Thirty years, gone in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the gray-white mist of the Life and Death Ravine suddenly surged, and a figure walked slowly out from within it.
Hun Qianling stood at the valley entrance and took a deep breath. Her eyes held a hint of fatigue, but even more so, they shone with brilliance.
After years of arduous cultivation, her Law of Life and Death had finally made a Breakthrough.
Although there was still some distance to go before condensing a complete Dao, it was already worlds apart from where she had been back then. However, before she could savor this achievement, she was overwhelmed by an avalanche of news.
Qianhun City had changed.
This was Hun Qianling's first impression upon returning to the city.
In the sky, various Advanced flying boats shuttled back and forth; some were iridescent, like meteors streaking across the horizon. Others were simple and heavy, exuding the aura of age, while some were pulled by Vicious Beasts, creating a grand spectacle. On the city streets, unfamiliar faces with different accents and strange attire—Cultivators from all over—gathered here, packing Qianhun City until it was impassable.
The news of the Law Conference had already spread throughout several surrounding major provinces.
Once news broke that the Holy Lord Jiuxuan was paying attention to this assembly, it stirred up a massive wave.
Those Prodigies of the Way of Laws cast their gaze toward this border city.
Everyone knew what it meant to be noticed by the Saint Lord.
Even if they couldn't join the Saint Lord's sect, as long as their performance was outstanding enough, it would be enough to make a name for themselves in Jiuxuan Prefecture and even the entire Shenghui Domain.
The Prodigies from the nearby major provinces had arrived.
The disciples of the various major Families in Jiuxuan City had arrived.
The City Lord's Mansion in Qianhun City had hardly known a moment of peace these days.
Hun Qianxue sat upright in the main seat, a polite smile on his face as he welcomed guests. He could no longer remember how many batches of distinguished guests he had received.
There were stewards from major Families in Jiuxuan City, and people from factions in other major provinces, each carrying a degree of arrogance that forced him to remain on high alert to handle them.
After finally sending off the last batch of guests, Hun Qianxue finally let out a long sigh.
"Patriarch, this is the intelligence compiled today."
A secret guard appeared silently in the hall, offering a Jade Slip with both hands.
Hun Qianxue took the Jade Slip, probed it with his Divine Sense, and his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
The list was very long, densely packed with names, each followed by a detailed introduction.
Background, cultivation level, combat achievements, specialized Dao...
The more Hun Qianxue read, the heavier his heart became.
"The Ling Family of Jiuxuan City, Young Master Ling Cang, the number one person in the Dao of the Sword, has already condensed ten major Laws, and once killed a True Lord-level Cultivator while at a lower level... Qixing Province's Wang Song, profound attainments in the Way of Life and Death, a student of a Saint..."
He muttered these names, his brows tightening with each one he read.
If it were a normal Law Conference, given the strength Han Xuanji had displayed, winning the championship would almost certainly be without suspense.
He had witnessed the battle between Han Xuanji and Centurion Zhou Lie; such strength was top-tier, whether in Qianhun City or the entire Jiuxuan Prefecture.
But this time, the opponents who had come were not "normal."
Everyone knew what these people were planning. Even if they couldn't make it to the end, being able to spar with various Prodigies was a rare training experience.
He looked out of the hall; the twilight deepened, and the lights of Qianhun City began to flicker on one by one.
The city was still bustling, and Cultivators from all directions were still tirelessly discussing the upcoming assembly.
Hun Qianxue suddenly remembered something, and his brows furrowed even tighter.
"That kid Xuanji... hasn't come out of seclusion yet?"
He picked up his communication Jade Talisman and looked through the message records of the past thirty years.
He had sent Han Xuanji several messages, informing him of the assembly's progress, the intelligence on various Prodigies, and the time and location of the assembly... Every message had vanished like a stone into the sea, with no reply whatsoever.
"What time is it now, and he still hasn't come out of seclusion!"
Hun Qianxue couldn't help but complain in a low voice.
Just as he was grumbling, the hall door was pushed open, and Hun Qianling walked in with long strides. She had just returned from the Life and Death Ravine, travel-worn, and hadn't even had time to change her clothes.
But her spirit was good, her eyes shining; clearly, her thirty years of arduous cultivation had yielded significant gains.
"Big Brother, were you looking for me?"
Hun Qianling sat down opposite him and asked casually.
Hun Qianxue handed her the Jade Slip in his hand:
"Take a look, these are the people participating in this Law Conference."
Hun Qianling took it, scanned it, and her pupils constricted slightly.
After reading it, she placed the Jade Slip on the table and was silent for a moment.
"These people... are all extraordinary."
She said softly.
"More than just extraordinary."
Hun Qianxue sighed:
"These people are all top-tier Prodigies, and now they have all flocked to Qianhun City.
If Xuanji is careless..."
As he spoke, he picked up the Jade Talisman and looked at it again, unable to help saying:
"Xuanji still hasn't replied to any messages; does he even know that the assembly is about to begin?
Qianling, you should persuade him.
This assembly is really not something he can ignore!"
Hun Qianling looked at her Big Brother's anxious appearance and couldn't help but laugh.
"Big Brother, when did you become so impatient?"
Hun Qianxue glared:
"You call this impatient? Do you know how critical this assembly is?"
"Even if he doesn't win, making it to the later stages is an excellent thing."
Being noticed by the Holy Lord Jiuxuan and various major factions is a rare opportunity.
Hun Qianling shook her head, her expression calm:
"Do you not know what kind of person Xuanji is?
He has always been discreet in his actions."
Hun Qianxue opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately closed it.
He thought about it carefully; Hun Qianling was right.
Han Xuanji was the type of person who never needed others to worry about him.
Every step he took was steady and solid; he never let anyone down.
"Forget it."
Hun Qianxue leaned back in his chair and gave a wry smile:
"The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is; why am I getting so worked up?"
Hun Qianling stood up and brushed the dust off her robes:
"Big Brother, just wait with peace of mind."
"I don't think he will lose."
She said it with certainty.
Hun Qianxue looked at her and suddenly asked:
"You trust him that much?"
Hun Qianling tilted her head, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly:
"When have I ever not trusted him?"
...
Time flowed like water, passing in a hurry.
The streets and alleys of Qianhun City were decorated with lanterns and colorful banners everywhere. The venue for the Law Conference was immense, enough to accommodate a million people.
Cultivators from all directions packed the entire city until it was impassable, and everywhere in the teahouses and taverns, they were discussing the upcoming duel.
On this day, the sky was clear and bright, without a single cloud.
The Law Conference officially began.