Every one of them exuded an incredibly powerful aura, and their appearance alone would tense the forces of righteousness to the extreme.
Yet at this moment, they were seated here, their gazes intently fixed on the three figures on the high platform.
A seductive figure, whose features were not clearly discernible, was cross-legged on the platform, with two other figures standing respectfully behind her.
"Sect Master, the mountains and rivers of Yunzhou spanning a million li have already been scoured by our forces, are you certain the Divine Emperor Your Majesty has not been captured by the Yuan Yang Sect?" a deep and hoarse voice echoed within the vermillion palace.
The question came from a humanoid creature with a fierce appearance and four arms, a scarlet blood light flickering on its body, making one feel as though countless souls were coming to claim their lives with just one glance.
"That person is not with the Yuan Yang Sect, there's no need to question further," came the alluring yet pure speech from the platform.
"That old ghost from Yuan Yang Sect, is he still a guest at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion now? But I guess he won't get the information he wants."
"After all, how could the Heavenly Secret Pavilion not understand his nature? If they discover his exact location now, by the time that person has grown, they would all be cleansed anyway."
"Heh, from what the Sect Master implies, you are also prepared to support the so-called Divine Emperor?" A cold laugh came from near the high platform.
"Sect Master, have you and the esteemed ones seated here forgotten that most of us are doomed to death and soul obliteration? The future glory of Divine Court has nothing to do with the majority of us."
"The ultimate beneficiary will be nothing more than a Holy Maiden behind you, worshipped by all gods, wielding mighty artifacts, destroying and illuminating realms—what a glorious and imposing sight," the voice stated with a mixture of admiration and disdain.
The Demon Spirit Sect, being one of the world's top schools, naturally discerned the veracity of that segment of memory, which is why some of the high-level members present were so dissatisfied.
Yes! The Demon Spirit Sect was the biggest beneficiary in those memories, but the fruits were reaped by the younger generations, alas, most of them were cleansed before the feast.
Suddenly, the palace fell into silence, with most eyes turning towards the black-robed girl standing behind the Sect Master.
The young girl wore a slight smile, not responding, but simply lowered her head respectfully, looking at the coquettish woman seated on the high platform.
"Hok Lin, are you courting death? Do you wish to destroy our sect's bright future?"
Before the Sect Master could reply, the chilling words filled the palace with their murderous intent.
"Old corpse, it looks like you still prefer to be that person's lackey. Longing to crouch under the cliffs to absorb the blood of the Aberrant Cult Master, are you?"
"But perhaps you will no longer have the chance, as I hear the Aberrant Cult Master has recently been searching for you. Be careful not to get beaten to death."
"Enough!"
At that moment, it was as if the heavens had tilted and the earth had overturned, an overwhelmingly powerful aura filling the palace.
Unbeknownst to all, the figure who had been sitting on the high platform had now stood up.
"Find him, whether it's imprisonment, Soul Search, slaughter, enslavement, or even offering support—you must find him."
"If he is not in Yunzhou, turn the entire Da Zhou upside down. Anyone who dares to obstruct us is the mortal enemy of the Demon Spirit Sect."
"We obey the Sect Master's command!"
With a booming sound, all the high-ranking officials present responded, none daring to refuse.
After all, one could only become the Sect Master of the Demon Spirit Sect for one reason—her strength far surpassed everyone present, or she would have been collectively attacked and killed.
As the high-ranking officials left one by one, only the three figures remained in the vermillion palace.
"Master, I'm sorry! I failed to capture Liang Hui, or it wouldn't be so troublesome now," Su Yao said with genuine remorse in her eyes.
"Giggle! Giggle! Giggle!"
"Then next time, Xiao Su Yao, when you see that person, make sure to pay attention. Don't keep your master waiting," she said with a seductive laugh.
In the midst of the laugh, the figure of the Sect Master slowly dissipated from the high platform.
At the same time, another graceful figure beside Su Yao also vanished without a trace.
...
Two days later, at night, a light breeze.
Yuanshui City, ten li to the east.
A figure clad in a black robe and wearing a wooden mask dashed through the shrubbery.
He slung a nearly two-meter-long Fine Iron spear over his back, with a black cotton cloth wrapped around the shaft near the spear's tip to absorb any blood that might drip down.
Suddenly, Liang Hui halted in his tracks, looking at a desolate village shrouded in light fog before him.
After hesitating, he stepped forward and approached the village; the closer he got, the lower the visibility became.
About twenty meters ahead, the scene opened up abruptly.
Dim white light cascaded from the sky, illuminating the path before him where stalls lined both sides of the road, with oddly dressed stall owners sitting on the ground, waiting.
Even the people walking on the road mostly concealed their faces in various ways, moving quietly.
"You seem new here, do you know the rules?" an aged voice inquired as a short elderly man with a face full of wrinkles stepped out from the side.
He reached out to Liang Hui with a withered palm.
Was this the so-called inspection?
Facing the flat palm, Liang Hui directly placed several green beast hairs on it.
Then he continued walking down the road.
Confronted by the short elder, Liang Hui's body instinctively sensed danger and desired to distance himself.
"Exotic Beast hair, then do you have its flesh as well?"
The short elder pinched the beast hairs, his muddy eyes flickering with interest.
His dim gaze followed the departing figure of Liang Hui.
Liang Hui, walking on the road, also felt the gaze coming from behind him.
'So it is indeed the case,' Liang Hui murmured inwardly.
He knew that showing Exotic Beast hairs would surely draw attention, but because of weapons, rent, and living expenses, he had only about thirty Silver Taels left.
Such an amount of Silver was clearly insufficient to pass the inspection, hence he had to take some risks and expose his Exotic Beast furs.
However, he had planned to sell this piece of Exotic Beast fur in the black market this time, so he was willing to accept the associated risks.
Lost in thought, Liang Hui had already moved away from the black market entrance and began examining the stalls on either side of the road.
Before long, Liang Hui stopped in front of a stall that displayed a variety of large animal furs.
He asked in a deep voice, "Do you buy furs? Exotic Beast."
"Exotic Beast!"
The stall owner exclaimed softly, his eyes gleaming with surprise beneath the black iron mask.
Exotic Beast furs were always rare and valuable; they could be used to make armor and add prestige to nobles and ladies alike.
"We'll take it! Can you show it to us so we can appraise it?" the stall owner asked.
"Are you sure?"
Liang Hui glanced around pointedly before speaking.
The stall owner immediately understood Liang Hui's implication.
"What does it matter if they see it? I'm sure my offer will be the most fair. And if someone bids higher, then it's theirs," the stall owner spoke with confidence and openness.
A look of surprise appeared in Liang Hui's eyes.
No longer hesitant, he took a piece of green beast skin from beneath his black robe and spread it on the stall.
The stall owner didn't immediately reach out to touch it; instead, he meticulously examined it before stretching out his palm to feel the toughness of the skin.
"Two hundred and forty Silver Taels, if that's acceptable, I'll buy it," the stall owner proposed, gesturing the amount with his hand.
"I'll offer two hundred and sixty Silver Taels; I want that Exotic Beast skin," a young man who had arrived next to the stall called out loudly.
His shout attracted a crowd around the stall.