Mahya stepped into view beneath the lantern light of the Feilong Order Pavilion. She wore a pink brocade dress beneath a white fox-fur coat, and the mixture of foreign and continental features in her face gave her a noble appearance without making her seem distant. The two guards immediately lowered their heads and cupped their hands. “Holy Maiden Mahya.” Mahya’s gaze moved from them to Guo Jiang. “Who is looking for me, and why was my name being mentioned with such disrespect at the gate?” The first guard hurried to explain. “Holy Maiden, this man claimed to be your friend, but he does not look like a magus or a distinguished guest. We only wished to protect your time because tomorrow’s meeting is important.” Mahya did not answer him. She walked closer to Guo Jiang and looked at him carefully, her manner polite rather than suspicious. 

For one breath after Mahya spoke the words Logun Continent, Guo Jiang forgot the noise of the square. His fingers tightened lightly against the armrest, and though his expression changed only a little, the stillness in his gaze was enough for Mahya to notice.“Brother Guo Jiang, is something wrong?” she asked in a low voice. “Do you know Merchant Nirajh?”Guo Jiang kept his eyes fixed on the distant guest. “No. I have never met him before.”Mahya studied him with mild curiosity rather than suspicion. “Then why did you look uneasy when I mentioned where he came from?”Guo Jiang did not answer immediately, so Mahya added what she knew. Nirajh had stayed in Kunlun City for more than a month, presenting himself as a merchant who traded rare gemstones, and most local people considered him courteous, patient, and trustworthy.“He has donated medicine to poor households and paid fair prices to miners,” Mahya said. “Nothing about him has caused trouble so far.”“That may be true,” Guo Jiang r

The sky above Kunlun City darkened slightly as gray clouds gathered from the north. Among them, one pale cloud remained almost motionless, its curved edges gradually resembling the outline of a giant eye. At first, only a few spectators noticed it. A merchant outside the restricted area raised his hand, and several nearby cultivators followed his gaze. “That cloud looks strange,” the merchant said. “Does it not resemble an eye?” A sword disciple frowned. “Perhaps it is an omen.” Another man shook his head. “No ordinary cloud carries pressure like that. It may be a spell.” More faces turned upward, and unease moved through the square. Before anyone could examine the shape clearly, the pale eye dissolved into the surrounding gray clouds. The sudden disappearance caused more alarm than its appearance. Conversations

Gui Gan’s face burned red as condemnation spread through the square. The laughter was no longer light amusement, but open ridicule directed at a leader whose reputation had cracked before the entire alliance. A member of the Kunlun Sword Sect stood among the observers and spoke loudly. “Rumors about Gui Gan’s behavior have existed for years. The Hongmen Sword Sect always denied them.” A Daoist woman beside him looked toward the Hongmen representatives with disgust. “I once saw their disciples abandon women and unwanted children near the mountain roads. I hoped I had misunderstood, but perhaps the stories were true.” Her accusation caused several people to move away from the Hongmen group. Others stared at their robes as though standing too close would stain their own names. The testimony did not continue into graphic detail, yet it was enough. Gui Gan realized that

The crowd had already recognized Cardinal Lai Kin when he faced Qin Qi with the Thunder Strike Staff in one hand. Members of the Feilong Order straightened with renewed confidence, while the leaders of the five sword sects watched him with expressions that were far less welcoming. Cardinal Lai Kin glanced at Mahya before turning his attention fully toward Qin Qi. “You are old enough to be her senior by several generations, yet you climbed onto the stage to challenge a young woman after she had already fought someone else.” Several spectators murmured in agreement. Qin Qi’s face tightened, but he quickly folded his hands and maintained the calm expression expected of a righteous Daoist priest. “Siancay,” Qin Qi said. “This poor Daoist merely wished to exchange techniques with the Holy Maiden. There was no intention to bully the younger generation.” Cardinal La