“Halt, identify yourselves!”

“You dare block our path? Who do you think that you are?”

“Elder, please calm down, we didn’t make the proper arrangements with the sect…”

“Stop, do not cross the gate if you do, you will be apprehended!”

‘What are those people doing…’

Zhang Dong had just been wondering what he should do about his slow progress. His cultivator army didn’t really need his help and he was left to cultivate alone. With time spirit points would come to him and if an Emperor level enemy appeared he could always use his system to teleport to either Zhi or Qiang. Thus when he saw an interesting group of cultivators approach his city it piqued his interest.

They came in a rather small group of ten members, quite a small delegation for the name they were carrying. The Heavenly Crane Sect was the faction they belonged to and they carried themselves as people that belonged to one of the big three. The leader was a nascent soul elder at the late stage, this was quite the achievement. A person like this would have been able to be the Patriarch of a middle-sized sect if they wanted. Instead they were arguing with some foundation establishment guards at the entrance to the city.

If this was any other city then these people would probably be wined and dined. Instead however, they were getting pushback by people that were ordered to treat everyone equally. There weren’t any forces in the empire left that his United Element Sect needed to bow their heads to.

The guards were just doing their job and it was normal for them to be confused. It was strange for someone from a large sect like that to just arrive at their doorstep without any plans. Normally someone would send some kind of letter or messenger to announce themselves. It was strange for them not to set up a meeting with some high-ranking elder in the main sect before coming here. They would be then guided through a VIP gate but instead, they were trying to make it through the one used by regular people.

“They won’t get mad and attack the guards right?”

Zhang Dong didn’t really fear for the safety of his people. Even though the opponent was a late nascent soul stage master, he was still on sect grounds. The protective array would keep him from being able to penetrate inside. Even now it was keeping him from approaching the main gate without being given the right to enter by the guards. The shouting match started after the elder was bounced back by the invisible shield that wouldn’t let outsiders in.

‘He won’t be able to blast his way in but my people can attack him from safety… but It probably wouldn’t be too great if a person from that sect died…’

There had to be a reason for this unannounced meeting. In fact, he didn’t believe that anyone from his sect had ever interacted with the Heavenly Crane Sect themselves. Perhaps they didn’t send any letters or notices because they didn’t know how. Thanks to the faction system his people started to communicate differently than the rest of the empire. Relay stations that worked like radio stations and satellites were implemented along the entire western side. People were switching to instant messaging over comunication jades which could have led to the problem as well.

“Hm… will they handle this well… I don’t really want to start my relations with that sect by having their elders get hurt…”

This was a strange sight to behold but there had to be a reason that they were here. Could the east have already been overrun by the Emerald Phoenix Empire and they were seeking refuge here? This was probably not true as he could just consult his world map to see that the enemy troops had not reached the central Empire or the core regions of the Heavenly Crane Sect.

“They could also just be people that believe that their side will lose, could they be attempting to stay here and wait the war out?”

His side had proven itself to be strong and after driving back the demi-human scourge refugees kept flooding. Some people that could see the bigger picture would abandon even the central and core eastern regions. If they believed that it was just a matter of time before their lands would be overrun then this was a good choice. While the Long Clan was probably their first option they wouldn’t help anyone with this war until the enemy was on their doorstep.

“It wouldn’t be good if I get involved, should I send someone out before those people get trashed?”

Zhang Kuo was out helping Zhang Zhi and Huo Qiang with the war effort up north. Zhang Ya, his second long-time retainer remained in the city and this was the perfect chance to use her radiant smile and people skills. He knew that cultivators that were part of the big three had a big ego but this was the first real interaction between the two camps, it was better to show some leniency.

“Zhang Ya, there are some guests from the Heavenly Crane Sect at the northern gate, look into it before things get out of hand.”

The woman received a voice message through the faction system and was quick to get to work. She arrived within a minute at the scene with an assortment of beauties behind her. Her position in the sect as the Patriarch's secretary made everyone spread to the sides and also caused confusion within the Heavenly Crane Sect.

