CHAPTER 278: THE SUMMIT BANQUET

The Assembly Summit was over, but the excitement and shock of the people did not lessen a single bit.

Everyone was talking about the sect that had just made history. This could be heard from every tea house, tavern, and restaurant in the capital.

At the beginning of the summit, everyone expected the ancient sects and clans to dominate the gathering once again.

But reality proved different.

A nameless sect from a barren region came and outshone everyone. Not in one area, but in five distinct areas.

Just the thought made many shudders in excitement.

Now, people were scrambling to join the sect by all means. Although most of the sects were still in the capital, that did not stop their enthusiasm.

Who wouldn’t want to join such a sect?

While the ordinary people were talking and planning to join the Dust Valley Sect, the Dust Valley Sect was preparing for the summit banquet.

Those invited to the banquet were powerful forces from all regions.

The banquet was no ordinary banquet; it was the heart of the Assembly Summit where major decisions would be made.

Decisions that would affect the continent for the next decade.

...

Deep at the heart of the imperial capital stood a palace like any other. Its imposing grandeur could be felt from hundreds of meters away.

The cobblestone road to the palace was neat and tidy. Beautiful ornamental flowers graced the road on both sides.

Surrounding the imposing palace was an over ten-meter wall. Around the wall were guards with an intimidating presence.

The weakest among them was Core Refining realm stage 7, while the strongest was a Golden Core realm stage 6.

Allowing a Golden Core expert to serve as a mere guard spoke volumes about those who lived inside the palace.

At the palace entrance, hundreds of guards stood straight like a sheathed sword. Their expressions were cold and indifferent.

Each time a carriage arrived, they would check the invitation letter carefully before they were allowed into the palace.

Inside the palace, rows of lanterns were hung along the path. Neatly attended flowers were everywhere.

The air was pure, filled with vitality. At each corner of the path, there were team guards to maintain maximum security.

Following the main path was a grand hall. In front of the grand hall were two jade stone statues.

The two jade stone statues were lifelike, fierce lions.

Behind the stone lions was a door made from a rare and expensive wood. It was spirit wood that could only be found at the deepest part of the capital forest.

To process the Spirit Wood into a door or any other furniture would take ten years.

On the Spirit Wood door were carvings of a dragon and phoenix.

Inside the grand hall, powerful clan masters and sect masters sat gracefully as they joined their drinks while having light conversations.

While most of their conversations were about the Dust Valley Sect’s sudden rise to fame, some couldn’t hide their jealousy.

"Why have they not arrived?" a fat clan master asked in a slightly annoyed tone.

"What do you expect? They are the Golden Sect. They need to take their time." a woman responded.

"I heard the Ping Patriarch has challenged them to a game of Go."

"Indeed, he has challenged them. Huh, I can’t wait to watch their match."

"You’re not the only one. This is a chance for us to see beyond the disciples."

Suddenly, a booming voice came from the entrance.

"The Ping clan has arrived."

Instantly, everyone turned their heads and saw the clan walking calmly into the grand hall.

The Ping Manor was known as the king of Go, but now their descendants had been defeated ruthlessly. All their previous dominance had sunk into the mud.

Even though they had lost their dominance in the game of Go, they were still a force to be reckoned with.

Quickly, they were ushered to their seats. One after another, the sect master and clan master came to greet them.

After the Ping Manor arrived, the various powerful forces began to arrive.

The ancient Vermillion Fist Sect was the first to arrive. Instantly, the chatter inside the hall vanished as they entered.

Although the Vermillion Fist Sect had not performed very well during this year’s summit, that did not diminish their fame.

Walking behind their sect master and elders, their disciples raised their heads with pride.

This time, no one rushed to greet them. Everyone was rooted to their seats.

Next, the Wei clan from Lingyang City.

Lingyang City was the next closest city to the Imperial Capital.

Their population and prosperity were only short of the Imperial Capital.

Looking at their city lord, everyone held their breath. The City Lord and his entourage walked majestically to their seats.

A minute later, the Ash Cloud Sect also arrived. They were also from Lingyang City, and they were the strongest sect.

Looking at the powerful clan and sect arriving, everyone lost interest in their drinking as their eyes fixed on the entrance.

Next, the Rui clan and Hidden Pine Sect arrived at the same time. They were from Tianxue City.

Tianxue City was a lot farther away from the capital but a bit closer to Lingyang City.

In the shadows, the city had been competing with each other for centuries. Each believed they were superior to the other.

After the various cities surrounding the imperial capital arrived, the ancient Huang clan and Qiu clan arrived together.

Both clan leaders were talking amicably. Everyone knew the ancient Huang clan were a neutral clan.

They abstain from the continent politics.

Looking at Qiu Yan among the Qiu descendants, many people exchanged knowing glances.

However, no one dared to voice their thoughts.

Slowly, all the ancient forces began to arrive one after another, each trying to raise their prestige as far as possible.

Unlike the previous summit, which was centered around the ancient forces and powerful sects,

this time it was different.

Almost all the invited clans and sects had arrived except for three forces.

The ancient Yun clan, who were the hosts. The Lotus Blade Sect, which had a close tie with the Yun clan. And the Dust Valley Sect.

When everyone was wondering whether the Dust Valley Sect would arrive, the announcer’s booming voice came from outside.

"The Dust Valley Sect has arrived."