Mu Changge said calmly, “After the Seven Luminaries Sect was destroyed, the Seven Luminaries Sons escaped and became wandering cultivators without a sect. They began seizing resources everywhere, earning themselves a terrible reputation. I’d guess they targeted you during the auction when you bought the Heavenly Lotus.”
“The Seven Luminaries Art is pretty interesting,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“I’ll discuss this matter with the higher-ups in the sect. In the meantime, focus all your energy on preparing for the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering,” Mu Changge nodded.
After walking a while, Jiang Changsheng and Ye Kai rushed over with an elderly white-haired man.
It seemed they had gone to get reinforcements.
The old man’s aura was powerful, long and continuous, full of vitality.
His presence was overwhelming. He wore a white robe embroidered with several white clouds.
From the outside, he looked no different from a normal person, his face lined with the marks of time, only his eyes were bright and piercing, occasionally flashing with light.
“That’s our Grand Heaven Mountain’s old ancestor,” Ye Xuan said from the side.
Xu Zimo looked in the direction the old man came from. He knew this was one of the few remaining elders of Grand Heaven Mountain, and also the grandfather of his former self: Lin Juemie.
“Grandfather,” Xu Zimo greeted.
“Qiu’er, are you all alright?” Lin Juemie breathed a sigh of relief and asked urgently.
“We’re fine. Elder Mu saved us,” Xu Zimo replied.
Lin Juemie looked at Mu Changge, smiled, and said, “The Mu Clan boy is impressive, you’ve inherited your father’s style.”
“Changge greets Uncle Lin,” Mu Changge said respectfully.
Although Nine Heavens Empyrean Sect was far stronger than the current Imperial Sect, they were of the same lineage, and many still referred to each other by generational seniority.
Of course, some in the main sect still looked down on the branch sect, there was no helping that.
“Grandfather,” Lin Feng said pitifully from the side, clearly trying to play the victim, almost on the verge of tears.
“A real man stands tall. As the heir of Grand Heaven, what’s there to cry about?” Lin Juemie frowned and scolded him.
Lin Feng quickly straightened his expression and lowered his head in silence.
“Mu Clan boy, though you’re junior to me in seniority, since you’re here representing the main sect, I’ll address you formally as Elder Mu,” Lin Juemie said.
“Uncle Lin, as you wish,” Mu Changge said with a smile, not minding at all.
“Are you the only one sent from the main sect to oversee this Nine Heavens Grand Gathering?” Lin Juemie asked again.
“There’s also Elder Qin. He should be arriving soon. I just came earlier due to some personal matters,” Mu Changge replied with a smile.
“Which Elder Qin?” Lin Juemie pressed further.
“Qin Hansheng,” Mu Changge answered.
“Him?” Lin Juemie frowned slightly, then shook his head.
As the group chatted, they returned to Nine Heavens Imperial Sect in the afternoon.
As they neared the sect, they saw a crowd waiting at the gate.
“It’s lively. All nine leaders of Nine Heavens Imperial Sect are here,” Jiang Changsheng said from the side.
Xu Zimo looked over and saw that nine long lines stretched from the mountain gate, nearly blocking it.
The clothing among the nine mountains looked similar, but their colors were distinct:
White, black, red, blue, purple, gold, green, gray, and cyan.
These nine colors stood out in front of Nine Heavens’s mountain gate. Mist wrapped around the peaks, and long robes rustled in the wind.
As Mu Changge and the others approached, the head of Divine Heaven Mountain, Chang Qing, stepped forward and smiled.
“Welcome, Elder Mu, to Nine Heavens Imperial Sect.”
“Mountain Lord Chang is too kind. We’re of the same origin. I hope we can uncover more talented disciples to strengthen our Nine Heavens Sect. That’s everyone’s honor,” Mu Changge said humbly.
“Elder Mu, how is Qi’er doing in the main sect?” asked Wang Yuntian, head of Jade Heaven Mountain, with a smile.
“Junior Nephew Qi is one of the holy son candidates and has been cultivating diligently. I don’t know many details,” Mu Changge replied.
Hearing this, the surrounding leaders showed expressions of envy.
Usually, branch sect disciples were heavily suppressed when they went to the main sect and could only survive under others.
But Jade Heaven Mountain’s heir, Wang Qi, had entered Nine Heavens Empyrean Sect centuries ago and made a name for himself through sheer determination.
Now, he had even become a candidate for Holy Son.
Becoming Holy Son meant being chosen for cultivation by the sect master.
Leaders of Purple Heaven, Cinnabar Heaven, and Pure Heaven Mountains also came forward to greet him.
After all, getting into the main sect wasn’t just about performance at the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering, approval from someone like Mu Changge was critical.
“Elder Mu, the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering preparations are complete. It will be held in three days. Why not stay at my Jade Heaven Mountain these days?” Wang Yuntian suggested.
“Divine Heaven Mountain has already prepared a place for Elder Mu. You’re welcome to stay there,” Chang Qing added.
Watching the Mountain Lords compete for favor, Mu Changge sighed inwardly.
No wonder Nine Heavens Imperial Sect had declined in recent years, disunity among the nine mountains, and power-hungry leadership.
“I’ll rest at Grand Heaven Mountain. I promised Uncle Lin on the way,” Mu Changge said with a composed smile.
“Grand Heaven Mountain?” The others glanced at Lin Juemie and Lin Beisheng, uncertain.
But since Mu Changge had spoken, they didn’t dare oppose him, just responded with polite words.
As the lowest of the nine mountains, Grand Heaven Mountain rarely received attention. If a war broke out among the nine, it would be the first to fall.
Weakness was a sin.
Mu Changge was welcomed into the sect, and the nine mountains had already prepared a banquet. The whole Nine Heavens Imperial Sect was filled with joy.
Naturally, people paid less attention to juniors like Xu Zimo.
“With elders like that, no wonder your branch sect people are all useless,” Hong Ziling said with disdain.
“That I agree with. If it weren’t for Nine Heavens Empyrean Sect’s support these years, Nine Heavens Imperial Sect might’ve already lost its imperial-tier status,” Jiang Changsheng replied seriously.
“I don’t really care about this place, after all, I’m just a passerby in this world,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.
“A passerby? Why speak so cryptically?” Jiu You asked from the side.
“How confident are you about the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering?” Hong Ziling asked.
“How confident? You probably don’t know my reputation,” Xu Zimo laughed. “Go ask around Grand Heaven Mountain about the name Lin Qiu. Then you’ll understand.”