Zhou Ziyun left the House of Paradise after the duel. She took a number of her Zhou Clan attendants with her, making a big show of storming out of the front door with a frown on her face. This had an immediate effect as the rumor mills went wild. Some told the story straight up while others added unnecessary embellishments.
One was a classic tale of long-time rivals. Zhou Ziyun was always the second-place disciple. She couldn't compare to Lin Qingcheng in sect rank, cultivation talent, as well as fighting strength. Today was the final straw that broke an old enmity.
Another a colorful tale of rivals in love. It was well known that Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian loved his disciples. Among them, Lin Qingcheng and Zhou Ziyun were the most cherished. However, Zhou Ziyun had always been in second place. The rumor was that Zhou Ziyun had always been fighting for her spot in Chen Wentian's heart and that she had always been terribly jealous of Lin Qingcheng. Those feelings were what caused the falling out between them today.
These were just two of the stories. Some were even more salacious. Regardless of what the truth was, the news of the duel soon spread throughout the city, to every nook and cranny.
---
In the basement of a popular restaurant named Fire Flower Tower, a group of six people gathered together, huddled between racks of salted meat. They were each dressed like workers of the restaurant; cooks, waiters, dishwashers, and such.
"I've just received word from our benefactor," The one dressed as a waiter said, "Our time is now."
"Senior brother, are you sure?" Another who was a janitor asked.
"Xiao Yu, I am sure as the day our master fell. The Mountain Spring Sword Sect is no more. This is our chance to avenge his death."
These six used to be core disciples under Immortal Mountain Spring Yong Kaishan and the sect he named himself. But in the blink of an eye, their sect fell to ruin with Yong Kaishan's death. Old grudges arose. Old enemies came calling.
The disciples that remained loyal until now were unsatisfied. Why did their master die? Why did so many sword sects perish? How did Ten Thousand Flower Valley survive? Why did a despicable man like Chen Wentian deserve to live a good life surrounded by beauties?
"That's right!" Another person said heatedly. "Now is the right now to strike. Ten Thousand Flower Valley's first disciple and second disciple just had a huge falling out. The city is distracted!"
The senior brother said, "That's not all. Our benefactor has fulfilled his promise."
He pointed to a large wooden crate in one corner. The six men crowded around and opened the lid. Inside were an array of gleaming swords and polished armor. Each piece was exquisite and filled with spiritual energy.
"All of them are at the peak of the Spirit Initiate Realm. It will allow you all to fight at three levels above your cultivation level." The senior brother grabbed a sword and raised it, "And I will be able to fight at the lesser realm of Spiritual Growth. I will lead the way. I only need you all to follow me."
"Yes, senior brother!"
"Senior brother! To the death!"
"To the death!"
---
Within the One Eye Sunrise, the most popular precious herb shop in Thousand Flower City, a large group of people were gathered in a private room. At the front was the One-Eyed Herbal Master Tu Jing. His skinny figure was surrounded by several dozen disciples wearing the same green robes.
"The time has come," The elder Tu Jing said, "To carry out our mission here."
He drew out a small jade bottle from his sleeve. His disciples did the same. Each person held a similar bottle in their hands.
"You all have trained for this day. You understand what you must do."
Each one of his words was filled with spiritual intent. The room soon filled with a strange aura and the expressions on the men and women became dull and unfocused, as if they had been overcome by a spell.
"Ten Thousand Flower Valley cannot be allowed to live so peacefully and prosper in the east. It is about time that they encountered some hardship. Let us witness the start of its downfall."
Tu Jing uncorked his bottle and his disciples followed his actions. Everyone took out the singular pill inside. It was bright red with black patterns. Each one gave off a bloody, sinister aura.
Tu Jing popped it into his mouth and so did everyone else. A few moments later, spiritual auras surged throughout the room, almost overflowing and blowing the doors open. Each disciple's face became red and eyes bloodshot. Veins popped out on their foreheads, necks, and hands. They were now more like demons than people.
Tu Jing didn't have such a drastic effect but his eyes still turned bloodshot. There were also invisible strands of spiritual energy connecting him to each one of his disciples.
"Let's go. Follow my lead!"
He charged out of the door with the rest following silently.
---
A solitary figure slowly strolled along the stone-paved walkway next to the gently flowing Dragon River. They were surrounded by cherry and peach trees in full bloom. Instead of city blocks next to the river bank, there were instead gardens and parks. In the distance, there was a long bridge made of wood. It was painted red and gold and formed a long crescent moon over the lazy waters below.
It was a beautiful sight, one of the famous ones within Thousand Flower City. It was a glimpse of nature and human industry combined. It was a hint of respite amidst the hustle and bustle of a growing city.
That person stopped by a wooden bench and sat down. Other similar benches lined the walkway and were occupied by old couples as well as young families. A familiar booklet appeared as well as a thin brush with ink that never seemed to run out. Delicate fingers turned motion into words that danced across the page.
"What a shame." Their voice was low, slightly husky. But there was a definite touch of femininity. "Time and time again, countless flowers will bloom and then quickly wilt. It is difficult to resist the jealousness of human hearts and their desire for chaos."
Her writing paused and she sighed, "Could master have been wrong? Is there really something special about this sect?"
She looked up at the falling petals as well as those picked up off the ground by a gust of wind. She caught a few stray strands of hair and tucked them behind her ear. Her actions briefly revealed a dazzling visage, a beautiful face of such marvel that her mere appearance would have brightened a sunny day. But it was gone in the next instant, replaced by a mask of normality that allowed one to blend into a crowd.
"The only thing I can do is witness history. The story of Thousand Flower City. The legacy of Ten Thousand Flower Valley. What will it become? What place will it have in the annals of this subcontinent?"