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Chapter 270: The Strange Invitation List

“The Spiritual Conference of Huanghai?”

Lin Feng tilted his head. It had been twenty over days since Tan Yingjie brought the news on Xingyun Peak. He had also mentioned that the Ancient Huanghai World was set to be open in about a month’s time.

The days flew past in a flash.

This was a good opportunity for Lin Feng’s disciples to shine.

“It’s been tough on you, Mr. Song”, Lin Feng nodded and his robes waved in the air, letting out purple smoke. The smoke pierced through the air, arriving at Shazhou City, forming a pavement above the ground.

Out of nowhere, Song Fu stepped out of a slit above the ground. He politely faced the purple smoke and took a bow, “Pardon my intrusion, Master Lin”.

Beside Song Fu stood a middle-aged man who levitated by Song Fu’s magic. He too took a bow and the duo continued their way along the purple smoke path.

Without a single step taken, the purple smoke had already transported them to Mount Yujing. As the middle-aged man appeared in view, Lin Feng took one look at him, “It’s got to be him?”

The man was a familiar sight. Despite the long absence, Lin Feng remembered him from his pre-foundation establishment stage days, when he was still in the Great Swamp of the Ancient Regions on his mission.

It was the first time Lin Feng had met Kang Nanhua, Yue Hongyan and the man standing before him. Former captain of the Divine Martial Army, Dao Zhiqiang.

Back then, Lin Feng buried an entire battalion of Emperor Zhou’s Divine Martial Troops using the Two Elements of Creation Formation. Dao Zhiqiang was was fortunately deployed elsewhere and not caught in the disaster. After that incident, he the army and went to join the Qin Emperor instead.

Dao Zhiqiang was equally astounded. He did not expect the young man back then to be such a powerful character. The man that he saw not only changed in appearance – his white robes replaced by majestic purple – but his entire aura seemed completely foreign. He did not fully understand what was different, but he laughed in his heart “Such power I simply cannot fathom”.

Dao Zhiqiang bowed ceremoniously, “Sir, my name is Dao Zhiqiang, I’m humbled to be in your presence, master”

Lin Feng returned the favour, “Sir, where are you putting up now?”

“I happen to work at Prime Minister Wu’s”

“Oh?” Lin Feng thought to himself, “This man’s quite something to work for the Qin emperor. Despite being in just the foundation establishment stage, the prime minister seems to trust this guy”.

The person who sent the invitation to the Radiance Sword Sect, Tan Yingjie, was in the nascent soul stage. He had no idea who was to lead the guests from the above sect, but it was surely somebody of standard.

Under such circumstances, Wu Qingrou had sent a foundation establishment stage fighter to guide the Celestial Sect of Wonders. Normally, such an act would be seen as belittling, but being a prudent strategist, Wu Qingrou did not seem to habor such ill intent.

Hence, there was only one explanation, and that was Dao Zhiqiang was a capable and highly-esteemed person notwithstanding his power.

Afterall, fighting prowess did not directly translate to a person’s capability. Many tasks, especially the more menial ones, could not be depended on fighting power.

“Are you our guide, then?” asked Lin Feng.

“Yes sir, I’m your sect’s guide for the Conference. Feel free to direct any questions to me.” replied Dao Zhiqiang.

Song Fu, who was standing beside, laughed, “Master Lin, I’ve finished my mission here. I’ll take my leave”.

Lin Feng and Dao Zhiqiang said in unison, “Thank you for your efforts”. Out of ceremony, Song Fu stood in his place, not moving to leave. Lin Feng opened a slit in space and motioned for him to go, before bidding him farewell.

He then turned back to Dao Zhiqiang, “Which other sects are invited to this Conference?”

“This I’m not too sure, I merely follow the orders of Prime Minister Wu”

Lin Feng looked straight in Dao Zhiqiang’s eyes, “Old friend, why must you hide from me?”

Given Lin Feng’s present status, the words ‘old friend’ implied a lot more, and it was rude to not answer.

“Radiance Sword Sect, Sun Moon Sword Sect, Royal House of the Northern Tribes and the Huo Family have all received the invitation.” Dao Zhiqiang continued, “there should be more, but I’m really not too sure.”

