Chapter 134: The Ceremony Begins

On the way to the rostrum, Liu Junhuai eagerly inquired about the situation between Palace Master Fang and Bian Yanshan.

Fang Keyin replied with a somewhat suggestive tone, "The day you took Sitong's mother to the Chaotic Space, I noticed the two of them were always gravitating toward each other. They have known each other for many years; when they were young, Sitong's mother loved to pester Yanshan. It seems they are leaning toward rekindling their bond. Let them be; cultivators are not bound by the trivial etiquette of the mortal world. If something comes of it, it would be a blessing."

Liu Junhuai chuckled inwardly, surprised that these two, like an old tree sprouting new buds, could still ignite such youthful passion. Palace Master Fang’s expression just now had been incredibly tender; he would have to tease Mo Sitong about it later.

"Brother Junhuai, come see how the silk ribbons and colored balls Duoduo and I made look! I even taught Sister Nini how to do it!" Seeing Liu Junhuai approaching from a distance, Shen Duoduo was overjoyed.

The girls were truly clever; they had woven red silk into spherical shapes and hung them above the rostrum, which really added to the grand atmosphere. After receiving praise from him, the enthusiasm of Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini for their crafting only grew.

After recounting the meeting in the VIP room to Fang Keyin, Fang Keyin’s expression turned solemn. A sense of impending war gripped his heart as well.

"It seems the Domain Lord of Mu is determined to take down Liangqiu Tuochu. Capturing a cultivator in the late stage of the Mahayana realm is no easy feat. It looks like he is about to play his trump cards," Fang Keyin said with concern.

Liu Junhuai asked curiously, "What could the Domain Lord of Mu's trump cards be?"

Fang Keyin curled his lip. "Someone who climbs to such a high position always has powerful factions backing them. Only by having immense strength can one remain at the center of power without being devoured completely. No one who reaches his level is simple. Just watch; another fierce battle is about to unfold."

Liu Junhuai said, "Grandfather, once Liangqiu Tuochu is taken down, the Blood-Killing Alliance will surely retaliate forcefully. Their grand conspiracy might even be launched earlier than expected. If that happens, it will inevitably spread to the Western Domain. Palace Master Fang and some of her subordinates are currently at the Myriad Phenomena Sect, and the Juechen Palace still needs you to preside over its affairs. After the ceremony ends tomorrow, it would be best for you and Grandmother to return early."

Fang Keyin waved his hand. "There is no immediate danger for now. The Blood-Killing Alliance's influence in the Western Domain has been largely eradicated. Even if they send reinforcements, they will target you and the Sect Alliance first. The reason the Domain Lord of Mu didn't want you to withdraw the Sect Alliance from the Myriad Phenomena Sect so hastily was to guard against this very possibility. This Domain Lord of Mu is no simple character. In such a short time, and under extreme pressure, he has arranged his defenses so meticulously, considering almost every step. This is something you must learn from him in the future."

Liu Junhuai understood Mu Fanghe’s good intentions. His arrangements in the face of crisis were indeed methodical. However, Liu Junhuai was also clear about Mu Fanghe’s inner thoughts: the reason he left Fang Yexu and Guan Chaoyong at the Myriad Phenomena Sect was to facilitate the capture of Jing Mowei, the Great Hall Master of the Sea God Palace who was in the late Nascent Soul stage. This Jing Mowei was the key to unlocking the gates of the Chu family in the Western Domain.

There was also the Great Elder of the Sea God Palace, Mi Xiangqu, who needed to be dealt with, along with Vice Island Master Che Shangguan of Long Whale Island, Second Elder Guan Shaoqing of the Yama Hall, Second Elder Hao Tian of the Sea-Sky Pavilion, and the female Deputy Sect Master Jin Yuling of the Flower Red Rain. Aside from Hao Tian, who would be dealt with at the assembly tomorrow, the others all had to be hunted down one by one.

"Once this crisis passes, we must focus entirely on elevating the cultivation of our own people. While our strength is capable of fighting in the Western Domain, it is still too low compared to the outer domains," Liu Junhuai resolved, determined to utilize his cultivation resources to boost their collective strength.

Fang Keyin nodded. He knew the depth of Liu Junhuai’s resources; there would be no problem elevating the overall strength of those around him. Even his own advancement to the Spirit Severing stage was thanks to Liu’s help. Liu Junhuai’s future was bound to be extraordinary; miracles seemed to happen around him constantly. For a time, Fang Keyin even suspected that Liu Junhuai was the reincarnation of some great ancient power.

The two talked for a long time until Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini, having finished decorating the rostrum, came over to interrupt them. Mo Sitong, Bian Jizhong, and the other Myriad Phenomena Sect disciples had made every palace look brand new as the sky began to brighten.

With the arrival of several small sects from around Misty Peak, the curtain for the ceremony quietly rose.

The opening speech was delivered by Mu Fanghe: "Today, I represent the Western Domain Government in coming to the Myriad Phenomena Sect to initiate the Sect Alliance Establishment Assembly and the Myriad Phenomena Sect’s Founding Ceremony. Beyond feeling honored, I am proud of the creation of the Sect Alliance, this great organization of cultivators!

