Chapter 46: The Cult of the Fire God

"The people of the Fire God Sect!"

Snow Eagle City lay not far ahead, and as he looked upon a group clad in white garments embroidered with crimson flames, Lu Sheng frowned, recalling the information he had obtained from Oridun.

Due to the harsh environment, martial prowess was valued even more highly in the Western Territories than in the Central Plains. Apart from the tribes roaming the grasslands, most of the oases and their cities were controlled by martial factions.

Sixteen years ago, Snow Eagle City was seized by a force known as the Snow Eagle Martial Hall.

To bear the name of the city itself testified to the martial hall’s dominance. In fact, for centuries, this hall had held sway over Snow Eagle City. Not only could it consistently produce martial masters, but its founder had once studied at Blade King Pass—

The Snow Eagle Martial Hall was, in essence, an affiliate of Blade King Pass!

Blade King Pass was a fortress established in the south of the Western Territories by the Long River Blade King, who had once unified the region. It guarded the critical passage through which monstrous beasts might invade.

In the past, after the Long River Blade King failed to conquer the Central Plains and returned, he founded this fortress and spent most of his remaining years here. Thus, Blade King Pass became a sacred site in the Western Territories.

Yet, as time passed, not only had the Long River Blade King long since perished, but his disciple, the Sunset Blade Lord, was now aged and frail.

Consequently, the influence of Blade King Pass waned, even affecting this place—

Sixteen years ago, Snow Eagle City was taken over by the Fire God Sect.

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The Fire God Sect was established by another grandmaster of the Western Territories.

Its leader, the Celestial Fire Sovereign, was the only newly risen grandmaster in centuries, born to a humble nomadic tribe in the north.

Because of his modest origins and lack of powerful allies, the Celestial Fire Sovereign often encountered enemies beyond his ability to confront. Over a hundred years ago, after slaying a scion of a great tribe and being hunted, he was forced to flee the Western Territories.

His tribe was utterly exterminated by the great tribe, who rallied his old foes to join in the massacre.

Fortunately, the Celestial Fire Sovereign’s luck did not abandon him. After venturing to the Central Plains, he not only established ties with the Four Seas Trading Company, but by chance, rose to the rank of grandmaster.

Fifty-eight years ago, upon reaching his hundredth year, he returned from the Central Plains and founded the Fire God Sect.

With unmatched martial strength and resources supplied by the Four Seas Trading Company—and while the Sunset Blade Lord remained inactive—the Celestial Fire Sovereign deftly subdued many northern factions.

Moreover, after the destruction of his tribe, he sought to cultivate loyal followers by selecting sons and daughters of divinity as apprentices, thus garnering support from those dissatisfied with Blade King Mountain or desiring to depend on a grandmaster—

Within mere decades, he completely dominated the north of the Western Territories.

Snow Eagle City, located at the northwesternmost edge, was a small city that seldom drew attention—

After the Fire God Sect claimed the north, it eliminated the Snow Eagle Martial Hall, once an outpost of Blade King Pass.

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"Snow Eagle City is not strategically important, and its population is less than ten thousand."

According to the memories of Oridun and others, after the Fire God Sect took over, they merely converted the martial hall into the Snow Eagle Branch of the sect, sent a martial master as branch chief, and seldom did anyone from the main sect visit.

In fact, the Four Seas Trading Company held greater sway than the Fire God Sect, since the city bordered the Snow Plains and enabled the collection of rare products from the snowy wilds.

This group from the Fire God Sect, despite their soiled attire, still radiated luxury, and among them were three martial masters—

They could not have come here without cause!

Lu Sheng mused but had no intention of investigating further. He slowed his pace, entering the city only after the Fire God Sect’s group had passed.

As for the gate guards, upon seeing the long blade in his hand, they dared not hinder him, let alone check his identity or demand a gate tax.

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"Hmph!"

"Truly occupying positions without merit!"

Among the Fire God Sect’s party, a young man turned, saw this scene, and spoke with displeasure.

According to the customs of this world, only martial artists possessed the right to travel freely and could do so without a travel permit.

Among martial artists, unless one attained the rank of warrior, one was not exempt from taxation. Passing through city gates, one would still have to pay the gate tax.

However, due to many past disputes, in the somewhat chaotic Western Territories, such rules were no longer strictly enforced.

Indeed, simply declaring oneself as a denizen of the martial world was enough for gate guards to allow passage.

Now, seeing Lu Sheng dressed as a wandering martial artist, the guards did not even question his strength and let him in directly.

"To see someone dressed as a martial wanderer and not dare ask for identity—"

"No wonder that man fled here!"

Though well aware that the rules had long since collapsed, as a Son of Divinity, Duanmu Yun was still dissatisfied seeing this.

He, Duanmu Qun, and Murong Yu had journeyed here in pursuit of a fugitive, enduring hardship along the way.

Though the city’s lack of welcome was understandable without prior notice, Duanmu Yun could not contain his temper upon seeing the lax guards of Snow Eagle City.

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"Hmm? Someone descending from the snowy mountains!"

Hearing Duanmu Yun’s words, Murong Yu turned to look. As a woman, her observation was keener; after a brief glance, she deduced Lu Sheng’s origin and said to Duanmu Yun:

"Senior brother, judging by his bearing, he’s likely a martial master—"

"And from his attire, he seems to have come down from the snowy mountains!"

"From the snowy mountains?"

Duanmu Yun frowned and scrutinized Lu Sheng.

"In terms of bearing, he certainly looks like a martial master!"

"And he carries no luggage—perhaps he possesses spatial equipment!"

"This appearance truly fits that of a mountain ascetic—"

"Just descended, no doubt!"

Recognizing the man as his equal in strength, Duanmu Yun forgot his displeasure and spoke to Duanmu Qun and Murong Yu:

"Shi Yin Jian has been fleeing, possibly toward the snowy mountains—"

"Let’s ask him if he has encountered this person!"

Without waiting for their reply, he called out to Lu Sheng:

"Hey, friend, on your journey, did you happen to meet anyone unusual?"

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"Someone unusual?"

"What sort of person?"

Lu Sheng halted. Having cultivated the Innate Wishful Dao Body, not only could he alter his form within certain bounds, but his body’s channels were clear and his senses heightened—

With his ears now opened, his hearing was much sharper than before, and he had already overheard their conversation.

"This one!"

Without dismounting, Duanmu Yun produced a portrait, unfurled it before Lu Sheng.

"Never seen him."

Lu Sheng memorized the image and strode away, heedless.

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"You—"

Seeing Lu Sheng’s indifference, Duanmu Yun realized he was being mocked and, furious, was about to spur his horse after him when Murong Yu suddenly exclaimed:

"Strange, I feel as if I’ve seen this man somewhere before!"

"Seen him?"

"Which family’s scion?"

Pulling back his mount, Duanmu Yun asked.

He and Murong Yu were Son and Daughter of Divinity, and children of great families. Most of those they interacted with possessed remarkable backgrounds.

Facing them, Duanmu Yun dared not be overly presumptuous.