Lin Feng nodded in acknowledgment. Although his expression remained in place, his mind was already changing its gears. He had known about Radiance Sword Sect, but that was no matter.

Some of the leaders of the Radiance Sword and Sun Moon Sword Sect were part of the Nine Heavenly Sword Alliance. They were on better terms with the Qin emperor and were often seen as the emperor’s spokesmen.

In fact, many of the Alliance’s members were working under the emperor in some way. As such, Sun Moon Sword Sect’s invitation came as no surprise.

It was the Royal House of the Northern Tribes that stood out. “Was the Qin Emperor perhaps having issues with the Zhou emperor?” wondered Lin Feng.

The Royal House of the Northern Tribes lay north to both the Qin and Zhou empire. Despite being weaker in power than either empires, they were still a force to be reckoned with in the Divine Lands.

Their strength was comparable to the Heavenly Master Sword Sect, and definitely stronger than the Radiance Sword Sect and the Aeolus Sect. Qin’s invitation to the Royal House of the Northern Tribes was without question a sign of diplomacy and friendship. The north was after all a neutral ground in the battle between Qin and Zhou.

As for the Huo Family, they were one of the four nobility within the Qin empire, and have been major players for a long time. But their invitation piqued Lin Feng’s interest even more.

Among the four noble families, the Huos were especially tight with the emperor’s family. However, they were loggerheads with the other two, the Yu and Shi family, who amongst themselves had marital ties.

As like the emperor’s little brother, the Huos was drastically different from the Sun Moon Sword Sect. Their take towards the Nine Heavenly Sword Alliance was also much more aggressive.

“From atop Xingyun Peak, Wu Qingrou and Shi Chongyun had already settled their differences. By right, the prime minister should be trying to buy over the Shi family” thought Lin Feng. “But evidently the Shi family isn’t benefiting from this, how unlike the prime minister”.

Lin Feng suddenly turned to Dao Zhiqiang, “apart from the Huo family, have the other three been invited?”

Dao Zhiqiang fell silent for a moment, “from what I know, they haven’t”.

Lin Feng kept quiet and thought to himself, “there might be three possibilities. Firstly, the emperor is putting pressure on Wu Qingrou. After all, the emperor ultimately calls the shots”

“Second possibility is that Wu Qingrou is making up to the other three families somewhere else”

“The third…I don’t even dare think of the third”

Lin Feng turned to Dao Zhiqiang once again, “When is the opening of the Conference?”

“Seven days from now” came the reply from Dao Zhiqiang.

“Why don’t you put up at Mount Yujing for now. We’ll leave together nearing the date”.

Settling Dao Zhiqiang in Mount Yujing was easy. His every move would be within Lin Feng’s radar. It was the Conference that Lin Feng had little control over.

Lin Feng’s disciples all agreed that everyone but Zhuyi should go, as Zhuyi held the responsibility of training new disciples. This task could be left to no one but him. Being able to fight and being able to teach was two separate matters.

“We still need Zhuyi there. He’s a lucky charm. Besides, since Xiao Yan is not attenting, Xiao Budian would be the only disciple in the Aurous Core Stage. He might be strong, but he is after all only one man”

Lin Feng had heard about the fighting rules at the Conference. Those below nascent soul stage were all fighting together, but the foundation establishment and aurous core stage fighters were segregated.

The fighters in the Qi Cultivation stage required a mentor to accompany them, so they were not a worry.

After listening to the recent turn of events, Zhuyi pondered for a while and replied “I think it’ll be interesting to visit Ancient Huanghai World for a change. Don’t worry about the newcomers, I’ll give them homework to finish during my absence”.

“Besides, we have Mr. Kang and Mr. Miao around to guide them”

As Nascent Soul Stage warriors were normally not allowed to Ancient Huanghai World, the fact that Lin Feng was leading the team meant that Kang Nanhua and Miao Shihao had to stay back at Mount Yujing.

After returning to the mountain, Lin Feng had not seen Miao Shihao. Although nobody mentioned anything, Lin Feng knew that he was training in solace.

“Speaking of Shihao, how’s his progress?” asked Lin Feng.

His gaze suddenly turned to the Black Heavenly Treasure Tree.