Shen Mo lifted his head and gazed at the magnificent city.
The city walls of Divine Sword City stood ten feet high, built entirely from basalt, imposing and grand.
The gate tower pierced the sky like a sharp sword, resembling a towering giant guarding the city and intimidating all who approached.
Additionally, Divine Sword City had a moat filled with many demonic beasts meticulously bred by the Divine Sword Sect.
If the city were ever attacked, closing the drawbridge would prevent any intruders from breaking through this mighty fortress.
Beside Divine Sword City flowed the Xuanjing River, which traversed the entire Xuanjiang Prefecture, with merchant ships and cargo vessels frequently stopping here for transshipment.
Ordinarily, Divine Sword City was the most bustling city in Xuanjiang Prefecture.
Its prosperity even surpassed the prefecture capital, Great River City.
Now, with the Hundred Sects Ceremony approaching, everyone in Xuanjiang Prefecture knew about the event, and people flocked to Divine Sword City.
Leaders from various sects convened for discussions, and elite disciples competed.
Ordinary people seized the opportunity to make money. As a result, merchants gathered here in large numbers.
With all these factors combined, Divine Sword City was more than five times busier than usual!
Looking at the grand city, Zhao Ting, Liu Yunxuan, and the others felt a surge of ambition.
Everyone wanted to become stronger. They also wanted to compete against the best and prove themselves.
This was the perfect stage for them to shine!
Xiao Fan, standing beside Shen Mo, was filled with admiration. "No wonder they call it the number one city in Xuanjiang Prefecture!"
Luo Shengnan snorted, "What do you mean by that? Are you belittling our sect while praising others?"
"Our Qingxuan Sect was once one of the top five sects of Xuanjiang, on par with the Divine Sword Sect!"
Xiao Fan smiled awkwardly and withdrew his comments.
Liu Yuanfeng spoke calmly, "You can't just focus on the past glories of Qingxuan Sect and ignore the current strength of others."
Luo Shengnan couldn't find a retort and turned away, not bothering to engage with Liu Yuanfeng since she wasn't part of his faction.
"Let's go! Follow me into the city," Murong Yue said calmly.
Everyone followed. The city gates were open.
A squad of silver-armored soldiers stood guard on either side of the gate.
The appearance of the Azure Feather Eagle had already caught their attention.
As the Qingxuan Sect members approached, the leading silver-armored general bowed respectfully, "May I ask which sect you are from?"
Murong Yue replied, "Qingxuan Sect. I am the Sect Master, Murong Yue."
The silver-armored general's respect deepened. He signaled a nearby soldier to record the name and handed over a token.
"Sect Master Murong, this is the token for your lodging."
He then called over another soldier, "You, guide the Qingxuan Sect members to their quarters."
"Yes!" The soldier nodded and took the lead.
Along the way, passersby curiously glanced at Shen Mo and his group.
Especially Murong Yue at the front. Her stunning beauty drew many eyes.
However, they only dared to look and not entertain any thoughts. Recently, many sects had arrived from across Xuanjiang Prefecture.
The leaders of these sects were invariably Core Formation cultivators.
The cold and beautiful woman leading this group was evidently a Sect Master, likely a Core Formation cultivator as well.
Disrespecting a Core Formation cultivator would undoubtedly lead to severe consequences.
Before long, they arrived at a large residence.
Above the entrance hung a plaque with three elegant characters: "Hidden Dragon Pavilion."
Two silver-armored soldiers stood guard at the entrance of Hidden Dragon Pavilion.
After Murong Yue showed the token, they allowed entry.
The guide then returned to the city gate. The group entered Hidden Dragon Pavilion.
The residence was spacious, divided into various sections.
It had serene woods, clear lakes, large rock formations, winding paths, and elegant pavilions. There were even several large martial arts arenas where cultivators could practice their skills.
Murong Yue led the group around for a while.
Zhao Rou asked in confusion, "Sect Master, it seems like we've been here before."
Murong Yue paused, "Ah... have we?"
