Chapter Fifty-Seven: Gathering of Heroes in Wuzhou

Once the business discussions concluded, the group fell into casual conversation, most of it centering on matters of the martial world. In the cultivation realm, the strong are revered, and tales from the Jianghu are naturally a favorite topic for leisurely moments.

As evening crept in, the city lord’s mansion dispatched thousands of luminous pearls to the central plaza, illuminating the statues with a majestic radiance that inspired awe and reverence. The pavilions surrounding the square glittered brilliantly in the night, and the city’s elite stood tall atop them. The periphery of the plaza was densely packed, forming a ring within the boundaries set by the authorities, allowing Yang Cheng to truly witness what it meant to be engulfed by a sea of humanity.

“Deactivate the No-Fly Array!”

A powerful voice echoed, and the no-fly array at the heart of the plaza was shut down.

“This is a once-in-a-century event! Even the no-fly array is being deactivated—Master Bai and Liu Changqing must carry tremendous weight,” Old Zhu joked.

To restrict cultivators, the royal family had set up countless no-fly arrays in every city-state, all controlled by the city lord. Today, for this contest, the city lord personally ordered the central plaza’s array core to be deactivated.

“The city lord arrives!”

A resounding voice reached everyone’s ears.

All eyes turned to see a purple-gold palanquin shoot forth from the northern city lord’s mansion, ascending above the central plaza. Seated atop was a man of commanding presence, eyes fierce and surveying all directions—it was Tong Meng, the city lord of Wuzhou.

He sat in dignified silence, his gaze like torches sweeping the crowd; instantly, the previously noisy plaza fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Just a glance from Yang Cheng sent chills down his spine. He glanced at those beside him—Zhu Buhuo and Yue Yinggong were equally unsettled.

Lu Baichuan maintained a calm demeanor; Duan Zhiwu, whose cultivation was slightly inferior to Old Lu’s, remained steady as a mountain, unfazed, earning Yang Cheng’s respect.

Several swishing sounds followed, and eleven figures clad in rhinoceros armor, each standing atop unique spirit artifacts, took their places on either side of Tong Meng.

Old Zhu whispered, “These are all Golden Core cultivators. It seems they’re the four chief marshals and eight deputy marshals of the city districts. Only eleven are present, so a deputy marshal is missing—the vacancy in the southern district hasn’t been filled yet.”

Yang Cheng and Lu Baichuan exchanged a silent look.

Old Zhu continued, “These marshals hold high positions and are rarely seen. Who would have thought they’d all be here today?”

Zhu Buhuo pointed behind Tong Meng where a dense crowd stood. “Those below are the city lord’s civil and military officials, wielding the power of Wuzhou.”

More swishing sounds echoed...

In an instant, dozens more appeared above the plaza’s edge.

The hundreds of thousands of cultivators below erupted in astonished cries, for they recognized the legendary heroes arriving.

“Yan Xuzi, master of the Second Peak of Infinity Sect, greets City Lord Tong,” announced an elderly man from the east, white-haired yet youthful, standing atop a flying sword. His greeting was measured, neither humble nor haughty. Two sect elders stood beside him, hands clasped, exuding proud confidence.

Recognizing them, the crowd whispered excitedly. Yan Xuzi’s reputation was well known—he once ventured alone deep into the wilds searching for a spiritual herb, surviving seven entries and exits unscathed. Even the two elders behind him were famed for slaying great monsters.

Infinity Sect, one of the eight major sects, boasted many experts, rivaling even the city lord’s cultivators, though their disciples were fewer than the city’s military. Although the sects were not under Wuzhou’s jurisdiction, they were required to pay annual tribute to the royal family.

Infinity Sect dared not be overly arrogant. Offending a single city could be manageable, but to offend an entire nation would invite destruction. Thus, upon entering Wuzhou, they dutifully paid their respects to the city lord.

The grandmaster of the main peak, Yuan Xuzi, was rumored to have reached a transcendental realm, possibly the most hopeful candidate for ascension. He would not lower himself for a mere contest between juniors, sending instead Yan Xuzi, master of Cloud Mountain Peak, to lead.

