Chapter 343: The thousand dao city 13.

As they walked, Mo Yuxin noticed that the city guards had increased around the major roads. Their organization was impressive. Every intersection had at least two patrol groups, and the formation network beneath the streets was obviously active. There was no chaos despite the number of people moving toward the same destination.

Su Yubing looked around.

"The city becomes completely different when all these people gather."

"It does."

"Do you think there will be trouble?"

Mo Yuxin squeezed her hand.

"Probably."

"You sound hopeful."

"Not hopeful. Prepared."

"For trouble?"

"For leaving if it becomes boring."

Su Yubing laughed.

They were halfway down the central avenue when a familiar voice called from behind them.

"Senior Yubing! Senior Yuxin!"

Su Yubing turned.

Luo Qinghe was hurrying toward them, one hand holding the sleeve of a woman walking beside her.

The woman was Ning Shuyue.

Today, unlike the previous casual meeting, both were dressed formally.

Luo Qinghe wore the light purple robes of Purple Heaven Valley, with a white medicine pouch hanging at her waist. Her hair had been tied up neatly, though several strands had already escaped because she seemed incapable of keeping still for more than a few breaths.

Ning Shuyue wore a dark silver sword cultivator’s robe. Her expression was as calm and cold as Mo Yuxin remembered, and a narrow sword hung from her waist.

When they reached the two women, Luo Qinghe smiled brightly.

"We finally found you."

Mo Yuxin glanced at her.

"Were you looking?"

"Of course."

Luo Qinghe reached into her sleeve and took out two jade invitations.

"I brought these."

Su Yubing accepted one.

"What are they?"

"Invitations to the Ten Thousand Dao Assembly."

Mo Yuxin looked at the invitation, then at Qinghe.

"Why?"

"Because I told my elders about you."

Mo Yuxin became suspicious.

"What did you tell them?"

Qinghe’s smile became slightly guilty.

"That you are very strong, very friendly, and that you saved us from a minor problem yesterday."

Ning Shuyue added quietly, "She also told them you repaired her sword without touching it."

Luo Qinghe looked at her wife.

"I had to mention that part."

Mo Yuxin looked at Su Yubing.

Su Yubing was already smiling.

"We do not have to accept."

Luo Qinghe immediately said, "You do."

"Why?"

"Because there will be good food."

Mo Yuxin thought about it.

"All right."

Su Yubing stared at her.

"You accepted that quickly."

"She said food."

Ning Shuyue’s expression changed very slightly.

Mo Yuxin noticed.

"Was that a smile?"

Ning Shuyue looked straight ahead.

"No."

Luo Qinghe laughed.

"She likes you."

Ning Shuyue looked at her wife.

"Qinghe."

"What? It is true."

"You talk too much."

"You knew that when you married me."

Ning Shuyue had no answer.

Su Yubing’s eyes softened.

She leaned closer to Mo Yuxin and whispered, "I like them."

Mo Yuxin nodded.

"Me too."

The four women continued toward the assembly hall together.

Along the way, Luo Qinghe explained what the gathering was meant to accomplish.

The Ten Thousand Dao Assembly happened once every several decades, though smaller administrative gatherings happened every year. The purpose was to discuss matters that affected the entire central region of the Southern Continent. Because Thousand Dao City belonged to no single sect, important decisions were usually negotiated here.

There were rules about flying ships, city security, secret realm access, spirit vein ownership, trade routes, and the use of dangerous techniques within city limits. There were also old agreements about how major sects could use shared cultivation resources.

Most importantly, each great sect wanted to preserve its influence.

That was where the gathering became complicated.

Luo Qinghe lowered her voice.

"Everyone smiles during the public session. Then they spend the evening trying to destroy each other’s proposals."

Su Yubing smiled.

"That sounds exhausting."

"It is."

"Then why do you attend?"

"Because I am a disciple of Purple Heaven Valley, and my elders think knowing what other sects are doing is part of cultivation."

Ning Shuyue added, "It is also useful to know who is lying."

Mo Yuxin looked at her.

"You are good at that?"

"I can usually tell when someone is lying."

"How?"

Ning Shuyue glanced at Qinghe.

"Living with her taught me."

Qinghe immediately protested.

"What does that mean?"

Su Yubing laughed.

Mo Yuxin smiled.

The Ten Thousand Dao Assembly Hall appeared ahead.

It was one of the largest structures in the city.

The hall itself was built from pale stone with enormous pillars carved in the shape of different dao symbols. Unlike the floating towers in the surrounding district, the assembly hall was firmly attached to the ground. The architects had apparently wanted it to symbolize stability rather than power.

Seven enormous banners hung above the main entrance.

Heavenly Sword Sect.

Azure Cloud Sect.

Golden Mountain Sect.

Cangming Palace.

Purple Heaven Valley.

Nine Heavens Academy.

Battle Maiden Sect.

There were smaller banners belonging to many other sects and clans beneath them, but these seven were clearly the most important Southern Continent powers represented in the main hall.

Su Yubing looked up at the banners.

"They really are treating them like seven pillars."

Qinghe nodded.

"There are more than seven great organizations, but these seven hold the most influence in this part of the continent."

Mo Yuxin noticed something.

The Battle Maiden banner was the smallest.

It was not by accident.

The central hall had seven main banner positions, and the Battle Maiden banner had been placed at the edge.

Mo Yuxin said nothing.

Ning Shuyue noticed her looking.

"It has been like that for several years."

Mo Yuxin glanced at her.

"Why?"

Ning Shuyue hesitated.

"Because people have stopped treating them as an equal power."

Luo Qinghe’s voice became quieter.

"Some say their influence is only surviving because of their connection to the Central Continent."

Su Yubing asked, "And what do you think?"

Ning Shuyue answered immediately.

"I think anyone who says a sect with thousands of years of history is weak because its banner is smaller is an idiot."

Luo Qinghe smiled at her.

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TO BE CONTINUED.