614 Reunion
“Are you one of the bigshots of the Qingzhou Alliance?” The soldier remembered Hua Yanli’s earlier conversation and inquired.

However, Hua Yanli was already distracted by a sudden bright light in the distance. When the soldier’s gaze returned to where Hua Yanli stood, he was gone. On the ground lay a message: ‘This place is too dangerous, you should retreat.’

The soldiers, now puzzled, turned to their leader. “What’s our next move?”

“We should withdraw. We’ve been in Qingzhou City for five days already,” the leader replied. “The person we just encountered must be one of the renowned nine prodigies from the Qingzhou Alliance. We can leave this to him and return later to finish the job.”

Meanwhile, a similar scenario unfolded nearby. Xiang Mingfeng, glowing brilliantly, stood among a crowd, appearing divine. Corroded bodies of the Sacred Heart Sect dissolved into nothingness before everyone’s eyes.

“It appears our vice leader has grown stronger these past years,” commented Hua Yanli, appearing beside Xiang Mingfeng.

“You’ve done well yourself,” Xiang Mingfeng noted. “The northern battlefield speaks highly of your ‘heavenly flame’.”

“But I still feel like I’m no match for your skills,” Hua Yanli confessed, half-jokingly.

Xiang Mingfeng replied modestly, “A king realm cultivator once chased me for miles. I would have perished if not for assistance from the Buddhist Sect.”

Their chat was cut short when the ground trembled. Approaching them was a towering figure, with an aura that felt like an unstoppable force. His body appeared to be encased in a strange armor that moved and squirmed.

“Fang Huo?” Hua Yanli recognized him.

Xiang Mingfeng voiced his concern, “You didn’t succumb to the blood heart technique, did you?”

Fang Huo’s booming laugh filled the air. “How could I practice such a vile technique?” His voice, although deep and resonating, was clearly jovial.

Hua Yanli observed him closely, realizing that the moving armor seemed almost alive, showing hostility to anyone nearing Fang Huo.

Fang Huo explained, “I didn’t barge onto the battlefield intentionally. I aimed for the ancestral lands of the eight royal clans. But by some twist of fate, I ended up in the Sacred Heart Sect’s lair.”

He grinned, an expression both friendly and menacing, “You could say it was quite the training experience.”

“What’s with that strange armor you have on?” Hua Yanli asked, curiosity evident in his eyes.

Fang Huo grinned. “Found it in the Hundred Weapon Mountain. It’s a unique artifact, reminiscent of demons. But don’t worry, it’s under my control.”

Hua Yanli and Xiang Mingfeng exchanged puzzled glances.

Xiang Mingfeng redirected the conversation, “We should head to Spirit Gate. I’ve heard Gou Jie and the alliance master are there. Our main concern should be the white-robed king in the Heart’s Eye Pavilion.”

Agreeing, the trio quickly made their way towards Spirit Gate.

The city pass they approached was strikingly renovated, standing taller with walls that seemed to shimmer with a paint likely infused with demon blood and herbs. New pavilions stood proudly atop, crafted from the costly fire-resistant rhinoceros wood. The guards lining the walls were formidable, all clearly well-trained elites.

“The Eastern Qingzhou Ten Commandery has flourished lately,” Hua Yanli remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

While chatting, their attention shifted to a horizon filled with familiar figures. Xu Tong, once the picture of youthful vitality, now appeared weary. The mysterious Little Cattle King Le Ji’an from the Ghost Ox Sect, in his signature black robe, emitted a chilling aura. Walking beside a spectral ox, he felt like a walking disaster.

Wang Gang and Xiong Yujie were as unassuming as ever. To an ordinary eye, they were regular individuals, but to those with heightened senses, a king-like aura subtly emanated from them.

She Wanshan, the prospective Lotus Peak Master, was almost unrecognizable. Once the smallest of the nine prodigies, he now towered over most, with beauty rivaling Xu Tong’s. Holding a lotus flower, he exuded a gentle feminine elegance.
Finally, there was Yun Qi from the White Cloud Sect, astride a creature resembling the fabled Qilin. Adorned in a white robe and sporting a beard, he looked every bit the wise elder, though some might say he resembled a charlatan.