https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-237-The-Innate-Realm-Appears-A-Startling-Change/12619366/
Chapter 236: Silver Moon Sect's Hot-Tempered Sect Master is a Silver-Tongued Speaker
"Floating Cloud Town?" Lu Qing asked, looking at the town ahead. "Senior Xu, what connection does this town have with the Floating Cloud Sect?"
"This town is considered an affiliate of the Floating Cloud Sect, specifically for supplying them with various daily necessities," Xu explained. "As one of the major sects, the Floating Cloud Sect can't exactly have random people coming and going from their mountain gates. So, they usually come down from their mountains every once in a while to stock up on supplies for their disciples."
"I see," Lu Qing said, gazing forward as he extended his soul sense. "It seems we're not too late. The various sects haven't started their offensive yet."
Through Lu Qing's senses, he could feel the strong auras emanating from within Floating Cloud Town ahead.
There were over a dozen auras, their vitality restrained, but beneath the surface, they were like volcanoes, harboring immense power that was hidden but ready to erupt.
Obviously, these were true martial arts experts, far more powerful than Senior Xu beside him.
However, what surprised Lu Qing was that he didn't sense any Innate Realm experts among them.
He couldn't tell if the Innate Realm experts from the various sects hadn't arrived yet or if they were using some special secret technique to conceal their Innate essence.
At Lu Qing's current level, he knew that the peculiar essence of Innate Realm experts allowed them to sense each other's presence just by being in proximity, even without meeting face-to-face.
But this wasn't absolute.
There were still special secret techniques or unique treasures in the world that could hide the Innate essence.
At the very least, he had witnessed such examples before.
For instance, the treasure that Lin Zhirui, the disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, possessed could conceal all traces of his aura, even fooling Xiao Li's senses.
Another example was his master. After achieving a complete Innate Domain, he could perfectly hide his Innate essence, preventing other Innate Realm experts from sensing him.
"Master, are we going in?"
Lu Qing knew that his master must also be sensing the situation in the town.
The old doctor pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "No need. Let's find a place to settle down outside the town. There's no point in inviting trouble."
"I agree, Master," Lu Qing nodded.
Just because the various sects had joined forces against the Floating Cloud Sect didn't mean everything was as simple as it seemed.
In fact, Lu Qing could already sense the tension and conflict among the so-called allied sects. Several powerful auras in the town were clearly at odds with each other, indicating that their collaboration was far from harmonious.
Given this situation, who knew what would happen next? It was better for them to stay outside the town and observe from a distance.
"Doctor Chen, Young Master Lu, aren't we going into the town?" The round, middle-aged man asked, puzzled.
"No, since we're just here to observe and broaden our horizons, it's best to keep our distance for now and avoid any unnecessary trouble," the old doctor replied.
"Alright then," the round man could only agree.
However, he didn't believe for a second that the old doctor was afraid of any trouble.
The way they had slaughtered the mountain bandits a couple of days ago was still fresh in his memory.
Such ruthless individuals wouldn't hesitate to enter a small town.
But since the old doctor had made his decision, the round man didn't argue.
Over the past two days, he had come to realize that Doctor Chen and Lu Qing's group were quite mysterious, and there was a lot he couldn't see through.
Take their cultivation levels, for example.
He had witnessed Lu Qing's astonishing skill with hidden weapons, taking out over twenty mountain bandits in an instant.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried to observe and sense Lu Qing's true cultivation, he could only perceive the aura of someone at the Qi and Blood Realm, and nothing more.
The same was true for Doctor Chen.
He appeared ordinary, aside from having slightly better spiritual energy than a typical elderly person. But beyond that, he showed no signs of extraordinary power.
However, to be able to teach a disciple like Lu Qing and earn the respect and devotion of martial arts masters like Ma Gu and Wei Zian, how could he be an ordinary person?
Thus, the more the round man observed Lu Qing and his group these past two days, the more astonished he became.