“Let me introduce myself, I am Zhang Ya of the United Element Sect. Could you explain why delegates from the Heavenly Crane Sect have come to our doorsteps?”

Zhang Dong watched with interest as Ya worked. She gave a lot of face to the other side and it would be interesting to see if the other side was cordial as well. Previously the elder at the front was shouting at the guards that continued to diffuse the situation. Probably if he didn’t send the woman over a fight could have broken out. However, damaging his sect and threatening his citizens wasn’t allowed even for people of high status.

“Finally someone with some sense! Young girl, open up the gates and let me speak with your elders. The words that I bring aren’t meant for people of your status.”

Zhang Ya was just a core formation cultivator which normally would make her unworthy of exchanging words with a nascent soul master. That would be the case if she wasn’t part of his inner circle, even a nascent soul master couldn’t offend her as the Patriarch’s presence followed her every step. She knew that outsiders wouldn’t know this and was intelligent enough to not spoil the first encounter with a sect that on paper was on equal footing as theirs.

“Friends from the Heavenly Crane Sect, is it? Which elder do you have in mind?”

“Which one? The one with the most status of course?”

“Most status? Do you wish to meet with the sect Patriarch in person?”

“I see that you understand, now make way for this Sun Shi, I’m sure your Patriarch wouldn’t want you to wait for this important meeting either.”

“An important meeting that had not been scheduled? Who do you think our Patriarch is!?”

Zhang Dong raised his eyebrow as Zhang Ya exploded with anger. All the sect members that were here started glaring at the small group of cultivators and even some of the defensive weapons were pointed at the group now. While the cultivators defending this location weren’t strong by themselves the weapons that they were using would be troublesome for even a nascent soul master.

“You dare to threaten us, we are of the Heavenly Crane Sect!”

“What of it, we are of the United Element Sect! We are the law here and you best yield if you do not wish to offend!”

‘Well, this turned around quickly… why do those old farts always think that they are above others…’

He wanted to flick the old man’s forehead for acting as if he owned the place. It was clear that this elder was still living in the past and thought that this place was unworthy of his presence. After all the guns and attacking formations gathered around their group in a matter of seconds he was quickly realizing that he made a mistake. Being a high level cultivator he obviously knew that the level of defense here was immense.

“Please uncle Shi, calm yourself. Friends of the United Element Sect appease your anger, we did not come here to fight, we came for debate with your leaders.”

Luckily before he needed to intervene a small girl that looked to be in her early teens jumped out in front of the angry old man. By the way, she referred to the old man. It was clear that she was part of his family and also the only one daring enough to cut him off.

‘I guess the young girl has more sense than the old man but Ya went a bit overboard too.’

He expected Zhang Ya to be able to handle the situation without a fight breaking out. Instead, she almost allowed the delegation to be attacked by their spirit bullet cannons. Perhaps she wanted to scare them into submission instead but he wouldn’t really know until the deed was done.

‘I guess I’ll need to think about procedures in situations like this, maybe send in a nascent soul elder with a silvery tongue.’

The conversation continued with the little lady speaking out and apologizing. Her uncle didn’t look amused but he just turned his head away as the two females talked.

“So you wish to offer a bargain to our leader and this you hoped to achieve without a proper audience?”

“We apologize immensely but there was no other way to do this…”

The girl kept bowing before Zhang Ya and her words started to intrigue him. What could these people want from him and his army? Could there perhaps be trouble brewing from within the Heavenly Crane Sect? If their forces faltered and the eastern regions fell then even he would need to get involved. With how the situation north was progressing he couldn’t really spare any troops.

‘Hm, will I have to get involved myself? That would save me from this boredom before that Empress made her move…’

Before the conversation between the two parties could continue a booming voice spread from all directions.

“Let them in, I’ll speak with them shortly.”

It was a very simple message but no one refused to comply. It was very surprising to the group of cultivators that came from outside to have the path opened within a few seconds of the voice speaking out.

‘Hope this is a worthwhile endeavor but at least they can inform me about what is happening in the east in detail…’

Thus he vanished towards the usual meeting room where he expected the delegation to be sent promptly.