Hearing Xu Zimo’s words, Feng Buxiu was taken aback for a mont, then let out a soft laugh.
“Young Master Xu... speaks reason.”
“Co on. Let’s head into the city,” Xu Zimo said with a nod, stepping forward first toward the city gates.
Xie Changliu and the others quickly followed behind.
Once they entered the city, the bustling prosperity of White Emperor City washed over them. The streets were crowded with people, the air thick with the mingled clamor of footsteps, chatter, and vendors calling out their wares.
The five great sects and the three major academies had gathered here for the upcoming competition. People from every direction of the realm had co, all eager to witness the top battle among the younger generation.
“Have you heard? Dragon Demon God Realm and Sinful Abyss God Realm are already here. The mont they t, they clashed!”
“What happened?” soone asked curiously.
“Why would they fight?”
“You must not know, the Dragon Demon God Realm and Sinful Abyss God Realm have been enemies since ancient tis. Their hatred runs deep, a grudge passed down through the ages. They’re like fire and water, can’t be in the sa room without trying to kill each other.
I heard that this ti, Dragon Demon God Realm’s Grand Emperor Heaven-Mammoth and Sinful Abyss God Realm’s Ghost Prince ca to blows. They nearly demolished the Insect Cultivator Tower in their fight!”
“And the True Immortal Insect Cultivator just let them run wild?”
“Of course not. It was only when True Immortal Insect Cultivator intervened that things finally cald down.
But with so many great powers gathered in White Emperor City, and no single faction in charge, there are bound to be more conflicts brewing.”
“Everyone would do well to keep their heads down these days, don’t offend any strangers.”
All around them, in the streets and teahouses, passersby and travelers gossiped animatedly, their voices filled with excitent and awe.
Xu Zimo found it all rather interesting.
“Young Master Xu, we should head directly to the Chu Residence,” Feng Buxiu suggested. “Since the Chu Heavenly Clan is hosting this year’s competition, they’re in charge of all arrangents.
If you’d like to explore the city, you can do so after we’re settled.”
“What is it about White Emperor Mountain that draws so many people here?” Xu Zimo asked with a faint smile.
“To tell you the truth,” Feng Buxiu replied, “there’s a long-standing legend about this place. It’s said that before the White Emperor left this world, he declared that his inheritance would remain here. And you must understand, the White Emperor was no ordinary figure. Even among Saint Sovereigns, he was one of the mightiest. His inheritance has always been a dream beyond reach. Every ten years, when White Emperor Mountain opens, countless people rush in regardless of danger or outco, just in case they’re lucky enough to find sothing. Even Grand Emperors and Saint Sovereigns cannot resist such a temptation.”
Xu Zimo nodded slightly. Just as Grand Emperors had five distinct stages, so too were there vast differences among Saint Sovereigns.
“If the inheritance is that important,” Xu Zimo asked, “why would the Chu Heavenly Clan share it with others?”
“They don’t want to,” Feng Buxiu replied with a faint smile. “But tell , do you think the Chu Heavenly Clan alone could possibly defend such a treasure?”
“They made it a shared event out of necessity. In return, the Chu Heavenly Clan receives three guaranteed slots in the trial every year, without having to compete.”
Xu Zimo nodded again, understanding completely.
Led by Feng Buxiu, the group made their way toward the Chu Heavenly Clan estate.
As one of the most powerful and renowned families in White Emperor City, the Chu Heavenly Clan’s residence was easy to find, located right at the heart of the city’s most prosperous district.
The Chu Residence stretched across half a block, grand and imposing. Throughout the city, from weapons shops to pill stores, from rchant guilds to trade halls, the Chu Heavenly Clan had their influence everywhere.
They had a hand in nearly everything.
When they arrived at the gates, the walls of the mansion were made of blue bricks and black tiles, exuding an aura of restrained majesty.
Two large red lanterns hung on either side, each above a small sculpture of a deer.
On a dark plaque above the gate, faint flowing light shimred across the surface of what was known as the “Naless Tablet.”
The massive bronze doors were open inward, but there were no guards in sight, only an invisible barrier of air sealing the entrance.
Feng Buxiu stepped forward, pulling a token from his sleeve.
He tossed it into the invisible barrier, where it disappeared. Then he called out loudly, “Feng Buxiu, Chancellor of the Seven Gods Collegium, here by invitation to attend the White Emperor Mountain trials!”
As his voice faded, the air barrier dissolved instantly.
A hearty laugh rang out from within.
“Chancellor Feng, you’ve co from afar, and I failed to greet you sooner, please forgive the oversight.”
A figure stepped out, a man wearing a tall official’s hat and a colorful silk robe.
He had a pair of small, beady eyes beneath thick brows, and a mustache shaped like the character for ‘eight.’
When he smiled, there was a slyness about him that was hard to miss.
“So it’s Butler Chu,” Feng Buxiu said with a polite smile. “We’ll follow the host’s lead then, please arrange as you see fit.”
“Of course, of course, this way, Chancellor Feng,” Butler Chu said cheerfully, stepping aside to lead the way.
Feng Buxiu and Xu Zimo walked side by side as they entered the Chu Residence.
Once inside, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight.
A massive river flowed through the estate, cutting across nearly half of White Emperor City and running directly beneath the Chu Heavenly Clan grounds.
White Emperor City itself floated in the void, so this river was not of the mortal realm, but one that cascaded down from the Ninth Heaven.
“Who else has arrived?” Feng Buxiu asked.
“Almost everyone,” Butler Chu replied with a smile. “Only the Northern Hills delegation has yet to arrive.
The Patriarch is hosting a banquet in the Hall of Heroes. Please, co with .”
Following Butler Chu’s lead, they passed through winding corridors, gardens, and elegant pavilions.
The Chu estate was vast beyond asure.
As they stepped out from a covered walkway, a small girl suddenly ran out from a nearby courtyard. Her skin was pale as carved jade, and she held a small doll in her hands.
“Uncle Chu, co play with !” she pleaded sweetly.
But when the group turned to look at her, they froze, her face was ghostly white, completely devoid of blood, and there was sothing eerie in her expression.
“Miss, co back at once!” an old woman hurried out from the courtyard, scooping the girl into her arms.
“My apologies, honored guests,” she said quickly.
A fleeting shadow of sorrow crossed Butler Chu’s eyes, but he rely waved a hand dismissively and continued forward.
Following him through several more corridors, they finally arrived at the so-called Hall of Heroes.
The hall was already filled with guests. Serving girls moved gracefully between the tables, bearing trays of exquisite dishes.
Music drifted through the air, accompanied by the soft, rhythmic steps of dancing girls.
As they entered, Xu Zimo looked up toward the main seat.
A middle-aged man in green robes sat there, he was clearly the master of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
On either side below him, several groups sat gathered, each from different factions.
Xu Zimo imdiately recognized the Dragon Demon God Realm.
They were a group of powerful beings with dragon horns upon their heads and dark, demonic energy emanating from their bodies. Not quite human, but imnsely strong and intimidating.
Nearby sat mbers of the Desolate Temple, each one bald, with a strange, unsettling aura about them. They resembled monks, yet instead of rosaries, they wore necklaces of skulls.
Another group ca from the Compassion Temple. They looked like true ascetic monks, sitting upright and unmoving.
No matter how enchanting the dancers before them were, they did not spare them a glance.
Only one young monk snuck a few peeks, and was imdiately smacked several tis by his elder, leaving him too frightened to lift his head again.
At the center of the hall, two won perford, one dressed in red, dancing gracefully; the other in blue, playing the zither, her lody echoing softly through the grand hall.
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