Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 429 : Threat (1)

Chapter 429: Chapter 429 : Threat (1)

At Mount Wu, several uneventful weeks passed following Zhang Fengxi’s return to the Heavenly Realm.

Bai Ling was still hurt by Qiao Wei’s rejection, but she was glad to have Qiao Wei for herself again, as a lover or a martial art brother.

One morning, Bai Siyang gathered all his senior disciples to disseminate the latest news from the cultivation world.

"Sect Leader Shang passed away unexpectedly last night," he announced with a grim expression.

The news struck like a bolt from a clear sky, giving rise to a murmur of bewilderment through the crowd.

"Shizun, the last time I saw Sect Leader Shang, he was brimming with vitality," Qiao Wei said with a crease between his brows.

"I met him last week during a night hunt, and he was as strong and robust as ever," Bai Siyang said with a sigh. "Ah, life and death are determined by heaven. Mortals can only bend their backs before the will of heaven."

"So he died of natural cause. Is that right, Father?" Bai Ling’s skepticism echoed through the room, amplified by the wary glares of her fellow disciples.

"Tian’an Shang Sect did not specify the reason for his death, but we should all go to pay our respect as soon as possible."

Bai Siyang’s eyes moved between Qiao Wei and Bai Ling. In the end, he decided on Qiao Wei.

"Qiao Wei, come with me to pay our last respects to the late Sect Leader Shang. We shall depart at once."

Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei changed into their best mourning attire before they mounted their swords and took flight.

As they soared across the sky, their white forms shimmered like silver tears against the azure canvas.

The wind whispered secrets of grief through the air as they descended upon the hushed streets of Jiangnan, the bustling Tian’an City now cloaked in the stark white of mourning.

Faded banners hung like weary sighs, and the silence that pressed down was heavy with unspoken sorrow.

Tian’an Jade Palace stood shrouded in a spectral veil. White lanterns, swaying lightly like ghosts, cast an ethereal glow on the unguarded gate, a gaping wound in the usually vibrant entrance.

Inside the mourning hall, the air thrummed with the muffled sobs of disciples kneeling in silent prayer. Their heads bowed low, they paid their last respects to their fallen sect leader, the empty seat of honor a stark reminder of the void left behind.

Mount Wu was located rather far away from Jiangnan compared to the other cultivation sects, hence they became the last people to arrive.

Shang Daoming’s two sons, Shang Zihan and Shang Zichen, were kneeling in front of their father’s coffin, greeting each visitor who came to pay their respects.

"Eldest Young Master Shang, Second Young Master Shang, we from Wushan Temple Sect are here to express our deepest condolences for late Sect Leader Shang’s passing. May his meritorious deeds in the mortal realm serve as steps toward his ascension, and may his soul be reborn in the higher realm."

Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei bowed deeply before the Shang siblings, who graciously returned the gesture with equally deep bows of their own.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Bai, Master Qiao Wei," Shang Zihan’s voice was hoarse from grief. His eyes were red from prolonged crying. "My late father would be glad to see the two of you one last time."

"Truly, I wish I could spend more time chatting and hunting with him before he left for good," Bai Siyang said. "Both Young Masters, please do not dwell in sadness. Tian’an Shang Sect now relies on both of you to continue late Sect Leader Shang’s legacy."

"About that."

Shang Zichen glanced at his elder brother briefly before he spoke up.

"Sect Leader Bai and Master Qiao Wei, will you please spend a night at the palace? We would like to ask for your help."

Bai Siyang shot his disciple a furtive glance before agreeing.

"Of course. Our service is at your disposal. We will help to the best of our abilities."

After Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei left the mourning hall, two Tian’an Shang Sect disciples came up to them.

"Sect Leader Bai, Master Qiao Wei, please allow us to escort you to the Autumn Breeze Pavilion."

Previously a banquet venue prior to the Discussion Conference, the pavilion was now covered in white cloth and banners like the rest of the buildings in Tian’an Jade Palace.

Representatives from the other eight great sects were already there. They raised their heads in unison when Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei stepped into the pavilion.

Several people rose from their sitting cushions to greet Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei.

"Brother Bai, nice to see you."

"We have yet to compliment you on Master Qiao Wei’s amazing achievements."

"Thank you for your kind words, everyone. I wish that we did not have to meet each other on this gloomy occasion," Bai Siyang replied with a gruff voice.

"True, true," they all agreed. "The cultivation world has lost one of its best cultivators."

"Truly regrettable..."

Ripples of sorrow and respect, like whispered prayers, flowed through the gathered cultivators as they mourned the loss of Shang Daoming.

Though their sects had clashed in the past, even Shang Daoming’s bitterest rivals found words of praise for him.

With Shang Daoming’s passing, a pillar of the cultivation world crumbled, leaving a gaping void that his sons now must fill in his stead.

Said sons arrived a while later after they finished greeting all the visitors of the day.

"Esteemed sect leaders and fellow cultivators," Shang Zihan cupped his fist at everyone. "Our Tian’an Shang Sect is deeply grateful for your presence today."

"Our sect is afflicted with a problem that led to our father’s untimely demise. If not addressed properly, the entire realm might just get affected."

Shang Zichen let his gaze wander from one face to another.

"Second Young Master Shang, you may directly speak your mind. We are here to listen and to help," Meng Xijun declared, while the others murmured their support.

"Our father was murdered by a wayward young man who embraced the demonic cultivation path," Shang Zichen said. "His name is Huang Taichen."