"Father, what should we do now?" Huan Shan anxiously paced around the room.
Huan Cheng furrowed his brow and said, "It’s problematic. This time the Hundred Sects Alliance is determined. With their orders, the Kao Shan Sect won’t hold back anymore."
When he learned of this news today, he sent someone to retrieve a bulletin from the Hundred Sects Alliance, and the message was clear—suppression of sects outside the Alliance system, meaning the Immortal Sect. It also prohibited any shops or businesses in Cangwu City from transacting with it, banned anyone from joining the Immortal Sect, and even forbade the martial meetings.
Beyond the bans, the Hundred Sects Alliance even bypassed the City Lord’s Mansion to issue punishments for violating the prohibition.
But he dared not speak up about it, for it was Mo Yue who had died, leading them to vent their anger on the Immortal Sect.
If he said something wrong, it might even spell disaster for the City Lord’s Mansion.
He himself didn’t care; at worst, it meant a fight. But if the City Lord’s Mansion fell, the people of Cangwu City would become mere playthings in the hands of the Hundred Sects Alliance and the Kao Shan Sect. So, he couldn’t act recklessly.
Seeing that his father couldn’t come up with an idea for a while, Huan Shan immediately suggested, "Father, we can send out troops to disrupt their ban, just openly defy them."
Huan Cheng replied, "No, this matter is like a vortex, not something our City Lord’s Mansion can involve itself in. Mo Yue is dead, and the Hundred Sects Alliance is merely suppressing, indicating they still fear the Immortal Sect, so there shouldn’t be issues in the near term. We can only take it one step at a time and act on opportunity. But the martial meetings, originally for the benefit of the people, are now labeled as seditious, with excuses for prohibition matching those from over a decade ago! Pity..."
Saying this, Huan Cheng stood up.
"You keep watch here at the City Lord’s Mansion, I’ll visit the Immortal Sect."
"Yes, Father." Huan Shan stood up and respectfully bowed with fists clasped.
Huan Cheng set off at once, riding the Half-Faced Golden Armor straight toward the Immortal Sect.
However, near Clear Water Street, he was stopped by people from the Hundred Sects Alliance and Kao Shan Sect.
"City Lord Huan, the area ahead is a restricted zone. Non-residents of Clear Water Street are not allowed entry."
Saying this, Huan Cheng gripped the knife at his waist, "You’re going to stop me?"
Those stopping Huan Cheng were from the ordinary ranks of the Kao Shan Sect and Hundred Sects Alliance, their cultivation average and naturally of low status.
Seeing Huan Cheng’s hand on the knife hilt, their expressions changed.
Yet, one among them, possessing a bit more courage, spoke up, "City Lord Huan, ahead there are evil cultivators disrupting order, spreading seditious words, better not go in. The order was jointly issued by the two Profound Stewards and also permitted by Lord Shan Long, better turn back. Should you enter Clear Water Street, it becomes difficult for us all."
"Impudent! You dare threaten me!"
Huan Cheng immediately drew his knife, the gleaming tip pressing against the man’s shoulder.
Just another foot forward, and there would be blood.
At this moment, applause and laughter echoed from an inn nearby, followed by a cold voice, "City Lord Huan is truly impressive, to draw a blade against two ’ordinary’ seventh-layered Body Refiners, aren’t you afraid of losing face as a Half-Step Profound?"
From the inn emerged a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and a cold smile.
Seeing him, those trembling beneath Huan Cheng’s steed instantly straightened their backs.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Huan Cheng coldly remarked, "My brother really is blind."
"I’m grateful to Sect Leader Wen for saving me. But only grateful to him, now that he’s gone, I have no feelings for the Immortal Sect whatsoever."
"So now you intend to deal with the Immortal Sect?"
"Orders from the Hundred Sects Alliance and the Kao Shan Sect’s leader are directly given; I’m just a minor Thirteenth Layer Body Refiner, no voice, can only obey."
"Ridiculous! If you dare to hinder me, then I will cut you down!" Huan Cheng glared angrily, ready to strike if challenged.
Li Yue suddenly laughed, saying, "City Lord Huan has quite the temper. Li Yue can’t stop you, but the Profound strength of the Hundred Sects Alliance can. If City Lord Huan steps forward, I’ll just report to the Hundred Sects Alliance, and then we’ll see what happens to the City Lord’s Mansion."
Huan Cheng was at a loss for words.
Glancing at Clear Water Street, a bit unwillingly, he turned his horse around and coldly said, "Li Yue, one day you’ll end up slaughtered by me."
With that, Huan Cheng urged the Half-Faced Golden Armor to return the way he came.
Behind him, Li Yue’s smile vanished, watching Huan Cheng’s retreating figure with cold words, "Whether I die or not is unknown, but your brother’s Immortal Sect will be destroyed."
Li Yue then ordered those around him, "You all continue guarding here, if anyone tries to attend the martial meeting, chase them off. If there’s trouble, kill a few publicly until they fear."
They responded promptly.
As for Wen Ping, early the next morning, he moved everything to the front of the Thousand Layers. Afterward, he sat on a square chair on the stone steps, deep in thought.
After a while, a sudden idea flashed through his mind, and he quickly asked the system, "System, can the attraction ability of the main hall be transferred?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Ping’s expression of anticipation vanished, "I was hoping to shift the attraction to the martial meeting."
"It cannot be transferred, but it can be augmented."
"Yes, because the main hall is a core building, its abilities can actually be extended. For instance, this martial meeting can utilize the main hall’s augmentation to enhance its attraction, stimulating people’s desire to attend, making them drawn within effective range."
"Is that possible? Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?"
"Augment it, quickly augment it."
Wen Ping was speechless at the system’s reply, hurriedly calling for augmentation.
"The augmentation can only occur when the martial meeting officially starts."
"Then is the center point the martial meeting or the main hall?"
"The main hall, effective within 7,500 meters."
Now his desire to complete tasks through the martial meeting wasn’t so strong; using its attraction to bring more people tomorrow was naturally good, but if few come, it’s equally fine.
The Hundred Sects Alliance and Kao Shan Sect are both suppressing the Immortal Sect.
This indicates a battle is bound to happen soon, and with this fight, how hard is it to show tens of thousands the Immortal Sect’s strength?
This is also why he continues to host the martial meeting, because conducting it allows awaiting visitors at the foot of the mountain.
More people below the mountain, more attention overcoming the Hundred Sects Alliance!
In the midst of conversation with the system, Yang Lele ran over.
"Sect Leader, I want to make a trip down the mountain. I’m low on money."
Wen Ping smiled, "No need to ask my permission for this. It’s a sect, not a prison. Send my regards to your father and Senior Huaikong after going down, inviting them to participate in the martial meeting at the foot of Yunlan Mountain."
"Sect Leader, I will convey your words."
Yang Lele bowed respectfully, then with a joyful expression, tip-toed down the Thousand Layers.
As he ran, he thought to himself: Zhao Qing, I’ll bring back money to take care of you!