Yangzhou – Tianyang Mountains – Lieyang Sect Headquarters...
"Bang!"
Wang Yuesong slammed the nearby table with such force that it shattered into splinters. He was like a furious lion, sending the disciple who came to deliver the report trembling to his knees, not daring to make a sound, afraid he might end up like that table.
Moments later, an elderly man in dark robes entered the hall. Catching the frightened disciple's eye, he gave a subtle signal. The disciple, as if receiving a royal pardon, quickly and quietly retreated.
The elder sighed, shaking his head as he closed the main doors behind him.
"We've already sent people to retrieve Chengbo and Beishui. Their soul lamps have dimmed, but they should survive. Sect Master, please restrain your anger."
"Who did this!?" Wang Yuesong's face was ashen. He had asked this question countless times in the past few months.
In just one year, the Lieyang Sect had lost six Foundation Establishment cultivators, two of them at the late stage.
Twenty years ago, their failed campaign against the Song Clan had left the sect in tatters. Years of painstaking recovery had just begun to bear fruit
, only to be crushed again in a fresh blow.
The fury in Wang Yuesong's heart burned like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"It was a joint ambush by the Rong Clan and the Song Clan," the elder said in a low voice.
"They coordinated to ambush Chengbo's party midway. In a desperate bid to break through, Wuwei self-detonated his spiritual energy.
Chengbo and Beishui barely escaped with their lives.
The Song Clan suffered one serious injury. The Rong Clan lost one and had two more seriously wounded."
"The Song Clan! The Rong Clan! Wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
Wang Yuesong nearly lost his mind.
He had just sent men to ambush the Song Clan, and they turned around and paid him back with interest.
After venting for a while, Wang Yuesong collapsed back into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Though seething with rage, he was forced to admit: the Lieyang Sect no longer had the strength to retaliate.
"Elder, I need you to head personally to the spirit stone mine battlefield," he said, defeated.
"With Chengbo gravely injured and Wuwei dead, I fear Second Brother won't be able to hold the line alone."
The elder nodded, then hesitated.
"Sect Master, we originally held the advantage at the spirit mine battlefield, but now the tide has turned.
Shouldn't we... reassess our overall strategy?"
Even after losing men in the failed ambush on Song Changsheng, they had been crushing the Rong Clan at the mine.
Victory was within reach until this latest disaster.
Now with Yu Chengbo and He Beishui incapacitated, the Lieyang Sect was understaffed, while the Rong Clan had gained the upper hand.
Wang Yuesong waved his hand weakly.
"Prepare to negotiate with the Rong Clan.
We may not be able to monopolize the mine anymore, but we must walk away with at least 40% of the stake. That's non-negotiable. Go."
The elder turned silently, sighing in his heart.
Wang Yuesong wasn't incompetent.
When the sect failed to conquer the Song Clan two decades ago, they had lost eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, a Supreme Elder had been seriously injured, and the then-Sect Master stepped down in disgrace.
Wang Yuesong took over during that crisis.
He had consolidated their forces, calmed the surrounding predators, and led the sect through years of recovery.
He expanded the sect's industries, opened trade routes, and laid foundations in both Bianzhou and Lingzhou.
In less than a decade, the Lieyang Sect regained the strength to rival the Rong Clan.
If not for these recent setbacks, he might have led the sect to greater heights.
But now... that chance was gone.
The sect had suffered a blow so heavy that someone would have to take responsibility.
"Sect Master, according to reliable intelligence, Song Xianming was among the attackers.
It seems his injuries have healed. Should we take action?"
"That was expected," Wang Yuesong replied calmly.
"Unless we're prepared to abandon the spirit stone mine altogether, there's nothing we can do to them right now.
Breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage is no easy feat. Let's wait. Recall everyone from Lingzhou.
When the Supreme Elder emerges from seclusion… it will be their judgment day."
Wang Yuesong had anticipated this ever since their failed ambush on Song Xianming.
But what could he do?
Launch another full-scale assault on the Song Clan?
That clan was no pushover, and a reckless attack would drag the sect into an abyss.
All they could do now was wait for the right moment and then strike with deadly force.
"Understood."
The elder gave a slight bow and opened the great hall's doors once more, letting in the dazzling sunlight.
"Martial Uncle, I leave the spirit stone mine in your hands.
The sect needs that resource to recover."
"Don't worry. No matter what, I'll make sure we hold on to at least 40%."
The elder nodded and left the hall without looking back.
When he returned...
