Everyone present was a prodigy from the younger generation of their respective sects. Who among them wasn’t proud? Without good reason, why would any of them be willing to defer to another?
The others didn’t recognize Zhao Xuanqi, but Xu Jingtian, dressed in his orange Xiezhi Robe, showed a flicker of recognition, as if he had remembered something.
As a member of the Celestial Net Department, he was naturally privy to certain confidential information.
For instance, the intelligence leak about the Ghost City had been highly unusual. It had been secretly passed along by a mysterious individual. Furthermore, rumor had it that a mysterious disciple of the Red Heart Sect had appeared within the Ghost City, one who could supposedly condense Golden Fire despite only being in the Blood Strengthening realm. The intelligence on the Ghost City was said to have been leaked by this very person, and one of the objectives for Xu Jingtian’s current mission was to investigate and confirm this individual’s identity.
Now, it seemed the legendary mystery man was the person standing right in front of him.
Meanwhile, Lu Dong of the Red Heart Sect had also been tipped off by his elders before the mission and had already guessed Zhao Xuanqi’s identity.
"Is this everyone who’s left?"
Zhao Xuanqi frowned slightly as he took in their numbers.
Even with the people his group brought, the total was still under fifty.
’That number was certainly too low.’
"And this is...?"
Ren Fei and a few others cast questioning glances at Zhuang Li, He Xijun, and the others standing behind Zhao Xuanqi.
"This is an expert from our Red Heart Sect, Senior Brother Zhao Qi. Although he is currently in the Blood Strengthening realm, he has already condensed Golden Fire."
He Xijun stepped forward to introduce Zhao Xuanqi, making no secret of his ability to use Golden Fire. After all, a detail like that was bound to be revealed in the battles to come.
’So it really is him!’
A glint flashed in Xu Jingtian’s eyes as he sized up the mysterious expert who had appeared out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, a flicker of understanding lit up Lu Dong’s expression.
’An expert from the Red Heart Sect... condensing Golden Fire in the Blood Strengthening realm?’
Ren Fei, Chi Li, and the others, who were not privy to the inside story, were simply astonished.
"The Red Heart Sect hasn’t produced anyone who could condense Golden Fire in the Blood Strengthening realm for many years, have they? Why have I never heard your name before, Zhao?"
Chi Li asked, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. He was clearly intrigued by this character, Zhao Xuanqi.
"I’ve heard that the Red Heart Sect’s Golden Fire can typically only be condensed by high-level Martial Artists in the Refining the Internal Organs realm. Its power is said to be tyrannical and fierce, its might blazing. I have yet to witness it for myself."
Ren Fei, however, cared little for Zhao Xuanqi’s identity. His attention was completely captivated by the two words "Golden Fire." A sharp glint shone in his eyes, and an eager expression appeared on his face. Judging by his look, if the circumstances weren’t so dire, he probably would have challenged Zhao Xuanqi to a sparring match on the spot.
The two from Miaoyin Hall said nothing, instead directing inquisitive looks toward Zhuang Li.
Zhuang Li immediately went over and began speaking with the pair in hushed tones.
"Senior Brother Zhao has been focused on secluded training within the sect, so he is not well-known. It’s perfectly normal that you haven’t heard of him."
He Xijun again took the initiative to explain.
Whether it was due to Zhao Xuanqi’s strength or the Golden Fire he wielded, she had to follow Elder Qiu Qing’s instructions and do everything in her power to bind him firmly to the Red Heart Sect’s cause.
Hearing He Xijun’s explanation, the crowd nodded thoughtfully but refrained from asking further questions. Their curiosity about Zhao Xuanqi’s true strength and origins only deepened.
Next, He Xijun introduced Zhao Xuanqi to the other key figures present. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got straight to the point.
"As you all have seen, the Ghost City has changed unexpectedly. The Night Parade of Hundred Demons began ahead of schedule, and it will likely occur more than once. We now face a choice: do we dig in and defend our position, protecting those who have survived thus far, then find a way to get the intelligence out and regroup for the next operation? Or do we take the risk, stick to the original plan, and divide our forces to eliminate the special Evil Spirits in the city as quickly as possible."
Deng Mingsheng of Miaoyin Hall was the one to speak.
"I think continuing with the original plan is far too risky. The next Night Parade of Hundred Demons will probably arrive soon. Many of us haven’t fully recovered our Physical Ability and Primordial Qi, and some are carrying injuries. To proceed with the plan now would be almost no different from committing suicide. From the moment the rules of the Ghost City changed, our plan was effectively a failure. The most important thing now is survival."
Pu Xiangrong spoke up, giving his opinion.
"If we can eliminate enough of the special Evil Spirits with lightning speed between the second and third Night Parades and then strike at the Ghost City’s source, we still have a chance."
Ren Fei said calmly.
"That’s too risky. The slightest mishap will severely deplete our Physical Ability and Primordial Qi. At that point, it’ll be a question of whether we can even survive until the Ghost City event is over."
Li Zhilin said in a low voice.
"Indeed. With multiple Night Parades, our physical reserves will be put to a tremendous test. Some of us might be able to endure it, but most definitely won’t. By then, even if the plan were to succeed, few of us would likely survive."
"And another thing—everyone, do not underestimate the strength of those special Evil Spirits. Their power may be far beyond what we imagine."
Lu Dong added in a grave tone, speaking from personal experience.
The group began to debate, each person voicing their opinion on how to handle the situation. The majority felt it was unwise to proceed with the original plan. Only Ren Fei and Chi Li wanted to press their luck, arguing that having entered the Ghost City, they had to accept the inherent risks. Otherwise, waiting for the Ghost City to open next time might only bring about even greater and more unpredictable complications.