The subordinate bowed and spoke.
"We certainly need to continue investigating the source of this matter, but dealing with this incident is also a matter of great urgency. This intelligence is a huge help. Otherwise, if we waited for the event to trigger again, there's no telling how many innocent people would die, or to what extent that Realm would grow. By the way, the joint investigation by the various sects a while back turned up nothing. How did such a crucial piece of intelligence suddenly surface now?"
Yang Zhongyuan asked, puzzled.
"I have already looked into this matter, Your Excellency. There are some interesting details. The report came from Hundred Households Cai, who was dispatched to Guming County."
With that, the subordinate recounted the situation Cai Pingdong had reported.
"Oh? A mysterious person? A suspected Red Heart Sect disciple who can use the Gold and Fire Technique while only at the Blood Strengthening Realm? As I recall, no one like that has emerged since the Red Heart Sect's Dao Source Marvelous Treasure was shattered. Is this information reliable?"
Yang Zhongyuan said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Red Heart Sect Elder Qiu Qing denies the sect has any such person. Hundred Households Cai stated he would continue to investigate. He suspects this matter is related to the previous disturbance with the Celestial Observation Mirror."
The subordinate reported.
"Make a note of this for now. When we send people into the Ghost City later, have them keep an eye out for this person's identity. It's not urgent. Our priority is still resolving the Ghost City in the Dream incident."
Yang Zhongyuan said after a moment of contemplation.
"What are your orders, Your Excellency?"
The subordinate asked with a nod.
"Combining previous intelligence, while the specific source remains unknown, we can basically confirm one thing. When an Evil Mutant from the last incident is eliminated, the nearest Martial Artist is highly likely to be marked. Anyone below the Blood Strengthening Realm will then be dragged into the Ghost City incident. This means we have a certain degree of initiative."
Yang Zhongyuan tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
"We cannot delay. We need to gather all available forces and crush this in its infancy. Summon the strongest Blood Strengthening Realm masters from every sect and the Government Office. Have them get involved in the incident proactively and attempt to resolve it in one fell swoop."
Yang Zhongyuan said slowly, his expression turning sharp.
"The strongest Blood Strengthening experts in Heqing Dao are typically the most talented members of the younger generation from each sect. I fear the sects will be reluctant to let them face such danger."
The subordinate said.
"Masters aren't nurtured by playing it safe. In the current climate, how can they be considered true talents if they haven't been tempered by life-and-death peril?"
"Tell them that whichever sect contributes the most to this matter, I will personally increase their potential resource application for next year by twenty percent. That extra share will be deducted from the allotments of those who contribute the least."
"Furthermore, we at the Celestial Net Department must also set an example. Have Xu Jingtian lead a team for this mission."
Yang Zhongyuan said nonchalantly.
"Yes, I understand."
The subordinate bowed and withdrew.
Soon, the Garrison Command's mobilization orders were sent to the various sects.
Although the Sealed Sects possess great autonomy, they are ultimately under the command of the imperial court and the jurisdiction of the Celestial Net Department. In return, they enjoy preferential access to certain court resources. Therefore, as long as an order from the Celestial Net Department isn't too outrageous, the various Schools generally comply.
Moreover, Yang Zhongyuan was using their resource quotas as leverage.
Certain scarce resources are strictly controlled by the court. To obtain them, the sects must prove their worth. There are annual evaluation standards, and the results have a massive impact.
Once the order was issued, it, along with the confirmed intelligence on the Ghost City in the Dream and the Governor's decision, sent significant ripples through the various sects.
With the threat of an Evil Cultivation that could engulf all of Heqing Dao, not to mention the resource quotas on the line, no sect dared to take this lightly.
In the main hall of the Miaoyin Hall headquarters.
Seven disciples bowed to the Elders and the Miaoyin Hall Master before them.
Two of them, both men, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhuang Li. One was tall but plain-looking, with a perpetual warm smile on his face. The other was so handsome he seemed more beautiful than a woman, his expression serene and as cold as ice.
The remaining four disciples stood behind this trio.
"This incident is of grave importance. You are all the cream of the crop among Miaoyin Hall's Blood Strengthening Realm disciples. A fine sword is forged through tempering, and jade is worthless until carved. This journey will be perilous, but all of Heqing Dao is embroiled in it. The best from every faction will be taking part. For you, this is an opportunity. I trust you will not tarnish the name of Miaoyin Hall."
