Chapter 294: Chapter 153: The Wind Rises_2

Chen Qing’s heart stirred. ’It seems today’s alliance meeting has truly struck a nerve with every faction involved.’

The Four Great Sects in the open, all sorts of shadowy figures in the dark, experts from other prefectures, representatives of the Court... They had all gathered here. The undercurrents were far more turbulent than he had imagined.

"Second Master He of Qixia Manor has arrived!"

The announcement rang out, and another commotion went through the crowd.

He Lanxin’s eyes lit up as she looked toward the entrance.

Yan Yaoyang also said, "Junior Brother Chen, my father-in-law has arrived. I’m going to go greet him."

With that, he and He Lanxin hurried over to greet them.

He Yueting could be seen approaching at a slow pace, surrounded by a large group of experts from Qixia Manor.

Yan Yaoyang stepped forward and bowed respectfully. He Yueting patted his shoulder and asked with concern about his injuries. He then spoke a few gentle words to his daughter before his gaze swept across the crowd, and he nodded in greeting to a few acquaintances.

At that moment, before the mountain gate of the Wutai Sect, the crowd had reached its peak. People from all factions mingled, their auras a chaotic and clamorous mess.

Three of the Four Great Sects had arrived. Only the recognized leader of Yunlin Prefecture—Cold Jade Valley and its Sect Leader, Leng Qianqiu—had yet to appear.

On the viewing platform beside the Wutai Sect’s main hall, the sect’s core upper echelon had already gathered.

Sect Leader He Yuzhou had not yet made an appearance, but several Deans and the Elders of the Internal Affairs Hall were already seated.

Hong Yuandong snorted coldly. "All the guests have arrived, but the main character is fashionably late. Sect Leader Leng’s airs are getting more and more exaggerated."

Chu Jinyun chimed in, "Brother Peng, can’t you see? She’s making us wait. It’s a show of dominance."

Peng Zhen’s brow was also furrowed. "Just playing mysterious! She’s just relying on her sect’s power to try and suppress our Wutai Sect."

Tan Yang looked displeased. "Suppress us? She wants to grind our faces into the dirt! The matter of Xiao Bieli injuring my disciple, Yao Yang, hasn’t even been settled, and now she pulls a stunt like this. Does she really think the Wutai Sect is a pushover?"

His voice rose, laced with anger.

And just as this tense atmosphere reached its peak—

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the clamor from the outer perimeter of the mountain gate suddenly intensified, surging inward layer by layer like a tidal wave.

"Sect Leader of Cold Jade Valley, Leng Qianqiu, has arrived!"

The announcer’s voice, bolstered by True Qi, cut through all the noise, ringing clearly across the entire plaza before the gate.

In an instant, a strange silence fell over the vast grounds. Everyone’s gaze, regardless of their private thoughts, was involuntarily drawn to the mountain gate’s entrance.

Chen Qing also focused his gaze on the entrance. ’I want to see her for myself,’ he thought. ’The woman who overshadowed all the other prodigies of her generation in Yunlin Prefecture, who has ruled the number one sect for decades. I wonder what she’s really like!’

A group of people approached at a slow pace. There were only a dozen or so of them, but their combined presence instantly subdued the entire crowd.

The person in the lead was dressed in the moon-white robes of the Cold Jade Valley Sect Leader, her sleeves fluttering in the wind. She appeared to be in her forties, her face so well-preserved that one could still see traces of her youthful splendor. But her features were shrouded in an unshakeable coldness and majesty, and her eyes were so deep and calm that no one dared to meet her gaze.

Her steps seemed unhurried, yet in just a few strides, she crossed the long walkway and arrived at the center of the plaza.

’What a powerful presence!’

Chen Qing felt a chill.

This Leng Qianqiu felt like a towering, unscalable peak of ice—imposing and unfathomable.

’No wonder Cold Jade Valley has held the top spot in Yunlin for so long.’

Two people followed half a step behind her.

On her left was Xiao Bieli, carrying a Long Sword on his back. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, and his aura was even more profound than it had been a few months ago.

On her right was a woman in a water-blue dress with a cool, detached air. It was Ye Qingyi.

"Hahahaha!"

A burst of hearty laughter shattered the silence. He Yuzhou strode out from the direction of the main hall, his face wreathed in a warm smile as he cupped his hands in greeting. "Sect Leader Leng, your grand arrival brings glory to our humble Wutai Sect! Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner, please forgive me!"

Leng Qianqiu stopped and looked at He Yuzhou, her expression impassive. "Sect Leader He, you are an exceptionally busy man. You have to manage this great sect and worry about the trivialities of the alliance. How could I dare trouble you to greet me personally?"

"You jest, Sect Leader Leng."

He Yuzhou’s smile didn’t waver, but his words were barbs wrapped in silk. "No matter how busy I get, I’m just looking after my own little corner of the world here at Dingbo Lake. How could I possibly compare to your labors, Sect Leader Leng?"

The two had only just met, and they had already sparred a round with words alone. It was as if invisible sparks flew between them.

Just then, Shi Kaishan also walked over. He cupped his fist toward Leng Qianqiu and said, "It’s been four years. Sect Leader Leng, your bearing is even more impressive than before, and your Power has advanced so much. It is truly enviable."

Leng Qianqiu’s gaze shifted to Shi Kaishan. "You flatter me, Sect Leader Shi," she said faintly. "I have only just emerged from my seclusion, yet I’ve already heard of how you displayed your might on Nine Waves Island, slaying remnants of the Demon Sect and, in one fell swoop, annihilating the Zheng Family for colluding with them. It was a great boost to the morale of Yunlin’s Righteous Path. Your contribution was immense."

An unreadable smile touched Shi Kaishan’s lips. "That victory was a group effort, not mine alone. Besides, the evidence that the Zheng Family and Nine Waves Island were colluding with the Demon Sect was ironclad, their crimes unpardonable. But I wonder, in your opinion, Sect Leader Leng, do such villains deserve to be exterminated?"

"They must be."

Leng Qianqiu answered without hesitation, her tone as sharp as steel. "Those who traffic with the Demon Sect can be killed by anyone!"

"Sect Leader Leng truly understands righteousness!" Shi Kaishan laughed.

He Yueting remained silent at the side, firmly remembering what the Great Manor Master had instructed him to do: observe the situation.

He Yuzhou cut in at the opportune moment, making an inviting gesture. "Sect Leader Leng, all of you have traveled a long way. Please, come inside for tea and a short rest..."

"There’s no need to trouble yourselves."

But Leng Qianqiu waved a hand, cutting He Yuzhou off. Her gaze swept over the entire assembly before finally landing on He Yuzhou’s face. Her voice carried clearly across the plaza. "Sect Leader He, we came here today for the primary purpose of discussing the grand plan to form an alliance against the Demon Sect. However, before we get to official business, we might as well settle a small matter first. It will keep my young disciple from being distracted and affecting the discussions to come."