Fortunately, Lu Qing and his companions were amicable and didn't carry an air of arrogance. Moreover, the food they cooked was delicious.
"Master Ou, are you thinking of sneaking away with your daughter and disciples while I'm on the road?"
Lu Qing and his group found a nice spot in the mountains near Floating Cloud Town and prepared to settle down temporarily.
Of course, they weren't the only ones with this idea. Many idle warriors who had heard the news and wanted to watch the spectacle without getting involved also chose to stay outside the town. They found hiding spots nearby so they could escape easily if things took a turn for the worse.
As Lu Qing and his companions were busy setting up their temporary camp, in the largest inn in Floating Cloud Town, several powerful figures sat stiffly, their expressions solemn.
"This is outrageous, Wang Pan! What is the meaning of this, Floating Cloud Sect? We, the representatives of numerous sects, have come to visit, and yet your sect not only refuses to open its mountain gates to welcome us, but you also accommodate us in this shabby inn? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate us?"
Suddenly, a burly man with a long axe on his back slammed his hand on the table and stood up angrily.
"Elder Zhao, you've misunderstood. Our Floating Cloud Sect is renowned for its hospitality, and we would never intend such a thing. Your sudden arrival has taken us by surprise, and we are temporarily unprepared. Our mountain supplies are limited, so we ask that you temporarily stay in this small town. We hope you can understand our predicament."
A man in white clothes, tall and graceful, bowed deeply and explained with a smile.
It's hard to stay angry at a smiling face. Seeing his humble attitude, the burly man could only huff and sit back down, unable to continue his outburst. The others also held their tongues for the moment.
However, when they heard him mention the Floating Cloud Sect's hospitality, strange expressions appeared on their faces.
Everyone in Yunzhou knew of the Floating Cloud Sect's domineering and arrogant reputation. For Wang Pan to shamelessly mention hospitality, he truly lived up to his infamous nickname, the Smiling Tiger.
"Then, Brother Wang, when can we go up to Floating Cloud Mountain? We've come a long way, and we can't just sit here indefinitely, can we?"
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a clean-cut appearance and the attire of a scholar spoke up.
"Rest assured, Elder Dai. As soon as our disciples finish cleaning the guest rooms and preparing the wine and feast, we will open our mountain gates wide and welcome all of you up the mountain. We will host a grand banquet to show our hospitality," Wang Pan replied with a beaming smile.
Seeing his unwavering smile, the group felt like they were dealing with a slippery customer, and they didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"Hmph, no need for that!" Just then, a cold voice rang out from outside the inn. "We, the representatives of various sects, did not come here for your wine and feast. Wang Pan, go back and tell your Sect Master Mo Zhen that if he doesn't open the mountain gates soon, we will force our way in. When all the sects in Yunzhou join forces against your Floating Cloud Sect, let's see if you can withstand the onslaught!"
As the voice fell, a powerful aura swept through the inn, and more than ten warriors strode in.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with wide sleeves, his hair tied in a topknot, a stern expression on his face, and a long beard.
Wang Pan's face changed upon seeing this extraordinary man.
However, before he could say anything, another hoarse voice piped up.
"Elder Shan speaks the truth. The Floating Cloud Sect has been acting more and more presumptuously in recent years, as if they believe they are the leaders of the righteous path in Yunzhou."
Accompanying the hoarse voice, another ten figures entered the inn.
And as they did, the eyes of those already inside lit up.
Among the newcomers was a gray-clad, ordinary-looking middle-aged woman. But behind her were more than ten young women, stunning in appearance and with exceptional auras—a feast for the eyes.
"Vice Palace Master Liu, you've arrived as well," the topknotted man said with a slight bow.
"Elder Shan, Vice Palace Master Liu!"
The other warriors in the inn also stood up and bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Wang Pan's pupils constricted slightly.
The arrival of the leader of the Silver Moon Sect and the vice leader of the Hundred Flowers Palace was not good news for the Floating Cloud Sect.