A woman stood amidst the Miaoyin Hall Elders, speaking slowly. Her voice was like a melody from the heavens, resonating deep within the soul.
She wore a white dress, her jet-black hair cascading like a waterfall, and her skin was as flawless as fine jade. A faint Glazed Jade Light seemed to envelop her. Her expression was serene, her majesty tempered with a gentle kindness. She seemed less a mortal and more like one of the Immortal Gods descended to the world.
"We accept our orders!"
The seven disciples below bowed their heads in unison.
Yin Mountain Sect.
Deep within a range of rolling mountains, inside a structure built into the mountainside.
Several Elders in the black robes of the Yin Mountain Sect stood in the hall. Before them, a tall young man stood with a respectful bow.
"Chi Li, among the Yin Mountain Sect's Blood Strengthening Realm disciples, you alone have incorporated a General's Split Soul. It has been many years, and only now has someone appeared in our Yin Mountain Sect who is capable of using a General as their Main Spirit. You will undertake this journey to the Ghost City in the Dream. Leading a team to slay Evil Spirits will be highly beneficial for your General's Split Soul."
One of the black-robed Elders said.
"Indeed. With all the sects gathering, how can the Yin Mountain Sect afford to fall behind?"
Another Elder added with a nod.
"I will not fail you, Masters."
Chi Li said, bowing deeply.
「Ling Lake.」
In the middle of a lake that stretched for dozens of miles was an island. Upon it stood a series of palaces built from white marble, reflecting the brilliant sun with a dazzling, eye-catching light.
The headquarters of the Rebirth Palace, one of the Five Sects of Heqing.
Outside one of the palaces, a youth in white approached at a brisk pace. He moved like the wind, a longsword strapped to his back and a cold, stern expression on his face. A sharp aura emanated from him, so potent that the grass and flowers swayed as he passed, and even the air around him seemed to carry a cutting edge.
"Master, you sent for me?"
Upon entering the palace, the youth saw an elegant, white-robed, middle-aged man practicing calligraphy with a brush.
The youth's voice was so cold and hard it could make one's hair stand on end.
"The intelligence on the Ghost City in the Dream has been confirmed, and the Celestial Net Department has issued its order. The top Blood Strengthening Realm experts of the younger generation from all the sects will likely be entering to eliminate the Evil Spirits. Are you interested in going?"
The middle-aged man spoke without looking up, his brush never pausing.
"I will follow your arrangements, Master."
The youth replied coldly.
"Good. Governor Yang of the Celestial Net Department has decreed that the sect making the largest contribution during the Ghost City incident will have its quota increased by twenty percent next year. The Rebirth Palace will be taking that extra share."
The middle-aged man said this calmly, as if stating an obvious fact.
"A trivial matter. Leave it to me. If there is nothing else, I will return to my training."
The youth's reply was just as calm, as if he were stating an absolute certainty. Then, without waiting for the middle-aged man to respond, he turned and left the palace without the slightest hesitation.
It seemed he was displeased that his master had interrupted his training for such a trivial affair.
「Kang City, the home of the Five Elements Gang headquarters.」
Drunken Heart Inn.
A handsome young man sat with a woman in each arm, surrounded by others. With fine wine, exquisite food, and the beautiful sound of song and dance, he was the very picture of merriment.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A subordinate in the uniform of the Five Elements Gang entered and whispered something in the handsome man's ear.
The man's smile vanished instantly.
'Why is there always so much trouble? Can't the world just give me a break?'
The man complained, his brow furrowed. Then, as if a thought struck him, his eyes lit up. He asked his subordinate, "Are He Xijun of the Red Heart Sect, Zhuang Li of Miaoyin Hall, Zhao Ruxue of the Yin Mountain Sect, and Shan Bing of the Rebirth Palace all going?"
"That... I am not sure, sir."
The subordinate replied, looking troubled.
'Excellent, excellent. All of Heqing Dao is getting dragged into this. Isn't this the perfect time for me to show off my skills?'
"The party's over! My apologies, beauties, but I have important business to attend to. We'll pick this up another time."
The man laughed, rising to his feet. In a flash, he vanished like a wisp of smoke.
And so, thanks to Zhao Xuanqi's intelligence, masters from every faction were set to converge on the Ghost City in the Dream and take action together.