This place might already have a new master.
...
Backtrack to four days ago, Zhuang Yuechan was leading Song Changsheng to meet the Grand City Lord.
"Fellow Daoist Zhuang, why is the Grand City Lord suddenly summoning me?"
Song Changsheng wasn't only excited, but also deeply puzzled.
Zhuang Yuechan smiled and said,
"Why don't you take a guess?"
"How could I possibly guess?"
Song Changsheng gave a bitter laugh.
"In my past life, I couldn't even guess what my girlfriend was thinking.
The minds of powerful figures are ten times more complex than a woman's. If I could figure that out, I'd be a ghost."
"Relax. It definitely won't be anything bad."
As they spoke, the two had already entered a large hall, and several others had arrived before them.
Song Changsheng took a glance around and, sure enough, most of them were familiar faces.
To the far left sat Yin Shang, Zhuang Yuechan's senior brother.
Beside him was Niu Dazhuang, the direct disciple of Zhan Tianxia.
Next to him was a poised young man whom Song Changsheng didn't recognize but could tell was a disciple of the Heavenly Vein Sect.
On the far right sat that ice-cold woman from the Golden Crow Sect, still and silent.
Her presence alone chilled the air, lowering the temperature of the entire hall.
"Fellow Daoist Song, your seat is next to Fellow Daoist Xia."
Zhuang Yuechan pointed to the spot beside the "ice queen."
"Her surname's Xia, too?"
That instantly reminded Song Changsheng of Xia Wanyun.
"So both of those stunning women from that day share the surname Xia... how curious."
"Everyone here is either a direct disciple of the city lord or from a major sect."
He thought to himself, a touch self-deprecating.
"I'm the odd one out among these elites."
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Mu Guibai arrived, accompanied by Zhan Tianxia and a woman Song Changsheng didn't recognize.
As soon as he entered, Mu Guibai greeted them with a warm smile:
"We're late. Thank you all for waiting. Please, take your seats."
After landing, Song Changsheng's gaze swept across Mu Guibai and Zhan Tianxia, eventually falling on the woman beside them.
She had a delicate, oval-shaped face, eyes like painted silk, and skin as pale and smooth as jade.
Though her expression was indifferent, she moved with a quiet authority that made others instinctively avert their eyes.
In terms of beauty, she was on par with the "ice queen" beside Song Changsheng,
But she carried an intangible aura of command that was hard to describe yet impossible to ignore.
"Is this the legendary Third City Lord?"
This was Song Changsheng's first time seeing her; even during the Grand City Lord's birthday banquet, she hadn't appeared.
And now, unexpectedly, she had.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, the woman turned and glanced at Song Changsheng.
The look in her eyes, cold and detached from the world, made him shiver involuntarily.
He quickly lowered his head and dared not look again.
"Junior Sister, since it's rare for you to come out of seclusion, I'll leave today's announcement to you."
Mu Guibai said with a smile, turning to the woman beside him.
She gave a slight nod, then addressed the crowd:
"The Qiantian Secret Realm is normally off-limits to outsiders.
However, since the two sects' Supreme Elders personally requested it, we will make a rare exception.
But let me be clear, for the first three days, you will follow the team leader's instructions.
No one is to act on their own.
If you disobey, don't expect me to go easy on you."
Song Changsheng was completely stunned.
"The Qiantian Secret Realm...?"
"Please rest assured, City Lords," the Heavenly Vein Sect disciple responded solemnly.
"This time, the team leader will be Yin Shang, top disciple of Luoxia City.
The secret realm opens in three days. Meet back here when the time comes.
You may all go and make your preparations except for the Song Clan's representative."
"Understood!"
Yin Shang quickly led the group away, including Zhuang Yuechan.
Once the main doors shut behind them, Song Changsheng was still a bit dazed.
"What just happened…?"
Mu Guibai chuckled,
"You seem to have a lot of questions, little friend."
Before Song Changsheng could speak, Mu Guibai walked over and stood before him.
"Truth be told, the main reason I called you here today was simply to see you.
You may not remember, but we met once long ago when you were about this tall."
Mu Guibai gestured to a height of about two or three feet.
Song Changsheng did recall his parents taking him to Luoxia City in his childhood to seek medicine from "Aunt Xiao."
He figured this must've been the occasion Mu Guibai referred to.
Still, it didn't explain why the city lord would go out of his way to summon him.
Not knowing what to say, Song Changsheng remained silent.
