News of the battle between Wu Yuan and Chen Luo spread across the entirety of Baihu Province, naturally reaching the headquarters of the Cloudstride Sect.
At the highest point of Cloudhill, the Cloud Hall.
“Master, what are your thoughts on Shadow Blade?” A burly middle-aged man dressed in black robes stood respectfully in the hall. He was none other than the current leader of the Cloudstride Sect, Lu Feng.
“It is both a boon and a curse, a double-edged sword,” the elderly woman seated in the host chair spoke with a gentle voice.
The black-robed middle-aged man listened attentively.
“The Great Jin Empire is undoubtedly our number one enemy,” The Rain Hierarch said softly. “The Wingborne Sect is just a minor nuisance. Chu Ping of the Baijiang Kingdom may want to annex us to rebuild the Chu-Jiang Empire, but he can’t even manage the Guangping and Dalong Provinces, he’s just an ambitious yet incompetent idiot.”
“Great Jin had a reign of four consecutively wise rulers. The Jin royal family is constantly ranked in the Land Rankings, with kings keeping a firm hold over their territories and defending their lands from all sides,” The Rain Hierarch said slowly. “Jin Cang in particular has the demeanor of his ancestor, Imperator Jin. He aims to unify the world, and our Cloudstride Sect is but a stumbling block.”
“Great Jin is ambitious and has the ability to swallow our Cloudstride Sect. Therefore, anyone willing to oppose Great Jin is a friend of our Cloudstride Sect. Back then, I tolerated Chang Dong occupying the Yuanhu Province for this very reason.”
“Whether or not this Shadow Blade was previously concealing his true strength, if he is willing to stand against Great Jin, it is good news for our Cloudstride Sect. If we can get in touch with him and form an alliance, it would be even better.”
The Rain Hierarch continued, “During his recent battle in Li City, he spared Sect Elder Mo and the others. We can infer that his grievances are directed at specific individuals within the sect, rather than the Cloudstride Sect as a whole.”
“Hierarch is wise,” the black-robed middle-aged man praised.
“With benefits come drawbacks.” The Rain Hierarch calmly stated, “If we can speculate that Shadow Blade is likely residing within our Cloudstride Sect’s territory, won’t Great Jin realize this as well? Who’s to say they won’t accuse Shadow Blade of being an expert of our Cloudstride Sect, then proceed to invade Cloudhill? If that happens, it would be a catastrophe for our Cloudstride Sect.”
The black-robed middle-aged man felt his body break out in chills. Another war with Great Jin?
“Issue the command to prepare our forces for war,” the Rain Hierarch declared calmly. “Mobilize on three fronts and gather all second-rate Adepts and above from the sect.”
“Understood,” the black-robed middle-aged man acknowledged.
“Next, send messengers to Westdream, Eastdream, Yuanhu, the Baijiang Kingdom, and the Dong Continent Sect Alliance. They must be informed of our situation and be ready to offer assistance in the event of war. Otherwise, if Cloudstride falls, the Jiang Continent will be destroyed.”
“The Jiang Continent is positioned at the center of the world. If it falls, then the Min Continent, Dong Continent, Wu Continent, and Yan Continent will be defeated by Great Jin one by one like a lengthy serpent,” The Rain Hierarch said.
“Thirdly, deliver a letter to Emperor Jin. Just one sentence: If Cloudstride falls, Chu-Jiang will fail to gather!” The Rain Hierarch said indifferently, “That will be all. What comes next depends on the decisions of Great Jin and the other factions.”
The black-robed middle-aged man looked thoughtful, then acknowledged reverently, “Disciple will attend to these matters immediately.”
…
As a top-tier underground organization, the Pleiades Guild wasn’t too far behind the Starcom Consortium in terms of the strength and reach of their intelligence network.
Once the battle was investigated thoroughly, its roots could be traced back to the Pleiades Guild. Thus, after the snippets of intel from the various branches reached the Pleiades Guild’s Jiang Continent branch, the result of piecing together the collective information left Branch Master Ma utterly stunned.
