Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 286: The Three Sects and the King's Gathering

Li Zhendao smiled faintly. "Sect Master Mo is as humorous as ever."

He betrayed not the slightest change in emotion, as though Mo Lingxiao's words had no effect on him.

Shen Mo, observing the exchange, smiled inwardly.

Mo Lingxiao had clearly begun with an attempt to assert dominance over Li Zhendao, acting as though he were Li's senior, speaking with a lofty air.

When Mo Lingxiao saw that his words had failed to evoke any reaction, he smiled faintly and extended a hand to shake Li Zhendao's.

The two clasped hands in a superficial gesture, their faces betraying polite yet insincere smiles.

Li Zhendao's gaze shifted to the tall young man behind Mo Lingxiao.

"I've heard much about the prodigious talent of your sect's young master, but I've never had the chance to meet him until today.

Sect Master Mo has truly hidden him well."

Mo Lingxiao laughed heartily. "Of course! If I didn't keep him hidden, he might catch the eye of some unscrupulous individuals.

Yu Province isn't exactly safe."

Shen Mo also turned to examine the young man.

With sharp brows, bright eyes, and a tall, commanding presence, the youth resembled a sword drawn from its sheath.

Even without speaking, his demeanor was overbearing, radiating an air of arrogance that kept others at bay.

This was none other than Chu Tiankuo, the young master of the Shangqing Sect.

However, after a glance at Chu Tiankuo's life panel, Shen Mo lost interest.

His destiny couldn't compare to that of Ye Yan and was far inferior even to Xiao Fan's.

The only notable aspects were the "Fortune's Favor" and "Turning Calamity into Blessing" attributes, which were just barely acceptable.

The rest of his life traits were merely of purple-grade significance.

Chu Tiankuo had been sizing up Shen Mo, harboring thoughts of a subtle contest of dominance.

But when Shen Mo abruptly shifted his gaze away, as though losing interest, Chu Tiankuo's irritation flared.

What is this? Am I, Chu Tiankuo, unworthy of being your opponent?

Mo Lingxiao's smiling gaze turned toward Shen Mo.

"This must be the newly appointed young master of your sect, Shen Mo. I've heard many stories about him."

Shen Mo merely nodded slightly, his expression calm.

Tensions between the two sides had been high recently, with the Shangqing Sect even surrounding three of the Yuding Sect's industries, including the Golden Iron Valley.

They had come close to an outright confrontation.

If Shen Mo were to act overly polite, it would only make him appear weak.

"Such character—I like it," Mo Lingxiao said with a hearty laugh, amused by Shen Mo's cold reaction.

"Elder, please escort Sect Master Mo and his party to the council hall to rest," Li Zhendao said casually.

"Certainly," the elder replied with a nod. "Everyone, please follow me."

"Don't keep me waiting too long," Mo Lingxiao remarked lightly as he departed.

Not long after Mo Lingxiao and his group entered the council hall, another cloudship appeared on the horizon.

This ship was smaller than the armored cloudship, its surface lacking armor, and its emitted glow was faint.

It resembled a merchant vessel more than a warship.

From the ship, two figures descended.

Leading the way was a rotund middle-aged man, followed closely by an equally rotund younger man.

Their smiles and movements were eerily identical, as if cast from the same mold.

"Sect Master Hai, a pleasure to meet you," Li Zhendao said with a smile, clasping his hands in greeting.

Hai Qiankun laughed heartily in response. "A pleasure indeed. It's been years, yet Sect Master Li is as distinguished as ever."

"You flatter me," Li Zhendao replied with a polite smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hai Qiankun's gaze naturally fell on Shen Mo.

"You must be Shen Mo. The Qingxuan Sect was once under the banner of the Danhe Sect.

Why did you choose to join the Yuding Sect instead?" His small eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

Shen Mo answered calmly, "The Qingxuan Sect was abandoned by the Danhe Sect long ago, wasn't it?"

Hai Qiankun's eyes flickered, and then he burst into laughter.

"What sharp words! Sect Master Li, you've found a treasure. It's a shame he isn't a disciple of the Danhe Sect."

Li Zhendao chuckled with a hint of pride. "Sect Master Hai overpraises him."

