After nearly a day of travel, the group finally arrived at Bright Flame City early the next morning.
From the outside, Bright Flame City didn’t look much different in architectural style from other cities. It was an older city, and there were some cracks and worn-out spots on the city walls. On top of the wall, there were high platforms at regular intervals, each with blazing holy fire burning, the symbol of Bright Flame City.
It was early morning, the sun rising in the east with purple mist drifting over. The city, asleep all night, was slowly waking up. The streets were crowded with people. Vendors carried goods on their shoulders, shouting through the bustling crowd. It was lively.
Since they had come to Bright Flame City mainly to prepare for the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering, they expected to stay for two or three days. After entering the city, the four of them decided to first find an inn to rest and settle down.
…
Just as they walked into an inn, Xu Zimo unexpectedly saw some fellow disciples from Grand Heaven Mountain. Ye Kai and his younger sister Ye Xuan were also there, and it looked like they had just arrived as well.
Ye Xuan wore a white robe. Her long hair was tied back into a small braid, and she carried a large bundle on her back.
“Senior Brother Ye, Junior Sister Ye,” Lin Feng greeted them with a smile.
“You’re here too?” Ye Kai turned and smiled warmly.
“Yes, we heard this auction has been in preparation for three years. There are supposed to be a lot of rare treasures. How could we miss it?” Lin Feng laughed.
While the others chatted, Xu Zimo sat at a table with Jiang Changsheng, discussing what food to order.
“Senior Brother, something simple will do,” Jiang Changsheng said.
“Come on, we can’t just make do when it comes to food,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“Then I’m not paying. I saved all my spirit crystals for the auction,” Jiang Changsheng quickly replied.
“A great man doesn’t fuss over small things. Don’t be so stingy,” Xu Zimo grinned. “You’re so strong, why didn’t you join the Grand Heaven Mountain Tournament yesterday?”
“What’s the point? Even if I went to the Nine Heavens event, I’d just embarrass myself,” Jiang Changsheng said indifferently.
“What do you mean?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You usually don’t pay attention, so I’ll tell you, among the Nine Mountains, Grand Heaven Mountain is at the bottom,” Jiang Changsheng explained. “Don’t be fooled by your brother being an Imperial Son. The other eight peaks don’t take him seriously. Especially this year, Pure Heaven and Purple Heaven Mountains have several monstrous geniuses. In hundreds of years, our Grand Heaven Mountain hasn’t even made it into the top three.”
“That bad?” Xu Zimo chuckled and shook his head.
Just then, Ye Xuan walked over and glared at Xu Zimo.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Came for the auction,” Xu Zimo replied.
“You were nearly assassinated a few days ago, and you still dare to wander around?” she asked.
“What? Are you worried about me now?” Xu Zimo smiled.
“I’m just wondering when you’ll drop dead,” Ye Xuan snorted and turned her head.
“Oh come on, Senior Sister, all I did was accidentally see you bathing. Are you still mad about that?” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head. “It’s been so long I can barely remember what it looked like.”
“You still dare to talk about it!” Ye Xuan’s face turned red.
“Well, if you have time tonight, you can come to my room and help refresh my memory,” Xu Zimo said with a grin.
“Go to hell!” Ye Xuan drew the sword at her waist and slashed at him.
“Xuan’er!” Ye Kai quickly stopped her, frowning. “What are you doing?”
“Brother, he bullied me,” Ye Xuan pointed toward Xu Zimo and Jiang Changsheng.
Xu Zimo turned to Jiang Changsheng and suddenly jumped up, yelling, “Changsheng! You shameless scoundrel! How could you flirt with someone like that? A righteous man like me won’t associate with the likes of you!”
“You really are an ass...” Jiang Changsheng muttered under his breath.
“Fine. Since this was your first offense, you can make it up by paying for this meal,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand.
…
Once everyone sat down, they ordered a full table of dishes.
While they were eating, a group of people entered the inn, five of them, all dressed in matching purple robes that stood out.
On the robes were embroidered mountains, rivers, and crashing waves.
“They’re from the Mountain River Imperial Sect,” Lin Feng frowned slightly. “Looks like they’re here for the auction too.”
Speaking of the Mountain River Imperial Sect, also known simply as Mountain River Sect, it was important to understand the power structure of the Southern Region.
The Southern Region had only one god sect: the Eternal God Sect.
There were two empyrean sects: the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect and the main sect of the Nine Heavens Sect, the Nine Heavens Empyrean Sect.
As for imperial sects, there were at least five. The Mountain River Sect was ranked alongside the Nine Heavens Sect.
The disciples from the Mountain River Sect noticed Xu Zimo’s group as well.
“See that woman in the purple robe with the short hair and the purple whip on her waist?” Jiang Changsheng whispered to Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo nodded slightly. The woman had short hair above her ears and wore a tight-fitting purple robe. The whip on her waist looked like a coiled snake. Among the group of male disciples, she stood out.
“She’s the Imperial Daughter of Mountain River Sect. Word is she beat the entire younger generation into submission by herself,” Jiang Changsheng said.
“How do you know so much?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.
“It never hurts to know a bit more when you’re traveling the Southern Region,” Jiang Changsheng replied. “And the young man next to her is her brother, Chu Cichao. He’s basically the troublemaker of Mountain River Sect, kind of like your role in Nine Heavens.”
…
After getting their rooms, the Mountain River Sect group sat down at the table next to Xu Zimo’s.
Chu Cichao raised his wine cup and walked over with a smile.
He looked at Xu Zimo and the others and asked, “You guys from Nine Heavens Sect here for the auction too?”
“Yes,” Lin Feng nodded.
“Well, I say don’t bother. Your sect’s been tearing itself apart for years, it’s fading fast. How can you compete with our Mountain River Sect financially? Might as well quit while you’re ahead,” Chu Cichao laughed.
Ye Kai frowned and was about to speak.
But the woman from Mountain River Sect suddenly stood up and glared at Chu Cichao.
“Cichao, what nonsense are you spouting? Apologize, now.”
After speaking, she turned to Xu Zimo’s group, bowed slightly, and said, “My brother misspoke. Please don’t take offense.”
“It’s fine. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Lin Feng said with an unpleasant expression.