Mu Guibai smiled and continued,
"In three days, you'll also go to the Qiantian Secret Realm.
Go make your preparations."
At this point, Song Changsheng finally couldn't hold back.
He stood and asked,
"City Lord, may I ask why?"
"If we tell you to go, then just go. What's with all the questions?"
Zhan Tianxia smacked his armrest and shouted, glaring at him.
"What, you think we're trying to harm you?"
But Song Changsheng didn't flinch. He replied seriously,
"I thank you for your kindness, City Lord, but I do not accept unearned rewards.
Forgive me for being presumptuous."
He wasn't stupid. He knew full well how valuable this opportunity was.
But he also firmly believed that:
There's no such thing as love or hate without reason in this world.
Before knowing the reason, this pie falling from the sky was not something Song Changsheng dared or was willing to accept.
"You don't know what's good for you."
Zhan Tianxia stood up like a towering black bear, exuding a suffocating pressure.
"Junior Brother, speak properly."
Mu Guibai frowned slightly, then turned back to Song Changsheng, his expression softening:
"I truly bear no ill will toward you. What I did today was, in fact, on behalf of my junior brother to offer an apology to the Song Clan."
"An apology… for the Second City Lord?"
Song Changsheng was once again bewildered. He looked toward Zhan Tianxia, who had turned his face away but did not refute it.
His mind raced, and he quickly recalled the incident with the Azure Sky White Jade Pill, which had led to the ambush on him and the Song Clan's Grand Elder.
That was, after all, the only time he had interacted with Zhan Tianxia.
Sure enough, Mu Guibai continued:
Regarding the Azure Sky White Jade Pill, last time my junior brother was too high-profile, and it caused the Song Clan to suffer an undeserved calamity.
It even sparked the conflict with the Lieyang Sect.
This goes against the principles of Luoxia City.
So I take this opportunity to apologize to you, little friend."
Song Changsheng immediately bowed and replied:
"The Song Clan and the Lieyang Sect already had a blood feud.
Conflict between us is nothing unusual.
To have received the Azure Sky White Jade Pill is a blessing from the three City Lords.
Everyone in the Song Clan is deeply grateful, City Lord, there's no need to apologize."
This was truly heartfelt.
Song Changsheng was genuinely thankful to Zhan Tianxia
Had it not been for the Azure Sky White Jade Pill, Song Xianming might still be struggling with his internal injuries.
A bit of risk? It was more than worth it.
Mu Guibai glanced sideways at Zhan Tianxia, then gently patted Song Changsheng's shoulder:
"Since you've said this, we'll consider the matter forgiven.
But that doesn't mean my junior brother was in the right.
Besides, two outsiders are already being allowed into the Qiantian Secret Realm; one more won't make a difference.
And really, you're not exactly an outsider anymore either.
Don't refuse again."
"Understood. I thank the three City Lords."
At this point, refusing would only come across as arrogant.
The Qiantian Secret Realm had never been open to outsiders.
If this were made public, countless people would envy him.
"Good boy. Go on and get ready,"
Mu Guibai nodded with satisfaction.
Just as Song Changsheng was about to leave, the Third City Lord, who had remained silent this whole time, suddenly spoke:
"Remember not to forget the words someone asked you to carry."
Song Changsheng's heart trembled.
He looked at her deeply and solemnly replied:
"I would not dare forget."
Walking out of the main hall, everything still felt surreal to him.
He was practically floating.
"The Grand City Lord personally apologized to my clan?
And even let me enter the Qiantian Secret Realm?
If I told anyone this, no one would believe me."
Song Changsheng thought bitterly.
"If someone had said that to me, I'd have slapped them just to knock some sense into them."
"And that reminder from the Third City Lord…
It must've come from Senior Xiao.
But why didn't she deliver it herself?"
"Everyone seems to know the truth except me…
Being the only one left in the dark is not a pleasant feeling."
"Ah, whatever. I should go find Fellow Daoist Zhuang and ask her what to expect inside the Qiantian Secret Realm.
A place that's never been opened to outsiders… just thinking about it gets me a little excited."
...
Back in the hall…
"You could've told him the truth.
He deserves to know everything."
Mu Guibai said softly, watching Song Changsheng's departing figure.
"The truth?"
The woman beside him, her tone cold and detached, replied:
"And what good would that do?
What could it possibly change?"
Mu Guibai fell silent.
She was right, what would it change?
"It was my mistake."
"No,"
The woman turned away, her voice even colder than before.
"The real mistake… was being born in a place like this."
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