At the mention of Mount Wanjue, everyone present—without exception—visibly paled.
Even a dog would tuck its tail and whimper at the name.
Why were there so few powerful cultivators in Yong'an City?
Simple. Because it was located right next to Mount Wanjue.
And Mount Wanjue… it was the most dangerous of the Ten Great Death Zones in all of Northern Qianzhou.
Not only did it offer no spiritual energy for cultivation, but it actively drained the cultivation base of anyone who entered.
To put it bluntly, even a Celestial Stage cultivator who had endured tribulation lightning would be completely drained within ten days of entering.
None of the other nine death zones were this extreme.
"Mount Wanjue…" Elder Xu's projected image also changed color instantly, before forcing a stiff smile onto his face.
The shock and the smile twisted his old features like a wrung-out rag.
"I've already reformed Mount Wanjue," Tara York said casually, noting his concern. "It's no longer one of the death zones."
"Amazing! Truly impressive, my lady," Elder Xu immediately began shamelessly flattering her. "To even transform a death zone—this old man is in awe."
"Nothing worth mentioning." Tara smiled and waved her hand.
Hearing this, Elder Xu became even more respectful.
Just look at that.
The most terrifying of the death zones, feared by all, and she just… reformed it.
He'd lived so many years and had never even heard of someone modifying a death zone.
If anyone else had said that to him, he would've spat in their face.
"It's time to return," Tara said, triggering her space with a thought.
A dragon's roar and a phoenix's cry split the skies.
The next second, a five-clawed golden dragon and a nine-colored phoenix appeared, pulling a resplendent purple-gold carriage into the sky.
After all, she still needed Elder Xu's help recruiting disciples.
So when it came time to make a show… she was going all out.
The stronger and more outrageous she appeared, the more effort Elder Xu would put in.
As expected, the moment the dragon and phoenix appeared, Elder Xu's projection froze like he'd been struck by lightning.
His jaw dropped, his eyes bulged, and it looked like it was taking all his strength just to keep them from falling out.
In the span of a few seconds, the words What the hell? repeated in his head at least dozens of times.
A five-clawed golden dragon. A nine-colored phoenix.
Aren't those supposed to be… legendary divine beasts?
And she was using them… as a carriage team?
"Wanwan, say goodbye to your grandfather," Tara said.
"Yes," Jiang Wanwan responded, voice trembling with respect as she walked to Jiang Huai.
"Grandfather, I'm going with the Sect Leader now. Please take care of yourself."
She had been raised by her grandfather after losing both parents as a child.
"Go ahead," Jiang Huai said, gently ruffling her hair, his tone full of reluctant affection. "Do your best in the sect. Don't worry about home."
"I will." Jiang Wanwan nodded. "If I get the chance, I'll come visit you."
Once the farewell was done, Jiang Wanwan returned to Tara's side. "Sect Leader, I'm ready."
Tara nodded, then blinked them both into the purple-gold carriage.
Jiang Wanwan sat stiffly at the side, too tense to move.
This was a carriage pulled by divine beasts, after all.
"Elder Xu, I look forward to good news," Tara said from her seat, glancing down at the still-frozen projection of Elder Xu.
"Yes! I will not disappoint you, my lady!" Elder Xu finally snapped out of it and bowed hastily.
"Let's go," Tara waved her hand.
The dragon and phoenix soared into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
With that, the disciple recruitment event in Yong'an City came to an end.
"Brother Jiang, I am Xu Wen, Elder of Myriad Sword Peak in the Misty Sect." Elder Xu's projection still moved stiffly, like a marionette.
"I've heard of you, Elder Xu." Jiang Huai responded politely, though without any sycophancy.
After all, he was now part of the Star-Moon Sect's official network and had just received so many treasures. He had to stand tall.
Otherwise, wouldn't he be embarrassing his sect?
"No need to be so formal—just call me Brother Xu," Xu Wen said with a chuckle. "I'm only a few years older. If you don't mind…"
"Then I shall take you up on that, Brother Xu." Jiang Huai straightened his spine as he smiled.
Elder Xu's old face wrinkled with glee. "I'm the one honored to be called that, honestly."
"Though I may have a decent status, I'm still worlds apart from your Sect Leader. Even calling it the difference between clouds and mud would be insulting to the mud."
"Your family has been personally acknowledged by the Sect Leader as an affiliate of the Star-Moon Sect, and with a talented girl like Wanwan, your rise is inevitable."
As he spoke, Elder Xu casually took out over a dozen mid and lower grade tier-4 spiritual tools and stacked them before Jiang Huai.
