Chapter 49: The Founding Ceremony

The grand ceremony was not held in the main hall, as there were too many guests. The original main hall of Danxia Gang could not accommodate everyone, so it was held in the large square.

Shen Tang sat in the high main seat, with Lu Xingzhou sitting beside her.

One glance at them almost made the guests burst into laughter. They were described as vigorous new talents, yet both were in wheelchairs, which was quite a sight.

In the first position of the guest seats sat the new city master, Sheng Yuan Yao. At least she made the guests pay attention to their manners. They all hid their sarcasm and offered congratulations with forced smiles as they took their seats.

Shen Tang seemed oblivious to the guests' sarcasm, welcoming them with an impeccable smile and returning their courtesies. Lu Xingzhou, meanwhile, was using voice transmission to curse at Sheng Yuan Yao: "My ranking, did you manipulate it?"

Sheng Yuan Yao, holding and petting A Nuo with one hand, didn't even look sideways. "The list is set by the main division. What does that have to do with me, the county city commander?"

Lu Xingzhou was momentarily stunned. He felt that in this world, there shouldn't be the saying about cursing people or the existence of Women's Day. Could it truly be a coincidence?

But looking at this emotionless melon girl holding a completely straight face, how could he not feel something was off? Anyway, after today, this ranking would change.

No, it would take half a year to change…

It was just inconvenient to get human power statistics. Why couldn't there be a real-time Heaven Way list, flashing a golden light to show how high one's power level was?

Heaven Way: My eyes are not good. Please do not disturb.

Sheng Yuan Yao was too lazy to care what he was thinking. She observed Heaven Walk Sword Sect and felt quite relaxed. Although Heaven Walk Sword Sect was a remnant, it was withered compared to its prosperous period. However, compared to Summer State, it still had a suppressing presence.

Shen Tang was of the fourth rank at the highest level. Additionally, Jin Mingxiu, the head of Sword Front Hall, was also a fourth-rank upper-level sword cultivator and very strong. During the incident, he had led his subordinates outside to perform other tasks, thus avoiding the destruction. He had only led his department back to the sect the day before yesterday. His loyalty was questionable; Lu Xingzhou even suspected that he might have known something about the incident and deliberately stayed outside. Since there was no evidence, this wouldn't be mentioned for now.

Tang Yunzhong and the others were not originally high-level elders. The high-level ones were mostly dead. They were deputy or even idle positions who had luckily survived from each hall. Most had only fifth or even sixth-rank cultivation. Not long after arriving in Summer State, they were killed by the little white-haired girl with one sword, and they were even more withered now.

With two fourth-rank, three fifth-rank, and seven sixth-rank cultivators, this was all the mid-third-rank combat power that Heaven Walk Sword Sect currently possessed. Meanwhile, the strongest sects in Summer State were only of the fifth rank, and there weren't many of them.

After all, it was just a county city with thin spiritual energy.

It seemed unlikely that this grand ceremony would cause any trouble.

But Sheng Yuan Yao forgot that Summer State's decline did not mean the surrounding areas were also in decline. There were many spiritual mountains and picturesque places in the surrounding areas, and although there were no top strong sects, there were quite a few third-rank and fourth-rank sects and gangs.

The famous pill refinement sect, Incense Burning Tower, was a third-rank sect. The number of fourth-rank strong individuals inside was no less than the total number of mid-third-rank individuals on Shen Tang's side. Moreover, Incense Burning Tower had many pill masters who were spread throughout the major gangs and forces in the state and counties, giving them a lot of influence.

"Incense Burning Tower's Elder Bai arrives!" The guard disciple's announcement echoed far and wide. The large square, which had been filled with whispers, instantly quieted down considerably.

A white-bearded old man, accompanied by two guards, and followed by Bai Chi, slowly walked into the area.

The white-bearded old man was White Mirror Sky, an Elder of Incense Burning Tower and Bai Chi's grandfather. His pill refinement skills were as high as the fourth rank, making him an extremely famous pill master. His cultivation level was not well known, but pill masters' cultivation was generally understood to be accumulated through medicine and lacking in actual combat ability. Therefore, he still brought two people for protection, and both should be fourth-rank path cultivators.

Many people knew that Shen Tang had hired Bai Chi and that there was resentment over being poached before settling down in Summer State. Now, it seemed that behind this poaching might be Incense Burning Tower's scheme to take over Danxia Gang completely. As a result, Danxia Gang was intercepted by Shen Tang. The grudge between Incense Burning Tower's Bai family and Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou was openly displayed, and this congratulatory visit was full of malice.