At that moment, a massive shadow loomed in the sky, drawing everyone's attention upward.

A massive cloudship appeared in the sky.

Its surface gleamed with iron armor, and at its bow was a golden dragon ram, exuding an air of majesty.

Lavish and resplendent, it resembled a true dragon on parade.

"The Golden Dragon Cloudship! It's a royal vessel!"

Some well-informed disciples exclaimed in hushed voices.

Shen Mo gazed at the cloudship, every inch of its deck brimming with royal grandeur, deep in thought.

By protocol, a prince was entitled to no more than a Golden Python Cloudship.

However, Emperor Jing had specially gifted a Golden Dragon Cloudship to Prince Jing, a display of his favoritism toward his younger brother.

The differences between the Golden Dragon and Golden Python Cloudships were not merely cosmetic.

In terms of attack, defense, and speed, the Golden Dragon far surpassed the Golden Python.

The value of this single ship alone was enough to purchase several smaller sects outright.

"Hahaha, it seems this prince is still late despite rushing over. My apologies!"

A clear and hearty laugh echoed from the cloudship.

Moments later, a figure descended gracefully from the vessel, landing in the center of the martial arena.

The man wore a golden python robe, a jade belt at his waist, and carried a sandalwood folding fan.

With sharp brows, bright eyes, a handsome face, and an upright bearing, he exuded nobility.

Even a casual glance revealed his extraordinary status.

"Greetings, Prince Jing."

Li Zhendao, Hai Qiankun, and the elders all cupped their hands in respect toward the young man.

As sect masters, Li Zhendao and Hai Qiankun were not required to perform a full bow.

Shen Mo, being a young sect master, along with elders like the Grand Elder, Yang Qiye, and Wan Mushun, who were in the Nascent Soul realm, were similarly exempt.

The Yuanying elders, deacons, and disciples of the Yuding Sect, given their longstanding defiance of the imperial court, naturally did not kneel.

At most, they called out "Your Highness, Prince Jing," as a token of respect.

Prince Jing seemed unfazed by this and wore a warm smile as he approached Li Zhendao and Hai Qiankun.

"I've long heard of Sect Master Li and Sect Master Hai's illustrious reputations. Meeting you today, I see the truth in the legends."

He cupped his hands slightly toward them, showing the proper demeanor of a younger generation.

"From now on, I will be acting as the Governor of Yu Province.

The previous governor, Ji Quan, acted recklessly, sowing discord among the three sects and even attempting to harm the Yuding Sect. Such actions are unforgivable.

Rest assured, Sect Master Li, His Majesty has exiled Ji Quan to Haizhou, where he can endure the harsh, humid sea winds as punishment."

"This prince is different. My arrival in Yu Province is to unite the three sects against a common enemy—the armies of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation."

Prince Jing's smile was radiant, but his true thoughts remained hidden.

Li Zhendao nodded slightly.

Prince Jing had shown ample respect and proper conduct, making it clear he wasn't here to disrupt Yu Province but was earnest in his intention to keep the Ten Thousand Demons Nation at bay.

"In that case, I invite Prince Jing and Sect Master Hai to join me. Sect Master Mo has already arrived, and we can begin discussions on countering the Ten Thousand Demons Nation." Li Zhendao smiled.

"Excellent," Prince Jing agreed with a nod.

As the young sect master, Shen Mo entered the council hall to participate in the discussions among the three sects and the prince.

The initial discussions were straightforward.

The three sects and the prince agreed to put aside their grievances and unite against the external threat.

Given the formidable and advancing armies of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation, this resolution was quickly reached.

However, subsequent discussions proved more contentious.

While much of Wuzhou had fallen, some cultivators were still resisting valiantly.

Moreover, allowing the demon race to take full control of Wuzhou's resource industries would significantly accelerate the Ten Thousand Demons Nation's rise in power.

Thus, before the demon army reached Yu Province, a counteroffensive needed to be launched into Wuzhou to reclaim lost ground.

This required manpower from all four factions.

How many people each faction would send, who would bear the costs, and who would take credit—all these details had to be meticulously negotiated.

Each faction sought to maximize its own interests, making a swift agreement impossible.

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