"A small gift. Nothing much, but I hope you'll accept it."
Of course it couldn't compare to what Tara had gifted.
But for the Jiang family—and for Yong'an City—this was already a huge deal.
"You're too kind, Brother Xu," Jiang Huai said, trying to decline.
"Don't rush to say no," Elder Xu laughed and took his hand like an old friend. "I'll admit—I have selfish motives."
"When your family soars to greatness, it'll reflect well on me to say I was there from the beginning."
He did want to join the Star-Moon Sect, but there was no guarantee.
The Jiang family, however, was already officially affiliated. And Wanwan was now a disciple.
He couldn't afford to miss this chance.
"Besides, to serve as a proper affiliate, you'll need strength. Otherwise, how will you carry out the Sect Leader's orders?"
"With high-grade spiritual tools, your strength will skyrocket. It's an investment."
Seeing Jiang Huai still hesitant, Elder Xu added, "At worst, you can just return the favor with a better gift later."
"Then I shall accept with gratitude," Jiang Huai finally agreed.
He knew exactly what Xu Wen was hinting at.
That's why he'd hesitated—afraid Xu Wen might ask Wanwan to curry favor with the Sect Leader.
He'd never drag Wanwan down like that.
But with that final sentence as assurance, he relaxed.
If a favor could be repaid with something tangible, it was nothing to fear.
Elder Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's getting late. I should return. I'll visit again next time I come to Yong'an."
"In that case, I won't keep you," Jiang Huai replied with a bow.
Elder Xu smiled, and then his projection dispersed—his true self had recalled it.
The remaining disciples from the Misty Sect looked at each other.
Elder Xu had left without taking them.
Senior Brother Cao Ren—no, that dog Cao Ren—was already dead.
But with the Misty Sect over ten thousand li away… how would they get back?
Walk? Or take a carriage?
That could take years.
Unless…
They exchanged glances silently.
The Star-Moon Sect was recruiting disciples too.
With their sixth-grade spiritual roots, they might not qualify as formal outer disciples, but maybe they could make it in as menial ones?
And the sect was only three thousand li away—way closer.
After a few moments of wordless agreement, they made their decision.
Once they reached the foot of Mount Wanjue, they would swear an oath to sever ties with the Misty Sect—
And join the Star-Moon Sect instead.
There are three ways to leave a sect.
The first is to break the rules and be expelled by the law enforcement elder—often resulting in one's cultivation being crippled.
The second is to seek the sect's permission to leave—though the chances of approval are slim.
The third is by swearing an Oath to Heaven and Earth.
But such an oath is not something to be made lightly. Once it is proclaimed to the heavens, it signifies one's absolute determination to sever ties with the sect.
Everything one has gained from the sect—after subtracting the value of one's contributions—will vanish.
This includes, but is not limited to, cultivation, spiritual treasures, and so on.
However, in exchange, the sect may no longer trouble you.
If they do, divine punishment will descend.
Of course, this method is invalid for anyone already guilty of betraying the sect.
That said, few would ever choose this path.
Unless utterly desperate.
But clearly, those disciples from the Misty Sect had already lost their heads, tempted by the Star-Moon Sect's wealth and power.
With their Grade Six spiritual roots, they were certain they'd be accepted.
As for their cultivation—well, they'd just start over.
Besides, from the extravagant manner of the Star-Moon Sect's leader, even a mere crumb from her hand would be more than what they had now.
As the saying goes, water flows downward, but people climb upward.
Their actions simply followed human nature.
After exchanging glances, they left Everpeace City together and headed north toward Mount Wanjué, full of hope for a brighter future.
Had even one of them glimpsed the recruitment criteria held by Elder Xu's projection, such thoughts would've never crossed their minds.
The departure of these Misty Sect disciples didn't stir any attention.
Everyone was too busy flattering Jiang Huai.
City Lord Liang Suichao even boldly offered his fifteen-year-old daughter to Jiang Huai as a concubine.
Jiang Huai flatly refused.
Otherwise, how would he be any different from that decrepit old man of the Zhao clan?
The leaders of the Crimson Feather Sect, Azure Mist Sect, Twin Polar Palace, and Blazing Sun Pavilion all gathered around Jiang Huai, showering him with pleasantries.
Listening to their endless buzzing, Jiang Huai felt utterly refreshed.
Just then, the Zhao clan arrived.
The branch members and several guest elders had no qualms dragging along the clan head, his son and grandson, as well as several confidants—all tightly bound.
