...

Lu Qing had never met Elder Song Wen because he had only entered the sect two years ago, which was still a relatively short time among the many disciples.

The classes attended by those who came before his batch of disciples on the Martial Practice Dao Peak were basically taught by this Elder, and he was also the most willing to lecture and expound on the Dao among the three Elders.

Therefore, aside from the title of Elder, many disciples addressed him as Teacher Song, acknowledging his grace in imparting knowledge.

And this Gathering of Heroes was spearheaded and organized by this Elder Song.

However, there were two other Elders attending the gathering who had formidable backgrounds. Specifically, two came from the Inner Sect Courtyard with unfathomable cultivation, and it was said that their purpose this time was to take in disciples.

They would take in Direct Disciples and a number of Named Disciples.

This was also why, even after the Grand Competition earlier when a hundred disciples entered the Inner Sect Courtyard, logically speaking, there shouldn't have been any major events starting at the end of the year.

After all, during the Grand Competition, none of those hundred people were taken in as disciples, so it was naturally even more impossible for the remaining people. How could any grand event appear?

Lu Qing himself was surprised when he saw the news from the White Crane Boy, let alone anyone else.

"It is purely to take in disciples. Unlike those based on fate during the Grand Competition where it didn't matter either way, the sole purpose of this Gathering of Heroes is to find apprentices for those two big shots."

Elder Song acted as the matchmaker and was responsible for hosting it, but since Elder Song was here while the other two Elders were nowhere to be seen, sharp-eyed people could all discern some clues.

Moreover, one had to mention that these three supervising Elders in charge of the Outer Court all had different backgrounds and backers.

Their relationships were not very harmonious; on the contrary, there was a faint sense of coldness between them.

The White Crane Boy also mentioned inside the Sound Transmission Talisman that those two were the kind who had a very good relationship with Elder Song.

Wasn't this the so-called difference in factions?

"Going doesn't mean you belong to their faction, but not going definitely poses a bit of a problem."

After reading through these inside stories sent by the White Crane Boy, Lu Qing also successfully finished interpreting what the hexagram reading had shown.

"Factional struggles are such a pain." Lu Qing was somewhat speechless. He very much wanted to turn a blind eye to all this and just walk his single-plank bridge, not wanting to get entangled in such schemes, which clashed greatly with his Dao Heart of keeping low-key. But it was not that easy.

"But then again, at most I am just a passerby now, so I can avoid those bloody troubles early on."

Lu Qing analyzed his current situation, and his journey all the way here matched his original requirements perfectly.

Generally speaking, most disciples had to risk their lives for some resources. The tasks within the mountain were complicated, and high-danger tasks likewise brought high rewards.

Furthermore, if one struck luck outside and stumbled upon some predecessors' Cave Dwellings or mighty figures' ruins, that would be the beginning of soaring success, though of course, it could also be the start of one's downfall.

He was different. Even for his first time leaving the mountain, who could have anticipated that it would be a mandatory garrison mission?

As for the Gathering of Heroes appearing here right now, Lu Qing had already pictured in his mind what kind of situation would arise at that time.

For this kind of Gathering of Heroes, disciples with low cultivation didn't even have the channels to know about it.

Back when he was in Qi Nourishment, he had simply no qualification to come into contact with these things. Now that his cultivation had gradually advanced, these things came directly before him without needing any exploration.

The entry threshold for the Gathering of Heroes started at the Purple Mansion realm; what did it have to do with Qi Nourishment and Foundation Establishment disciples?

After reading through the insider information, Lu Qing incidentally sent his thanks to the White Crane Boy and specially invited him to come over for tea.

However, after sending the message, the White Crane Boy left the Mountain Gate again to catch fish in the White Sea.

It would probably take some time before he could return.

Lu Qing didn't bother him either.

Until the time for the Gathering of Heroes arrived in the blink of an eye, Lu Qing finally stopped his cultivation.

Lu Qing had never heard of the Small Cloud Dao Field, but there was a map guide on the invitation card.

Vast Sea, Sun and Brightness, Green Peak, White Clouds.

After arriving here, what fell into his eyes was such a scene.

This Small Cloud Dao Field stood proudly above the boundless sea. Spiritual birds and beasts roamed the mountains, and rare treasures and exotic fruits emitted a fragrant aroma.

