As June 30th drew closer, Qi Huang began ordering people to count the guests. Her good senior sisters registered first, followed by the other family members of Hong Hua Sect, Shui Yu Valley, and Hua Rong Sect to show their support. In addition, the malevolent spirits such as Zhen Feiyan, Jiang Feng, Yao Yao, and Mi Mi, who harbored deep hatred for the Immortal Alliance, as well as friends from countries like Lei Ting and Tai Ping who had grievances with the Immortal Alliance, swelled the numbers to seven to eight hundred. Qi Huang was very pleased, as the more people there were, the more imposing she seemed.
Qi Huang, however, was still not satisfied. She used her powerful spiritual sense to send invitations to all corners of the Cult, regardless of status. Invitations were thrown at everyone, causing even beggars on the street to receive one.
Now, Qi Huang was finally content, eagerly awaiting June 30th.
However, those around Qi Huang grew anxious. After all, the Immortal Alliance was not to be trifled with. To eliminate such a massive organization, a detailed plan was at least necessary, right?
“A plan? What plan? Destroying a mere Immortal Alliance? Anyone with hands can do it.”
Qi Huang flatly refused. She never fought battles she wasn’t sure of winning, and when she did fight, it was always a one-sided slaughter.
Her friends and relatives could only reluctantly give up, helpless.
The Immortal Alliance, likewise, was not to be outdone. Lu Lin ordered people to send invitations everywhere for everyone to observe at the Immortal Alliance Main Altar on the 30th how they would eliminate the rebels.
Because this matter was of great importance, people gradually rushed to No Night City from all over the Cult to witness this battle of the ages. There were cultivators, warriors, and mortals. Only a very small minority were invited; the vast majority were uninvited spectators.
Among those invited, 99.9% held Immortal Alliance invitations, which showed how invincible the Immortal Alliance appeared in the eyes of the people of the Cult.
Lu Lin did not want to be caught off guard.
Therefore, he recalled all the high-level combat forces scattered across the continent, preparing to deal with Qi Huang and her followers all at once in No Night City.
“Your task is not to protect the Immortal Alliance Main Altar, but to seal off the entire No Night City and capture all those rebels. Do you understand?”
Lu Lin instructed the elders in the Conference Hall.
“Yes!”
The elders replied forcefully.
“Alliance Leader, your subordinate has something to report.”
Elder Kang, who had narrowly escaped from the Tencel Valley Treasure Land, suddenly spoke.
“Speak.”
Lu Lin frowned, fearing more bad news.
“Your subordinate overheard people outside discussing that a banquet would be held on the street in front of the entrance on the 30th, organized by Wenxiang Pavilion,” Elder Kang reported.
“A banquet? What’s the purpose? Is it a celebration or a funeral? It can’t be for no reason!” Lu Lin asked after a moment’s thought.
“My friend who went to Hundred Flowers Brothel said it was a celebration, and that person even invited singers and dancers for entertainment,” Elder Xiao of Jingtian Sect said.
“Isn’t that friend you’re talking about you yourself?” Elder You, who once visited Ao Shi Sect to invite someone with Yin-Yang Eyes, quipped. He had a rough appearance and spoke without reservation.
“Mind your own business.” Elder Xiao rebuked darkly.
“Alliance Leader, what I heard is different from what he heard. A friend of mine who went to the funeral supplies shop on West Street said Wenxiang Pavilion is holding a funeral banquet and invited their shopkeeper, Master Chen, to perform a ritual.” Elder You added.
“Elder You, isn’t that friend you’re talking about you yourself? I wonder which of your relatives has kicked the bucket. Do you want me to send some condolences?”
“You old bastard…” Elder You roared in anger, rolling up his sleeves to fight.
“Quiet! Are they inviting singers and dancers or sorcerers?” Lu Lin roared impatiently.
“Singers and dancers, my information is absolutely reliable.”
“Sorcerers, my information is 100% accurate.” Elders Xiao and You answered one after another.
“Nonsense! If both are true, then I’d like to ask you, is that guy holding a funeral or a celebration? If it’s a funeral, how can he invite singers and dancers? If it’s a celebration, how can he invite sorcerers to perform rituals?” Lu Lin was furious.
The two elders opened their mouths, unsure how to answer for a moment.
“Alliance Leader, whether it’s a funeral or a celebration, let’s just prohibit that person from organizing it. Otherwise, if they cause trouble there on the 30th, it might affect our important business,” Elder Kang suggested.
