Such a grand display left the delegates from the two sects deeply impressed that they had made the trip worth their while.
The Nine Lions Ancestor of the Myriad Spirit Sect swept his gaze across the hall and suddenly asked, "Brother Qianye, there are two protagonists of this initiation ceremony, but how come we only see one?"
Ye Chonglou's breakthrough to the Origin Realm had long since spread throughout the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance. Naturally, everyone recognized him.
However, Jiang Chen—the one who had slain three of the Purple Sun Sect's elders and been imprisoned within the Immortal Mountain—had yet to make an appearance.
Grand Ancestor Qianye chuckled. "As it happens, Jiang Chen announced he was entering seclusion just a few days ago. He must have gained some insight into the martial dao and is on the verge of a breakthrough. If you distinguished guests would be willing to linger at the Treasure Tree Sect for a few more days, you will surely have the chance to meet the boy."
It was indeed a bit of a pity. With Jiang Chen absent from the initiation ceremony, there was an imperfection to the whole affair—like a crown missing its most resplendent jewel.
"Brother Qianye, you're not deliberately hiding Jiang Chen, are you? Worried we might poach your Treasure Tree Sect's talents?" The Nine Lions Ancestor jested with a grin.
"What's this? The Treasure Tree Sect stages such an extravagant ceremony, yet this little thief Jiang Chen doesn't even dare show his face?" Suddenly, a cold and contemptuous voice echoed from the void.
Everyone who heard it felt a jolt in their hearts.
Zhuiyang Old Monster?
The Purple Sun Sect had shown no sign of coming before this, and now they chose this moment to arrive—what did it mean?
For such a grand occasion, out of respect for the host, guests were expected to arrive beforehand. To show up in the middle of the event was not attendance—it was a show of force, an attempt to tear the whole affair apart.
The moment this voice reached his ears, both Grand Ancestor Qianye and Ye Chonglou's eyes glinted with sharp light. Their gazes pierced through the void like sword beams, shooting toward the entrance.
Outside, a massive contingent of the Purple Sun Sect descended from the sky like a crimson cloud, hurtling toward the hall from a great distance.
The formation of the Purple Sun Sect made it clear—they had brought their entire force.
Grand Ancestor Qianye's expression turned cold. Those who came harbored no goodwill, and goodwill never came uninvited. The Purple Sun Sect had arrived with such abruptness that the Treasure Tree Sect disciples guarding the mountain gate had not even relayed a message. What did that mean? It meant the Purple Sun Sect had simply barged in without permission from the Treasure Tree Sect.
Even a guest, upon reaching the mountain gate, was supposed to announce themselves first and allow the host to descend and receive them.
For the Purple Sun Sect to bypass the gate entirely and force their way into the sect's inner sanctum—their intentions were crystal clear. This was provocation. They were here to tear the ceremony apart.
"Brother Zhuiyang, is this how the Purple Sun Sect pays its respects as a guest?" Grand Ancestor Qianye's composure, no matter how refined, could not endure such brazen rudeness.
Zhuiyang Old Monster took the lead, laughing brazenly. "Who told you I came as a guest?"
At those words, everyone from the Treasure Tree Sect shot to their feet in an instant, swords drawn and ready, eyes blazing with fury as they glared at Zhuiyang Old Monster.
If he hadn't come as a guest, then he had come as an enemy.
Zhuiyang Old Monster smiled with arrogant disdain, his sweeping gaze surveying the entire hall. He drawled, "I've long heard that the Treasure Tree Sect possesses a Sky-Sun Tree. Brother Qianye, now that a distinguished guest has arrived, shouldn't you bring out some Sky-Sun Divine Fruit as a gesture of goodwill?"
At this, Grand Ancestor Qianye's fury only intensified. This Zhuiyang Old Monster, with his cryptic insinuations, was actually coveting the Sky-Sun Tree. A chill of vigilance surged through Grand Ancestor Qianye's heart.
His eyes flashed, and he looked past Zhuiyang Old Monster to the figures behind him.
At the front of the Purple Sun Sect's contingent, he spotted several unfamiliar faces. A blue-robed man accompanied by three gray-robed figures, clearly out of place among the rest of the Purple Sun Sect party.
The blue-robed man in particular radiated an aura of cold arrogance from head to toe, as if every hero gathered for this initiation ceremony was nothing more than dirt beneath his feet—not worth a single glance.
Moreover, this man commanded an imposing presence without so much as raising his voice. Simply standing there, he exuded a terrifying pressure that made one's heart tremble upon looking at him.
"Friend Zhuiyang, my Treasure Tree Sect kindly invited you to attend this ceremony, yet you resort to such boorish behavior—why is that? If this is how you wish to conduct yourselves, then the Treasure Tree Sect does not welcome you. Seeing you out!"
Grand Ancestor Qianye was burning with rage.
Zhuiyang Old Monster threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Seeing us out? It's easy to invite a god, but far harder to send one away. Brother Qianye, enough nonsense. I came here today to settle a few scores with your Treasure Tree Sect."
Ye Chonglou slammed his palm on the table and rose to his feet in a flash. "Zhuiyang, do you intend to run wild on the Treasure Tree Sect's turf?"
Zhuiyang Old Monster sneered, casting Ye Chonglou a look one might give a fool. "You're absolutely right. I've come to your Treasure Tree Sect's turf today specifically to run wild."
BOOM!
The entire hall erupted in uproar. Every member of the Treasure Tree Sect was shouting in outrage.
"Shut up!" Zhuiyang Old Monster's voice cut through the din like a low roar, his gaze falling with chilling severity upon Grand Ancestor Qianye. "Three conditions. First, hand over Jiang Chen. Second, hand over the Sky-Sun Tree. Third, submit to me."
"Bullshit!"
The moment these three demands left his lips, the Treasure Tree Sect delegation exploded again, curses flying in every direction.
"Get the hell back to the Purple Sun Sect and hide in your shells like the cowardly turtles you are!"
"You fools from the Purple Sun Sect—lost a few elders and still not satisfied with dying? You've come to the Treasure Tree Sect looking for more death, have you?"