Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Nine-layered Dragon Cloud Western Region, Ye City!

This is a not-so-small city, with numerous family sects within it. Among them, the two largest forces are called Hidden Blade Sect and Jade Sword Sect.

Just by hearing the names of these sects, one knows that one excels in the use of blades, and the other in swords. Because of the competition for territory in Ye City, the two are incompatible as water and fire, their open and covert struggles are no secret.

Today, Hidden Blade Sect is abuzz with festivities, almost all the sect leaders of Ye City’s various forces have been invited. This even includes Daoist Jade Sword, the Sect Master of Jade Sword Sect.

It’s worth noting that every Sect Master of Jade Sword Sect naturally has their own name, but once they succeed as the sect master, they abandon their original name and are uniformly called Daoist Jade Sword. It’s unclear whether this is a sect tradition.

Jade Sword Sect and Hidden Blade Sect have always been incompatible as water and fire. Originally, the Sect Leader of Hidden Blade Sect sent an invitation to Jade Sword Sect for today’s event of marrying his daughter-in-law, intending to irk Jade Sword Sect. Unexpectedly, Daoist Jade Sword came with the invitation in hand, truly "congratulating."

The arrival of Daoist Jade Sword caught Xu Shitong, the Sect Leader of Hidden Blade Sect, quite off guard. But today is the Xu family’s great joyous occasion, he certainly couldn’t kick the guest out, hence he could only sulk inwardly, outwardly maintaining a warm demeanor.

It seems Daoist Jade Sword is genuinely not here to stir trouble this time. Seated in the upper seat, he chats and laughs with the guests beside him, whereas the sect leaders of those small families and small sects feel uneasy.

Though Daoist Jade Sword hasn’t shown hostility, the fact that the sword and blade sects of Ye City are notoriously at odds is well known. With Daoist Jade Sword attending Hidden Blade Sect’s celebration today, it exudes a sense of peculiarity, fearing collateral damages.

Yet leaving at this moment might offend Hidden Blade Sect, leading these guests who came originally with excitement to sit in edge with unease, fearing a sudden outbreak of war.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

While diverse thoughts swirl among the people, the herald at the door finally raises his voice, and then a red shadow flashes by the entrance as two young people dressed in bright red wedding robes step inside.

Among them, the young man in red robes is Xu Qingshan, the only son of Sect Leader Xu Shitong of Hidden Blade Sect, also the top talent of the younger generation in Hidden Blade Sect. Mastering the "Hidden Sky Saber Technique" to an extraordinary degree, he is the indisputable choice for the next sect leader of Hidden Blade Sect.

Beside Xu Qingshan, the elegant figure shrouded by a red veil is naturally his newlywed wife.

It’s worth mentioning that his wife, while possessing some cultivation, isn’t very strong in terms of power. Xu truly loves her, so he finally married her.

Originally, Sect Leader Xu Shitong was against this marriage, believing his talented son deserves a match from a family of equal footing. Ultimately, he couldn’t resist and reluctantly agreed.

With matters as they are, Xu Shitong, while still dissatisfied, would not show it at this moment. Seated firmly as the chief, he watches his son and daughter-in-law with a face full of smiles, feeling relieved at heart.

"Hmph, disaster is looming, yet they’re oblivious!"

Just as Xu Shitong watched the newlyweds bow to him, his face revealing a delighted smile, a young figure behind the Jade Sword Sect Master voiced this in a soft tone.

Upon these words, Daoist Jade Sword couldn’t help but turn back to glare fiercely at the young man, prompting the latter to immediately shut his mouth. Even if he held disdain for Hidden Blade Sect, he wouldn’t dare act presumptuously before the Jade Sword Sect Master.

The speaking young man is Zhuo Bufeng, the favored disciple of Daoist Jade Sword. His strength is comparable to that of the Hidden Blade Sect princely heir Xu Qingshan, truly a rare genius.

Given the animosity between Hidden Blade Sect and Jade Sword Sect, naturally, these two exceptional talents have never viewed each other favorably. They’ve clashed both openly and covertly countless times without anyone gaining the upper hand.

Knowing certain matters, Zhuo Bufeng couldn’t help but ridicule Xu Qingshan’s blissful demeanor, though the upheaval had yet to arrive, Daoist Jade Sword naturally wouldn’t reveal prematurely.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

"Second bow to the high elders!"

"Husband and wife face..."

"Hold on!"

At first, everything proceeds routinely, Xu Shitong watches his beloved son and daughter-in-law with a smile, any prior discontent now completely dissipated. He already imagines when he might hold a grandchild.

Yet when the third voice from the officiator resounded, a sudden voice from outside the hall turned the entire hall abruptly silent, with numerous Xu family cultivators shooting angry glares to see who was being so thoughtless.

It’s vital to know that this is the auspicious moment, missing it would be deemed inauspicious for the ceremony, even the Jade Sword sect duo refrained from trouble at this juncture, yet surprisingly someone dared ignore the risk.