Lu Lin pondered for a moment and said, “No need. I was just worrying about how to entertain the guests invited by the Immortal Alliance. I can use her banquet as a ‘borrowed flower to offer Buddha’.”
“The Alliance Leader is wise! This way, we can also save a considerable amount of expenses.” Elder Kang’s eyes lit up, and the other high-level figures also showed admiration.
“But what if they are holding a funeral? It wouldn’t be good to invite guests to be seated then, would it?” Elder You reminded him.
“Why do you care so much? Nothing is more important than the Immortal Alliance’s reputation. Even if it’s a funeral, we still have to hold our victory banquet first.” Lu Lin said impatiently.
“Alliance Leader, there’s another matter. The citizens of No Night City heard that those rebels are coming to cause trouble, so they are starting to flee one after another.” Elder Kang continued his report.
“Flee? Do they really think that the mighty Immortal Alliance will harm innocent people while dealing with a few rebels?” Lu Lin’s face darkened. He then ordered, “Go tell the No Night City Prefecture Office officials to strictly control the number of people leaving the city before July 1st. I want the entire city’s populace to see how powerful the Immortal Alliance truly is!”
“Yes!” Elder Kang cupped his fists and received the order with full vigor.
Seeing that June 30th was only three days away, Qi Huang had still not taken action, which made some of her close friends and relatives very puzzled.
At noon, Senior Sister Ruan Lingyu, Yun Fei, and others arrived.
“That’s Junior Sister. It’s already June 27th. Did you forget something?” Ruan Lingyu reminded her cautiously.
“Forget what?” Qi Huang asked, confused.
“Forget what? Of course, it’s destroying the Immortal Alliance! We can’t wait any longer,” Shen Yuan said impatiently.
“What’s the rush? Aren’t there still two or three days left? It only took a few hours last time I took you to the Immortal Alliance Main Altar. Did you forget so quickly?” Qi Huang calmly reassured them.
“But the problem is, it’s not just us this time. Hong Hua Sect and Shui Yu Valley combined have four to five hundred people. I heard you’re going to pick up people from other places too. Are you sure they can arrive in two or three days?” Ruan Lingyu reminded her worriedly.
“Don’t worry, Senior Sisters! Let alone two or three days, it won’t even take two or three hours!” Qi Huang smiled confidently. With her current spiritual sense strength, bringing hundreds or thousands of people was no different from carrying nothing.
“That’s good! That’s good! We thought you were afraid of the Immortal Alliance and had changed your mind.” Ruan Lingyu breathed a sigh of relief.
*Laughable! The word ‘fear’ is almost forgotten in writing.* Qi Huang rolled her beautiful eyes. At this moment, the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device next to her rang.
Qi Huang walked over and saw that it was Shopkeeper Bao from Wenxiang Pavilion calling. She quickly gestured for her Senior Sisters to be quiet, then took a pill to stimulate her vocal cords before connecting the device.
“Esteemed customer, why don’t I refund your deposit in full, and you can find another inn to book a banquet?” Shopkeeper Bao began to negotiate.
“Why?” Qi Huang asked knowingly.
“Why? Haven’t you heard? Hundreds of millions of rebels are going to fight the Immortal Alliance on the 30th. You want me to host a banquet at the entrance of the Immortal Alliance Main Altar? Isn’t that suicidal?” The shopkeeper said agitatedly.
“Hundreds of millions? Who the hell is spreading rumors! There’s clearly only one!” Qi Huang retorted angrily, thinking to herself that it was impossible for her, an Immortal Elder, to invite hundreds of millions of helpers to deal with a mere Immortal Alliance.
“One? How do you know?” The shopkeeper asked curiously.
“Ahem…” Qi Huang coughed and then said, “I guessed! Shopkeeper Bao, the most important thing in doing business is credibility. Now there are only two or three days left before the 30th, and you’re suddenly going back on your word. If I spread this matter, will your inn still be able to open?”
“Esteemed customer, please, be merciful. I am just a mortal, and I cannot withstand any storms.” The shopkeeper pleaded.
“What storms? Do you think that after I deal with a mere Immortal Alliance, I will also affect trivial people like you? You are simply looking down on me.” Qi Huang blurted out.
“Yes, yes, yes, the Immortal Alliance is indeed strong… What… Who did you say you were dealing with?” The shopkeeper’s voice began to tremble as he spoke.