"As everyone knows, there is an evil organization currently threatening the order of the cultivation world: the Blood-Killing Alliance! To counter them, at the urging of Sect Master Ren of the Sea-Sky Pavilion and Sect Master Xiao of the Heavenly Mystery Sect, the Sect Alliance was born. Together with Sect Master Liu of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, we have launched countless life-and-death struggles against the Blood-Killing Alliance. Much of their hidden strength in the Western Domain has already been eradicated. I believe that with the help of you righteous people gathered here today, the Blood-Killing Alliance will surely be driven out of the Western Domain!

"The founding of the Myriad Phenomena Sect is also related to the Blood-Killing Alliance. Its predecessor was the Yanfu Palace, which, due to corruption by the Blood-Killing Alliance, became their accomplice. To eradicate this fallen sect, Sect Master Liu Junhuai, disregarding his personal interests, resolutely stepped forward to thoroughly purge it. To ensure the peace of Misty Peak, he established the current Myriad Phenomena Sect.

"Today’s assembly has no protagonist, for both the Sect Alliance and the Myriad Phenomena Sect were born of necessity. Their purpose is not to seek fame, but to establish these permanent bases that can provide help to the many cultivators of the Western Domain, the Fengling Kingdom, and the entire cultivation world.

"So, let us cheer for their selflessness and righteous cause! Let us summon the courage of justice to face the provocations of evil forces together! Let us strive to keep the Western Domain a land of peace!"

A few simple words sparked thunderous applause from the thousands present. Mu Fanghe’s speech was truly masterful. In fact, the actions of the Sect Alliance had long been celebrated in the cultivation world. After all, their efforts greatly benefited ordinary cultivators; no one wanted their normal living space disturbed by outsiders, especially those who were vicious and cruel.

Many hot-blooded young people immediately felt the urge to join, frustrated only that the two organizations had not yet openly recruited disciples. Taking advantage of the establishment ceremony, they had converged here, hoping to be the first to join the sects they admired.

Although only a few thousand people were inside the Myriad Phenomena Sect for the assembly, the area outside the mountain gates was a sea of people. Some were onlookers, some were spies, but most were young people eager to join the two organizations. Many rogue cultivators above the Golden Core stage were also mixed in, hoping to get a closer look at the true situation.

The tens of thousands outside the gates remained relatively quiet, each waiting for news. They had relatives or seniors inside the Myriad Phenomena Sect who would pass on major developments.

Inside the sect, Sect Master Xiao Qingtian of the Heavenly Mystery Sect stood at the rostrum: "When the Sect Alliance was first established, our goal was simple: to track down the masterminds behind the tragedies at Dragon Sacrifice Pool and the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce. Who would have known that the deeper we investigated, the more obvious the Blood-Killing Alliance’s dark ambition for hegemony became.

"We decided to form the Sect Alliance to unite the righteous sects of the Fengling Kingdom against the evil Blood-Killing Alliance. At the martial arts arena of the Pingdu City Governor’s Mansion, with the close cooperation of Sect Master Liu, we dealt our first blow to the Blood-Killing Alliance. In that battle, the Sect Alliance killed their Vice Alliance Leader, Zi Sang Yanqi, who was in the early Nascent Soul stage, as well as Elders Pa Mojie and Gonghu Changkong, both in the late Golden Core stage, along with nearly two hundred other Blood-Killing Alliance members ranging from the Foundation Establishment to late Golden Core stages."

As he finished this, a roar of enthusiastic applause broke out. Liu Junhuai smiled to himself, wondering if the slogans of "Defend the cultivation world to the death" were orchestrated by the Sect Alliance’s own men.

When the applause subsided, Xiao Qingtian continued: "Next, we arranged for Sect Master Liu to surround and suppress the Yanfu Palace. We eliminated two late Golden Core cultivators and two mid Golden Core cultivators, including the Palace Master Qin Shengqiu, along with over one hundred and thirty disciples. Sect Master Liu immediately took over the palace overnight and set a trap, luring and killing one mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, two early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, seven mid-to-late Golden Core cultivators, and over one hundred and forty disciples of the Blood-Killing Alliance!"

"Boom!" The entire crowd erupted in astonishment. Everyone realized that the victory in Pingdu City required the combined strength of the Sect Alliance to kill just one early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Yet, here at the Myriad Phenomena Sect, only Liu Junhuai’s forces had wiped out a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and two early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Sect Master Liu’s cultivation level was truly remarkable; how could they not be amazed!

In the cultivation world, where the strong are respected, possessing powerful combat strength always makes one the focus of attention. Add to that Liu Junhuai’s image as the embodiment of justice, and it wasn't long before someone shouted his name. Then, an exhilarating scene unfolded!

"Liu Junhuai! Liu Junhuai! Liu Junhuai!" The thousands of people present called his name in unison. Being cultivators themselves, the sheer volume of their shouting made the ground tremble. Some young female cultivators shrieked with such intensity that Liu Junhuai, standing on the rostrum, felt incredibly embarrassed.

It was an extraordinary day. The cultivators below were cheering for the young man who had shown his brilliance on the battlefield, making his existence shine even brighter. It was a perfect moment, worthy of the cultivation world celebrating a hero of their own.