The crowd turned their heads in unison toward the figure standing behind Nangong Wentian, catching sight of a man in his early thirties, holding a longsword in one hand, who grinned and waved at them. “Everyone’s here, I see?”

Ignoring the varied expressions of the onlookers, he casually pushed Nangong Wentian slightly aside, settled into an empty seat, and then beckoned to him. “Wentian! Why are you still standing at the door? Come sit down!” His manner suggested he had arrived long ago and had been awaiting only Nangong Wentian’s presence.

Nangong Wentian smiled, unbothered by the gesture. He first paid his respects to the main factions present before finally approaching Ye Wen of the Shu Mountain Sect, offering a courteous greeting. “My young lady must have caused you considerable trouble, Sect Leader Ye?” Nangong Zixin had returned home in recent years, but her words were always guarded. Still, even though the girl retained a degree of arrogance, she was no longer as reckless as before, which pleased Nangong Wentian greatly and increased his gratitude toward the Shu Mountain Sect.

Ye Wen clasped his fists. “Guiding the disciples of my sect is my duty, Sect Leader Nangong. You are too kind!” He then addressed Nangong Tinghai. “Huang’er is traveling with me this time; he is currently resting in the Zen Courtyard.”

Nangong Tinghai nodded. “My elder brother and I will call upon you later!” He exchanged pleasantries with Ning Ruxue for a moment, inquiring why Xu Xian had not arrived.

As they spoke, the others recalled that a younger generation member of the Nangong family was under the tutelage of the Shu Mountain Sect. This news had caused a stir back then, surprising many. At the time, everyone knew only that Nangong Wentian’s youngest daughter had joined Shu Mountain; now they learned that Nangong Tinghai’s son had also entered their gates.

“How close are the Shu Mountain Sect and the Nangong family?”

Many pondered this realization. If the Shu Mountain Sect truly allied with the Nangong family, would the balance of power in the Jianghu shift once more?

The last person to enter glanced around, seeing that every seat was taken, and asked, “Are we still waiting for someone? Why haven’t the dishes been served? My stomach has been staging a revolt for quite some time!”

Master Huixin chuckled. “Sect Leader Ximen remains as straightforward as ever!” He then signaled a middle-aged monk standing nearby to bring out the pre-prepared feast and wine.

Hearing Master Huixin’s words, Ye Wen realized the late arrival was none other than Ximen Cuixue, the head of the Ximen noble family—a man whom the Nine Swords Immortal ranked among the absolute top masters of the age. Yet, observing him now, he looked no different from any ordinary, roguish swordsman; Ye Wen could detect no sign of extraordinary power.

“He certainly doesn’t look like the head of a noble family!”

However, Ye Wen harbored no intention of underestimating him. It was precisely this kind of person who demanded greater caution. Individuals who disregarded the typical trappings of authority, yet managed to control a powerful faction, proved they didn't rely on superficial appearances to maintain their prestige. Such people usually possessed formidable strength that commanded the sincere loyalty and obedience of their followers.

As Ye Wen observed him for a moment, his gaze briefly swept over others nearby, yet Ximen Cuixue noticed it nonetheless. He chuckled and addressed Ye Wen. “You look quite new to me, brother. May I ask your name?”

Ye Wen clasped his fists. “I am Ye Wen of the Shu Mountain Sect. May I ask your distinguished title…”

“Ximen Cuixue!” He waved dismissively, adding, “Not very old, yet you speak so rigidly. Truly tiresome!” He then ceased addressing Ye Wen, turning instead to chat animatedly with Bei Cheng Yan at his side. Bei Cheng Yan, however, seemed utterly unimpressed, barely acknowledging the torrent of saliva Ximen Cuixue expended.

“Tsk! Still so aloof!”

Everyone present, save for Ye Wen, appeared accustomed to his behavior. No one found it strange; they simply continued conversing with their neighbors or closed their eyes to meditate.

A short while later, the food and wine arrived. Master Huixin raised his cup. “Esteemed figures of the Righteous Martial World, the reason we have gathered today needs no elaboration from this old monk. After we drink this cup of wine, we shall discuss our course of action!”

