Chapter 393

393. Chapter 389: The Ruthless Bastard (Bonus 7 for Wandering's All-In Bet)

In just a few days, Ding Huan checked out of Xi Zhan.

Once he attended the Immortal Gate Assembly, he would leave immediately—there was no need to keep staying at Xi Lou.

The Immortal Gate Assembly was held at the Fifth Immortal Domain Hall.

Rumor had it that the teleportation array between the Fifth and Fourth Immortal Domains was built inside the Fifth Immortal Domain Hall.

Ding Huan arrived at the Fifth Immortal Domain Hall at a leisurely pace; it wasn't yet time to enter, so he casually pulled out his entry jade tablet.

It was the array master ranking tablet he had earned at the Sheng Dao Field—seventh place.

When Ding Huan saw the rank on the jade tablet, he was startled—how had it suddenly become tenth?

If someone else was still climbing the Sheng Dao Field rankings, didn't that mean he'd lose his chance to enter the Immortal Gate Assembly? Would he have to rely on his own name after all?

He had calculated it: using his own name to enter the Immortal Gate Assembly was possible, but it would reveal his identity, increasing his danger level several-fold.

Thinking this, Ding Huan decisively rushed to the top spot.

Those attending the Immortal Gate Assembly were either sect leaders or elite talents from all corners.

These people all held status and position—none of them would sneak in like Ding Huan did.

But no one cared; figures like Ding Huan appeared every Immortal Gate Assembly.

"Enter." Ding Huan arrived at the entrance still sealed by the array, raised his array tablet, and spoke coldly.

"The time—"

Before the array guardian cultivator could finish, Ding Huan glared: "The time has come. If you delay our entry, you're dead."

Seeing the rank "Ten" on Ding Huan's array tablet, the guardian cultivator sneered inwardly.

Just a tenth-place rank—what's so impressive?

Though he thought this, he still opened the array gate to the Fifth Immortal Domain Hall.

In truth, there was still nearly half a stick of incense left before the Immortal Gate Assembly began.

Tenth place meant nothing, but he could still enter the Immortal Gate Assembly—and if he wanted to kill the guardian later, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Seeing Ding Huan enter, the others also pulled out their sect leader tablets or personal jade tablets ranking in the top ten of the Sheng Dao Field to enter.

As soon as Ding Huan stepped into the Fifth Immortal Domain Hall, his jade tablet's rank changed to eleven.

Sure enough, Ding Huan sneered inwardly.

If this wasn't sabotage, then ghosts were involved.

What were the odds? The Immortal Gate Assembly had just opened, and his entry qualifications were revoked?

Ding Huan now understood one thing: the personal rankings on the Sheng Dao Field were rigged.

These rankings were likely prearranged—he had merely disrupted the system by climbing to seventh as an array master.

If so, then the top ten rankings for the Immortal Gate Assembly were probably rigged too.

Most likely, the Fifth Immortal Domain decided which sects would make the top ten.

It didn't concern him—he'd likely be long gone from the Immortal Gate Assembly by the time they found him.

…

Ding Huan assumed that since it was a meeting, everyone would sit down and listen to the Fifth Immortal Domain's leaders deliver long-winded speeches.

What he didn't expect was that this was an open assembly…

Even more like a casual dance party.

In the vast hall, beautiful female cultivators moved freely, carrying various immortal fruits, immortal teas, and immortal wines…

The seating was casual—anyone could sit anywhere, and if they felt a connection, they could chat freely.

After asking around, Ding Huan learned the Immortal Gate Assembly had two parts.

This casual gathering was only one part; the other consisted entirely of sect leaders.

These sect leaders entered a more luxurious meeting hall within, where they convened under the supervision of Fifth Immortal Domain elites.

Those here were mostly top talents from the Fourth Immortal Domain, along with the sect's prodigies brought by their leaders.

While the sect leaders met, they could freely exchange items, chat about life, and discuss Dao principles.

After the sect leaders finished their meeting, they could even seek advice from the sect leaders or apply to join any of the major sects.

Ding Huan sat in a corner, wondering how he could strike up a conversation with any sect leader or cultivator who knew about the Myriad Void Marshes.

Many things couldn't be bought in the trading halls.

He had indeed purchased some notes on the Myriad Void Marshes from the trading halls, but they all contained common, overused information.

…

Inside the meeting hall of the Fifth Immortal Domain, Wu Hongtian sat contentedly in the main seat.

This Immortal Gate Assembly had again seen no absent sects—all eligible sect leaders were seated here.

Wu Hongtian spoke slowly:

"Sect Leaders, we meet again. The Fourth Immortal Domain has developed steadily; last time, we opened its first secret realm."

"This time, we have two more critical matters: first, establishing a true Void City in the Fourth Immortal Domain; second, the issue of the Thief Immortal Worms."

"First, everyone knows there is a Void City beyond the Fourth Immortal Domain. It has long been poorly managed, chaotic, and many outstanding lower-realm cultivators have perished there."

"After careful consideration, we have decided to build a true Void City, giving these rootless cultivators a place to settle and survive."

