is the first time in so many years that our Heavenly Azure Continent has been so lively!" A sudden exclamation came from the crowd.

These words immediately drew unanimous agreement from those around him.

First-rate powers each have their own spheres of influence and rarely meet under normal circumstances, let alone gather together like this. It would be no problem to call it a grand event.

Someone chimed in, "After all, it's an invitation from the number one power, so other powers will definitely have to give it face."

Then he clicked his tongue.

"However, Heavenly Azure Hall Palace only invited forces of first-class rank or above. I wonder what kind of changes this conference will bring to the situation on the continent."

Upon hearing this, many people lowered their heads and remained silent, their eyes dark and unreadable. The same was true for the spies from other uninvited forces in the crowd.

Only a few figures remained calm, their aura Zhou Qing.

Now everyone knows that there is some unknown motive hidden behind this unusual conference.

The participating forces comprise more than two-thirds of the high-end combat power of the Heavenly Azure Continent, and any slight fluctuation among them could cause a huge upheaval across the entire continent.

As someone caught in the middle, the only thing a person or force with insufficient power can do is pray that this storm won't affect innocent bystanders.

Only a handful of powerful individuals, those with extreme confidence in their own abilities, can truly remain calm and composed even when the sky is falling.

Just then, an untimely voice rang out.

"Could it be that the Heavenly Azure Hall is planning to unify the Heavenly Azure Continent?"

"Um?"

A series of cold lights shone directly towards them.

"Haha, I was just saying it offhand, everyone, don't worry."

Noticing the many unfriendly stares, the speaker immediately gave an awkward laugh.

"How could that be? After all, the other forces aren't pushovers either."

Once the crowd's attention had begun to dissipate, the man slowly merged back into the crowd and gradually retreated towards the outer perimeter.

The others didn't pay much attention to the former's departure, and his words didn't stir much emotion in their hearts.

In everyone's mind, even though Heavenly Azure Hall was the only dominant power, it was not possible for it to be an enemy of the entire continent. However, the gloom surrounding this grand gathering was becoming increasingly heavy and profound.

"Thump~"

"Thump~"

"Thump~"

"..."

At noon, a melodious chime broke the silence of the crowd, which had quieted down slightly. People looked past the glaring sunlight and gazed at the bright, colorful streaks of light on the horizon.

Brilliant as gold, scorching as fire, cool as the moon, pure as snow...

As the "silk thread" came closer, the figures of the representatives from each company came into view, eliciting gasps of surprise.

However, the former ignored the gazes of others and locked onto his opponent, twisting and turning in the air, vying for the lead. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, terrifying collisions erupted, and they fought their way down to the high platform.

"Boom!"

"Call out!"

"Puff!"

"..."

A distinctive figure appeared on the stone bench, and a chorus of curses and swears rang out first.

"Old Yang, you wait, next time I'll definitely break your old bones."

The crude language did not displease or confuse the crowd; on the contrary, it seemed perfectly natural, simply because the other party was Yan Lie, the Sect Master of the Exploding Flame Sect Yan Lie Sect, the man who always called himself "I".

As for the one he called "Old Bones," he was a thin, almost lifeless old man who would falter and collapse after taking just a few steps.

However, no one who knew the other's identity would truly regard him as a helpless old man.

On the contrary, in terms of sheer strength, this old man might be the true number one person on the Heavenly Azure Continent.

Yang Jiuxiao, the sect leader of Taiyue Sect, is the only Nine Palaces Realm body refiner in the Tianlan Continent who has mastered the formation. He is a being who can shatter mountains with his fists and split the earth with his feet. He is also one of the most senior and powerful figures in the Tianlan Continent.

Yang Jiuxiao simply smiled at Yan Lie's harsh words, calmly picked up a teacup from beside him, and leisurely sipped his tea.

What does it mean to have the vision and perspective of an elder statesman?

That's it!

Little kid, you can't do it!

"Old Yang..."

Although he didn't utter a single word throughout, Yan Lie still sensed a faint sense of contempt; he felt underestimated!

However, it was just one person giving unilaterally, while the old man leisurely sipped his tea...

Putting aside their rather comical exchange for the moment, the most eye-catching part is the conversation on the other side.

A figure dressed in pristine white, with a semi-transparent white veil concealing a breathtakingly beautiful face, casually glanced at Yan Lie, who was cursing in the street, paused slightly, then closed his eyes in deep thought, remaining silent. His demeanor was ethereal and otherworldly, like a fairy in the clouds.

The other woman, dressed in a light blue dress, was petite, like a young girl who hadn't grown up yet. Her bright eyes were full of smiles as she watched the farce unfold. She played with a jade hairpin in her hand, and her every move exuded lightness and agility, like an elf who had just entered the mortal world.

"Sister Qiu, how long do you think Yan Lie can hold out today?"

Suddenly, the girl smiled and asked the older woman in white next to her.

The elegant woman in white is the Palace Master Clear Rhyme Palace, named Qiu Hanxue.

Hearing this familiar address, Qiu Hanxue opened her eyes, a hint of helplessness flashing in them, and routinely corrected her:

"Sect Master Ling, in such a formal setting, please do not address me casually."

She has given up on changing how the other person addresses her and continues to lower her standards.

Linglong, the Sect Master of the Feather Robe Sect Ling Long, is a well-known figure who is old in appearance but young in spirit. Who would have thought that this person, whose appearance and behavior are exactly like that of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, is actually an "old man" who is over a thousand years old?

Even with a calm demeanor, Qiu Hanxue still felt a slight discomfort at being addressed as "sister" by such a person.

However, just as Qiu Hanxue had guessed, Ling Long skillfully ignored the former's hint.

"Sister Qiu, let's talk about that later. You tell them first."

The referent of "them" was exceptionally clear. Qiu Hanxue subconsciously glanced at Yan Lie, who was still relentlessly attacking, her tone tinged with barely perceptible disdain.

"If nothing unexpected happens, it will probably take about half an hour for things to calm down."

Upon hearing this, Ling Long smiled with narrowed eyes.

"I guess it will take an hour this time."

The clashes between Yan Lie and Yang Jiuxiao are always accompanied by the former's extremely long speech, which repeatedly breaks the bottom line of everyone's understanding.

"An hour?"

Completely immersed in Ling Long's rhythm, Qiu Hanxue looked up at the sky and shook her head, saying:

"The others should arrive in about an hour."

With her mind redirected for this conference, Ling Long also toned down her lively girlish image, her slightly immature face carrying a hint of seriousness.

"I wonder what Sister Qiu knows about that Hall Master Liu?"

"I don't know." Qiu Hanxue shook her head, her tone indifferent.

"The worst-case scenario is death."

The Ling Long, sharp killing intent in his eyes made Linglong, who was constantly watching him, feel a chill run down her spine. Clearly, this person had come to the meeting prepared to fight to the death.

"Hey, someone else is here."

Several figures barged into everyone's senses. Yan Lie stopped speaking, Yang Jiuxiao put down his teacup, and Qiu Hanxue and the other stopped talking. All attention was focused on the several streaks of Flowing Light on the horizon.

(End of this chapter)

.