Sheng Yuan Yao's eyeballs rolled, looking back and forth between the two people in wheelchairs in the main seat and the walking Bai Chi.

"You say if this pair of wheelchair users can succeed, should the first credit go to Bai Chi?" Sheng Yuan Yao quietly pinched A Nuo and asked.

"Yes." A Nuo rubbed her face indignantly. She didn't know when she had become the city master sister's personal pet. Before, she had even cheated her out of silver.

"Then today, your master shouldn't deal with Bai Chi. She should kowtow to him."

"...You should say Bai Chi shouldn't deal with my master! They are standing there, their eyes are all shooting sparks, didn't you see? City Master, go mediate a bit!"

"Your master is still afraid of them? Hmph." Sheng Yuan Yao grabbed the back collar of the wanting-to-run A Nuo. "Don't run. Obediently stay here and accompany sister to watch the show."

Over there, White Mirror Sky walked up to Shen Tang and arrogantly bowed his hands: "Incense Burning Tower congratulates Heaven Walk Sword Sect on its grand opening."

Shen Tang smiled faintly: "Thank you, Elder Bai. Speaking of which, this one originally went to Incense Burning Tower to seek a pill master, and it was Elder Bai who recommended Mister Bai Chi. This kindness is remembered."

Lu Xingzhou slightly narrowed his eyes.

Looking at Bai Chi's intention to completely take over Danxia Gang, it seemed that originally they had first thought of completely taking over Shen Tang's affairs, hadn't they? It was just that Shen Tang did not expose her wealth at first. When Bai Chi arrived in Summer State, he discovered that Danxia Gang's business was much larger than Shen Tang's family business. It just so happened that he was familiar with Liu Yan'er since childhood. As soon as they connected, it was like dry wood and fierce fire, and they immediately shifted their target.

So, Shen Tang's words "remembered down" were uttered through gritted teeth.

"Chi'er's cultivation is insufficient, letting Sect Master Shen see a laugh." White Mirror Sky said perfunctorily, his gaze falling on Lu Xingzhou: "This must be Mister Lu Xingzhou Lu, ranked thirty-eight on the New Talent Pill Master List?"

Lu Xingzhou completely ignored him, smiling at Bai Chi: "I originally thought Brother Bai and I were not too different and wanted to continue our fate on the list. I didn't expect to find the list and not see Brother Bai's name. It seems there is no fate."

"You!" Bai Chi's anger burned.

He was probably also only twenty years old. If he had successfully certified as a seventh-rank pill master before, he would certainly have been on the New Talent List. It was a pity that he was destroyed by Lu Xingzhou. Stuck at the eighth rank, he naturally wouldn't be on any list. He specially came to Summer State, this small place, to certify, originally thinking he could exploit a loophole. He didn't expect even this small scheme to encounter a ghost.

However, he now also knew that he couldn't compare himself with Lu Xingzhou. The reason why Lu Xingzhou could rank so high at thirty-eight was probably not just because he was a seventh-rank, but because he was a seventh-rank upper-level. This line of pill masters placed great emphasis on experience. For Lu Xingzhou's age, he was definitely a genius. Only the heaven's favored children of those top sects could compare.

He took a deep breath, still managing to maintain a smile: "That day when I met Brother Lu, I learned a lot. I hope to receive guidance again in the future."

Lu Xingzhou smiled, narrowing his eyes: "It's been a while. Brother Bai's illness is actually cured. It seems there has indeed been some progress."

Bai Chi's face turned green and he didn't speak. White Mirror Sky's face sank like water, because it was he who had cured him: "Young people relying on talent and being arrogant is truly unreasonable. Sect Master Shen, is this how you manage things?"

Shen Tang also smiled, narrowing her eyes as she watched Lu Xingzhou cause trouble. At this moment, she only said: "I only see my guest elder caring for Brother Bai's health. Is this also rude?"

White Mirror Sky coldly snorted and brushed his sleeves as he entered the guest seat: "I hope the two of you can always smile happily."

After all, the city master was present, and the grand ceremony had not yet begun. It was not the time to cause trouble… He would have a plan once everyone had arrived.

Sheng Yuan Yao quietly said to A Nuo: "He is making noise, she is laughing, what a good pet ah..."

A Nuo: "I hope sister can also always smile happily."