Ye Wen lifted his cup, observing Huixin—a bald monk clad in a saffron robe, with a Zen staff resting beside him. To speak like a leader of the underworld right after seating himself struck Ye Wen as jarring. This Master Huixin is hardly what I’d call a monk! Furthermore, he noticed that Huixin’s small table held both wine and meat, identical to everyone else’s. It seemed that to pursue martial arts, Master Huixin dispensed with vegetarianism.

Just as he prepared to drain his wine, Li Xuan, who had been sitting with his eyes closed like a sculpted figure, suddenly spoke. “Master, wait. We can drink this wine later. Please allow me to welcome Sect Leader Ye first!”

Master Huixin, interrupted by Li Xuan, showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he exclaimed with sudden realization, “Ah, my old head! I completely forgot this matter!” He then gestured toward Ye Wen. “This is Sect Leader Ye Wen of the Shu Mountain Sect, known by the moniker the Gentleman Sword.”

Having made the introduction, he said no more, instead watching Ye Wen with a gentle smile that made Ye Wen distinctly uncomfortable.

Li Xuan rose from his seat, raising his wine cup high. “Sect Leader Ye is seated among us for the first time. By tradition, we must offer a proper welcome.”

Ye Wen felt a flicker of confusion, but then saw Li Xuan emerge from behind his seat, cup raised, and approach him. Ye Wen immediately stood, lifting his own cup, thinking inwardly, Why is Li Xuan being this polite? Is there some trickery afoot?

A quick glance to the side confirmed his suspicion: the entire hall was now focused on him, clearly interested in what was to follow. There is indeed a problem!

However, given the situation, his only recourse was to meet the challenge as it came. He raised his cup and lightly tapped it against Li Xuan’s. Then, Li Xuan stated, “Please drink this cup to the bottom, Sect Leader Ye!”

With a sharp ding, Ye Wen felt as if he were holding not a wine cup, but a block of ice frozen for an unknowable amount of time. An intensely chilling cold emanated from the liquid inside, yet the wine itself showed no sign of freezing, remaining perfectly fluid.

What exquisite and tyrannical chilling energy!

Only by enveloping his fingers with his Innate Violet Qi could Ye Wen grip the cup normally. He looked across at Li Xuan, who merely made a gesture of invitation, his smile unchanged, as if they had simply shared an ordinary toast.

Glancing sideways again, he saw the assembled company watching him with keen interest. With their cultivation levels, they could naturally sense the anomaly in the wine, yet none spoke, indicating that Li Xuan’s actions were entirely routine in their eyes.

By now, Ye Wen understood the meaning of this ritual: it was nothing less than a test.

These individuals represented the pinnacle of the Jianghu—the true elite of the contemporary Martial World. Gatherings like this were clearly not unprecedented. If a newcomer wished to join this exclusive circle, passing this trial was mandatory.

Ye Wen’s conjecture was entirely correct. This group essentially constituted the top fighting force of the Righteous Path. The major sects always held established positions at the Martial Arts Assembly. Shu Mountain’s invitation this time, and Ye Wen’s seating among them, was the decision of Master Huixin and True Man Tianyi.

However, extending the invitation required the approval of the others. If he failed this test... well, the door was right there, and he was free to leave as he pleased.

Ye Wen tested the chilling energy of the wine in his grasp. Though the cold was piercing, he felt no fear. With a faint smile, he said, “Sect Leader Li is too courteous!” Then, tilting his head back, he swallowed the liquid, which was saturated with the chilling power of Li Xuan’s Ice Soul Profound Art.

This action shocked everyone. Some suspected Ye Wen had lost his mind. To drink that wine down directly? Did he value his life so little?

But what happened next astonished them even more. After drinking, Ye Wen exhaled, and a plume of white mist rose from his breath, just like breathing out on a winter’s day. Then, as if nothing had happened, he flashed the empty bottom of his cup.

