The scene changes—
Hangfang is now in the opulent meeting hall of his sect. His eyes are immediately drawn to the biggest, most dominating chair in the room—a throne that exudes dominance, power, and authority. Occupying it, of course, is Sect Leader Xiao Shi. To her sit several other sect leaders, many of whom had previously enjoyed complicated backstories and rivalries—including some prominent female cultivators. They are here for a reason.
Hangfang, struggling to comprehend the scene, appears clearly perplexed.
Shattering the oppressive silence, Sect Leader Xiao Shi is the first to speak.
"Hangfang," she says, her tone cutting yet even, "when your body revived recently… did you sense anything unusual in it?"
Hangfang is taken aback, looking uncertain. "No, Sect Leader. I didn't sense anything abnormal. But… why would you be questioning me about this?"
Xiao Shi makes a slight nod and continues, her voice becoming more serious.
"In recent days—ever since your awakening—there have been. disturbances. Throughout regions, the circulation of Qi energy has turned turbulent. Increasing numbers of cases of sudden body awakenings are occurring. Levels once considered unreachable… have since turned accessible. Even monsters, their power has increased, developing into higher levels. High-level magical beasts are growing in quantity. And ancient relics—some having their own consciousness or soul—are reappearing."
This discovery puts Hangfang in a state of shock and profound bewilderment.
But suddenly, something cuts through his mind—
A voice, not spoken out loud, but directly impressed upon his mind.
It's Yan Xiao.
She is speaking frantically, with fear. with mystery.
> "Listen carefully. You need to leave this meeting—now. Go to your room. Say you're entering closed-door cultivation. Tell them not to disturb you under any condition."
Hangfang's face stiffens, startled.
He responds mentally, "But… why?"
> "No time for details. Just trust me. Go. Now."
Hangfang hurries to compose himself and interjects before the sect leader can go on.
"Sect Leader," he says deferentially, "just now, when you were speaking, I had a. revelation. I feel it's something I have to grasp fully on my own. May I go back to my quarters to do deep cultivation?"
The abrupt announcement surprises some in the room. Mention of 'knowledge revelation' comes as a surprise—but no one protests. Permission is given.
Hangfang bows and hurries out.
As he heads in the direction of his room, his mind spins.
> What could be so important. so grave, that Yan Xiao would summon me like that?
When he reaches there, he finds Yan Xiao already present, relaxed on his sofa, smoke drifting from her mouth.
She glances up. "Took you long enough."
Hangfang scowls. "Forget that. Explain—what's going on? Why did you call me with so much rush? You sounded like something enormous has occurred."
Yan Xiao releases a breath, now stern.
> "Because it has."
---
Hangfang demands, "What happened? Stop going around the bush!"
Yan Xiao edges forward slightly. "I swear, what am I supposed to do with the actual Hangfang if he didn't even inform you of this?"
She shakes her head, then speaks with firm conviction.
> "Listen carefully. It's time for the Troyodite."
Hangfang blinks. "Troyodite? What… is that?"
Yan Xiao's eyes narrow. "It's a meeting—hosted by Lord Ba Lei Zhe."
Hangfang frowns. "And who is this Ba Lei Zhe, exactly?"
Yan Xiao takes a deep breath.
> "He's the supreme. More powerful than any of the elite in the Celestial Order. He's my master—mine and the true Hangfang's. His power is so great that even the three Celestial Overlords take their orders from him. He's assembled some of the most powerful creatures at his disposal… including us."
Hangfang's head spins. "Someone like him… shouldn't we be staying away from him then? Why is this meeting so important? Does this happen frequently?"
Yan Xiao shakes her head. "No. And the fact that it's occurring now means something serious is brewing. That's why this Troyodite is compulsory."
She rises to her feet. Her voice becomes authoritative.
> You're coming with me. Stay by my side. Don't do anything on your own. And whatever you do—don't let them know that you're not really Hangfang. There will be a lot of creatures there… and if they find out the truth… they will kill you instantly."
Hangfang nods gravely.
Yan Xiao extends her hand and focuses an energy pulse into a ring that she has on.
A portal of a special sort starts to glow and unfold before them, radiating with supernatural energy.
They step through it together.
And the instant they do—
It closes behind them.
I am sorry that for a long time I was not able to realise the chapter because all my files got deleted and in the meantime I had to attend a function but now at the time of chapter time I am not able to realise