"A well-structured Void City will not only supply the Fourth Immortal Domain with talented cultivators, but also better integrate it with the Void, facilitate trade, and prevent treasure leakage."

"Our Immortal Domain upholds fairness, justice, and law—we do not kill innocents or seize property without cause. Therefore, in rebuilding the Void City, we must guarantee the rights of every cave's original owner…"

If Ding Huan were here, he would surely admire Wu Hongtian's foresight—the man was practically divine.

His insight rivaled his Great Calculation Art—could this man also perform calculations?

Had he not been killed by me, that man's ten thousand caves in the Void City alone would have made him rich.

"Of course, I rarely go to Void City. All of you are in the Fourth Immortal Domain, so you have more chances to go to Void City than I do. Now everyone speak freely—any opinions are welcome.

Once a good suggestion is adopted, it will earn points for the immortal sect and be reflected in the ranking of immortal sects on the Promotion Plaza." After speaking, Chong Ang signaled the sect masters of the major immortal sects to offer their opinions.

"Chong Dao Sect, I do have something I need to bring up, and it also has to do with Void City." A man of extremely fierce appearance stepped forward.

When everyone saw this man, they grew even quieter.

Most immortal sects in the Fourth Immortal Domain are quite mild, but a few are exceptions—such as the immortal sect this fellow belongs to, Lei Jianxian Sect.

This fellow is called Lei Wu, and he is also the sect master of Lei Jianxian Sect.

Lei Jianxian Sect is extremely domineering in the Fourth Immortal Domain; many small immortal sects have been swallowed up by it.

Not only do they swallow up small sects, they do it seamlessly, walking right along the edge of the immortal sect laws set by the Fifth Immortal Domain.

Lei Wu is a Great Yi Immortal. Many people know that he underwent Tribulation Crossing within his sect and advanced to Great Yi Immortal.

"Sect Master Lei, please speak." Chong Ang's attitude was very mild.

Lei Wu said, "Speaking of Void City, one person must be mentioned. This fellow is called Wu Hongtian, and he has a nickname—Wu the Madman.

This person built over ten thousand cave dwellings in Void City, and he hardly lives in any of them. He just leaves them sitting there empty…"

Chong Ang frowned slightly and interjected, "Even if there is such a person, we still have to compensate him according to the law. Otherwise, where would the authority of our Fourth Immortal Domain's laws stand?"

That was exactly the answer Lei Wu wanted. He cupped his fist: "What the Dao Sect says is right. It's just that a few years ago, Wu the Madman left Void City to hunt down Ding Huan."

"Ding Huan? Is that the low-level cultivator who can easily locate immortal spirit spring eyes?" Chong Ang clearly remembered Ding Huan, which shows that Ding Huan's ability had caught the eye of the Fifth Immortal Domain.

Lei Wu nodded: "Exactly that person. What's strange is that Wu the Madman spent years hunting Ding Huan with no news, and then a few years later, Ding Huan returned to Void City and entered the Fourth Immortal Domain…"

At this point, most of the sect masters finally understood Lei Wu's main purpose.

This fellow had two main goals: first, to seize a certain immortal sect; second, to take Ding Huan away.

How could Ding Huan enter the Fourth Immortal Domain? Apart from a sect master's array token, there could be no second way.

Since Ding Huan was able to enter the Fourth Immortal Domain through a sect master's array token, that means among the sect masters present, someone lent their array token to Ding Huan.

Privately lending out a sect master's array token is a capital offense. Lei Wu reporting it would be a great meritorious deed.

Now Chong Ang had repeatedly stressed handling Void City matters according to the law. A major mistake like lending out an array token would have to be handled according to the law all the more.

The sect that lent out the array token would be dealt with, and would very likely collapse.

In that case, the one who would definitely take over the collapsed immortal sect would be the meritorious Lei Wu.

All the sect masters were secretly shocked. No wonder Lei Wu could step into Great Yi Immortal within his sect—this fellow was ruthless and vicious, completely disregarding that everyone belonged to the Fourth Immortal Domain's immortal sects. He meant to drive someone to death.

Reminding Shen Yi, sitting in a corner, broke out in a cold sweat behind his back. If Ding Huan had used his array token, then today he was done for.

Not only would he be done for, but Immortal Mist Dan Dao Sect would also be done for.

According to past practice, lending out an array token was usually punished with a small fine of immortal crystals, and then the sect's resources would be docked.

Even when the Fifth Immortal Domain checked array tokens, they would only ask about it and not really go door-to-door investigating—it was an unspoken hidden rule.

Now Lei Wu had deliberately raised this matter, and raised it right after Chong Ang stressed the importance of the Fourth Immortal Domain's laws. This absolutely had to be handled according to the law.

Handling it according to the law meant taking away the sect master who had lent out the array token.

Before the sect master returned, the sect would be temporarily overseen by a designated sect master.

This "temporarily oversee" clearly meant "take over."

As for sect masters taken away by the Fifth Immortal Domain, so far, none had been able to return.

Chong Ang nodded, then looked at the many sect masters and said slowly, "All sect masters here who possess an array token for entering the Fourth Immortal Domain, please take out your array tokens and place them on the side tea table."