The guards were announcing again: "Cang Mountain Sword Sect's Sect Master Wu arrives!"

"East Jiang Gang's Vice Gang Master Wang arrives!"

"Ling Yun Gate's True Person Xuan He arrives!"

Along with these announcements, the square became more and more quiet. Sheng Yuan Yao finally couldn't smile anymore.

These forces were all not from Summer State and were relatively far away. East Jiang Gang was the largest gang in East Jiang County. Cang Mountain Sword Sect and Ling Yun Gate were even stronger sects from spiritual mountains and treasure grounds, almost unrelated to the local area. Each of them was a fourth-rank force.

Adding these to Incense Burning Tower, there were quite a few forces in the field that wanted to suppress the hosts. If Sheng Yuan Yao had originally felt that Heaven Walk Sword Sect could suppress the forces in Summer State and prevent trouble, now she had no confidence at all. Even her own city master deterrent force did not seem to have much effect.

Why would sects from outside give face to your Summer State city master?

Shen Tang, however, seemed not to care, still maintaining a calm and elegant smile as she exchanged courtesies with the newly arrived guests. Then, she looked at the sky and transmitted her voice throughout the field: "The auspicious time has arrived. We will not wait for those who have not come."

"My sect unfortunately encountered a great disaster. Fortunately, Heaven did not abandon it, and the Holy Emperor took pity. It can stand in Summer State again. Various individuals have not disliked our humble state and have come to celebrate this sect's ritual together. This is truly the honor of my Heaven Walk Sword Sect. I still hope that various individuals will continue to help us in the future. Shen Tang thanks you here."

Originally, she wanted to say some more pleasantries, for example, how Heaven Walk Sword Sect would repay its hometown after this, and then display the sect's grandeur, with ten thousand swords rising together with a strong momentum, and then everyone would eat and drink well. It would just be an ordinary ritual.

However, before Shen Tang could even begin her subsequent pleasantries, a discordant voice was transmitted from the field: "Sect Master Shen, there is no need to say more about these words. Our hometown neighbors are more interested in knowing what your noble sect will stand for… Now that your noble sect has inherited the original Danxia Gang, will it continue to grow and sell medicinal materials?"

Interrupting someone else's opening speech for their sect was an extremely rude behavior, equivalent to stepping on Heaven Walk Sword Sect's and Shen Tang's faces.

Sheng Yuan Yao turned her head and saw that it was indeed White Mirror Sky. A surge of anger rushed up.

Lu Xingzhou couldn't hold back. It was indeed these bastards who wanted to make trouble!

Shen Tang's always kind and elegant smile also disappeared. Her expression sank slightly, and her eyes turned stern.

The hearts of the thousands of people in the square all thumped… This woman looked beautiful and dignified, but once she put on a straight face, her aura was heavy!

A fourth-rank sword cultivator, after all, had some capabilities.

Yet, they heard Lu Xingzhou leisurely open his mouth beside her: "Growing and selling medicinal materials is a common business for our hometown neighbors in Summer State. We, Heaven Walk Sword Sect, practice swordsmanship and are not skilled in this. Therefore, we will exit this industry and not compete with various individuals. This can also be considered our first measure to get along with our neighbors after establishing our sect."

These words made the expressions of the vast majority of forces in the field much better. If it was true, Heaven Walk Sword Sect's establishment would be even better for everyone compared to the original Danxia Gang, as there would be one less competitor with a large medicinal mountain.

Lu Xingzhou continued: "Even if the former Gang Master Liu tried to get involved in the pill refinement industry, this sect will mostly exit…"

As if finding a loophole in his speech, White Mirror Sky coldly laughed: "What do you mean 'mostly'?"

"Naturally, we won't make those low-grade pill medicines. We won't compete with our hometown neighbors. Harmony brings wealth, you know…" Lu Xingzhou said faintly, but his tone gradually turned stern: "But we will still make those six-rank pills, especially those like Melt Snow Return Origin Pill."

White Mirror Sky was stunned for a moment, and then the entire field was in an uproar.

Melt Snow Return Origin Pill, Incense Burning Tower's famous treasure pill, simultaneously recovered qi, blood, and spiritual energy, combining the uses of healing injuries and restoring qi. It was one of Incense Burning Tower's lifebloods.

This Heaven Walk Sword Sect, while showing goodwill to a group of low-grade hometown neighbors, opened its mouth and immediately declared war on the third-rank sect Incense Burning Tower!