CHAPTER 286: REALITY HIT LIKE A SLEDGE HAMMER.

Imperial Capital.

The banquet was still going on; laughter and flattery filled the air. To the weaker sects, this was a golden opportunity to connect with the more powerful ones.

Especially for those from the Northern Region, each leader from the region displayed enthusiasm that was markedly different from the others.

Right now, no one cared about the Dust Valley Sect or their newly found fame.

"Everyone, you must not forget about the Evil Sect." The Yun clan master declared with a light smile.

"We must not relax our guard. Although they are quiet now, we must not become complacent."

Listening to him, many nodded absentmindedly, but no one took his words seriously. What was the Evil Sect?

They had been defeated a long time ago. The few who remained were mere rats that posed no threat to them.

However, no one was going to go against the Yun clan master. They all understood this was political theater.

Even the ancient forces did not think the Evil Sect dared bare their fangs in their presence.

While the Yun clan master announced the plan for the continent for the next decade, suddenly a guard entered with a solemn expression. He moved with large strides.

Seeing the guard, everyone’s expressions changed.

This was an important gathering; why would the guard enter? Many were conflicted but waited for the Yun clan master to speak.

The guard walked to the Yun clan master and whispered in his ear. Instantly, the Yun clan master’s expression changed, turning grave.

He rose to his feet and looked at the Lotus Sword Sect Master. With a mere look, the Lotus Sword Sect Master knew something important had happened. He followed suit and rose to his feet.

Watching the two most powerful force leaders rise to their feet, even a fool could tell something important had happened.

All the ancient forces rose to their feet at once.

"Patriarch Yun, can you tell us what is going on?" the Wu Patriarch asked in a solemn tone.

Everyone nodded, their eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

The Yun clan master spoke. "I just heard the Qiu clan has activated their strongest defensive formation..." His voice trailed off.

But that was enough for anyone to know something grave had happened.

Fear and panic crept into everyone’s minds.

For the ancient Qiu clan to activate their strongest protective formation could only mean one thing:

War is coming.

But who would dare attack an ancient clan?

Instantly, everyone came to a single conclusion: the Evil Sect.

"Impossible!" The Silver Wei sect master shook his head.

How could the Evil Sect dare attack them when they knew all the most powerful forces on the continent had gathered in the capital?

That would be nothing but suicide.

Many leaders agreed with the Silver Wei Sect Master. This was just impossible.

"I don’t think we should jump to rash conclusions. We should inquire with the Qiu clan what is going on before we decide," the Huang clan leader suggested.

Her clan had a good relationship with the Qiu clan, and from what she knew...

The Qiu clan wouldn’t do something as impulsive as activating their clan’s protective formation without evidence.

"Nonsense! The Qiu clan are useless. They are merely following the Dust Valley Sect," the Liu clan master sneered.

"How could the Evil Sects appear without us knowing?" he added.

Listening to him, many nodded in agreement.

Unknown to them, they had grown comfortable in their own complacent zone and failed to notice their grim situation.

As the saying goes: the moment you become complacent is the moment you start to lose ground.

The Yun clan master and the Lotus Sword Sect Master wore solemn expressions. They were not as shallow as these leaders. They knew something was up. They could feel it deep in their bones.

"Quiet!" The Lotus Sword Sect Master snapped. He was furious.

How dare these useless people treat the threat from the Evil Sect as a joke?

Is there anything impossible with the Evil Sects?

They were lunatics who would go to any length to achieve their goals, even if it required sacrificing billions of people on the continent.

The grand hall fell into deep silence. Everyone looked at the usually quiet Lotus Sword Sect Master, waiting for him to speak.

However, just before he could speak, the door was pushed open and a guard rushed in. Before the guard could pay his respects, the Yun clan master snapped impatiently, "Speak! What is it?"

"My Lord, the ancient Qiu clan has sent a message," the guard replied quickly.

Hmm?

Everyone raised their brows.

"What message?"

The silence inside the grand hall stretched indefinitely. Everyone perked their ears intently.

"My Lord, they said the Evil Sects have attacked the whole continent. According to them, the Northern Region might have fallen. They ask us to be prepared."

Hiss!

Everyone sucked in a cold breath. Leaders from the Northern Region could not believe their ears.

How could their homeland fall into the hands of the Evil Sects? They shook their heads, dismissing the thought.

The Silver Wei Sect Master opened his mouth to refute the claim, but the Lotus Sword Sect Master shouted angrily, "Will you shut up and think?"

Hiss!

No one cared about the Silver Wei Sect Master’s ugly expression. Right now, their thoughts were on the freshly received information.

The whole continent.

Before anyone could react, the ancient Huang Matriarch led her clansmen out of the grand hall.

"I should have known. I should have known..." she muttered, her voice laced with regret. "I hope it is not too late."

This time no one dared to dismiss the situation.

Everyone wore grim expressions.

Suddenly, an old man appeared before the Yun clan master.

"Fool. What are you doing?" the old man berated angrily. "Quickly, activate the clan’s protective formation."

The man said quickly and disappeared from the hall. As for the people around him, he did not even bat an eye.

"Heavens..."

"It is true..."

"We’re doomed."

The Lotus Sword Sect Master reacted swiftly. He looked at his sect elders. "Use all means to return to the sect immediately."

Whoosh!

With that, he vanished from his spot.

Now, no one cared about the Yun clan or the ancient forces as they rushed out of the hall with their greatest speed.

Their hearts were filled with tension and fear.