A robed figure glided from the darkness. Even Dioz felt his heart jolt under the figure’s aura pouring from that hood, where only twin blood-red eyes burned.
“Mr. Atkinson!” Dioz and others nearby bowed, their reverence filling the glen. Quentin Atkinson, the branch leader of Malevolent Path Hall, lifted his head. From beneath the hood, the scarlet gaze swept the crowd.
“Jared is intriguing… Every cultivator of this hall will march with Mr. Lester. Whoever brings me Jared’s head earns one high-grade spiritual tool.”
A roar exploded across the altar. Black silhouettes poured from cliff ledges and shadowed trails, flooding outward, streaming toward Swordmaster City.
***
Within Swordmaster City, unease thickened with each breath.
Since Lester’s departure, all factions observed the situation, and wandering cultivators prowled the Sword Sect compound like wolves scenting open gates.
Jared knew the hush was only the eye of the hurricane. Lester‘s revenge would arrive soon.
Ararat appeared in Jared’s courtyard as silently as falling ash, a device in his fingers. “Mr. Chance, this is the latest intelligence.”
Jared lifted the device. He activated the device with his spiritual sense.
Later. his expression changed. “Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall? A branch of the Malevolent Path Hall? Lester has rallied those bastards!”
The message was recorded clearly. Lester had allied with the Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall, Darkwind Gorge’s Malevolent Path Hall, and a few reclusive sects in level five. His army was more than a thousand people.
There were at least fifty cultivators at the seventh level of the Earthly Immortal Realm.
Ararat’s voice grew heavy. “Drystan nursed an old grudge against me. This invasion is about more than you. The Malevolent Path Hall is notorious for their black magic. It’s hard to detect them…”
The courtyard doors banged open, Flaxseed barreling through in a swirl of dusty robes. “Jared, rumors outside say Lester plans to bathe Swordmaster City in blood. Should we bolt before the tide arrives?”
Leaning on a weathered cane, Corin stepped from the shadows. Deathly pale yet unshakably calm, met every eye. “The Sword Sect has endured a millennium. Even if one last disciple remains standing, we will not retreat.”
Lyra tightened grip on the longsword that never left side. Soft but unwavering, whispered, “I stand with Jared. Rise or fall, together.”
Drawing a steadying breath, Jared handed the device around. “This is no time to retreat. Ararat, we need Swordmaster City‘s defenses.”
Ararat managed a rueful smile. “I vanished for centuries… Qivius seized every lever of power. He has been cultivating private forces in secret and, I fear, already shakes hands with Lester.”
Flaxseed slammed his palm against the stone table, cups rattling. “That old schemer! I knew there was rot behind his grin!”
Jared’s gaze hardened. “Then we rely on ourselves…”
His words rang like steel drawn from Its sheath. “Ararat, is there any chance the neutral clans inside Swordmaster City will aid us?”
Ararat shook his head. “Slim to none. The Celestial Palace and Malevolent Path Hall are too powerful. Few will risk stepping into that darkness for our sake…”
Just then, a broad, unrestrained laugh rolled in from the courtyard gate. “Who says no one dares?!”
Kishor strode through the archway with a jaunty swagger, one arm wrapped around a beauty. Behind them marched several dozen cultivators, their auras sharp as drawn sabers. Leading them was the owner of Whispers Tower.
Jared’s surprise cracked into bright relief. “Kishor, what brings you here?”
Kishor’s laugh boomed again. “Word reached me that Sacred Sword Manor wants to kill Mr. Chance. You think I’d sit back and do nothing?”
Alice said, “Every agent and archive under Whispers Tower in level five stands at your command, Mr. Chance.”
Warmth spread through Jared‘s chest as counted the sudden influx of Earthly Immortal experts filling the yard. The weight on his shoulders eased.
“With allies such as you two,” said, the tension in his breath loosening, “I can rest easier…”
Kishor clapped Jared’s shoulder, his grin tempered by sober resolve. “Lester’s entourage is vicious. The Sixth Hall cultivators are proud beyond bearing. The Malevolent Path Hall’s demonic cultivators are tough. We need a plan.”
