Chapter 214 - Protection

No one spoke inside the Myriad Manifestations Sect’s council hall. The atmosphere was so stifling it seemed almost ready to condense into water.

In stark contrast, the sect grounds outside had descended into chaos and uproar.

It was precisely two in the afternoon. Until moments ago, all had been peaceful within the Myriad Manifestations Sect. Amid the sprawling complex of buildings, thousands of disciples cultivated, sparred, or laughed and drank to their hearts’ content in the sect’s teahouses and taverns.

Then, at almost the exact same moment, every last one of them heard the voice reverberating across the sky.

It covered the entire sect with perfect precision, yet not a whisper of it escaped beyond the mountain gates.

Many disciples stopped what they were doing. Some approached the windows of the taverns, while others stepped out of their rooms. As if by prior agreement, they all looked up at the sky, their eyes filled with confusion and surprise.

The next moment, they saw an enormous black eagle suspended high above them, its wings beating steadily. Those with stronger cultivation could even make out the pavilion built upon its back.

Inside a tall tavern at the heart of the sect complex, a group of men and women in various styles of dress gathered around a phoenix-crowned man standing by the railing.

“Senior Brother Wang, what is that?”

“No idea.”

“They’re asking for the Sect Master while making such a grand spectacle of themselves. Something feels off.”

“What’s so strange about it? That’s a black eagle, a Grade A military flying demonic beast. It isn’t something just anyone can afford to use.”

“Probably the sect master of some other major sect. Our Sect Master certainly has his hands full.”

“Senior Brother Wang is right. The Sect Master has worked himself to the bone for the sake of the Myriad Manifestations Sect. Come, let us raise this cup to him!”

As soon as he finished, the tavern returned to its lively laughter and cheerful conversation.

Aside from their initial surprise, most of the sect disciples soon turned their attention back to whatever they had been doing. The sight was certainly unusual, but to them, it hardly seemed cause for alarm.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Seaport Falls, inside a quiet and elegant tavern, an elderly man with delicate features respectfully poured wine for a young man reclining against a cushion with one leg crossed over the other.

The voice from the black eagle could not be heard from their side of the waterfall. Even so, the young man calmly watched the enormous creature in the sky, whose wingspan stretched for several hundred feet..

Noticing his expression, the old man chuckled. “Young Master, are you looking at that flying demonic beast? It’s a black eagle, the signature beast bred by the Calm Sky Merchant Association. Very few ever reach the open market. The price is secondary; what truly matters is the status it represents. That old fox Hua Hong certainly knows how to make money. Whoever is riding it must be someone important.”

“He is.” The young man smiled and nodded. “And an important figure from the Chancellor's Manor at that. This black eagle’s suppressive aura is stronger than that of the others, so it seems they didn’t cut any corners when breeding it.”

“What?” The delicate-featured man’s hand paused as he carefully poured the wine. Lowering his voice, he said, “They couldn’t be from the Calm Sky Merchant Association, could they? They’ve been trying to extend their reach into Westmarsh Province for some time now. After all, it borders the Myriad Ascents Mountain Range.”

The young man accepted the cup with a smile and replied lazily, “It doesn’t matter. The Myriad Manifestations Sect knows which side to choose, ours or the Chancellor's Manor. But enough of that. Let’s drink.”

“Rest assured, the Myriad Manifestations Sect will make the right choice. There are clever men everywhere.”

ᯓ➤

Atop the black eagle, Xu Yuan quietly reassured Xu Xinyao while surveying the brand-new pavilion around them with considerable satisfaction.

After traveling a little over 40 miles from Myriad, he had spotted the mount his father had prepared for the journey.

Back when he had ridden on Xu Changge’s black eagle, his cultivation had been too low, and he had understood nothing about formations. As a result, he had never examined the pavilion closely with his soul intent.

Now that he finally had the chance to do so, he realized the place was luxurious beyond reason.

The pavilion had been constructed from phoenix bloodwood reinforced with refined crystal. Every inch of the building was engraved with formation patterns. Some ensured the passengers’ comfort, others guaranteed their safety, and there were even offensive arrays powering several ballistae.

