In a blink of an eye, a few days passed by.
More than twice as usual soldiers stood straight surrounding the parameter of the Jia Ma Sacred City; it was done to maintain the order of the city during this critical time.
Even though it was already expected; yet after seeing the number of people who entered the city left the royal family shocked.
What's more unexpected, Xiao Ning silently arrived in the city with a group of people.
...
Today, the Sacred City seemed calm, like the tranquility before the storm.
The stores closed sooner, and people returned to their homes before sunset.
Teams of elite soldiers patrolled the empty streets as if something terrible would happen once the night arrived.
...
In a big courtyard, Xiao Ning, in pale white clothes, sat silently beside the window and looked at the bright moon shining in the sky.
His eyes seemed to be glued to the moon as if he was trying to find something in it.
Apart from Xiao Ning, there was no one else, and the people he brought with him seemed to have disappeared in the wind.
"Xi Yian," Xiao Ning muttered to himself. As he thought, a lovely face with a pure smile flashed in his mind.
...
It was a rare clear sky, and the moonlight shone brightly on the city, making it look more ethereal.
Countless stars twinkling in the sky added to its beauty. Such a peaceful and soothing night was like an omen before the storm.
Only the commoners slept peacefully like any other night.
Anyone with Dou Disciple and above cultivation could sense the strange atmosphere. The higher the rank more weird they felt.
Even the royal family, the overlord of the city, who had the protection of Jia Xing Tian, a strong man in Dou Emperor's realm and a rank 6 magical beast, could only guard the palace after sensing the situation.
...
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight broke through the sky, the city seemed to have regained its vitality. The shops were open, and the streets were filled with people.
After a while, one could see numerous groups of people approaching the city gate.
One after another, the soldiers stationed at the city's gate, noted down their identity and let them pass.
After stepping out of the city, they all headed in the same direction. Even a fool could guess that their destination was Misty Cloud Sect.
Even though none of them held a simple identity, but in front of a behemoth like Misty Could Sect, they had to lower their heads and walk honestly.
As the groups of people lined before the gate and waited for the soldiers to complete their work, a young man in a pale white robe approached the huge city gate, and instead of lining up like the others, he crossed the line and walked straight towards the soldier in charge.
Everyone present was confused by his actions and shook their heads in pity. Who among the present did not have an extraordinary identity, yet didn't they still honestly stand in the line.
The youth in the white robe was Xiao Ning. He could clearly see the disdain and mockery in their eyes. Yet, he wasn't bothered to deal with them.
Xiao Ning took a black token from his storage ring, showed it to the middle-aged soldier standing in front, and spoke calmly, "Xiao Clan, Xiao Ning."
The soldier's eyes widened after he saw the token, and the next moment, he became more respectful toward Xiao Ning.
Furthermore, before he could recover, his eyes widened in shock once again after knowing Xiao Ning's identity.
Who in the Jia Ma Empire didn't know about Xiao Ning? Especially in Jia Ma Sacred City?
The next moment, the soldier recovered from his stupor, hurriedly noted Xiao Ning's identity, and allowed him to pass.
Even the soldier did not notice that his actions were more respectful now when compared to dealing with others.
Xiao Ning nodded slightly, and under the shocking gaze of everyone present, he walked out of the city.
...
Misty Cloud Sect was only a few miles away from the city, and it did not take Xiao Ning much time to travel this distance.
As he approached nearer, he saw military camps flanked on both sides of the base of the mountain.
Elite soldiers patrolled in formations, and from a distance, one could feel as if being stared at by a ferocious beast.
Yet, no soldier dared to block the road in the middle. They just stood in their positions and stared at Xiao Ning, who passed by them steadily. His steps were firm, and his expression was light.
As he reached the end of the road; there he saw a slightly older youth wearing a moon-white robe.
His clothes and his haughty expression revealed his identity as a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Xiao Ning saw this and it only strengthened his resolve to finish what he came for.
"Xiao Clan's patriarch, Xiao Ning," Xiao Ning stood below the stairs and spoke flatly.
"Grand elder Yun Leng's grandson, Yun Bo," the youth in the moon-white robe spoke in a slightly superior tone.
A chill flashed in the depth of Xiao Ning's eyes after learning the identity of the man standing in front.
Furthermore, Xiao Ning keenly captured the disdain flashing in the latter's eyes. Yet, there was no change in his expression, and his face remained flat from beginning to end.
After seeing his provocation fail, Yun Bo's face showed a slight regret. Still, he did not continue and waved at Xiao Ning to follow him.
The two silently walked up the stairs made of green stone, leading straight to the peak of the mountain.
What Yun Bo didn't know was that Xiao Ning walked behind him not because he was scared of Misty Cloud Sect; instead, Xiao Ning was afraid he would lose control over himself and slaughter Yun Bo.
Not long after, they arrived at the peak of the mountain, where the Misty Cloud Sect was located.
With Yun Bo's presence, no one dared to stop Xiao Ning, not that the latter cared about such stupid provocation.
Finally, they arrived in front of a training ground that the Misty Cloud Sect had prepared for today's duel.