Chapter 670 454: Gathering Before the Mountain

As Silver Treasure descended from the heavens, wrapped in clouds and cutting through the roaring air, carrying over a hundred Cultivators, the various factions gathered before the Yan Gui Sect couldn't help but crowd around.

Compared to the procession of over one hundred people brought by the Qingyuan Sect, the other Golden Core Sects had sent very few people. The largest of their groups had no more than a dozen, and the smallest only had two or three.

However, their leaders were also Golden Core Cultivators, which gave them some presence. But when compared to the grandeur of the Qingyuan Sect's arrival, it was a world of difference.

"Raise the funeral couplets!"

Seeing everyone crowd around, Fang Qingyuan gave the order directly. From the procession on Silver Treasure's back, two tall banners were unfurled. Inscribed on them were the words:

His life's achievements illuminated the world, his example an eternal memory for posterity,

His worldly efforts left a lasting mark, his virtue forever cherished in the hearts of his loved ones.

The banners, dozens of feet long, were raised high. Accompanied by the sounds of pipes and drums and carrying various other funerary items, the procession finally flew down from Silver Treasure's back.

The scene left everyone stunned. After all, it was the first time any of their sects had seen someone come as thoroughly prepared as the Qingyuan Sect.

Everyone knew the real purpose of their visit. 'Why is the Qingyuan Sect taking this so seriously?'

Fang Qingyuan couldn't care less what these sects thought. He was here for one reason: to mourn his old friend, Brother Yan Nanxing. As for anything else? 'I know nothing about it.'

Although Fang Qingyuan had decided to get involved, he couldn't appear too eager. He had to be reactive. That way, he would have room to maneuver later.

"Sect Leader Fang, this humble Daoist offers his greetings."

The speaker was the Sect Leader of the Yingxia Sect. He had a full, snow-white beard, wore a Daoist Robe, and used a Daoist salutation with Fang Qingyuan.

The Yingxia Sect had migrated from the territory of Qi Yun. Its roots were deeper than the other Sealed Sects, which was why he had been pushed forward to deal with Fang Qingyuan at a time like this.

Seeing the greetings from the over-four-hundred-year-old Sect Leader of the Yingxia Sect, Fang Qingyuan did not put on the airs of a half-Nascent Soul Sect, but quickly stepped forward to return the gesture.

After a few pleasantries, Fang Qingyuan sighed.

"I never thought that the last time I parted with Brother Yan would be our final farewell. Heaven truly is jealous of the gifted."

While speaking words of remembrance for Yan Nanxing, Fang Qingyuan's gaze swept over the representatives of the various sects standing behind the Yingxia Sect's leader: the Second Generation Sect Leader of the Lingliang Sect, the Vice Sect Leader of the Spiritual Technique Sect, the Third Palace Master of Luohua Palace...

Eight Golden Core Cultivators were gathered here, all figures of real power within their respective sects. Adding the Foundation Establishment Cultivators behind them, they formed a force that could not be underestimated, even in White Mountain.

Unfortunately, shackled by the Fiefdom Decree from the Great Zhou Academy, this power could only be seen, not wielded. And while the nine sects appeared united now, if a real crisis were to occur, it was uncertain whether they would actually be able to support one another.

'In that case, this current crisis is the very touchstone to test whether everyone will stand together.'

"Sect Leader Yan, you're finally back! What are we going to do about the one inside?"

The speaker was the Vice Sect Leader of the Spiritual Technique Sect. The Spiritual Technique Sect had been founded on the art of Talismans, and its territory bordered the Pill Alliance. They had been living comfortably these past years. Their own Sect Leader still had about a hundred years before he had to 'ascend the mountain', so their situation was not as pressing.

But now that the Yan Gui Sect had detained the Golden Core Envoy from the Star-Picking Pavilion, the Spiritual Technique Sect was bound by the alliance treaty signed by the nine sects years ago and couldn't easily back out. However, their attitude was still mainly to appease the situation and keep it from escalating.

"What do you mean, 'what are we going to do'? How can we let him go without getting a proper accounting? Even Sect Leader Yan isn't afraid, so what are you scared of?"

The one who retorted was the Third Palace Master of Luohua Palace. Her sect originally had three Golden Core Cultivators, making it one of the more powerful among the Golden Core Sealed Sects. The Third Palace Master herself hailed from the Outer Sea, where she had become sworn sisters with the Grand Palace Master and Second Palace Master, and together they had made a great name for themselves.

Later, they retreated from the limelight at the height of their fame, risking everything they had and fighting to the death in the last Reclamation War. The Second Palace Master even died in battle. It was only through these sacrifices that they were able to establish Luohua Palace's foundation in White Mountain, securing nearly a thousand years of future peace.

The Grand Palace Master of Luohua Palace had also reached the required realm. If nothing unexpected had happened, it would have been her turn to 'ascend the mountain' after Yan Nanxing. With Yan Nanxing's incident, how could the two remaining Palace Masters of Luohua Palace not be in turmoil? Thus, when faced with the wavering attitude of the Spiritual Technique Sect's Vice Sect Leader, she had lashed out without any restraint, showing him no courtesy whatsoever.

Having been sharply rebuked by the Third Palace Master of Luohua Palace, the Vice Sect Leader of the Spiritual Technique Sect fell silent. At this point, the Sect Leader of the Yingxia Sect interjected.

"My apologies for the scene, Sect Leader Fang. This is not the place to talk. Shall we go inside and speak in private?"

Fang Qingyuan had witnessed this little farce the moment he arrived. 'They're probably putting on a show for my benefit,' he thought. But it didn't matter. He was already prepared to enter the fray.

"Excellent. We'll do as Sect Leader Luo says. Mu Yun, go and make the preparations."

Fang Qingyuan instructed Yan Muyun as if he were his own junior, and strangely enough, Yan Muyun showed no dissatisfaction with this.

He obediently led his sect members into their own sect's compound. Seeing this, the Yingxia Sect's leader, Luo Shiyin, impassively sent a signal to those behind him.

Taking advantage of the momentary lull, Luo Shiyin brought up Silver Treasure. He looked at the beast's enormous body with envy as he tried to sound out Fang Qingyuan.

"Sect Leader Fang, your strength is truly formidable. It's only been a few years, and you've already acquired a Golden Core mount. As I recall, here in the White Mountain Territory, besides the original Beast Taming Sect, I don't think any other Golden Core Sect Master possesses a mount of the Golden Core Realm.

And it even has two horns! It's much larger than a typical Flying Manta Ray, a mutated species at the Golden Core Realm. This old man is truly envious."