The newlyweds just faced each other, ready for the final step, but now paused at the spot, they’re inevitably feeling embarrassed, especially Xu Qingshan, whose eyes flashed with unhidden coldness.

"Since you’re here, come in and enjoy a cup of celebratory wine!"

The Master of the Hidden Blade Sect, Xu Shitong, remained surprisingly composed. Seated steadily in his chair, he let out a heavy shout that echoed in the hall, with a faint clangor reverberating.

Upon his words, all eyes turned to the entrance of the hall, quietly wondering who had the audacity and whether they dared to truly heed Xu Shitong’s call and enter the hall for a wedding toast.

Only the master and disciple of the Jade Sword Sect, with a faint smile on their faces, seemed to have expected this turn of events, now waiting to enjoy the spectacle.

"Good!"

As Xu Shitong’s words fell, a response echoed from outside, stirring the guests’ attentions, and making the Hidden Blade Sect Master feel a twinge of familiarity with the voice.

Tap, tap, tap...

As everyone pondered, a shadow flickered at the entrance, followed by a large group striding in. Upon seeing the middle-aged man leading them, everyone’s expressions changed.

"Isn’t that Liu Wenzong, the Supervisor of the Ye City Emperor Palace Department? What is he doing here?"

An elderly man with graying hair, who had evidently seen the person before, cried out involuntarily, making all the cultivators who found the face familiar finally realize.

The scale of Ye City is not smaller than Yongxiu City, so it’s only natural for the Emperor Canglong Palace to establish its department in such a grand city. Yet, judging by Liu Wenzong’s expression, he doesn’t seem to be here with good intentions.

Generally speaking, the Emperor Palace Department holds the absolute sway in a city like this, but due to its special status, it usually doesn’t get involved in the conflicts between typical family sects, like the apparent and hidden disputes between the Hidden Blade Sect and the Jade Sword Sect.

This kind of aloofness comes from a sense of privilege; even if someone appealed to the Emperor Palace Department, they would remain indifferent, let alone offer any assistance.

Unlike today, when Xu Shitong of the Hidden Blade Sect held a wedding banquet, he had indeed thought about inviting the chief of the Emperor Palace Department. But he knew that, even if he did, the other party would certainly not come, so why bother making such a useless effort?

However, now, Liu Wenzong of the Ye City Emperor Palace Department came uninvited, interrupting the wedding just moments ago. The expression on Xu Shitong of the Hidden Blade Sect turned quite ugly, for this certainly didn’t look like a congratulatory visit.

"Ah, it’s truly an honor for the Hidden Blade Sect to be graced by the presence of Supervisor Liu," Xu Shitong said, his heart full of doubts, but not showing it on his face. At this moment, even the anger from having his wedding disrupted seemed to vanish, as he approached with a slight smile.

Recalling the scene from days ago when he met Liu Wenzong, Xu Shitong suddenly somewhat understood the other’s intention in coming. However, for Liu Wenzong to choose a moment like this, was indeed a bit underhanded.

"Master Xu, I believe you should know the purpose of my visit. Have you thought over that matter?"

Liu Wenzong wasn’t here to exchange pleasantries with Xu Shi’an. With a cold expression, he went straight to the point, but upon his words, all but the master and disciple of the Jade Sword Sect seemed puzzled.

"That matter? What matter?"

Even some cultivators of the Hidden Blade Sect were left wondering, as such significant matters wouldn’t easily be shared with the low rank cultivators by their Sect Master Xu Shitong.

"I’m sorry, Supervisor Liu, but the Hidden Blade Sect has been passed down for eight generations since its founding. I can’t let it end with me. You’ll have to forgive me if I disappoint you."

Seeing the other party being straightforward, Xu Shitong had no choice but to face the reality. His words stirred the guests’ hearts, while the members of the Hidden Blade Sect trembled violently.

Although Xu Shitong still didn’t specify what the matter was, from his tone, everyone understood that the so-called major issue was actually about discontinuing the Hidden Blade Sect’s legacy, something they couldn’t possibly agree to.

"Xu Shitong, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Merging with our Emperor Palace Department doesn’t disgrace the Hidden Blade Sect, does it?"

Liu Wenzong’s face finally showed a flare of anger. Upon his words, those who were puzzled earlier finally understood what the argument was about.

"So, the Emperor Palace Department wants to annex the Hidden Blade Sect!"

Someone whispered, their face turning odd, especially since they were also a sect master, and though their sect wasn’t as large as the Hidden Blade Sect, the prospect now made them worried.

For some smaller family chiefs, however, the idea of merging with the Emperor Palace Department might actually seem advantageous, as gaining a powerful backer could be the perfect way to preserve their clan.

"Supervisor Liu, even though the Emperor Palace Department is ever so grand, I, Xu, am the eighth generation leader of the Hidden Blade Sect. I cannot do something that would disgrace the sect’s ancestral masters!"

Liu Wenzong’s words couldn’t change Xu Shitong’s mind. After he spoke, Liu’s face turned dark as water, with a faint murderous intent looming.

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