A black shadow swept through Everblade City; avoiding moonlight, avoiding the bright lanterns, avoiding the random immortals that roamed the streets and the skies. The unseen being followed the darkness of alleyways, the shadows beneath tall walls, and arrived at a manor.
The manor was large, covering a wide area in the crowded city. The walls were tall and guarded by sword cultivators wearing outfits with four distinct designs. A casual passerby could sense the power and magnitude that exuded from the place. They all gave the manor a wide berth, knowing that it belonged to the Four Greats of the Eastern Sword Alliance.
A pair of black eyes blinked into existence within the shadow of the eaves of a house across the street. A furry snout sniffed the air. The nostrils wrinkled in distaste.
Chen Wentian, in the form of his trusty shadow fox, observed his destination for some time. He didn’t accept Immortal Green Destiny Yang Kaitian’s invitation but was still curious enough to make the trip using Chen Mo. He didn’t understand the Four Greats enough to make a judgment. He had to find out more.
A horse carriage passed through the street below. Its shadow connected with the house. In a swift moment, Chen Wentian left his hiding place for another below the clattering wooden carriage. A few hops later and he was within the walls of the manor. None of the protective arrays had been triggered by his presence because his presence couldn’t be detected by normal means.
Once inside, it was much easier as there were plenty of stray shadows from shaded walkways and pavilions, tall trees and bountiful flowers in manicured gardens, to the tasteful architecture of the buildings dotted here and there.
Chen Wentian swept through the manor and arrived at the main building. He sensed four immortal auras at the Spirit Lord Realm and headed towards them.
“… regarding the last proposal, Mount Yun Sect agrees.”
“Good, then we are all in agreement. We will wait for good news from your newest endeavor.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”Four immortals sat facing each other, the short tables in front of each person laden with food and wine. They were the four sect masters of the Four Greats. Immortal Thousand Swords Jin Wu of the Mount Huang Sect sat to the east. Immortal Green Destiny Yang Kaitian of the Mount Xiong Sect sat to the south. The two others were also men, one short and stout, one old and frail.
The old immortal spoke next, stroking his long, flimsy grey beard, “Let’s move on to our final matter. Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian, what does everyone think of him and how should we deal with him?”
Jin Wu cleared his throat and said, “Chen Wentian is a person of low class. He is ill-mannered and ill-bred. We cannot let someone like him be associated with the Four Greats.”
The short, stout immortal spoke after, “My core disciple, Liu Qiye had a run-in with Chen Wentian at the sword festival. His personality is exactly as Brother Jin described, a boring, small-minded person.”
“Brother Yang, you also met him? What do you think?” The old immortal asked.
Yang Kaitian smiled, “Outward appearances aren’t everything. It doesn’t matter how he behaves. What matters is his strength which is undeniable. Or has Brother Jin forgotten already?”
Jin Wu scowled, no doubt recalling how badly he had lost out to Chen Wentian in a pure contest of spiritual strength.
The old immortal nodded slowly, “Chen Wentian, his strength is indeed undeniable. Although his Dao is of flames, his affinity with the sword is quite fearsome. He is the highest ranker on the stele at Dugu’s Cavern. He also managed to best all of us at Dugu’s hidden tomb. He even thwarted that old dog Peng Yuefeng.”
“Exactly.” Yang Kaitian added.
There was a long pause before the short immortal spoke, “If we consider matters more broadly, Chen Wentian is probably the one that can contend with the Tower of Swords. With the current trajectory, our four sects will not be relevant in the subcontinent for the next generation at least, not with Wu Qianyu and Peng Xiling running around.”
“Mmm.” The old immortal muttered, “It’s pointless to consider an alliance with Chen Wentian. He has already rejected Brother Yang’s invitation. He is the type of person that always thinks too highly of themselves. Plus, it might turn into another situation like the Tower of Swords. No… we must pull out the problem at the roots.”
“So… what should we do?” Jin Wu asked impatiently.
The old immortal smiled darkly, “It’s quite simple. Brother Hei touched on the problem already. The problem is not Chen Wentian or Peng Yuefeng but the exceptional disciples they managed to find, who both managed to shake the entire subcontinent at the Immortal Sect Competition. Wu Qianyu and Peng Xiling… we must get rid of them.”
“Then, our only chance will be within the Forest of Swords.” The short immortal surnamed Hei said.
“It will be difficult. One of them would be a challenge. Two would be…” Yang Kaitian said.
“Disciples losing their lives within the Forest of Swords is an accepted fact and has been for hundreds of years. Those who never return can only blame their own incompetence.” Jin Wu said.
“We will have to expend a lot of resources. Many of our disciples might die as well.” Yang Kaitian argued.
“As long as Wu Qianyu and Peng Xiling disappear within the Forest of Swords, Mount Huang Sect is willing to pay any price.” Jin Wu retorted.
The short immortal nodded, “Mount Yun Sect agrees.”
“Mount Tai Sect agrees.” The old immortal said.
The three turned to Yang Kaitian who eventually sighed in defeat, “Mount Xiong Sect agrees as well.”
The old immortal smiled widely, “Good, good. This matter is critical to the rebirth of the Four Greats. There can’t be any mistakes. Choose your best disciples for the task!”
The others nodded or murmured in agreement.
After this, there were no more important issues to discuss and the four immortals became more relaxed. Wine flowed freely as the night progressed. They chatted and laughed, sharing gossip that would make the most stubborn old maid blush.
The four immortals and their sects had an unnaturally close relationship. Often, the topic of conversation would reach their disciples and the most recent marriage between members of different sects. It was such a common occurrence that all four sects had a tangled web of relationships that only served to deepen the alliance further.
“Brothers, it is getting late.” Yang Kaitian said after he downed a cup of wine, “I have prepared the usual treat for my good brothers.”
“Oh?” The short immortal looked up with great interest.
Yang Kaitian laughed, “Brother Hei is eager as always. Don’t worry, she is quite a beauty. You’ll like her a lot. Hehe. Oh, Brother Yue, is your sword still keen enough for another battle with us?”
The old immortal scoffed and stood up with the energy of a young man, “I’ll show you how keen my sword is. Lead the way!”
“Let’s go!” Yang Kaitian said and the four immortals left the room.
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