It took quite a bit of rope.
Only their heads were left visible.
Zhao Dong, from the branch family, stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Patriarch Jiang, the Zhao clan has long committed evil. Today, we choose righteousness over blood ties. I beg you to spare us."
The clan head roared in fury, "Traitors!"
But that was all he could muster.
He could no longer rely on Zhao Wuwei's name, nor the Misty Sect's.
Didn't they just see Elder Xu from the Misty Sect acting like a beaten dog before the Star-Moon Sect's leader?
Jiang Huai glanced at the Zhao clan head.
The old man shivered, then stiffened and snorted defiantly.
There was no chance for reconciliation between them.
Just yesterday, he had plotted to wipe out the Jiang family after the apprentice selection ceremony.
His hands were already stained with Jiang family blood.
No way this could end peacefully.
Pleading would only invite ridicule.
But his youngest son lacked such resolve. Crying and sniveling, he begged, "Grandpa Jiang, you're a magnanimous man. Please spare me."
"All the schemes against your family were the idea of that old bastard. I had nothing to do with it!"
"I'm just a spoiled young master—drinking, gambling, that's all!"
"Oh, right—I know where the Zhao clan treasury is!"
"And the old bastard's secret stash too. I can even open it."
"As long as you spare me, I'll be your loyal dog!"
His words made the clan head nearly faint from rage, lips trembling so hard he couldn't even speak. "You… you unfilial scum!"
If not for his cultivation holding him together, he might have dropped dead from sheer anger.
"Those who kill must pay with their lives. Debts must be repaid," Jiang Huai said coldly, casting another glance at the Zhao clan head.
The onlookers immediately echoed in agreement.
"City Lord Liang, I hope you'll uphold the law and handle this justly," Jiang Huai said, smiling at Liang Suichao.
The surprise came so suddenly that Liang Suichao froze for a moment.
It wasn't until his daughter gave him a nudge that he snapped out of it.
He quickly patted his chest and pledged, "Rest assured, Patriarch Jiang. I'll see this through and restore peace to Everpeace City."
"Punish the guilty, but don't wrong the innocent," Jiang Huai added, glancing again at Zhao Dong.
"Naturally," Liang Suichao replied knowingly.
"That's enough. Everyone, disperse," Jiang Huai raised a hand.
The surroundings quieted instantly.
"Three days from now, the Jiang clan will host a banquet. I hope you'll all attend."
At Misty Sect, Sword Summit.
After withdrawing his soul projection, Elder Xu Wen fondly toyed with the Azure Flame Mirror.
He hadn't felt this excited since holding hands with his first love.
After a full quarter-hour, he finally rose and flew straight to the top of the sect's main hall, striking the grand sect bell.
A deafening toll echoed across the entire Misty Sect.
The bell was used only for important gatherings. Depending on urgency, it could be rung one to nine times.
Xu Wen struck it nine times.
The Nine Tolling Chimes—an event that shook the Misty Sect to its core.
Since its founding, the Misty Sect had never heard nine chimes.
Not even during the great invasion years ago—it had only tolled six.
This was unprecedented.
The elders of each peak, regardless of what they were doing, stopped everything and rushed to the main hall.
Inner disciples also swarmed in droves, each asking others but receiving no answers.
Sect Leader Gu Chenyuan was in seclusion but was startled awake by the chimes.
At first, he feared a powerful enemy had attacked.
But his spiritual sense revealed no intruders.
Without delay, he made his way to the main hall.
First to arrive was Elder Yu Ruyi of Jade Maiden Peak—icy and aloof, like a snow lotus blooming on a mountaintop. Even her voice carried a frosty chill.
"Elder Xu, did you ring the bell?"
Before Xu Wen could reply, Lin Danhua of Purple Dawn Peak barged in, yelling, "Old Xu, are you insane!?"
Soon after, Gu Chenyuan arrived, along with Holy Son Xiao Huohuo and the elders of the other nine peaks.
Disciples crowded outside the main hall, all anxious and confused.
More kept arriving.
"Elder Xu, what's going on? Why nine chimes today?" Gu Chenyuan asked gravely.
"It's something monumental!" Xu Wen replied, barely containing his excitement. "Perhaps… a great opportunity for our Misty Sect."
"But before I say anything, please calm the disciples and send them away."
Gu Chenyuan nodded and used a voice projection spell to dismiss the disciples.
Then he looked back at Xu Wen.
Xu Wen took a deep breath. Lin Danhua couldn't help blurting out, "Did you find some incredible secret realm!?"