CHAPTER 426: CHAPTER 280: ZHANG ZE, THE ENEMY OF THE ENTIRE WORLD - PART 2

"Absolutely not." Lily continued shaking her head, "We’re dealing with the boss this time. How can I let him find out about my secret squad?"

"This won’t do, that won’t do, so what do you want to do? Hire someone to spar with you?" Xiaoxuan slumped on the table, going into standby mode.

Her words, however, sparked an idea for Lily, "That’s right, I can have others pay to be my sparring partners!"

Xiaoxuan felt there was something off about Lily’s statement, but she was too lazy to think it over, so she raised a hand and said, "Vice Pavilion Master, wise~"

"Lily, you’re so wise!" Little Fuji chimed in, applauding.

"Fuji, Xiaoxuan, come, follow me."

...

The next day

Although the Qinghe Association hadn’t started yet, many people had already arrived, making Thousand Mechanism Town, the closest location to the Qinghe Association’s venue, a temporary resting place for many cultivators.

A hundred miles outside Thousand Mechanism Town, on a flying ship, an old man was instructing his disciples on various matters.

"This is your first time at the Qinghe Association, so there are some things I need to inform you of.

"First, the Sword Sect is very strict with its rules, and its disciples are usually upright and straightforward. Do not try to flatter them, or you’ll fall into the lower hand."

"Second, I’ve heard that the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and the Sword Sect have deep connections, so I imagine their disciples are no different from Sword Sect’s disciples."

"Moreover, those who cultivate the Path of Thousand Mechanisms mostly like quietness, so do not be loud when you arrive at Thousand Mechanism Town, as they have lent us their sect ground to rest. Show some respect."

The old man was rambling on and on with these instructions, and his seven disciples were listening intently.

However, it wasn’t just the old man and his group on the flying ship, there were also many loose cultivators and members of the Demon Race who were already well acquainted with Thousand Mechanism Town.

To them, the old man’s words were like listening to ghost stories.

A disciples of the Sword Sect is upright and righteous? Then who was the person who lost to Old Ascender yesterday and played dirty?

Cultivators from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion like quietness? Since when do quiet people have small explosions every day and big ones every three days?

Eventually, someone couldn’t stand it any longer and stepped forward, cupping their hands at the old man, "Senior, where are you from?"

"I am the Sect Leader of the Liuyi Sect from Southern Border. What can I help you with, young friend?"

"Have you not been around here recently?" the person inquired further.

"Indeed, my Liuyi Sect is a reclusive sect. The last time I came out of seclusion was thirty years ago?"

The old man had no idea what this person meant, asking questions from the start yet not explaining their purpose for approaching him, it was all very baffling.

The loose cultivator gave a knowing look but didn’t expose the old man; just in time as the flying ship began to descend, he cupped his hands and said, "Welcome to Thousand Mechanism Town."

With that, he left the flying ship with his companions.

The old man didn’t mind, bidding farewell to the mysterious cultivator who had struck up the odd conversation.

In his understanding, the Immortal Cultivation Realm was unchanging; what it was like thirty years ago is what it’s like thirty years later.

There are the occasional oddballs, but they’re good, bringing many variables to the world.

And people like them, the hermit immortals, must stand by and watch the rising clouds and winds, undisturbed by external matters, remaining calm and collected.

After arranging his robes, the old man led his disciples off the flying ship.

Under the old man’s leadership, the disciples held their heads high, standing proud, demonstrating the demeanor of hermit immortals, as they walked out of the barrier that parked the flying ship.

Then...

They realized something was off.

"Elder, need a place to stay? An old inn, fair and honest to all, with an 8% discount on large rooms."

"Buying second-hand magical artifacts, flying swords, and pill medicine. Old clothes traded for kitchen knives..."

"Explosive news, Five Thunders Sect’s secret genius revealed, a popular contender for Qinghe Association’s championship, for details, join the group of Little Walnut. After joining, enjoy an 85% discount at this shop."

"Elder, how about this magical artifact? It’s a Demon-Subduing Pestle consecrated by the abbot of the Thousand Mechanism Temple. Press here, it can vibrate and change shape."

In short, it was chaos.

The disciples of the Liuyi Sect were just as bewildered as kids entering a city for the first time.

This Thousand Mechanism Town was vastly different from what their master described and what they imagined.

This was so different from our Liuyi Sect. Where’s the ethereal charm and the quiet-loving cultivators we were promised?

"Master, are we in the wrong place?" the eldest disciple of the Liuyi Sect whispered.

The old man was breaking out in a cold sweat; honestly, he was beginning to doubt if he had taken the wrong path.

The scene before him reminded him of his childhood, when he was just a boy following the adults to the market in town, where the sights were much like this.

As he was troubled by these thoughts, a mysterious figure dressed in black suddenly appeared beside him, very familiarly throwing an arm around his shoulder.

"Old man, want some Little Walnuts? Latest version. Don’t worry, all genuine goods here, with a certificate of authenticity from the Sword Sect."

The old man, "..."

Before the old man could refuse, another group of black-clad cultivators rushed over.

"Elder! Help us catch that bootleg seller!"

However, it was unclear whether the old man was slow to react or if the mysterious figure moved too quickly, as the latter vanished in the blink of an eye.

Even given the old man’s cultivation, he could not react.

All that was left for him was a small card with something written on it...

[I am the Bootleg King...]

Before the old man could take a closer look, the leader of the black-robed cultivators had already come up to him, "Senior, visiting my Thousand Mechanism Town for the first time, there are some people you need to be wary of, especially those wearing black."

"Then you..."

"We’re different from that bootleg guy. We’re the official organization, responsible for maintaining order in Thousand Mechanism Town. Since it’s your first time here, take this map, and here’s my business card. Mention my name at the Thousand Mechanism Town Trading Company for a 20% discount."

The card read:

[Head of the Four Great Guards of Thousand Mechanism Town, Wind Chasing Dharma King·Li Tiezhu]