Tong Meng, of course, did not slight Infinity Sect and returned their greeting.

“Chang Wuye, young master of Black Tortoise Sect, greets City Lord Tong,” spoke a middle-aged man from the southeast, face radiant like the moon, clad in fiery red, bowing with pride.

“Wow, so he’s the future master of Black Tortoise Sect!” the crowd exclaimed.

“I heard he once fought three elders of Heavenly Dao Sect alone and held his own. Black Tortoise Sect truly grows stronger with each generation.”

“Lei Tianba, sect master of Thunderfire Sect, greets City Lord Tong,” boomed a burly man, standing atop a pair of thunder tiger hammers, radiating overwhelming might.

Nearby, someone commented, “Thunderfire Sect’s body-forging techniques are formidable, especially Master Lei. Ordinary spirit treasures can’t harm him in the slightest.”

“Those thunder tiger hammers are truly intimidating. Few could match him in direct combat.”

“Miao Yunyan of Illusory Sound Sect, greets City Lord Tong on behalf of her father, Miao Jiutian.”

A voice as melodious as a flowing spring, enchanting and pure, drifted through the air.

The crowd looked up to see a woman with three-winged oriole-feathered hairpins, clothed in a deep blue silk pipa-collared gown, wearing cloud-smoke red phoenix-winged silk shoes. Her beauty was unrivaled—a veritable enchantress.

As they beheld her, the once noisy plaza fell silent again.

Even Yang Cheng, who in his previous life had seen many beauties, found her breathtaking—a perfection never before glimpsed in this world. Her ethereal aura as a cultivator made her all the more exquisite. Beside him, Zhu Buhuo was utterly entranced, oblivious to the drool slipping from his lips.

Miao Yunyan and an elder stood atop a sword, clearly indicating she had not yet reached the Golden Core stage and could not fly it herself. Yet her beauty left the crowd in awe, none daring to look down on her. Many even dreamed of winning her favor, for to claim such a beauty would elevate their own status overnight.

“Elder Xianzi An of the Immortal generation, Cloud Sky Sect, greets City Lord Tong.”

Hearing the name Cloud Sky Sect, the crowd responded with sighs and scoffs. Xianzi An was visibly displeased but powerless to object; once the foremost among all sects, Cloud Sky now received little respect from the other major sects, and even minor sects showed hints of scorn.

“Purple Sky Sect...”

“Red Phoenix Sect...”

“Heavenly Dao Sect...”

After the eight major sects greeted Tong Meng, dozens more sects announced themselves, both as a formality and to spread their own renown. Rarely venturing into Wuzhou, they seized this chance to make their names known, lest their obscurity diminish their prestige.

Qing Mengchen arrived with Wei Yunhu, both bowing in turn. “Qingyu Sect Master Qing Mengchen, greets City Lord.”

“Star Moon Sect Master Wei Yunhu, greets City Lord.”

Someone cried, “Look, that’s Qing Mengchen! Back when his cultivation was low, he dared to storm Red Phoenix Tower alone. They couldn’t capture him—now he’s a sect master!”

Another said, “So many watched that spectacle: Qing Mengchen was soaked in blood and nearly subdued. Only Wei Yunhu beside him defied sect orders to help. He’s a bold one.”

The crowd buzzed with chatter, while a Red Phoenix Sect elder let out a cold snort.

Qing Mengchen glanced toward Red Phoenix Sect, searching the faces but grew deeply disappointed—not finding the one he hoped to see. As expected, she had not come.

Wei Yunhu noticed Qing Mengchen’s distraction and patted his shoulder in consolation.

Qing Mengchen returned a bitter smile. Few knew the hidden tale, only this brother had always stood by him.

After some time, the various sects had all paid their respects. The citizens of Wuzhou were exhilarated; though some sect experts still held themselves aloof and did not attend, seeing so many renowned figures at once would be a topic of endless conversation in days to come.

Yang Cheng, however, previously ignorant of these legends, felt little excitement at hearing the names—only impatience at the slow pace of proceedings.