Li Xuan burst into laughter. “Sect Leader Ye truly possesses great spirit!” With that, he smiled and returned to his seat, thinking to himself, This Ye Wen is truly interesting!

Others might not know, but Li Xuan was acutely aware of how much chilling energy he had infused into that wine. If an ordinary person had drunk it, the five inner organs would have frozen solid before the wine even reached the stomach. For martial artists, those with lesser cultivation would die instantly, and even those with strong internal powers would suffer severe internal injuries.

Li Xuan had originally predicted that if Ye Wen possessed ability, he would use his internal energy to dispel the chill from the wine before it reached his mouth. If he couldn't remove all of it, at least dispersing the majority would render the remaining chill manageable for someone of their caliber, requiring only brief recuperation.

But Li Xuan never anticipated that Ye Wen would disregard the danger and simply drink it down. What astonished him further was that his chilling technique proved completely ineffective against Ye Wen—most in the hall assumed the white breath Ye Wen exhaled was the wine’s cold energy escaping, but Li Xuan knew it was merely ordinary breath, affected by the cold’s presence.

This meant Ye Wen hadn't forced the chilling energy out; he had neutralized it inside his body! Since mastering the Ice Soul Profound Art, Li Xuan had encountered many capable individuals, but few who were immune to the penetration of his internal chill.

What they didn't know was that behind Shu Mountain lay a Cold Spring, and the bulk of Ye Wen’s cultivation stemmed from training in that spring, granting him a natural immunity to extreme cold. Once the chill entered his body, his Innate Violet Qi enveloped it, and after circulating briefly, it dissolved. Furthermore, because Li Xuan’s power was so pure, the chilling energy was rapidly refined by Ye Wen’s Violet Qi and converted into his own True Qi, giving him an unexpected minor boost.

If the Innate Violet Qi weren’t a balanced and harmonious technique, Ye Wen wouldn't have exhibited even that slight abnormality in his breath. If he had cultivated Xu Xian’s Pure Yang Supreme Art, such a minor chill would have been melted instantly.

Regardless of the method, Ye Wen had subtly displayed his capabilities, earning the recognition of the assembly. Consequently, the status of the Shu Mountain Sect was formally established. From now on, provided they didn't forfeit their position, the Shu Mountain Sect would hold a seat at the Martial Arts Assembly held every five years.

Ye Wen was unaware of the implications of that single cup of wine. Had he known its importance, he might have performed a more dramatic display. Instead, his casual, almost effortless demeanor made him even more inscrutable. Ximen Cuixue, who hadn't paid him much attention earlier, now kept glancing toward Ye Wen. Even when Ye Wen caught his eye, Ximen Cuixue merely remarked, “Sect Leader Ye’s internal strength is truly exceptional!”

Bei Cheng Yan added, “Sect Leader Ye’s cultivation has advanced further. This is truly a blessing for our Righteous Martial World!”

Master Huixin seemed unsurprised by the outcome. Seeing Li Xuan return to his seat, he lifted his own cup. “Enough talk. Let us drink this cup first!” He then ignored everyone else, tilted his neck back, and drained his wine in one gulp.

Seeing Huixin finish, the others responded in kind, downing their drinks before setting their cups aside, awaiting Huixin’s next words.

This time, it was True Man Tianyi who spoke. He casually retrieved a stack of scrolls and explained, “The Demonic Cult has grown increasingly audacious these past few years, and we can no longer afford to ignore them! After extensive investigation over the years, we have finally located the cult’s stronghold. This is the map; take a look, everyone!”

A young monk came forward to distribute the scrolls. Ye Wen received one and unfolded it, revealing a vast expanse of deep blue—which, on a map, clearly signified...

“A sea chart?”

Ye Wen’s spoken question immediately clarified the map’s nature for those less familiar with inland geography. Dongfang Yi of the Azure Dragon Society nodded in confirmation. “Indeed, it is a sea chart!” His headquarters being by the ocean, he was naturally very familiar with such maps.

True Man Tianyi nodded. “Precisely. The Demonic Cult has inexplicably established its lair on an island overseas. That is why fellow Daoists searched for so many years and still could not pinpoint their location!”