A medium difficulty five-star mission led to a Grandmaster-level battle? Jin Rensu, the ninth prince of Great Jin, is dead? Li Zi is dead? Branch Master Ma could hardly believe it.
Li Zi stood among the top five in the Human Rankings of the Holy Continent. In the Jiang Continent, he was a strong contender for the top rank. And now, he was dead? The fact that his name didn’t even warrant a mention in the main news only illustrated the magnitude of the sensation this battle had caused.
Branch Master Ma’s senior uncle, Shadow Stinger Mo Gou, also balked at the news.
Shadow Blade is a Grandmaster expert? No wonder, how else could he have effortlessly detected my presence? Luckily I didn’t attack him that day, I managed to save my hide. Otherwise, I would’ve been a goner.
Just two days later, a messenger arrived at the Jiang Continent branch of the Pleiades Guild. “A Grandmaster is about to arrive?” Branch Master Ma and Mo Gou looked at each other in disbelief, “We are to welcome him outside the city?”
Naturally, the two didn’t dare to delay. Swiftly, they left the stronghold of the Jiang Continent branch. Following the orders, they arrived at an unassuming municipality roughly 100 li away from Cloudhill City.
In a rundown courtyard, Branch Master Ma and Mo Gou paid their respects in unison. “Grandmaster!”
“Grandmaster!”
Standing before them was a figure shrouded entirely in black robes, emanating a faintly palpable aura of death. Only a pair of eyes peeked out from beneath the darkness.
And when those eyes swept over them, their bodies erupted with goosebumps. Even Mo Gou, sixteenth on the Human Rankings, felt his courage dissipate in the face of this imposing figure.
“Well done, you two.” The towering figure in black robes cupped his hands in mock salute, his voice haunting, “Because of a mere five-star mission, a prince of Great Jin is dead, along with four Savant experts, one of whom had the potential to become a Grandmaster.”
“Should I applaud your skills, or should I punish you for the trouble you’ve brought the Pleiades Guild?”
Branch Master Ma and Mo Gou exchanged glances. They knew exactly what the towering figure in black was insinuating.
With Great Jin suffering heavy losses, their first target would surely be Shadow Blade. But who’s to say the Pleiades Guild wouldn’t be implicated?
Both men felt wronged. Were they going to be punished for this?
“However, Great Jin has been constantly oppressing our Pleiades Guild. Hmph, them losing a batch of experts is a good thing,” the figure in black scoffed.
Relief washed over Branch Master Ma and Mo Gou.
“Today, I am here for a specific matter,” the figure in black robes said. “As per your previous report, I have brought with me 50 drops of Ancient Immortal Dew.”
“I shall wait here for two months. As soon as Shadow Blade approaches you to turn in the mission, bring him to me without delay,” the figure in black murmured. “I wish to meet him personally.”
Both Branch Master Ma and Mo Gou were taken aback.
“Grandmaster,” Mo Gou couldn’t help asking, “Could it be that our Pleiades Guild is targeting Shadow Blade? He’s a Grandmaster too.”
“Do not ask what you are not meant to know.” The figure in black robes shot him a piercing look of icy hostility.
Mo Gou immediately shivered, bowing his head, “I understand my mistake.”
Hierarchy within the Pleiades Guild was strictly enforced. Although it wasn’t as brutal as the Ninedeaths Circle, the guild’s rules were obeyed far more strictly than any regular sect.
“Proceed. When he arrives, I will appear.” The towering figure leaped into the air, disappearing into the darkness.
…
The Dong Continent, recognized as the greatest continent after the Holy Continent, was home to eight major factions.
The Stellar Province was universally acknowledged as the most powerful and prosperous among the 36 provinces of the entire Dong Continent, rivaled only by the Holy Capital of the Great Jin Empire.
Furthermore, the Stellar Province was widely recognized as a ‘neutral province’ due to the fact that it housed the headquarters of the Starcom Consortium, and was the only territory the consortium fully occupied.
The region thrived thanks to its prime geographical location where numerous major rivers intersected. Countless treasures from all over the world gathered here.
The headquarters of the Starcom Consortium, built against a mountain and adjacent to a major river, was a splendid city called the Millennium Star Hub. It was named as such as its lights had never gone out in over a thousand years.
