Mountains and Seas Tower stood on Azure Emperor Street, at the end of which lay Misty-Wave City's sect compound.
As night fell, sect leaders and renowned figures from elsewhere arrived one after another outside the sprawling three-story building, where Misty-Wave City disciples in brocade robes received them.
Xie Jinhuan stood at the mouth of a nearby alley and watched. Most of those entering were still leaders of local sects from Dragonbone Shoal.
Under the territorial division following the Witch Cult Rebellion, all of Dragonbone Shoal fell under Shang Lianbi's authority. But however many Misty-Wave City Disciples there were, they could not possibly administer such a vast territory, and the city also needed to attract cultivators to settle there and pay the blood tax. As a result, the Dragonbone Shoal Local Sects were no fewer in number than those within the passes. Hundred Flowers Grove, the Demon Soul Sect, and others were all powers that had attached themselves to Misty-Wave City and then received a tract of land on which to support themselves.
Mountains and Seas Tower was a trading house run by Misty-Wave City, selling the various scarce resources produced in Dragonbone Shoal. Local sects normally purchased cultivation supplies here. Now, with an opportunity emerging into the world and bringing a flood of stinking beggars from elsewhere, it had temporarily become an auction venue. Admission required standing, lest some idler unafraid of death slip inside and spoil the patriarchs' enjoyment.
Xie Jinhuan was currently the Blood Rain Tower Sect Leader. With a gang backing him, he could simply present his invitation and enjoy the treatment of an honored guest.
But like everyone else who came here, shopping was secondary for Xie Jinhuan. His main purpose was to observe his opponents.
After all, here they still addressed one another as fellow