They could afford to ignore the other sects, but the Silver Moon Sect and the Hundred Flowers Palace were two of the three major sects in Yunzhou, and they couldn't afford to underestimate them.
"Because, the strength of these two major sects, although slightly inferior to their Floating Cloud Sect.
But once they join forces, along with the small sects present, even their Floating Cloud Sect will be hard to withstand.
'Greetings, Sect Master Shan, Vice Palace Master Liu.'
Wang Pan calmed his mind and forced a smile, bowing to them.
'Smiling Tiger, there's no need to pretend here. I ask you, Mo Zhen, with so many of us from the various sects having come, he, as the leader of a sect, hides himself in the mountains, not even showing his face, and only sends you, his personal disciple, down the mountain to deal with us. Is he being too arrogant?'
Facing Wang Pan's smile, the Silver Moon Sect Leader was unmoved and only coldly said, 'Elder Zhao, you've misunderstood. Our Floating Cloud Sect is renowned for its hospitality, and we would never intend to offend you. Your sudden arrival has taken us by surprise, and we are temporarily unprepared. Our mountain supplies are limited, so we ask that you temporarily stay in this small town. We hope you can understand our predicament.'
A tall and graceful man in white clothes bowed deeply and explained with a smile.
It's hard to stay angry at a smiling face. Seeing his humble attitude, the burly man could only huff and sit back down, unable to continue his outburst. The others also remained silent for the moment.
However, when they heard him mention the Floating Cloud Sect's hospitality, strange expressions appeared on their faces.
Everyone in Yunzhou knew of the Floating Cloud Sect's domineering and arrogant reputation. For Wang Pan to shamelessly mention hospitality, he truly lived up to his infamous nickname, the Smiling Tiger.
'Then, Brother Wang, when can we go up to Floating Cloud Mountain? We've come a long way, and we can't just sit here indefinitely, can we?'
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a clean-cut appearance and the attire of a scholar spoke up.
'Rest assured, Elder Dai. As soon as our disciples finish cleaning the guest rooms and preparing the wine and feast, we will open our mountain gates wide and welcome all of you up the mountain. We will host a grand banquet to show our hospitality,' Wang Pan replied with a beaming smile.
Seeing his unwavering smile, the group felt like they were dealing with a slippery customer, and they didn't know how to respond.
'Hmph, no need for that!' Just then, a cold voice rang out from outside the inn. 'We, the representatives of various sects, did not come here for your wine and feast. Wang Pan, go back and tell your Sect Master Mo Zhen that if he doesn't open the mountain gates soon, we will force our way in. When all the sects in Yunzhou join forces against your Floating Cloud Sect, let's see if you can withstand the onslaught!'
As the voice fell, a powerful aura swept through the inn, and more than ten warriors strode in.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with wide sleeves, his hair tied in a topknot, a stern expression on his face, and a long beard.
Wang Pan's face changed upon seeing this extraordinary man.
However, before he could say anything, another hoarse voice piped up.
'Elder Shan speaks the truth. The Floating Cloud Sect has been acting more and more presumptuously in recent years, as if they believe they are the leaders of the righteous path in Yunzhou.'
Accompanying the hoarse voice, another ten figures entered the inn.
And as they did, the eyes of those already inside lit up.
Among the newcomers was a gray-clad, ordinary-looking middle-aged woman. But behind her were more than ten young women, stunning in appearance and with exceptional auras—a feast for the eyes.
'Vice Palace Master Liu, you've arrived as well,' the topknotted man said with a slight bow.
'Elder Shan, Vice Palace Master Liu!'
The other warriors in the inn also stood up and bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Wang Pan's pupils constricted slightly.
The arrival of the leader of the Silver Moon Sect and the vice leader of the Hundred Flowers Palace was not good news for the Floating Cloud Sect.
They could afford to ignore the other sects, but the Silver Moon Sect and the Hundred Flowers Palace were two of the three major sects in Yunzhou, and they couldn't afford to underestimate them.
(End of Chapter)
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