Chapter 764: An Unorthodox Move

Thanks to Long Mo and Zi Mo’s efforts, all the invitations were delivered to the powers of all sizes throughout the Southern Domain within a single day. When the Sect and Clan Leaders of these various powers received the invitation from the Five Elements Sect, they were all left somewhat stunned.

“An invitation from the Five Elements Sect? What are they up to?”

“The Five Elements Sect can hardly be called the top Sect in the Southern Domain anymore. By inviting all the powers now, are they planning to step down and yield their position?”

“The Blood Evil Alliance was also invited. It looks like the Five Elements Sect is planning something big!”

“The Blood Evil Alliance has been besieging the Five Elements Sect all this time. Are they trying to rally the other powers of the Southern Domain to counter the Blood Evil Alliance?”

The powers that received the invitation were immediately on high alert. Within their Sects and Clans, they convened meetings at once, recalling all Elders who were away to discuss the Five Elements Sect’s intentions.

But for all their speculation, they couldn’t fathom the Five Elements Sect’s true intentions. The focus of their meetings thus shifted to whether or not they should accept the invitation. Many Sects understood that this could be a great opportunity for them, but it could just as easily be a disaster. The choice rested on their decision alone.

After intense discussions, nearly every Sect Power made the same decision: they would go. This gathering at the Five Elements Sect could be a major turning point for the Southern Domain. If they attended, they might be able to get a piece of the pie. But if they didn’t, there might be no place left for them in the Southern Domain’s future.

After the many Sects of the Southern Domain had made their decisions, the Blood Evil Alliance also received an invitation from the Five Elements Sect.

A Martial Artist walked into the meeting hall and presented an invitation. “Alliance Leader, the Five Elements Sect sent this. It says that in ten days, they will be hosting a grand banquet at their Sect, inviting all the Sect Powers of the Southern Domain—including our Blood Evil Alliance!”

“What? The Five Elements Sect is inviting all the powers of the Southern Domain, and they actually invited us too?”

“What is the Five Elements Sect trying to do? Are they looking for death?”

“Hmph. The Five Elements Sect still acts like they’re the top Sect in the Southern Domain. These days, they’re barely even a Second-class Sect. To have the audacity to invite all the powers of the Southern Domain… It’ll be a real slap in the face if no one shows up!”

“This is a great opportunity for us! We were just wondering how to take down the Five Elements Sect in one fell swoop, and now they’re delivering themselves right to our doorstep!”

Hearing the news of the Five Elements Sect’s banquet, everyone in the meeting hall burst into laughter, all talking at once. However, Xue Chentian, seated at the head, held the crimson invitation with his brow deeply furrowed, as if lost in thought.

“Alliance Leader, what is it? Is there a problem?” Seeing his expression, the crowd in the meeting hall gradually fell silent, their gazes fixed on him in confusion. ‘Shouldn’t this be a good thing? Shouldn’t we be happy?’

Xue Chentian didn’t answer them. His eyes were glued to the invitation in his hand as he tried to figure out the Five Elements Sect’s objective. ‘For the past two months, under the Blood Evil Alliance’s pressure, they’ve only dared to cower in the Red Flame Mountain Range. And I’ve dealt with Chen Yu a few times before. Knowing his personality, he would never do something like this. This means the idea for this banquet must have come from someone else.’

‘What is this person’s goal?’ Xue Chentian couldn’t figure it out. He considered many possibilities, but none of them made sense, which left him frustrated. He had become the Alliance Leader of the Blood Evil Alliance not just because of his immense strength, but more importantly, because of his superior intellect. Yet now, he couldn’t see through his opponent’s intentions. This meant his opponent’s cunning surpassed his own.

“Alliance Leader? Alliance Leader?” As Xue Chentian was lost in thought, a few of the surrounding Elders called out to him.

“Alliance Leader, it’s time for you to decide. The Five Elements Sect’s invitation—do we accept or not?”

Hearing the Elder’s question, a sharp glint flashed in Xue Chentian’s eyes. He replied coolly, “We accept. Why wouldn’t we? Since they want us there, wouldn’t we become a laughingstock to the other powers of the Southern Domain if we didn’t go?”

Xue Chentian cast aside his frustration, once again becoming the imperious Alliance Leader of the Blood Evil Alliance. He no longer cared what their objective was or what tricks they planned to play. In the face of absolute strength, all of it was nothing more than a clown’s performance.

“Give the order to assemble our men,” Xue Chentian sneered. “Since the Five Elements Sect has invited all the powers of the Southern Domain, we’ll show them who the strongest Sect in this domain truly is!”

“Yes!” Hearing Xue Chentian’s command, the many Elders in the meeting hall dispersed. The Blood Evil Alliance immediately sprang into action, its sights set on the Five Elements Sect in ten days’ time.

At the same time, the other Sect Powers across the Southern Domain also began their preparations. The Five Elements Sect’s call to arms was surprisingly potent, setting the entire domain abuzz.

The Southern Domain was in an uproar, but the Five Elements Sect, the director of this entire show, remained exceptionally calm. The disciples went about their days as if nothing had happened, continuing their daily Cultivation as usual.

Shui Ruolan, Zi Mo, and the others watched Shen Haoran, who sat cross-legged in the courtyard, deep in meditation. Anxious expressions were on all their faces. It had been three days since the invitations were sent out, yet Shen Haoran hadn’t told them what to do next. No arrangements had been made for the banquet, which made them extremely worried. After all, a great number of powers were coming—Shen Haoran had invited nearly the entire Southern Domain.

“Boss, how can you be so calm? Say something! What are we supposed to do next?” Zi Mo shouted at Shen Haoran.

Hearing Zi Mo’s shout, Shen Haoran’s tightly shut eyes slowly opened. He said nonchalantly, “There’s nothing that needs to be done. If you feel you absolutely must do something, you can go find some stone benches and set them up in the Central Square. That will be enough.”

“Is that all?” Shui Ruolan asked, confused. “Aren’t we supposed to be hosting a banquet? What about the food? The presentation? Don’t we need to prepare any of that?” She added, “The Five Elements Sect was once the top Major Influence in the Southern Domain, after all. We can’t afford to lose face!”

Hearing Shui Ruolan’s words, Shen Haoran gave her a strange look and said, “Ruolan, just because I used the word ‘banquet,’ does that mean we actually have to host a real one? We’d be better off spending that money to feed our own disciples. Why should we give it to those people? Besides, given the Five Elements Sect’s current situation, where would we even get that kind of money? So, we’ll just have to make do.”

Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, the expressions on Shui Ruolan and the others’ faces darkened. ‘This Shen Haoran… he really doesn’t play by the book at all…’