The restaurant was located on the edge of a busy street, and the conflict unfolded at the intersection.
Ming Qi walked out just in time to see two groups of people confronting each other. Several of them were already unleashing their magical powers to engage each other from a distance. The atmosphere was tense, and those who knew the situation nearby began to move away, with only a few brave and curious people observing the excitement from a distance.
Ming Qi looked closely and could clearly tell from the clothing of the two groups that they belonged to different factions, both of which Ming Qi recognized.
One group was naturally the Baiyan City Lord's Mansion, while the other was a group of Zoroastrians.
The leader of the City Lord's Mansion appeared to possess the strength of a Martial King, and behind him were dozens of cultivators in the Innate Realm, likely the Baiyan City guards.
The Zoroastrians on the opposite side surrounded a single individual. Although their overall strength appeared relatively weak, they displayed a formidable presence against the Martial King-level guards.
Ming Qi narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared at the Zoroastrian, who appeared to be only at the tenth level of the Innate Realm.
This man's name was Zhou Zhengchuan, none other than the Ice Emperor who had taken over his body some time ago.
Ming Qi's memory was impeccable, and he recognized him instantly.
When Zhou Zhengchuan suddenly felt someone watching him, he turned around and saw Ming Qi at first sight.
Both Old Man Bing and Old Man Huo would likely forever remember this young man's face.
A pause crossed Zhou Zhengchuan's young face, and he immediately sent a message to Ming Qi.
"Something strange is going on in this city. Perhaps they're secretly up to something."
"Strange?"
Ming Qi paused, but then said calmly, "Take care of your current affairs first, then come find me."
After sending the message, Ming Qi turned and returned to the hotel.
Soon, the clamor outside subsided. After a few drinks, a figure, his head and face covered by a long robe, slowly entered the restaurant and sat down at Ming Qi's table.
Zhou Zhengchuan lifted his cloak and surveyed the group, then looked up at Ming Qi.
"They're all my friends."
Ming Qi poured a glass of wine over. Zhou Zhengchuan took a drink and said, "I've basically figured out what you asked me to know. The one who unified the Demon Sect is Young Master Wushuang, the leader of the Divine Weapon Sect. I've met him before. His strength is unfathomable, at least at the Emperor Realm."
Ming Qi nodded. He wasn't surprised that Young Master Wushuang had unified the Demon Sect, but he was surprised that he was at least at the Emperor Realm. He had seen Young Master Wushuang before on Mount Osho, and while he'd seemed powerful back then, it wasn't terrifying. He must have made some progress recently.
"He has already joined forces with numerous demonic sects and is preparing to launch a major war. Furthermore, I overheard that the Divine Weapon Sect is also connected to the Heavenly Witch Cult, and it seems they have already joined forces," Zhou Zhengchuan continued.
Ming Qi was no stranger to the Heavenly Witch Cult. Although neither was a good person, he was quite surprised to hear this news. Both the Divine Weapon Sect and the Heavenly Witch Cult had nearly dominated the world in the final days of the ancient times. Why would they join forces now? Could something be worthy of their alliance?
While the Divine Weapon Sect's master was undoubtedly Young Master Wushuang, Ming Qi still had no information about the supreme ruler of the Heavenly Witch Cult, and had never even heard of him.
The Divine Weapon Sect was aggressive, while the Heavenly Witch Cult was keeping a low profile. Regardless of the reason for the two factions' alliance, one thing was certain: Ming Qi's goal would become significantly more difficult.
Ming Qi considered both the Divine Weapon Sect and the Heavenly Witch Cult to be enemies, targets to be completely crushed.
But at the moment, despite his rapidly growing strength, both the Divine Weapon Sect and the Celestial Witch Cult remained towering behemoths.
Looking at the world today, aside from those ethereal gods of heaven and earth, the only one who could rival these two mighty powers was perhaps the ruler of the City of the Gods.
What Zhou Zhengchuan had brought was certainly not good news for Ming Qi.
"What about Lu Ji?"
Zhou Zhengchuan downed a glass of wine and said angrily, "That fellow went to see the leader of the Zoroastrianism. I guess he got into something and stayed there."
Speaking of Lu Ji, Zhou Zhengchuan was filled with rage. This old man, who had fought for countless years, simply displeased him.
"This is a good idea. First, establish your position within the Zoroastrianism. When necessary, you can take down the Zoroastrianism."
Ming Qi pondered for a moment and felt that this approach was feasible.
Infiltrating the Zoroastrianism was equivalent to infiltrating the Divine Weapon Sect's Demonic Alliance, which would be crucial for Ming Qi's future actions.
"That's fine, but I heard the true mastermind behind the Zoroastrianism is Zijinwu, the lord of Jinou City and one of the Three Flame Kings."
Ming Qi didn't care who was behind the Zoroastrianism.
"That's fine. As long as we don't interfere with the interests of that Zijinwu, that's all."
Zhou Zhengchuan nodded, then added, "This city seems to be secretly controlled by the Celestial Witch Cult. There's been a lot of activity lately. Should we keep an eye on it?"
Ming Qi thought for a moment, then shook his head.
He didn't have the energy to intervene in the affairs of the Celestial Witch Cult right now.
His top priority was returning to Qiankun Mountain. The threats from the Jiufang Palace and the Dongling Yan family still worried him.
Let Zhou Zhengchuan continue to infiltrate the Zoroastrianism. If he uncovered anything significant, he would return to him.
After dinner, everyone went back to rest, exhausted from the excessive exertion.
Early the next morning, everyone left the city. Zong Feng, Zong Long, and the other four said goodbye, while Ming Qi and his companions flew directly back to the Glazed Sacred Land.
Heading northwest, with few rest stops, they finally reached Xilan Prefecture after more than ten days.
Entering Xilan Prefecture, the Glazed Sacred Land was not far away.
But the further they advanced, the more Ming Qi felt a strange sense of unease, a growing unease.
After half a day, Ming Qi felt his flying speed was still too slow, so he simply activated the Golden Bridge of the Heavens.
Although the Golden Bridge of the Heavens consumed a lot of True Essence, Ming Qi's True Essence had significantly increased since his advancement to Martial King. He roughly estimated that, at the speed of the Golden Bridge of the Heavens, they would be able to return to Qiankun Mountain before dark without exhausting their True Essence.
Less than a hundred miles from Qiankun Mountain, Ming Qi suddenly stopped, his face gloomy as he gazed ahead.
Night began to deepen, but his eyes were like sharp swords.
"Something may have happened in the sect. Be careful."
With that, he mobilized his true energy. A long golden streak streaked across the sky, and a winding golden bridge stretched from his feet to the endless horizon ahead.
With this step, after passing through the night, he would know what had truly transpired on Qiankun Mountain.