Chapter 38: The Black Banners

At this moment, the Silent Thunder Sect became the most dazzling presence in the Eastern Wasteland. The silver glow rising from the mountains eclipsed the moons in the sky.

In the provincial capital, within an elegant manor, an elderly Duke rested his feet by a hearth. The window curtains shifted color.

He rose to his feet. "Why is there such a radiance outside?"

"My Lord, it comes from the direction of the Silent Thunder Sect."

The Duke fell into contemplation. His expression shifted.

"Prepare a letter. Invite the regional governors for a discussion at our residence."

"Yes." The steward acknowledged the order. He hesitated.

"Speak if you have something to say."

"The imperial envoy... has disappeared."

The steward drenched in sweat. He didn’t dare look at the Duke’s face.

A long silence passed.

"Dig three feet into the ground if you must. Find him and bring him back."

...

On the Biluo River, a sprawling ship lay anchored. It rivaled the surrounding islands in size.

Black banners fluttered in the wind. They bore the insignia of the Crimson Whale Guild.

The Crimson Whale Guild was one of the three great factions of the province. Its members were a motley crew of rogues. Countless underworld factions secretly entangled with them.

A bearded man stood at the ship’s bow. He gazed into the distance.

"Has the Silent Thunder Sect unearthed a rare treasure, or has a legacy awakened?"

"Guild Leader, it is the latter," a pale youth spoke from behind him.

The bearded man did not doubt the youth.

"The sect has a long history. If a legacy emerged now, it must be extraordinary."

"The one worthy of inheriting it must be a prodigy. Perhaps someone fit for the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

The Guild Leader’s voice grew grave. He dreamed of elevating his guild to the top position. It was possible. The Silent Thunder Sect Master was growing old.

"With me here, what does it matter if a freak emerges in this province? Can they surpass me?" The youth licked his lips.

"You speak true." The worry in the Guild Leader’s eyes vanished.

...

In the central domains, atop a towering peak, stood a hundred-story pagoda.

The Heavenly Divination Sect.

The renowned Hidden Dragon Ranking originated from here.

Atop the observatory tower, an elderly woman stood frozen. She stared at the sky.

The corner of her eye twitched. "The celestial alignment favored the Imperial City. Why is everything in chaos now?"

She retrieved a jade plate from her robes. Countless jade pieces slid across it.

She channeled her qi. The pieces moved faster. Abruptly, they locked in place.

The entire jade plate dimmed.

The old woman’s complexion paled.

"Master, what is wrong?" a maiden asked.

"The Chaos Phenomenon..." The old woman sighed. Her face aged further.

The Divination Sect could perceive fate. They observed the rise and fall of eras. They manipulated events from behind the scenes.

The Chaos Phenomenon signified one thing.

They were about to lose sight of destiny.

"Master, the Crown Prince requests an audience."

"Tell him I will not help him. I couldn’t even if I tried."

...

Back at the Silent Thunder Sect, the wilderness trial ended early.

Across the Whispering Woods, wherever the radiant glow touched, beasts fled in terror or cowered on the ground.

Continuing the trial was pointless.

At Thunder Gorge, a gaunt elder stepped to the edge of the precipice.

The Sect Master wore plain ash-gray robes. He looked like a kindly old farmer.

"Sect Master."

The elders snapped out of their daze.

"How long have Liana and Theo been down there?" the Sect Master asked softly.

"Two hours," Silas replied. His brows lacked worry.

"They must have entered a hidden realm. They likely claimed the legacy within," the Sect Master noted.

Elder Silas agreed.

None of the other elders looked calm. A radiance stretching for miles meant a legacy beyond imagination.