During the break, Uncle-Master repeatedly cautioned Mo and me.
He warned us to be extremely careful and not to be careless once we entered the mountains.
To get the Soul Stone, we first had to pass through the misty mountain forest.
Only by avoiding all dangers within could we possibly reach the Black Demon Cult's stronghold.
Only there would we have a chance to find the Soul Stone.
When it came to important matters, especially the Soul Stone, I was quite diligent.
As for whether Qingdai could return in these two days, it was hard to say.
But as long as I wore the jade pendant, she could find me.
Similarly, the Fox Clan could too.
If Xiao Mei managed to invite Granny Hu San, she could also find me through the claw of Granny Hu San on my person.
As for Wudi Laomu, I wasn't too sure.
But I had already provided the address.
If Wudi Laomu agreed, I assumed she would send reinforcements at a crucial moment.
I mused to myself.
Just then, the sound of a "dong dong dong" bell rang from outside.
Hearing the bell, we all looked out.
Uncle-Master also stood up:
"Alright, it's time to gather. Pack your things and head to the plaza!"
I grunted in response.
Mo was already impatient:
"Let's go, let's go!"
We grabbed our belongings and left the room.
It was already dark outside.
As the mountain bell chimed, other fellow cultivators gradually appeared.
Then, they began walking towards the plaza.
By the time we arrived at the plaza, quite a few people had already gathered there.
Further ahead stood disciples from renowned sects.
Further back were those from smaller sects.
Finally, at the very rear were us, the rogue cultivators, the unaffiliated Taoist priests.
Hierarchy existed in all professions.
Ours was no different.
Because I had defeated Wang Qi during the day, many eyes were cast upon us as we arrived at the gathering.
Even some fellow Taoists offered a polite smile.
I nodded slightly in return, showing friendliness.
Now that we were about to head into battle, we would all be comrades from this point on.
Before long, most people had arrived.
I scanned the crowd; there were about a hundred and ten to twenty people.
Though there were only around a hundred, each person here possessed Taoist arts.
Some of the seniors had cultivation levels even higher than Uncle-Master.
Each of them was capable of maintaining peace in their respective regions.
Now gathered together, they formed a force not to be underestimated.
Some were excited, some were thrilled, while others remained silent.
The scene was somewhat boisterous.
After waiting for another three to five minutes, an old man in a yellow robe walked out.
The old man was not tall and held a horsetail whisk.
But the moment he appeared, the disciples from the sects in front fell silent.
Their gazes towards him were filled with respect.
At this moment, Uncle-Master said:
"This is an elder from Maoshan, I believe his name is Bai Daozi.
He holds a high position in the Taoist Alliance.
He will be leading the expedition this time."
Hearing this, Mo and I both nodded and looked on.
Bai Daozi stood on the steps, and the noisy plaza quickly quieted down.
Then, Bai Daozi's somewhat hoarse voice was heard:
"Fellow cultivators, I am Bai Daozi of Maoshan."
Having said that, he bowed.
Then, he continued:
"Now, as the world is in chaos with demons rampant and the demon cult resurfacing.
We, the cultivators of the Taoist path, must fulfill our duties without hesitation.
Now, we have been brought together by fate.
All responding to the call of the Taoist Alliance.
Today, I have been appointed by the Taoist Alliance.
As the commander for this demon-extermination mission.
I hope all fellow cultivators present will work together in one heart, act on behalf of heaven, and eradicate the Black Demon Cult.
And restore clarity to the heavens and earth..."
As Bai Daozi spoke these words.
Some people below responded:
"We will follow Elder Bai Daozi's arrangements."
"With Elder Bai Daozi here, eradicating the Black Demon Cult is just a matter of time."
"For the sake of the common people, for the Taoist Alliance."
"..."
Those shouting these words were mostly disciples from the major sects in the front rows, or disciples of Maoshan.
Uncle-Master and I watched silently.
But Mo, however, was getting all fired up.
He also shouted along:
"For the common people, for faith, for honor..."
Mo shouted at the top of his lungs.
I felt my toes curl with embarrassment.
Bai Daozi on the steps waved his hand.
Signaling for silence.
The crowd below quickly quieted down:
"I shall not waste any more time.
According to the intelligence.
The Black Demon Cult has established a stronghold, a demon lair, in the mountains thirty li away.
This poses a severe threat to the local populace.
This cancerous growth must be removed.
After discussions between myself and the esteemed fellow Taoists.
The one hundred and twenty Taoist friends present will be divided into twelve teams.
Led by twelve Taoist friends from Heishui Temple.
They will surround the demon lair from twelve directions.
When the time comes, we shall jointly destroy the demon court..."
"Jointly destroy the demon court!"
Suddenly, someone in front shouted.
Immediately after, a second and then a third person joined in the shout.
"Jointly destroy the demon court!"
"Jointly destroy the demon court!"
"..."
Finally, the voices became unified.
Under the influence of the atmosphere, I also shouted a few times.
Afterward, Bai Daozi continued to ramble for another ten minutes.
It was mostly about intelligence concerning the Black Demon Cult.
The people from Heishui Temple began distributing a list of personnel assignments.
This list contained everyone's name.
They were the names left during registration.
Mo, Uncle-Master, and I were assigned to the seventh team.
I looked at the personnel listed.
Besides the guide, a Taoist from Heishui Temple named Guan Xin.
There was me, Uncle-Master, Mo, Yunxia Gu, Xia Qiu Xi, Xu Han Chi, Luo Fei, and two unfamiliar Taoist friends named Yun Long and Yun Hu.
Judging by their names, they were either fellow disciples or brothers.
Seeing this list, I felt it was quite good.
It seemed that Yunxia Gu had intentionally grouped us together during the meeting.
One guide from Heishui Temple, Guan Xin, four from the Qingcheng Sect, plus us three, and two other rogue cultivators.
Exactly ten people.
At this moment, Bai Daozi's speech had concluded.
He once again spoke loudly:
"Fellow cultivators, whether we can destroy the demon court this time depends on everyone's joint efforts.
Everyone, take care!"
With that, he cupped his hands towards the crowd below.
The Taoist friends below also cupped their hands in return.
Then, Bai Daozi descended the stage.
Everyone present looked at the team roster in their hands.
"Who is in the third group?"
"Fifth group, assemble!"
"First group has assembled!"
"Ninth group, who is Wang Dahai?"
"..."
Shouts continued.
I also saw Wang Qi, Sun Yi, Zhao Ke, and others successively returning to their groups.
At the same time, our guide, the Taoist priest Guan Xin from Heishui Temple, loudly called out:
"Seventh group, assemble here."
Hearing this voice, Uncle-Master and I looked up.
We saw a good-looking female Taoist not far away, waving a list as she called out...