Chi Ming sat inside the litter, resting her cheek on one hand as she gazed at the scenery outside, her thoughts drifting.
Unknowingly… almost a year has passed.
She thought silently.
It had been nearly a year since she left Among the Colorful Clouds.
Thinking back on all she had experienced in the past year, Chi Ming felt it was hard to put into words.
She hadn’t accomplished anything noteworthy, not even earning a title more impressive than “the Demoness’s disciple.”
If she wanted to shed her past identity, Chi Ming had to make her own name known, achieve something, and gain the world’s recognition and praise.
She was determined to win at this Recruitment Assembly.
This time, I must join a truly righteous faction!
Chi Ming resolved inwardly.
The so-called “righteous factions” she’d joined before all had their problems, more or less.
As the saying goes, things shouldn’t go wrong more than three times.
Yunzhou was a place where righteous factions gathered, and many sects had deep foundations. Surely there couldn’t still be issues, right?
As Chi Ming was thinking this, Fang Xiaoyu’s voice sounded.
By the way, Chi Ming, which faction are you planning to join?
Fang Xiaoyu asked, a blade of grass in her mouth, one leg crossed as she enjoyed the breeze.
I… don’t know.
Chi Ming scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed.
To be honest, I don’t know anything about Yunzhou’s factions.
I thought so.
Fang Xiaoyu paused.
But still, didn’t your master introduce you to any sects?
No.
Chi Ming shook her head.
She couldn’t very well say her master was the Demoness of Among the Colorful Clouds, and that she wanted her to return to the sect.
Oh? Then your master is pretty nice, letting you make your own choices.
Fang Xiaoyu crossed her arms.
But even though she let you choose, you don’t even know what factions are in Yunzhou?
All those cultivators preparing to attend the Recruitment Assembly usually start getting ready at least a year in advance to join their desired sects.
Hey, you really don’t take things seriously.
In Fang Xiaoyu’s view, Chi Ming’s master was a very understanding person.
When the Recruitment Assembly was approaching, she let Chi Ming leave the mountain to experience the world, not interfering with her choices, leaving everything up to her.
But Chi Ming herself was muddleheaded, without even a clear goal, making Fang Xiaoyu feel a kind of exasperation.
But how could Fang Xiaoyu know that Chi Ming had only just learned about the Recruitment Assembly, and even her decision to go to Yunzhou was made on a whim?
Forget it, forget it, let me, as your Senior, introduce you to Yunzhou’s situation.
Fang Xiaoyu patted Chi Ming’s shoulder.
Senior?
Chi Ming blinked.
What, do you look down on me just because I’m only a Warrior?
Fang Xiaoyu pouted.
I’ve been in the martial world longer than you.
Even if my cultivation is lower, I’m still your Senior!
Besides, I know a lot—people call me ‘Little Know-it-all’.
Ever heard of it?
No.
Chi Ming answered honestly.
Hiss… as expected of you, you really don’t give me any face.
Fang Xiaoyu wiped her brow, then coughed lightly and began to explain.
Yunzhou is a gathering place for righteous factions, united against the invasion of Demonic Cultivators.
But that doesn’t mean they’re all of one mind.
In fact, there are plenty of conflicts among the factions, but fortunately, it’s healthy competition, and no major conflicts have broken out so far.
From this competition, Alliances have formed. For top-tier factions, drawing in lower-level ones is important.
So in the past ten years, many Alliances of ‘big leading small’ have emerged.
Among them, the most powerful is the Xingyue Alliance.
Xingyue Alliance…
It sounds familiar.
Chi Ming thought silently.
‘In broad daylight and under the clear sky, Demonic Cultivators dare not act; only at night do they show themselves.’
This is what the Leader of Xingyue Alliance, Lidaitian, said.
Their Alliance calls itself the ‘Guardian of Yunzhou’s Night’, taking the protection of Yunzhou’s nights as its mission.
The Yunzhou Top Ten Young Experts are all in Xingyue Alliance.
Among them, the strongest is Li Ruobai, the brightest of the Ten Stars, and the one most likely to become the Solitary Moon.
If you become the Solitary Moon, your status in the Xingyue Alliance—and all of Yunzhou—will soar!
You might even become the future Leader of Xingyue Alliance!
I know who Lidaitian is.
At this point, Chi Ming finally remembered.
Years ago, it was he who exposed the crimes of Lady Demon Yu Yi Jue, revealing the true nature of Among the Colorful Clouds to the world.
Back then, Chi Ming was still in Among the Colorful Clouds, completely unaware.
When her senior sisters left one by one, she was confused as to why, and Yu Yi Jue never told her the reason.
It wasn’t until she went down the mountain once that Chi Ming finally learned the truth about the Demoness and Among the Colorful Clouds, and at last understood why her senior sisters left.
So Chi Ming also left Among the Colorful Clouds in anger, leaving the master who had deceived and hidden the truth from her.
Lidaitian’s name—who in this world doesn’t know it?
He’s the third-ranked top expert on the Heroes Ranking!
Fang Xiaoyu continued, her words full of admiration for Lidaitian.
I want to join Xingyue Alliance.
Chi Ming’s sudden declaration interrupted Fang Xiaoyu’s explanation.
Eh? I was just about to introduce more, and you’ve already made up your mind?
Fang Xiaoyu paused, trying to persuade Chi Ming.
I’ll say this first, joining Xingyue Alliance isn’t easy.
Not only do you need strong cultivation, but you also have to pass the Wushen Tower!
Guarding Wushen Tower are Yunzhou’s Ten Stars—ten outstanding young experts.
Each one is a prodigy!
Then I’ll just have to pass.
Chi Ming replied seriously.
Fang Xiaoyu was even more stunned.
In her view, Chi Ming was a newcomer to the martial world, inexperienced and naïve.
Where did she get such confidence?
Even if she had been cultivating under a master in the mountains, there’s no way she’d descend with the power of a Wang.
Most Warriors only come down after reaching the level of Martial Master, seeking opportunities to break through to Wang before middle age.
Others descend to seek fortune—you came down to crush the weak?
How could that be possible!
Fang Xiaoyu wanted to persuade Chi Ming more, but at that moment, a Flying Chariot suddenly soared overhead.
Wow, it’s really a Flying Chariot!
Fang Xiaoyu exclaimed in excitement.
What big shot is going to the Recruitment Assembly for some fun?
Although it flew by in an instant, Chi Ming also noticed the Flying Chariot.
That Flying Chariot… looks familiar.
She frowned.
Aside from Yan Emperor’s Dragon Litter, don’t all Flying Chariots look about the same?
Fang Xiaoyu said nonchalantly.
Hmm… that’s true.
Chi Ming nodded.
For a moment just now, she thought it was the Fengshen Litter her Fourth Senior Sister left to the Demoness.
But then she thought, maybe she was just being too sensitive.
How could the Demoness appear in Yunzhou at this time?
How could there be such a coincidence?