Chapter 15: The Road to the Demon Suppression Event
Five days before the start of the Demon Suppression Event, the Supreme Celestial Sect's airship descended gracefully into Lingyun City. The airship, glistening with radiant Dao patterns etched along its surface, seemed to shimmer as it cut through the air, casting an ethereal glow on the city below. The people on the streets paused their busy activities, their gazes inevitably drawn to the strange vessel that had appeared in their sky. Though its design was impressive, the ship was unfamiliar to them, leaving many cultivators curious yet puzzled.
The Supreme Celestial Sect had never ventured outside of its floating island, and this was their first time making contact with the outside world. Zhang Xian stood at the bow of the airship, surveying the sprawling city before him. The wind whipped around his face, but his expression remained composed. He had expected more—perhaps something grander—but Lingyun City was bustling, teeming with cultivators of all ranks. It was a far cry from the serene isolation of his floating island, but it was a necessary step toward achieving his goals.
"This is only the beginning," Zhang Xian murmured, more to himself than anyone else. The Demon Suppression Event was fast approaching, and this city would serve as a valuable starting point for gauging the situation.
"Stay alert," Zhang Xian instructed his 30 cultivators. "We're here to scout the city. Suppress your cultivation to avoid drawing attention. Do not reveal your strength unless absolutely necessary. We need to blend in."
His voice was calm, but the undercurrent of authority in his words made it clear that this was no ordinary assignment. The cultivators nodded in agreement, immediately beginning to suppress their cultivation, their auras retreating deep into their bodies as they assumed ordinary appearances. They were to remain inconspicuous, their identities hidden behind the veil of anonymity.
Zhang Xian led his group toward the nearest inn, where they would spend the night before beginning their reconnaissance the following day. The streets of Lingyun were bustling with activity, and the inns were no different, crowded with various cultivators from sects and families across the land. It was here that they would begin their observation of the city, its people, and the upcoming Demon Suppression Event, which promised to be a stage for numerous factions to prove their strength.
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At the Inn
The inn was lively, filled with the chatter of travelers and cultivators exchanging information. As Zhang Xian and his group entered, they blended seamlessly into the crowd. They took a seat in a secluded corner, avoiding drawing any unnecessary attention. Despite their low profile, the murmurs of conversation were all around them.
One of the patrons, a middle-aged cultivator, looked toward Zhang Xian's group and whispered to his companion, "I've never seen a sect like this before. Who do you think they are?"
His companion, a younger cultivator with sharp eyes, frowned. "No idea. They've got that strange ship, but I don't recognize their insignia. Might be some new sect trying to make a name for itself, but they don't seem to have the strength to back it up."
Zhang Xian's cultivators exchanged glances but remained silent. Their task was to observe, not to engage. They had no intention of responding to such remarks.
"I wouldn't bet on them lasting long in the Demon Suppression Event," the younger cultivator continued, shaking his head. "If they're really some new sect, they'll probably be crushed by the bigger players, like the Lei Yun Sect."
The older cultivator nodded knowingly. "Lei Yun Sect, huh? They've got a strong reputation. But maybe these newcomers will surprise us. Still, if I were them, I'd keep a low profile. The Lei Yun Sect doesn't take kindly to anyone stepping on their toes."
The conversation drifted away, but the words lingered in the air. Zhang Xian's cultivators exchanged a few more glances, but no one spoke. They knew better than to let such small talk distract them. Zhang Xian remained calm, his mind focused on the task at hand.
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The Lei Yun Sect Cultivator – Wei Han Engages
The atmosphere in the inn shifted suddenly when a cultivator entered the room, his presence radiating arrogance and disdain. He was dressed in a dark purple robe adorned with intricate silver cloud patterns—an unmistakable symbol of the Lei Yun Sect. His name was Wei Han, a cultivator known not only for his skills but for his prideful nature. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the room as he walked in, and when they landed on Zhang Xian's group, a sneer spread across his face.