On top of the mountain, clusters of snow-white clouds spread out over a large area. Unlike Lu Qing's Cloud Mist Array which resembled fog more than clouds, the clouds here accumulated thickly, piling all the way from the middle of the mountain to the summit. No wonder it was called the Small Cloud Dao Field.

Also because of these clouds, many disciples who had arrived just like Lu Qing were temporarily unsure of the situation and were waiting at the foot of the mountain in groups of two or three, or excluding others to form their own independent spots.

Lu Qing did not channel spiritual power into his eyes to look at the summit, lest he pry into something—though in all probability, it was utterly impossible for him to pry into anything at all.

Not to mention that other people who arrived earlier had all stopped here, so there must be some unknown rules.

Lu Qing also found a spot by the coast to stand. In this kind of scene, standing at the very front was impossible, and standing at the very back was not quite appropriate either, because the very back was not land, but the sea surface.

The sea surface was also a place that required attention to detail.

Some hovered and sat cross-legged above the sea surface, while some disciples stepped on a sea beast riding the waves over, or gorgeous treasure ships appeared... The scene gave a misconception of a flashy, show-off entrance, which was generally reserved for big shots.

Lu Qing inwardly slandered, thinking that standing in the front was reserved for exclusive Geniuses, while those standing in the back were simply obscenely wealthy.

Lu Qing didn't touch upon either category, and there were plenty of disciples who touched upon neither. Standing here, Lu Qing wasn't practicing at the moment, but just slightly sizing up the surrounding environment.

Did the Small Cloud Dao Field include this coastal land under his feet right now? Or did one have to go above the mountain summit to be considered the Small Cloud Dao Field mentioned by the hexagram reading?

"In this Gathering of Heroes, I must seize the top spot."

"I refuse to believe that with so many fewer people, I still cannot take the first place."

Similar voices drifted over from the foot of the mountain ahead.

Lu Qing could hear them, and he also noticed that several figures had already descended at the front. Most of them either wore tall crowns, draped themselves in gorgeous garments, or held a longsword in their hands, the sound of sword cries ringing in their ears.

"Isn't this Senior Brother Lu?"

Someone nearby exclaimed in surprise.

Following the sound, Lu Qing looked over toward the person who shared the same surname.

That Senior Brother Lu was dressed in black, with a longsword strapped to his back, and his aura was dark, gloomy, and bizarre.

Around him, quite a few people kept a distance of at least three meters away from him.

This was a figure who looked like someone not to be messed with at first glance.

Lu Qing only glanced at him before looking away. Practitioners had sharp perceptions, and who knew what this Senior Brother Lu's temperament and breadth of mind were like.

Next, without Lu Qing needing to ask himself, someone nearby was repeatedly introducing the incoming people over and over again.

Streams of glowing figures flashed across the vault of heaven and descended.

Among them, there was no lack of figures with resounding reputations.

For instance, things like 'Outer Sect Newcomer', 'Top Ten Figures of the Outer Sect', 'Heavenly Star and Earthly Chief of the Outer Court', 'Romantic Figure of the Outer Sect', and so on.

Listening to the voices nearby that sounded like listing dishes off a menu, Lu Qing hurriedly controlled his facial expression for a moment.

After all, not to mention the reputations of the arrivals, every single person's entrance either came with their own flowers and petals, flashed with various radiances of golden and white light, had spiritual phoenixes and simurghs crying out, or suddenly featured a wealthy and gorgeous treasure boat appearing on the sea...

The pageantry was immense.

Lu Qing also maintained his facial expression, and just like the people nearby, he faked a look of admiration.

Of course, this didn't even require much faking. In Lu Qing's eyes, casting aside that pageantry, what he saw was a single word—filthy rich.

Dripping with wealth.

"Every time the Yue Family's ship makes an entrance, it's so magnificent and luxurious that it almost blinds my eyes."

Lu Qing also nodded approvingly in his heart.

Next to make their final entrance was precisely this Yue Family.

"The Yue Family, the person who came should be Yue Jing, right? Those precious pearls hanging on the boat curtains are Shark-person Pearls! A single one can clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and wearing it has a calming effect. Just wanting to exchange for one requires a hundred Contribution Points."

A cyan-robed disciple recognized the newcomer and introduced them in a low voice to his companion.

Although it was said to be a low voice, in Lu Qing's ears, there was no difference from speaking out loud.

For a moment, Lu Qing clearly heard the sounds of many people around gasping in cold air.

Lu Qing's Dao Heart was as steady as a great mountain; he wasn't envious at all, really.