Banquet for the Seven Commanderies of Yun Province

Cangwu Mountain.

After finishing his training in the Cold Pool Spirit Grotto, Ye An left the Blackwater Sect. By afternoon, the mountain gate of the Four Symbols Sect finally came into view.

The moment Ye An set foot on the first stone step, a deep, resonant bell rang out from the summit of Cangwu Mountain.

Clang! Clang!

The bell's peals shook the ears and sharpened the mind. They rolled outward in waves, echoing through the valleys and washing over the whole of Cangwu Mountain.

Ye An had spent so long at the Four Symbols Sect, yet he had never heard a bell sound like this.

Several breaths later, it rang three times in succession, then three more peals came from the summit. Nine in all. The final peal rolled across the sky and beyond the clouds, and the whole of Cangwu Mountain trembled with it.

Nine peals of the bell marked the highest celebration the Four Symbols Sect could hold. No one knew how many years had passed since it last rang.

Before Ye An could give it more thought, an aged yet powerful voice rang through the entire mountain gate:

"Everyone in the Four Symbols Sect, heed my command—"

"All hall elders, deacons, stewards, Chief Disciples, and hall masters, proceed to the Main Hall at once! The Sect Master has an important announcement!"

As the voice faded, the disciples looked up toward the summit. Discussion surged among them like a tide.

Ye An crossed the Inner Sect square. Along the way, he saw many figures in the different halls' robes converging on the Main Hall.

Many could barely conceal their nervous anticipation.

The hall already held quite a few people.

The masters of the Four Halls sat on either side, with the other core elders and deacons arrayed behind