Chapter 8: The Tailong Sect, a Quarter-Hour Choice: Submit or Die?

Within the small city, various noble families and local sects gazed with bewilderment toward the direction of the Li family estate.

Was the Li family preparing for war? And if so, against whom?

Soon, news reached them: the Li family was marching against the Tailong Sect.

This left everyone stunned and utterly confused.

"The Li family is attacking the Tailong Sect? Did I hear that correctly?"

"Are they truly that reckless? Where on earth do they find the courage to challenge the Tailong Sect?"

"It seems this is all because of one of their ancestors!"

"Challenging the Tailong Sect because of a single ancestor? Has the Li family lost its mind?"

They did not hold high hopes for the Li family's campaign; it seemed like a descent into madness. As for further details, they were kept in the dark, a consequence of the Li family’s strict information blockade. Those who truly knew the truth kept their peace. After all, who would want to provoke an expert at the pinnacle of the Great Ability realm, someone capable of battling those at the Dao-Integration stage?

Driven by confusion and curiosity, they followed in the wake of the Li fleet.

***

The Tailong Sect was situated on a mountain near a vast city, surrounded by layered peaks and abundant natural treasures.

At this moment, the sect was holding its disciple recruitment assembly. The Tailong Sect accepted only geniuses and elites; they had no use for the mediocre.

In the bustling city below, people moved in a constant stream. Since today was the day the sect selected new disciples, the city was even more crowded than usual, attracting many who hoped to witness the prestige of this renowned sect. Business in the city was thriving.

An elderly man with snow-white hair held the hand of a little girl, reminding her repeatedly not to wander off. Nearby, vendors were calling out their wares.

"Hundred-year-old ginseng essence! It’s destined to become a great medicinal ingredient! Buy now! Buy now!"

"Inheritance from the Sacred Land, one of a kind..."

"Come and see..."

The little girl looked up at the old man. "Grandfather, there are so many people here."

The old man smiled and patted her hair. "Indeed, it is because the Tailong Sect is holding its recruitment."

A look of confusion appeared on the girl’s round face. "Grandfather, is the Tailong Sect very powerful?"

The old man nodded. "Naturally. It is the most formidable sect in this region. Their 'Tailong Great Array' is an impenetrable defense—no one can break it." He spoke with reverence; in his heart, the Tailong Sect was truly invincible.

The little girl’s eyes widened with envy. "If the Tailong Sect is so powerful, I want to join it, too."

The old man smiled and nodded. On a nearby pavilion, several powerful cultivators were engaged in a discussion.

"The Tailong Sect has grown even stronger."

"That is true. Their fortune is rising. Have you heard? That youth with the double pupils, Ye Bufan, seems to be connected to them as well."

"Hiss, Ye Bufan... the origin of those double pupils is no simple matter. The future of the Tailong Sect looks bright indeed!"

"I, for one, am not so sure. Can the Tailong Sect really hold onto someone with double pupils like Ye Bufan?"

"I think you’re just jealous that the Tailong Sect possesses such a genius."

"What would I have to be jealous of?"

Below them, the old man and the little girl overheard the conversation, and the area fell into a momentary silence.

Suddenly, the entire world seemed to go quiet for a heartbeat, and everyone looked up at the sky.

A void tore open above the Tailong Sect—a circular realm gate from which massive warships emerged. On their long, fluttering banners was a single character: "Li."

"Grandfather, what is that?" The little girl’s eyes shone as she stared at the warships. "Such big ships, how imposing!"

"Those are war vessels. They must be here to present congratulatory gifts to the Tailong Sect," the old man said, nodding as he seized the opportunity to teach his granddaughter. "This is the prestige of the Tailong Sect. You must study hard if you ever hope to join them. Just imagine, even such mighty fleets come to offer gifts. How wonderful it would be if you were to become a disciple."

"Is that so?" The little girl blinked, looking at the ships with envy. The Tailong Sect Master must be truly magnificent.

"Which family is this 'Li' family? They are being far too ostentatious," a cultivator in green robes remarked from the pavilion above, surprised that a simple disciple assembly could draw such an elaborate display.

"I don't recognize them. Perhaps they are just some mid-tier family."

"Tsk, tsk, this is truly impressive. The Tailong Sect is not what it used to be."

"A family using warships just to deliver a gift? Everyone, doesn't that seem a bit off?" a young man questioned.

"I think you're just jealous," someone retorted.

***

Inside the Tailong Sect, the disciple assembly was in full swing.

On the training grounds, various sect leaders and elders brought their juniors to observe the martial bouts, using the occasion to educate their descendants.

"That 'Moon in the Clouds' sword technique is excellent. Study it well. If you can join the Tailong Sect, it would be the greatest reward for our family."

"The Tailong Sect is truly prosperous."

"Wait, why is the Sect Master not here? I’ve acquired a bottle of fine wine and hoped to present it to him."

The elders of the Tailong Sect watched the matches with satisfied smiles. This assembly was not just for recruiting disciples; it was a show of strength intended to intimidate the surrounding sects and families.

When asked about the Sect Master, the Vice Sect Master explained that he had some matters to attend to and would return shortly.

Suddenly, the Vice Sect Master noticed a figure in the corner—a young girl in a verdant dress. Her expression was cold, and she stared at the training grounds with vacant eyes, clearly lost in thought. Behind her, an old woman stood in silent attendance.

The Vice Sect Master walked over. "Mo Yao, are you thinking of Bufan?"

Mo Yao snapped back to reality, her face flushing. "N-no, I am not."

The Vice Sect Master laughed heartily. That boy Bufan certainly had a way with women; Mo Yao came from an extraordinary background, yet her heart was entirely set on him. The Sect Master’s current absence was also on Bufan's account—it was rumored that Bufan had gone to stop a girl from marrying another.

The Vice Sect Master sighed with a touch of nostalgia for the impulsiveness of youth. "Do not worry about Bufan. The Sect Master is with him; they will return soon."

A flicker of anticipation and joy crossed Mo Yao’s eyes.

Just then, a realm gate opened in the sky, and the Li family’s warships appeared.

The Vice Sect Master looked up, his brow furrowing. "Whose fleet is that? Arriving with 'congratulations' at such an hour? How utterly improper!" He felt a surge of annoyance; the assembly was nearly over, and these people had the audacity to arrive so late? It was incredibly rude. "The Li family? Which family is that?"

Around him, the other guests also noticed the ships.

"The Li family? Who are they? To arrive this late..."

"Haha, talk about sucking up to the wrong person. They show up late and then fly right over the sect’s head."

"Is there even a Li family in this region?"

The guests were perplexed. None of them suspected that the Tailong Sect could have an enemy, as they were one of the most prominent powers in the area.

As everyone watched the sky, they saw more war beasts emerging from the gate.

*Hum.*

The sound of the warships’ engines resonated, the hulls glowing with power. A sense of unease rippled through the crowd.

A voice descended from the lead ship.

"Tailong Sect, you have one-quarter of an hour to choose: submit, or die."

An absolute silence fell over the grounds—so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

In the city below, the shouting of vendors vanished instantly. The people looked up in a daze, completely bewildered. What did this mean? Someone was demanding the Tailong Sect submit or face destruction during their own recruitment assembly?

Were they dreaming?