“Will they really compromise?” Xu Xinyao asked hesitantly.

Xu Yuan considered the question for a moment before replying softly, “They’ll probably drag their feet and put on a show first, but they’ll give in eventually.”

As he spoke, Xu Yuan turned his gaze toward the window and pursed his lips in that direction. “See? Their Sect Master is already coming to meet us.”

Xu Xinyao followed his gaze. Two figures had risen into the air from among the buildings below and were flying toward the colossal eagle hovering overhead. They were moving swiftly, but not so swiftly as to seem aggressive.

Xu Yuan glanced back at her and smiled. “Remember, don’t say a word. If they realize you’re Xu Xinyao, I’ll either have to order the entire sect massacred or meet a violent end like Second Brother did. Be sure to keep that in mind.”

Xu Xinyao pursed her lips and nodded solemnly.

In a matter of moments, the two figures, no larger than beans from a distance, arrived before the eagle. Yet compared to the black eagle circling in the sky, its body nearly a hundred feet long, the two men still appeared terribly small.

Both were elderly men.

The black eagle had been rumbling softly all this while, but its growls abruptly ceased the moment they arrived. In their place came a fierce, vigilant stare.

One of the old men’s deep voice carried into the pavilion.

“Esteemed guest, may I ask what brings you here?”

Hearing him, Xu Yuan smiled from where he sat in a plush armchair. Instead of answering at once, he first turned to Xu Xinyao. “Xinyao, what do you think they’re planning to do?”

“What?” Xu Xinyao looked puzzled.

Xu Yuan gave her a hint. “We’ve come knocking on their door looking for trouble. How do you think they plan to deal with us?”

Xu Xinyao looked every inch the valiant young heroine—right up until she opened her mouth and turned as gentle as water. “Third Brother, I don’t know. But they should be discussing how much compensation to offer us.”

Xu Yuan promptly flicked her on the forehead. “You’re not stupid. Why would you think that?”

Xu Xinyao rubbed her forehead and hesitated. “But since we came directly to their sect under these circumstances, they should know what we’re here for.”

Xu Yuan glanced at the two men outside, his eyes turning cold. “There’s a saying... Some men won’t shed a tear until they see the coffin. And once they do, all they know is how to kneel.”

Xu Xinyao lowered her head. “Is that how it is?”

“Lift your head,” Xu Yuan said sternly. “You need to learn how to act. Even if you’re only going through the motions, you still have to put on a convincing performance. Father and Eldest Brother protected you far too well.”

“Oh. All right,” Xu Xinyao answered softly. After a moment, she looked at the two elderly men outside and asked in a low voice, “Aren’t you going to answer them?”

“Answer them? They’re the ones who need something from me, yet that’s the attitude they take. How are we supposed to negotiate like this? Let them stand outside for a while.” Xu Yuan stretched lazily. “Go fetch me the aged immortal wine from the storeroom.”

“All right.” Xu Xinyao slowly turned and left the chamber.

Once the sound of her footsteps had faded into the distance, Xu Yuan suddenly spoke in a low voice. “I wonder which senior has been assigned to protect me. Would you care to show yourself and have a chat?”

Silence filled the room.

Xu Yuan sighed and was about to repeat himself when an androgynous voice sounded inside the chamber.

“Oh? How did you figure it out, brat?”

Xu Yuan smiled. “If Father intends to groom me, he’ll need someone to witness the process and report back to him. Besides, coming here is far too dangerous. Those two outside are both at least second rank. If one of them gets worked up and kills me, Father won’t even have a shoulder to cry on.”

He paused, his tone turning solemn. “Please show yourself, Senior.”

“Not bad at all. Hehehe...” As the speaker continued, the voice gradually grew lighter and more feminine, until it finally became a seductive giggle.

Hearing that increasingly familiar voice, the corner of Xu Yuan’s eye twitched. He was just about to speak when his vision blurred, and his entire face plunged into something soft, fragrant, and smotheringly warm.

“My dear Changtian, it’s been so long. Big Sister has missed you to death~”