"Looks like we have some new players in town," Wei Han muttered to himself, his voice dripping with disdain. His gaze narrowed on Zhang Xian's group, and a malicious smirk tugged at his lips. "What are they even doing here?"
Wei Han strode confidently across the room, his steps deliberate and proud. He made his way toward one of Zhang Xian's cultivators, Zhao Wei, who was seated quietly at a corner table, his posture calm and unassuming. Wei Han stopped in front of him, his voice loud enough for the entire inn to hear.
"You're from the Supreme Celestial Sect, aren't you?" Wei Han sneered. "Don't bother pretending to be anything impressive. You're not even worth a footnote compared to the Lei Yun Sect."
Zhao Wei, however, remained unmoved. His expression was neutral, his eyes calm as he regarded the brash cultivator. "We have no business with you," Zhao Wei replied evenly.
Wei Han's smile widened at the response, his arrogance flaring. "Oh? You don't have business with me? You should be grateful I even acknowledge your existence. A sect like yours—new and unknown—will be wiped out before the event even begins. I'll make sure of it."
The tension in the air thickened as Wei Han's taunts echoed in the inn. The other patrons began to take notice, some whispering among themselves while others watched eagerly to see how this confrontation would unfold.
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Zhang Xian's Intervention
From his seat, Zhang Xian had been observing the situation carefully. The atmosphere had grown heavy, and it was clear that Wei Han's arrogance would not be easily defused by mere words. He rose from his seat with calm deliberation and walked toward the group, his presence cutting through the tension like a knife. The room fell silent as Zhang Xian approached Wei Han, his eyes locked onto the Lei Yun Sect cultivator.
Wei Han's eyes narrowed as he saw Zhang Xian for the first time. "So, you're the so-called 'Sect Master' of this weakling sect?" he mocked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Zhang Xian's expression remained impassive, his gaze unyielding. "I've heard enough," he said, his voice carrying a quiet but undeniable authority. "Leave. Now. Before you regret your words."
Wei Han's arrogance only flared in response. He laughed derisively, looking down at Zhang Xian with disdain. "Regret? I regret nothing. You and your pathetic sect will be crushed, along with that fancy Dao-patterned ship of yours. Don't think that will protect you. The Lei Yun Sect will dominate this event. You won't even make it past the preliminaries."
The tension in the inn reached its peak. Zhang Xian's cultivators stood, ready to defend their Sect Master, but Zhang Xian raised a hand to stop them. "No need to engage," he said calmly. "We're not here to make enemies."
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The Patron's Mockery
Wei Han left the inn with a final, mocking glance, his confidence unwavering. As he exited, the murmurs among the patrons intensified.
"Hah, did you hear that? The Supreme Celestial Sect is here to be cannon fodder," one of the men chuckled, turning to his friend.
Another patron snorted. "Who do they think they are, coming here like they're someone important? The Lei Yun Sect will crush them in the event. They don't even have the strength to stand in the same ring."
The laughter spread, and a few more patrons chimed in with mockery, dismissing the newcomers who had dared to step into their city. They spoke of the Lei Yun Sect's strength and how the Supreme Celestial Sect would be nothing more than a stepping stone.
Zhang Xian's cultivators exchanged uneasy glances, the ridicule stinging in the air. But Zhang Xian remained unfazed. His eyes were calm, his mind focused on the bigger picture.
"Let them talk," he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of years of experience. "We're not here to show off. Focus on the mission, not their mockery."
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Zhang Xian's Calm Leadership
As the noise in the inn died down, Zhang Xian turned back to his cultivators. The ridicule of the patrons and the arrogance of Wei Han lingered in the air, but Zhang Xian remained composed.
"We're here to observe," Zhang Xian said, his voice steady and firm. "Let them think whatever they want. When the time comes, we'll let our actions speak for us. We'll show them that the Supreme Celestial Sect is not to be underestimated."
The cultivators nodded, their confidence in their Sect Master unwavering. As the night drew on, they remained calm, focusing on the mission at hand, prepared to face whatever challenges the future might bring.
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End of Chapter 15