CHAPTER 1008: CHAPTER 1007: STREAMS OF VISITORS 3

Several Daoists were still inside, discordant in their hearts, but afar, came the overwhelming aura of spiritual explosions, caused by the rapid flight of building rafts.

Rong Guang frowned, "Something’s wrong, there are at least ten building rafts, could there be ten Daoist sects yet to arrive?"

Zhi Xuan discerned further, and couldn’t help but laugh, "In Xionger, it seems our Daoist Sect and the Buddhist Sect have coincidentally come together here."

The spiritual aura bore faint traces of the Buddhist Sect, which were unmistakable.

Indeed, in the distance appeared roughly ten building rafts, distinctly Buddhist in design; they clearly hadn’t expected to encounter the Daoist Sect’s raft fleet here and maintained a certain distance, sending someone over to inquire.

Shortly after, a monk and attendants from the Upper Realm of the Buddhist Sect such as Shu Du flew over, "Xionger, at the junction of three countries, is an ideal place for rest and breathing control, it seems we’ve all thought of coming here."

That was nonsense, they wouldn’t need rest for such a short distance; in truth, they shared the same thought as the Daoist Sect, to display an organized, unified front symbolizing the cohesive might of the Buddhist Sect.

Beside him, Daoist Rong Guang sneered, "Two great systems, with countless followers, yet needing such a method to overwhelm a Daoist sect; the Sword Sect should be proud of their current status, regardless of the outcome, they should be proud."

No one paid him any attention, for he spoke too plainly, but it had to be done; yet even just doing this seemed inferior, an unsheathed sword shamefully out of place.

Silently acknowledged, both the Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect set their temporary base at Xionger Town, whether it was Southeast or Northeast, this was a necessary pass.

The Daoist Sect focused on the Southeast region, gathering over twenty passably powerful Daoist sects on the continent, while the Buddhist Sect rallied ten or so Buddhist orders concentrated in the Northeast; they all aimed to subdue the Sword Sect, albeit for different reasons, with the same objective.

Standing apart, even less agreeable knots between them, the Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect couldn’t truly ally, pondering more over who would step forward, allowing themselves to benefit from it strategically.

Altogether nearly forty sects collectively represented half the dominion in the Jinxiu Cultivation Realm, this was the real strength of Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect on the continent.

The scheduled time arrived at dawn the following day, those meant to be there had arrived, there was no retreating from such a venue, nor any reason to recede.

The Daoist Sect moved first, followed closely by the Buddhist Sect, nearly in rank, reflecting their standing within the universe, layered seamlessly within the Jinxiu Continent.

Nearly forty medium to large building rafts pressed the skies, forming a dense, overwhelming array; the weight of spiritual aura so significant that any cultivators passing by low could hardly bear it, forced to alter their path.

In less than two hours, by predetermined plan, at the zenith of the sun, they would descend upon the solitary peak, yet far ahead by a hundred miles, the controlling Masters sensed something amiss, as if a sharp longsword ahead scattered dazzling brilliance.

This sword’s height and breadth exceeded common understanding, akin to a natural wonder, or perhaps deliberate human artifice.

But nearing this point, it was impossible to turn away or circle far to avoid, for that would defeat the purpose of imposing; with a slight hesitation, the raft fleets continued forward, pressing through the myriad beams of brilliance, and after dozens of miles, finally discerned the source of the illumination.

It was a mountain peak, piercing through the clouds, standing strikingly amid surrounding snow mountains, radiating dazzling light from peak to base, making it impossible to gaze directly under the noon sunlight.

"Has the Sword Sect gone mad? How much resource could such an array consume? Just to boost their presence?" A young cultivator asked in confusion.

"That’s not an array shining, it’s natural refraction, sunlight passing through ice mirrors, superficial pomp." An old cultivator explained.

Drawing closer by dozens of miles, just a dozen miles shy of Dushan, the Daoists finally discerned it clearly, it wasn’t specially arrayed prisms, but vast ice-carved halls, stretched from base to peak, reflecting sunlight like a gigantic shining longsword.

Just that single longsword rendered forty building rafts insignificant before it, akin to forty insects flaunting themselves before a torch.

Such a mountainous giant sword made the building rafts appear small, incomparable in mere numbers.

"Underestimated, never thought crude sword cultivators had such architectural prowess." Daoist Zhi Xuan laughed helplessly, "Should have sent someone ahead to inspect Dushan’s mountain gate, that’s today’s mistake, wrong timing, wrong approach, everyone should take caution."

To counter balance Dushan’s mountain gate’s aura was simple, arriving post-sunset would suffice, yet they chose high noon.

The worst choice possible.

Forty building rafts held no significance before such a mountain gate’s grand nature, yet the Daoists and monks were not discouraged, merely trivial, no real hindrance.

Ahead six Sword Sect Masters, led by Master Xu, came to greet, an etiquette-filled meeting taking considerable time, with nearly forty sects, most recognized top Daoist sects on the continent, hence required careful conduct.

In such a context, Hou Niao’s presence was inappropriate, as the host, he had a specific position to maintain.

Li Chuping continued his role as the strategic advisor, uneasy about this character, he diligently stood aside.

"All 105 Daoist sects on Jinxiu Continent have gathered, including the nearly forty Daoist and Buddhist sects that’ve recently arrived; they seek to impose but almost got blinded by the illumination, however it suggests they come not in goodwill, be wary as you preside over tomorrow’s ceremony."

"Aggressive, bearing ill intent, is that what you mean?" Hou Niao expressed concern, knowing well the adversarial nature at ceremonies, only upon assuming such a role did he realize how problematic disruptors can be.

"True allies of strong enough status, we hardly have any! In case of trouble, rely on yourself, cannot expect anyone to step forward."

"I’ve said before, holding such a ceremony risks deep-seated troubles; the Daoist Sect seems intent on stirring matters for us, treating our Sword Sect as the source of myriad woes, hence disrupting us, preventing our smooth growth and expansion."

Well, since it’s come to this, let it happen; but Capital Commandant, promise me this: whatever I do, don’t hold me back, usually we consult one another, but not now."

Li Chuping nodded, fully understanding, the need to show a united Sword Sect front to prevent the external factions from finding any opportunity.

"Rest assured, the consensus among Masters is that they recognize your crisis management ability; also, tonight an informal gathering will occur, for familiarization, at the Ice and Snow Sword Pavilion, attended by Nascent Soul Masters, including envoys from the Upper Realm, you should also join to familiarize."