Ximen Cuixue, while picking at some food with his chopsticks, smiled. “Heh! This Demonic Cult certainly has some capability, managing to hide themselves from the assembled heroes of the Righteous Path and grow strong in peace. I imagine by now, they must have become a formidable force?”

“Indeed. Over the years, by secretly supporting the Tianle Gang to amass vast funds, the Demonic Cult has not only become powerful but has also amassed several personal armies!”

Hiss~

This information was classified by the court. Ordinary people would never know these details. If Master Huixin hadn’t convened this assembly specifically to destroy the Demonic Cult, this would not have been revealed.

As for the source of the intelligence? Everyone present understood the close ties between the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Zen Sect, and the current Imperial Court. Not only this minor detail, but the very sea chart in his hand was likely provided by the Court.

Fortunately, everyone present were elites. They understood what could and could not be discussed. These matters were best kept implicit, and no one was foolish enough to ask where the information came from or the origins of the sea chart.

Since Dongfang Yi’s Azure Dragon Society operated along the coast with many maritime-related ventures, receiving the sea chart and realizing the Demonic Cult hid on an island presented a prime opportunity for the Azure Dragon Society to shine. While others studied the map, calculating the island’s distance, he was already roughly estimating the voyage time.

He calculated the number of ships required, the necessary heading, the ideal season for departure, and the requisite supplies.

“Sect Leader Dongfang, what are your thoughts?”

Without waiting for Dongfang Yi to speak, True Man Tianyi addressed him directly. It was clear that handling the sea voyage was the consensus choice for Dongfang Yi.

“No issues, though securing large ships capable of deep-sea travel might prove tricky!”

His Azure Dragon Society could procure small or moderately sized vessels, but the largest and sturdiest ships would be the Imperial Navy's warships—the ideal choice.

True Man Tianyi had considered this issue but casually asked, “What about the rest?”

“The rest, including fresh water and food supplies, my Azure Dragon Society will cover entirely!” He quickly calculated internally. “However, the timing of the voyage must be carefully considered. If we encounter a period of terrible weather, we might perish at sea before we even reach the Demonic Cult’s lair!”

When it came to the dangers of sea travel, few present had more authority to speak on the matter than he. Thus, although they considered themselves highly skilled martial artists and were slightly dismissive, none refuted his point.

Only Ye Wen, having heard related topics before, possessed a slight conceptual grasp. While calculating the approximate distance, he asked Dongfang Yi, “Sect Leader Dongfang, if everything goes smoothly, approximately how long will our voyage take to reach the island where the Demonic Cult resides?”

Dongfang Yi hadn't expected Ye Wen to be the first to inquire and paused briefly. However, Ye Wen’s question was not obscure, so he quickly regained his composure and replied, “If all goes smoothly, approximately one month!”

“One month…”

Ye Wen tried to recall the longest period he’d spent without sight of land while playing some seafaring game, but his memory failed him. Still, a month adrift at sea meant extensive preparation was necessary.

“If it’s that long, we’ll probably need to stock more fruits, otherwise, afflictions like scurvy could become troublesome!” He vaguely recalled that sprouts were effective in preventing such diseases, but he wasn't sure if people in this world knew that.

Even if he couldn’t recall whether a month would trigger scurvy, preparation seemed wise. Moreover, they were heading into a major battle upon arrival. If they arrived exhausted and weak from the voyage, how could they possibly eradicate the Demonic Cult? They would be better off as targets waiting to be eliminated.

They then discussed other matters, mostly speculating on the Demonic Cult's current strength and potential tactics for the ensuing assault.

Li Xuan advocated for dividing the force into four routes, attacking the cult’s central compound from four directions simultaneously, ensuring no member could escape.

You always want to divide the forces! Unfortunately, Ye Wen held little influence, despite his seat at the table. Li Xuan’s proposal resonated perfectly with the others—the desire to leave no single cult member alive. Thus, the decision was unanimously passed: upon reaching the island, they would divide into four contingents to utterly annihilate the Demonic Cult.