Shen Mo smacked his lips. If nothing else, it seemed like something unexpected had happened—they were lost.
He hadn't expected his master to have a poor sense of direction despite her beauty.
He glanced at Murong Yue and noticed a blush on her fair cheeks.
Evidently, she had realized she had led them the wrong way. At that moment, figures appeared before them.
A group of people dressed in blue robes with mountain and water motifs embroidered on their chests came into view.
Shen Mo's eyes narrowed.
BLUErobes with mountain and water embroidery—it was the Heavenly Water Sect!
In the past, the Qingxuan Sect was one of the top five sects of Xuanjiang.
But an accident caused them to lose more than half of their Core Formation cultivators, drastically weakening their overall strength.
The Heavenly Water Sect took advantage of the situation and defeated the Qingxuan Sect.
Ultimately, they gained recognition from the other four sects and joined the ranks of the top five sects in Xuanjiang.
Since then, the Qingxuan Sect had declined to a second-rate sect, retreating to its former stronghold, only controlling three cities.
As a result, there was old animosity between the Qingxuan Sect and the Heavenly Water Sect.
Now, meeting face to face, their hostility was evident.
Leading the Heavenly Water Sect was a tall, beautiful woman, much like Murong Yue.
However, while Murong Yue was cold and aloof, this woman was sinister and cold, with thin lips indicating a harsh personality.
"Well, well, isn't this Sect Master Murong? I didn't expect our two sects to be staying together," the Heavenly Water Sect Master said with a mocking smile.
Murong Yue's expression remained calm, "Let's go."
But the Heavenly Water Sect Master blocked her way, "I heard your Qingxuan Sect has a disciple with a Heaven-grade physique. Who is it? Let us from the Heavenly Water Sect have a look."
The disciples of the Heavenly Water Sect all cast their eyes towards the Qingxuan Sect disciples.
They had heard this rumor too.
It was said that not long ago, there was a pillar of flame reaching the sky from the Qingxuan Sect.
The phenomenon was extremely grand, surely caused by the awakening of a Heaven-grade physique.
However, the Qingxuan Sect had not confirmed this news.
Murong Yue said coldly, "Whether we have a Heaven-grade physique or not is none of your concern."
The Heavenly Water Sect Master smiled, "What about an Earth-grade physique? I heard your Qingxuan Sect also has a mid-grade Earth physique, the Fiery Battle Body, right? Is it Xiao Fan?"
"Which one of you is Xiao Fan?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fan straightened his back and puffed out his chest with a proud look on his face.
He hadn't expected the Heavenly Water Sect Master to know his name! He must be feeling extremely excited inside.
The Heavenly Water Sect Master saw his expression and couldn't help but laugh, "You must be Xiao Fan? Not bad, not bad. If the Qingxuan Sect doesn't work out for you, you're welcome to join our Heavenly Water Sect."
"I'll personally make sure our doors are open for you!"
Xiao Fan didn't dare say much, he could only bow respectfully.
Murong Yue frowned, "Poaching my disciples right in front of me, Shui Qingyan, as a sect master, you really have no shame."
The Heavenly Water Sect Master laughed heartily and walked past Shen Mo and the others with her disciples.
As she left, Shui Qingyan sneered, "Murong Yue, I remember the last Hundred Sects Ceremony, your Qingxuan Sect ranked twenty-sixth. How low will you fall this time? Thirty? Forty?"
"Hahahahaha!"
Murong Yue remained silent. The term "Hundred Sects Ceremony" was figurative.
Just as numbers like three, six, and nine often had figurative meanings in ancient texts.
Although called the Hundred Sects Ceremony, in reality, at most fifty sects qualified to participate.
After all, such sects needed at least one Core Formation cultivator to oversee them.
Most Core Formation cultivators preferred to be elders in powerful sects rather than struggling to manage a sect on their own, having to acquire all resources themselves.
"This time, the Qingxuan Sect will not repeat the same mistakes," Murong Yue declared loudly.
Shui Qingyan snorted coldly and said no more.