CHAPTER 1003: CHAPTER 1002: COUNTLESS CLUES

"Calamity? Aunt Nineteen, I haven’t offended you, have I?"

Little Peacock smiled, "The key to this cloak lies in its material. Actually, there is no array setup because I don’t know how, and neither do my two sisters, but the material of Peacock Plume is quite unique.

It’s not that wearing it will bring calamity, but it will automatically block accidental critical hits from being inflicted upon you, and prevent some mysterious phenomena desired by the opponent from occurring..."

Little Peacock’s words were a bit all over the place, but Hou Niao understood her meaning. Simply put, if an opponent’s attack has some probabilistic extraordinary side effect, this cloak can nullify that probability to zero.

It may not sound practical, but it actually protects one from uncontrollable incidental damage, which is a deciding factor in battle.

To extract such functionality from an ordinary peacock’s feather is not something achievable by common means. Not only does it require the Peacock Holy Beast to spark hidden abilities in the bloodline, but it also consumes a fair amount of heart power, as seen from Little Peacock’s somewhat dispirited state of spirit.

Little Peacock may have a sharp tongue but a kind heart.

He wouldn’t say thanks; in a relationship where they rely on each other, there’s no need for distant words, "Isn’t it too ostentatious? I was just a Sect Leader, now you’ve turned me into a territorial leader."

"It’s just a matter of time!" Little Peacock circled around him, very pleased with her handiwork.

In a universe filled with countless divine skills, if merely among Jinxiu’s native Daoist Sects, this cloak would be nothing more than shiny and pretty. But if faced with visitors from the Upper Realm beyond Outer Space, many possess some knowledge related to Qi Fortune. The Golden Core level can’t direct control it, but they can unwittingly manifest it through secret techniques, such as achieving a special effect through consecutive strikes.

Most times it may not be useful, but at the right moment, it can be life-saving.

This is Aunt Nineteen’s intention. Although it is a bit flashy and doesn’t quite fit human aesthetics, it certainly suits a peacock’s taste; flying with vibrant colors and dragging a long tail.

He was glad Aunt Nineteen didn’t give him a tail to match.

Li Chuping found him, "I feel something is amiss, like something major is about to happen?"

Hou Niao didn’t have that intuition, "What’s wrong? At worst, there won’t be many people coming, which makes it easier for me."

"What if it’s the opposite? Many people come?"

"Did you hear something?"

Li Chuping was cautious, "News I received suggests that many mid to small fringe forces will send people, possibly hoping to gain something at the Dushan Festival?"

Hou Niao hadn’t realized, "So what? That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Why do you, the Capital Commandant, get all paranoid when people show up?"

Li Chuping was still dissatisfied with his attitude, this guy was pretending to be clueless, "If mid to small fringe sects come, will the Daoist Sect really be indifferent? They’re least likely to accept having some force overshadow them."

Hou Niao scoffed, "Then they should host their own ceremony to compete with our Dushan Festival. What’s the use of just being envious?"

Li Chuping furrowed his brows, "Based on the Daoist Sect’s usual temperament, they would definitely do so; they have the resources and contacts to host such a ceremony easily in the Southeast, but there hasn’t been any noise. Don’t you find that peculiar?"

Hou Niao, ever perceptive, "You’re suggesting the Daoist Sect might also attend the Dushan Festival and undermine us? Hmm, that’s Zhi Xuan’s style, he’d do something like that."

Li Chuping looked at him, "You don’t seem worried at all?"

"Worried? Why worry? It’s not an army attacking Dushan, just a few envoys; hmm, an Upper Realm Preacher is sure to come, a few Masters, or a few eligible Golden Cores, about a dozen, that’s it?

In such occasions, there’s no reason for major conflict. The greatest possibility is the rivalry among the various Preachers, so if their target is me, why should I be afraid?"

"Your heart is really big, these people are from the Upper Realm, their Daoist Sects well-reputed across the universe, it’s not the same as back when you aggressively dominated in the Constellation True Inheritor trials."

Hou Niao snorted coldly, "They’ve come to Jinxiu, so no more talk of their so-called Upper Realm. Jinxiu has Jinxiu’s rules. Are they going to carry their ancestors on their backs here? If they’re just names, I don’t fear them; we all rely on our own two shoulders and mouths, who fears whom?"

Li Chuping was very touched, this kid truly is fearless, but thinking about his rise against the odds, wasn’t it always under such pressure that he thrived? Character needs cultivation; as long as one doesn’t die, one can develop such a tenacious nature, but the problem is, most who try don’t survive.

Hou Niao comforted him, "Actually, these visitors from the Upper Realm don’t have much chance to interact on the Hell Star either; they’ve got things on their mind, which is why they didn’t fight there. After arriving at Jinxiu, busy seeking Daoists and preaching heritage, they also lack the opportunity to interact with each other.

Do you really think they’re all one happy family here, seeing us natives as enemies?

Relax, within those Upper Realm groups, there’ve been irreconcilable enmities formed over thousands of years in the universe. Their dislike for each other exceeds that for us. So long as the methods are right, the chances of them causing scenes at the festival far exceed those of involving us. We just need to bring benches and seeds and enjoy the show."

Li Chuping thought for a moment, "In that case, we can provide enough opportunities for deep interaction during the reception arrangements. Resentment must be vented; my Sword Sect helps those in urgent need, willing to provide a stage, hmm, including coffins and graves..."

Hou Niao shook his head, "Capital Commandant, you are really wicked..."

"The main venue will be arranged at the Sword Altar, which can accommodate tens of thousands, making it more than suitable. It’s thanks to Master Wu’s past showing-off by making everything big that it’s now actually useful.

I’ve already been informed, Master Anhe Xiao will be bringing people over in a few days, with him here we can plan a somewhat reliable festival ceremony..."

Hou Niao was speechless, "Sword Sect hosting a festival, really needs to involve the Daoist Sect? Can’t we do it our way?"

Li Chuping was very serious, "No! Because we are not the Xiao Mountain Sword Lineage! Individuals can be unique, but a sect’s festival cannot! It derives from ancient ritual ceremonies, with each step carrying its own meaning. We must not forget, Sword Sect also descends from Daoism, we share common ancestors."