Within a grand hall in the headquarters of the Starcom Consortium, eleven figures, each dressed lavishly and exuding an extraordinary presence, took their seats.
“Today, I’ve gathered everyone here to discuss two matters.” A middle-aged man in purple robes began, “The first matter concerns the confrontation between Shadow Blade and Chen Luo a few days ago.”
“We have conducted an investigation and confirmed that one of his identities is that of an assassin of the Pleiades Guild, code-named Thousand Mountains. He has completed several missions for the guild and currently holds the rank of a three-star assassin.”
“He killed Wang Xiaohe and engaged in a fierce battle with Chen Luo. Several Savant experts including Li Zi perished while battling him. From our investigations so far, we have a preliminary conclusion.”
“Based on our initial assessment of his power, Shadow Blade’s martial skill has likely reached the second level of the Harmony of Man and Nature, Integration, but his physical constitution appears to not have reached first-grade yet…” the purple-robed middle-aged man quickly finished his summary. “The first resolution is as follows: should we list him in the Human Rankings or the Land Rankings?”
“Those in favor of including him in the Land Rankings, please raise your hand.”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Six hands were raised.
“Very well.” The purple-robed middle-aged man nodded. “Six to four, Shadow Blade shall be included in the Land Rankings. As for the specific ranking, that shall be determined in October.”
Everyone present had no objections. The decision to include him was in line with the principle of prioritizing combat power. The objections were rooted in the fact that, according to the investigation results, his physical constitution had not yet reached the first grade. Both sides had valid reasons.
“Now, onto the second matter,” the man in purple robes continued. “The Cloudstride Sect has appealed for aid from the alliance of the eight major powers of the Dong Continent. This matter shall be decided at the alliance meeting in three days and the Starcom Consortium must take a stance.”
The Starcom Consortium was one of the eight major powers of the Dong Continent. However, it was the most unique faction which did not send troops directly into battle.
“I believe there’s no need for me to go over the information and data again.” The purple-robed middle-aged man said. “Those in favor of supporting the Cloudstride Sect when the war commences, please raise your hands.”
All ten hands were raised.
“Unanimously passed.” The man in purple robes declared, “Initiate the contingency plan, prepare separate war support plans of 30 million, 80 million, and 200 million silver taels. Our Starcom Consortium will never allow Great Jin to unify the world.”
…
The Grandmaster battle in the Jiang Continent had everyone on edge. As the side that suffered the greatest losses, Great Jin was the center of attention. But even after three days, five days, and then a full week passed, Great Jin still did not release a statement.
The Holy Capital was the imperial city of Great Jin, home to over three million people and prosperous beyond imagination. Whether martial arts, culture, or economic progress, it was indisputably the top city in the world.
In the east of the Holy Capital stood the Jin Royal Palace. It stretched over 100 li with numerous compounds and buildings obscuring the sky, showcasing the mighty power of Great Jin.
At the center of the Jin Royal Palace, sprawling across hundreds of zhangs, above a series of steps reaching over 30 zhangs high, stood the Jin Hall, a sacred hall of the Great Jin Empire.
A burly man in black armor knelt below the stairs with his eyes closed. On both sides of the man stood rows of guards, each one an Adept.
“Your Highness.” An elderly imperial eunuch gently persuaded, “You have been kneeling here for three days and three nights. It’s not that this old servant did not report Your Highness’s arrival, but His Majesty has been in closed-door cultivation and has yet to emerge.”
“Perhaps it would be wise for Your Highness to return to your residence for now. I shall promptly notify you as soon as His Majesty emerges from his closed-door cultivation.”
“Your kindness is appreciated.” The burly man in black armor replied in a low voice, “However, it is I who failed to perform my responsibilities, leading to the ninth prince’s death. I must beg His Majesty for his forgiveness.”
“As long as His Majesty does not emerge from seclusion, I will kneel in repentance here.” The black armored man’s expression was resolute.
The elderly eunuch felt helpless.
“His Majesty permits the east king to enter the palace.” A deep voice echoed from a towering dais a hundred zhangs away, reverberating through the Jin Royal Palace.