Night had completely fallen.
Yet...
Lan Mao City was brighter than it had ever been before.
The golden light emitted by the Ancient Door illuminated the entire sky, making the city appear as though a second sun had descended upon it.
No one slept.
Not a single household closed its doors.
The streets, which were usually quiet after sunset, had become crowded beyond imagination.
People rushed from every direction.
Some arrived on horseback.
Some rode ordinary flying spirit beasts.
Others hurried on foot, afraid that if they were even a step late, the opportunity of a lifetime would slip away.
"..."
"Did you hear?"
"An Ancient Door really appeared!"
"I heard even the Jiang Family Grand Elder personally confirmed that it is related to the ancient Yin-Yang City!"
"..."
"Nonsense."
"How could an ancient city disappear for tens of thousands of years and suddenly reappear?"
"You don't believe it?"
"Then look at the sky yourself!"
Every teahouse...
Every inn...
Every restaurant...
Every street corner...
The discussions were all about one thing.
The Ancient Golden Door.
Outside the city gates...
The number of cultivators increased every passing minute.
Small cultivation clans from nearby towns arrived one after another.
Some wore identical blue robes.
Others carried long sabers on their backs.
Many clan leaders personally led their disciples toward Lan Mao City.
No one wanted to miss such an opportunity.
Even if they couldn't obtain the inheritance...
Simply witnessing an ancient miracle would be enough to boast about for the rest of their lives.
The Jiang Family disciples had already begun maintaining order.
"Everyone, stop!"
"No one is allowed to approach the Ancient Door without permission!"
"The Jiang Family is still investigating!"
Their voices echoed throughout the city.
Some people obediently stepped back.
Others secretly rolled their eyes.
"Hmph..."
"They're acting as if the treasure belongs to the Jiang Family."
"But what can we do?"
"This is their city."
"Until stronger forces arrive..."
"We can only wait."
The dissatisfaction spread quietly through the crowd.
No one dared to challenge the Jiang Family openly.
But everyone understood...
This temporary peace wouldn't last for long.
Meanwhile...
Inside one of the finest inns in Lan Mao City...
Luo Qiki quietly stood beside the wooden window.
Her hands rested lightly on the windowsill as she watched the bustling streets below.
Torches burned across the city.
People moved like an endless river.
Excitement...
Greed...
Curiosity...
Fear...
Every kind of emotion could be seen on their faces.
For a long while...
She remained silent.
Then, in her mind, she softly asked,
"Situ Ee..."
"Why do I feel that this city is becoming more crowded every second?"
A lazy voice soon echoed inside her consciousness.
"That's because this is only the beginning."
Luo Qiki blinked.
"Only the beginning?"
Situ Ee chuckled.
"The people you're seeing now..."
"Are merely ordinary cultivators..."
"And a few local clans."
"The truly powerful forces haven't even started moving yet."
Luo Qiki frowned slightly.
"You mean..."
Situ Ee's tone suddenly became serious.
"When the great sects..."
"The ancient clans..."
"The imperial families..."
"And the hidden old monsters begin to arrive..."
"Lan Mao City will no longer have room for another person to stand."
Luo Qiki looked once more toward the endless stream of cultivators entering the city.
Her eyes slowly narrowed.
"So..."
"This is only the calm before the storm."
A faint smile appeared on Situ Ee's invisible face.
"Exactly."
"The real show..."
"Hasn't even begun yet."
Outside...
More torches appeared beyond the city walls.
Another group of cultivators had arrived.
And behind them...
Even more silhouettes were approaching under the night sky.
The entire cultivation world...
Was slowly beginning to gather.
To Be Continued...