Chapter 710 469: White Mountain Grand Council

On the day of the peace talks, Black River Square was the center of attention. Its prosperity soared to new heights, as the leaders of virtually every power in White Mountain had gathered here today.

It was strange, really. A major event like signing a peace treaty should have been held on White Mountain, witnessed by the Cultivators of the Star-Picking Pavilion. However, after the war, everyone's faith in the Star-Picking Pavilion's credibility had tacitly plummeted. Thus, they came to Black River Square, which was controlled by the Nangong Clan. This place put the White Mountain People more at ease.

As a Divinity Transformation Clan, and one with Qi Yun's Root Foot, the Nangong Family's credibility was only slightly less than that of the Great Zhou Academy's Southern Patrol Institute. This was worlds above that of the unmentionable existence on White Mountain.

Unfortunately, it was a case of unrequited love. The Nangong Clan's mind was not on this pivotal meeting that would decide the future of White Mountain. The capture of Nangong Zhi had tied up several of the Nangong Family's Nascent Soul battle powers in a rescue mission. In such a situation, the Nangong Family could only let Nangong Meng, who was not skilled in administrative affairs, preside over the event.

The atmosphere at the entrance of the Black River Daoist Palace was extremely tense. For some unknown reason, Nangong Meng hadn't separated the leaders of the White Mountain powers. Instead, she had them all line up at the entrance, waiting to be admitted.

This group of Golden Core Cultivators, who had fought for ten years and held the lives of each other's loved ones on their hands, now glared at each other from opposite sides of the Daoist Palace gate. If not for the fact that this was the property of the Nangong, a Divinity Transformation Clan, both sides would have long since fought to the death.

This scene made the expressions of Liu Xun and the others, who were waiting in a corner, turn sour. The killing intent radiating from over a dozen Golden Core Cultivators was truly a bit much for him, with his mere Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

Adding to that were the Loose Cultivators in the Marketplace and the onlookers from all corners of the land, all pointing and murmuring. It really made everyone's tempers flare.

"How can the Nangong Family be so disorganized? Shouldn't they have let us wait in our respective properties here? Forcing us to gather and line up to enter saves them trouble, but what about our dignity? We've lost all face."

Jiang Tianfang had also been assigned by Fang Qingyuan to participate in this summit. For a major historical event in White Mountain like this, it was essential for him, as a key figure of the Qingyuan Sect, to build up his credentials and become a familiar face among the various Golden Core leaders.

"In the eyes of the Nangong Family, the dignity of powers like us probably doesn't matter much. Even if they do this, would you dare to turn around and leave?"

Liu Xun chatted casually with Jiang Tianfang. It was true. Complain as they might, no one dared to leave now—not the houses of Nine Stars Square, and not the various factions of White Mountain. Their disciples had no choice but to form small defensive formations, protecting the key figures from each faction who were there for the talks. They were afraid the two sides, locked in a furious staredown, would be unable to contain their anger and erupt into a full-blown brawl right then and there.

At that moment, Liu Xun's gaze swept over the core group of the Spirit Wood Alliance. That fellow Chai Yi was waiting with his eyes closed, perfectly composed and completely unfazed by the situation. His shrewdness clearly ran deep.

Noticing Liu Xun's gaze, Jiang Tianfang asked,

"Business with Chai Yi?"

"The sect gave me a task. I need to find a chance to talk with him later. But it wouldn't be good for me to go personally, lest the other powers get the wrong idea. Later, can you help me get in touch with him? Invite him for a chat at a teahouse."

As Liu Xun was giving instructions to Jiang Tianfang, the great doors of the Black River Daoist Palace finally began to open slowly. Sensing this, the expressions on everyone's faces finally relaxed a little.

"Please welcome Sect Leader Luo Shiyin of the Yingxia Sect, Sect Leader Yan Muyun of the Yan Gui Sect, the Vice Sect Leader of the Spiritual Technique Sect, and the Grand Palace Master of Luohua Palace."

Following a clear, ethereal chime from the Marketplace's bell tower, the auspicious hour had arrived. The Nangong Family's Ceremonial Cultivator finally began to announce the names, inviting the Cultivators waiting at the entrance to come inside.

The first to be invited were the major neutral powers of White Mountain, chief among them the factions from Nine Stars Square.

After these nine sects were called in one by one, it was finally Liu Xun and Jiang Tianfang's turn.

"Please welcome Vice Sect Leader Liu Xun of the Qingyuan Sect and his party."

Well, even Jiang Tianfang's name and title were omitted. Still, for Jiang Tianfang, being able to participate in such a major event and mix in with the negotiations of over twenty Golden Core Cultivators—all with only a Foundation Establishment cultivation—was enough.

As Liu Xun and Jiang Tianfang walked through the wide gates of the Daoist Palace and onto the red carpet, all eyes immediately focused on the two of them.

"Who are those two? How come I've never seen them before? And they're Foundation Establishment Cultivators. How can they be part of something like this?"

The question came from an outside Cultivator, one who was clearly unfamiliar with the Qingyuan Sect. He only knew of the old, established powers that had stood for a thousand years, like the Pill Alliance, the Spirit Wood Alliance, and the Li Huo Alliance. The newly risen Qingyuan Sect was a complete unknown to him.

"You don't know? A few years ago, a Nascent Soul Bear Beast joined a Golden Core Minor Sect. That was the Qingyuan Sect."

"Oh, so that's how it is. No wonder they saved a spot for them. Otherwise, any other Golden Core Sect that hasn't been sealed by the Great Zhou Academy wouldn't even get to be a witness at this summit."

"There's more you don't know. The Qingyuan Sect is also one of the Sealed Sects. It's just that they were originally sealed as a Foundation Establishment sect, so they didn't get the treatment of a Golden Core Sect. That's why they aren't well-known."

"Hiss... there's a story like that? So, you're saying the Qingyuan Sect has only been on the rise for a few decades? I thought they were some Golden Core family with deep roots that had cultivated its power here for centuries."

Hearing the discussions from the Cultivators outside the Daoist Palace, Liu Xun felt a surge of satisfaction. He didn't let it show on his face, however, pretending not to have heard anything. He meticulously observed etiquette, bowing to the Golden Core seniors from the various factions as he walked steadily through the gates of the Daoist Palace.