Jia Ma Empire.
Misty Cloud Sect Master's Pavilion.
The grand hall was adorned with vibrant lights on either side, and the originally spacious hall appeared particularly solemn and sacred. Over a hundred disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect sat in perfect rows, their faces filled with excitement, listening intently to the Sect Master's sermon on cultivation.
The preacher was a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Dressed in a plain dress, it couldn't conceal her proud figure. A long sword emitted a faint blue glow hanging on her waist, making her look valiant and imposing. Her long hair was styled into an elegant phoenix bun, adding a sense of elegant to her beauty.
Her presence alone was enough to captivate anyone who saw her.
Yun Yun, the woman's name, wore an indifferent expression as she shared useful knowledge with the sect disciple. In her opinion, hard work alone wasn't enough in the path of cultivation, one also needed a suitable mentor. Despite having extraordinary talent, without proper guidance, one wouldn't be able to make their talent flourished and achieved greatness in life.
"Yanran, you are too rash," Yun Yun frowned as he glanced at the teenage girl before her, her beautiful eyes reflecting a complex emotion. "You shouldn't have gone directly to the Xiao family to annul the engagement. Do you know how much dishonor this brings to a family?"
The girl she addressed clenched a long sword in her hands, her light green dress perfectly outlining her exquisite figure. Her round and flawless face was perfectly complemented by her long hair, tied casually with a green ribbon, cascading down to her waist.
This was none other than Nalan Yanran, the little sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect and the trigger of the famous "Three Years Agreement."
"Master, I know," Nalan Yanran replied, bowing her head. "You taught me that as a cultivator we must take control of our own destiny. I really don't like Xiao Yan from the Xiao family, so I went to Wu Tan City to annul the engagement."
Yun Yun shook her head helplessly. She understood Yanran's character well. If Yanran didn't like something, not even the allure of Heavenly Flames could make her do it.
At that moment, thunderclouds rolled over the Misty Cloud Sect, and a torrential downpour began.
As the sect master, Yun Yun felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. She immediately drew her sword and shouted, "Who dares to trespass in the Misty Cloud Sect!"
Her body trembled, and a pair of ethereal wings instantly sprout on her back. She charged out of the hall, eyes fixed on the thunderclouds above.
Several Dou King experts from the Misty Cloud Sect also rushed out, alert and cautious, unsure of what was happening.
"Since you're here, show yourself. Why cause trouble in my Misty Cloud Sect?"
Yun Yun's face was grave. As a Dou Emperor expert, she could sense that the intruder's power surpassed her own. The earlier terrifying surge of energy could annihilate the entire Misty Cloud Sect.
Niu Meng stood arrogantly above the Misty Cloud Sect's main hall, his gaze indifferent. He casually tossed a letter into the sect grounds, the letter embedding itself into the ground like a knife.
Yun Yun frowned, murmuring to herself, "Such terrifying control of Dou Qi. Who is this person?"
"Who dares to act recklessly in my Misty Cloud Sect? You must be itching for a beating!" Elder Yun Leng shouted angrily.
Niu Meng sneered, "A mere Dou King dare to speak so arrogantly."
Hearing himself treated with such disdain, Elder Yun Leng gnashed his teeth in anger. As the great elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, second only to the sect master, he had never been so insulted.
Today, he was being called "mere" by some ignorant junior. If it were anyone else, they would have already attacked.
Yun Yun quickly stopped the irate Elder Yun Leng. "Stand down!"
"Sect Master, this person insults our Misty Cloud Sect. We should kill him immediately to prevent future trouble!"
Elder Yun Leng couldn't see through this person's realm, thinking the strongest he couldn't be more powerful than a Dou Emperor. The Misty Cloud Sect not only had the sect master who was a Dou Emperor, but also many Dou King experts. With the Covering Sun Cloud Formation, they were sure he wouldn't leave alive!
Yun Yun's expression turned grave. She immediately wanted to stop Elder Yun Leng from confronting this unknown powerhouse and inadvertently offending him that might brought the sect's down.
However, before she could do anything, Niu Meng already made his move, suddenly appearing in front of Elder Yun Leng and slapping him on the face. A crisp sound echoed in the air. Elder Yun Leng clutched his reddened face with bewildered face, momentarily at a loss.
"Next time you use foul language, I won't be so lenient!"
With that, Niu Meng lightly stepped into the air, the surrounding stones shattering as he flew away, leaving the stunned Elder Yun Leng in disbelief.
Although the Misty Cloud Sect had been somewhat disrespectful, the pavilion master had only instructed Niu Meng to deliver the invitation, not to start a massacre.
Yun Yun picked up the letter embedded in the stone slab, glaring at the disfigured Elder Yun Leng. "Do you realize you almost got us killed, Yun Leng? If you act rashly again, don't blame me for stripping you of your position as the great elder!"
"Sect Master..." Elder Yun Leng was panicked, not understanding why the sect master was suddenly so furious. This was the first time he had seen her so angry in years.
Nalan Yanran ran over, worried. "Master, is that person very strong?"
"Stronger than me."
Yun Yun's answer was concise but resounding. Her voice was solemn, feeling a surge of trepidation within. Fortunately, the visitor didn't plan to take thing too far; otherwise, everyone present would be massacred.
She felt that even if all of them fought with all their might, they wouldn't be able to do anything to that mysterious expert.
She shifted her attention to the letter in her hand, opening the envelope with her slender finger. As she read through the content, Yun Yun furrowed her brows slightly.
"Seven days later... Magic Beast Mountain Range... Heaven Ascending Pavilion Auction House..."
"Who would have thought someone would open an auction house in the Magic Beast Mountain Range and send such a powerful person to deliver the message? It seems this is not simple."
Yun Yun burned the letter, glared at Elder Yun Leng one last time, and swiftly disappeared, her destination unknown to anyone.
Not only the Misty Cloud Sect but also the Jia Ma Empire's royal family received the invitation. As Emperor Jia Xingtian read the letter, his expression grew serious. The letter had arrived while he was cultivating, and he hadn't even seen who delivered it.
Clearly, the sender's strength surpassed his own, likely having broken through the Dou Emperor barrier and reached the legendary Dou Ancestor realm.
How terrifying, was the thought that crossed Jia Xingtian's mind.
He ordered his minister to prepare a sum of gold, preparing to visit the Magic Beast Mountain Range at the scheduled date. He wanted to investigate the identity of this unknown powerhouse that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and whether they had truly reached the Dou Ancestor realm.
Pill King Gu He also received the same invitation. Even though his strength was only at Dou King realm, as the only six-star alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire, his prestige didn't need to be doubted. Even Jia Xingtian treated him with respect.
Reading the letter, Gu He was astonished.
"Who is this senior who speaks on behalf of Heaven Ascending Pavilion Auction House? Why have I never heard of your excellency before?"
Niu Meng's voice was cold and detached as he replied, "You don't need to know. Just be there in seven days. If you don't, face the consequences."
Hearing this, Gu He felt the weight of his words. This messenger clearly possessed strength far above him, making him dare not refuse.
"Understood. I will arrive at the Heaven Ascending Pavilion on time in seven days."