173: Chapter 173 The Cloud Sea Ceremony is about to begin

In Medicine King Valley, Danchenzi and Dan Qingzi joined forces to issue a valley-sealing order, suspending all external contact while conducting a thorough investigation of every Disciple and Elder within the valley.

Although they did not find any hidden agents from the Shadow Pavilion, they did unearth a few spies from the Western Regions during the screening process. While they were only minor characters, it was enough to put Medicine King Valley on high alert.

News arrived successively from the Piaomiao Sect, Qingyang Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, and Nanli Dynasty, each reporting varying degrees of infiltration discovered during their internal investigations.

Although most of the Shadow Pavilion's operatives had evacuated overnight after the incident at Muyun Villa, the flaws and remaining traces left behind in their haste were still enough for each faction to follow the clues and clear out a batch of internal spies and informants.

Seven days later, Zhouwu Dynasty, Taihe Hall.

Seven figures sat on both sides of a long table in the hall. Spiritual tea steamed on the table, emitting curling fragrance, but the atmosphere in the hall was anything but relaxed.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu sat in the main seat, a hint of lingering gravity between his brows.

Daoist Ziyang sat at his left hand, followed by Daoist Yunlan, Lord Yangtian, and Elder Jianchi in order, while Yang Qingtian and Ancestor Xu Tianyan sat opposite them.

"Regarding the Shadow Pavilion, I presume you are all already aware," Ancestor Zhou Huaixu spoke first, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"The Xuanyuan Dynasty has cleared out the most clues. Fellow Daoist Xu, why don't you tell everyone about it."

Ancestor Xu Tianyan nodded and took a Jade Slip from his sleeve, placing it on the table: "The secret archives of the Xie Family recorded the detailed accounts of the cooperation between the Shadow Pavilion and the Xie Family, including the number of people abducted, the destinations they were sent to, and the identity markers of some contacts."

"Following these clues, I traced the leads and cleared out over thirty hidden lines within the Imperial Dynasty, involving twelve cities, six small to medium Sects, and three Families. At the same time, I also discovered traces of several spies from the Central Plains and the Western Regions."

"The Central Plains?" Lord Yangtian frowned. "Which faction from the Central Plains?"

Ancestor Xu Tianyan shook his head: "The specific identity could not be confirmed; the trail was cut off halfway, as if someone had erased it beforehand. However, judging by their style of conduct, it looks like the work of the three major Families."

There was a moment of silence in the hall. Ancestor Zhou Huaixu tapped on the table: "The Shadow Pavilion has been planning in the Southern Wilderness for a long time. According to the clues currently mastered, they have been operating for at least ten years."

"If not for the incident with the Xie Family, I fear we would only have realized it when they truly made their move."

Daoist Ziyang spoke, his voice hoarse: "Medicine King Valley also discovered spies from the Western Regions during their self-investigation. Although they were only small characters, it shows that it is not just the Shadow Pavilion eyeing the Southern Wilderness."

"The Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony is about to be held. When the time comes, Prodigies from the five regions will gather in the Southern Wilderness. With more people, there will naturally be more informants," Daoist Yunlan looked at everyone.

"Although the hidden agents of the Shadow Pavilion and other factions are currently dormant, no one can guarantee that they will not take advantage of the chaos during the Grand Ceremony."

There was another silence in the hall.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu finally spoke: "The Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony is a decree from the heavens; it cannot be postponed because of the Shadow Pavilion's affairs. However, precautions cannot be slackened. In addition to each faction clearing out their internal affairs, we must also strengthen the vigilance during the Grand Ceremony."

He looked at everyone: "The Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony will be held at the Cloud Peak Ancient City in the central part of the Southern Wilderness. All parties will send people to attend."

"We shall each dispatch Disciples and retainers to form a joint patrol team responsible for order and safety during the Grand Ceremony. At the same time, each faction will continue to self-investigate the remnants of the Shadow Pavilion to ensure no hidden dangers remain."

The six people looked at each other and nodded one after another.

The seven people discussed in the hall for another half an hour, finalizing the specific personnel, division of responsibilities for the joint patrol team, as well as the time limits and standards for each faction's self-investigation, before dispersing.

Seven figures turned into streams of light, darting out of Taihe Hall and flying in different directions.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stood in front of the hall, watching the six people leave, his gaze carrying an indescribable heaviness.

The matter of the Shadow Pavilion had been temporarily suppressed, but he had a faint premonition that these were merely ripples before the storm.

—

Cloud Peak Ancient City is located on the top of an isolated peak in the central part of the Southern Wilderness. It is rumored that this peak was created by a great power in ancient times using heaven-defying means to flatten the top of the peak.

Spanning dozens of miles, its walls are as if carved, rising straight into the clouds, surrounded by rolling seas of clouds all year round, hence the name Cloud Peak.

Usually, this city is deserted, with only a few Cultivators stationed there to manage it.

However, as the date of the Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony approaches, this city of cloud tops, which has been silent for hundreds of years, is becoming lively at an astonishing speed.

The first to arrive were the Disciples of the nearby small and medium-sized factions.

They arrived in the city several days in advance, occupying various inns and courtyards, strolling through the city every day, exchanging information with familiar Cultivators, and scouting for strong competitors for this Grand Ceremony.

Subsequently, the teams from the Seven Great Factions of the Southern Wilderness arrived one after another. They each chartered an area in the city, erected flags, and set up Restrictions, looking very much like they were each occupying a territory.

It was currently afternoon, and sunlight filtered through the rolling sea of clouds, spilling onto the gray stone streets of the ancient city, enveloping the entire city in a warm halo.

In the square in the center of the city, many people had already gathered.

Several tall jade pillars stood around the square, carved with runes. These were the foundations of the Formation used for the duels during the Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony, currently inactive.

But the faint flow of spiritual power fluctuations already made those present feel an invisible pressure.

Under a tea shed on the edge of the square, a few figures sat around a wooden table, their eyes fixed on the open space in the center of the square.

"The competition in this Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony is likely to be more intense than in previous years."

A young Cultivator in gray-green robes put down his teacup and swept his gaze across the square.

"I heard that the Qingyang Sect has sent Chu Xuan this time, a Middle Stage Void Refining expert. It is said that he defeated seven fellow Disciples in a row during the Sect competition, his attainments in the Dao of the sword are extremely high, and he has already cultivated the Qingyang Sword Art to the seventh level."

"Chu Xuan? I've heard of him," a Cultivator in white replied.

"During last year's Sect trial of the Qingyang Sect, he broke through seven barriers by himself. In the last barrier, he faced a Clone of one of the Sect's Elders and managed to hold on for half an hour before being defeated."

"It is said that the Elder commented afterwards that this child will surely achieve great things in the future."

"The Piaomiao Sect is not bad either," another Cultivator joined the conversation, his voice lowered.

"I heard that Mu Qing of the Piaomiao Sect will also participate. Although she is not a Disciple who specializes in combat, the movement techniques of the Piaomiao Sect are known for being elusive and unpredictable. Coupled with her Ice Heart Alchemy Method, ordinary opponents cannot even touch the corner of her clothes."

"Mu Qing? She went to that Alchemy competition at Medicine King Valley, right? I remember she was in third place at that time, refining a Profound Rank Advanced Medium Grade Medicinal Pill."

The Cultivator in gray-green combat attire thought for a moment, "However, Alchemy is Alchemy, and fighting is fighting. Whether she can fight or not remains to be seen."