Beware Of Chicken

A power bloc that rivaled all the Sects in its might… and the group that had captured the hearts of the Younger Generation. Cai Xiulan seated herself in the chair facing the amphitheater.

The chair lit with four lights.

“Thank you all for coming,” Xiulan said, her voice flowing over them all. “We have much to discuss—but first, there is a matter to address. Mengde’s Crystal Emporium has ignited a cultivator—a cultivator whose Dao is the crafting of crystals… and whose ancestor was addressed in the record of the past. They would join us, so they might better craft crystals for our alliance. I would have your thoughts upon this matter.”

The matter had already been known to the Elders; the Crystal Emporium had sent out transmissions with their intentions last week. To Xi Kong, the path forward was clear. They had lineage to the Ancestors and other things they brought to the table. Who would be foolish enough to say no to the premier crystal carvers in the province? Crystal carvers that now had a cultivator among their ranks would soon begin producing better quality crystals at that?

The matter had been decided before this question had been asked, and her appointment to their ranks swiftly confirmed. A cultivator for cultivator business. It increased Mengde’s prestige… and made it so that the sects were dealing with a peer, rather than mortals. All gained face from the arrangement.

“Presenting! Cao Biyu, Cultivator of Mengde’s Crystal Emporium!”

A young woman marched in. She was only in the Initiate’s Realm, but her Qi felt exceedingly steady and controlled. She was quite the beauty, too, and Xi Kong caught a few interested looks. He could sense some nervousness to her steps, but she bowed politely to them all.

“Mengde’s Crystal Emporium hopes little changes between us. It is the will of the Masters that we continue our work,” she informed them all.

With that matter out of the way, his daughter cleared her throat.

“Though the Qi anomaly incident has been resolved… the events were quite complex. They involved certain persons and actions which compelled me to request an additional specialist to assist with my report,” the Grand Marshal said. “With your agreement I would present my expert to you now.”

That, however, had not been conveyed to them. There was a bit of murmuring, but her motion was swiftly agreed upon. She nodded to Bai Huizhong. A small sword formed and flew over to him, before opening into a fan.

The man read the words on it, and his jaw dropped. He turned and looked up at Xiulan, mouth wide open before looking back at the fan again.

He swallowed and cleared his throat nervously.

“P-Presenting…” he began, and paused again. The tension in the room began to rise. Who was it? Was it Master Jin?

“Presenting Lu Ri, Senior Disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect.”

The room was struck silent. No one dared to breathe.

A man strode into the Earthly Arena. He wore robes that were a light blue, with a dark blue coat over it. Tall and fluid yet exact in his movements. His face hidden by the brim of a well-worn straw hat.

Xi Kong felt the presence of a cultivator of the Earth Realm.

The man removed his hat and inclined his head to Xiulan. “Grand Marshal,” then he politely turned to address the rest of them.

“This one is Lu Ri, Senior Disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect. Due to the meritorious deeds of Cai Xiulan, this one has been given leave to fulfill the request of the Grand Marshal to inform the Sects of the Azure Hills of what transpired by his Master, The Black Clouds of the Silent Sky.”

Several Elders looked about ready to pass out. The cheerful, relaxed mood that had held for the last few days was certainly gone, Cai Xi Kong mused.

“Shall we begin?” Lu Ri asked, his voice calm and his diction as sharp as any sword.