Chapter 99

The news that the Liu Domain was to convene the Nine Domain Assembly spread like the wind, quickly reaching every corner of the Northern Spirit Realm, causing a great stir.

The Nine Domain Assembly is the grandest event in the Northern Spirit Realm, usually held only when extremely important matters arise. The last time the Northern Spirit Realm held the Nine Domain Assembly, it stabilized the positions and territories of the nine domains, thus maintaining the nine-domain structure up to the present day.

Now, the Liu Domain has suddenly decided to convene the Nine Domain Assembly. Why is this?

Although many forces are puzzled, they can vaguely sense the undercurrents beneath this assembly. It seems that the years of peace in the Northern Spirit Realm may soon come to an end.

In the Mu City, within the Mu Family residence.

The atmosphere in the living room was extremely tense. Mu Feng, with a fluctuating expression, sat at the head of the table, with Mu Chen and Zhou Ye present, as well as some of the Mu Domain's high-ranking officials gathered there.

"Liu Domain has suddenly decided to convene the Nine Domain Assembly," Mu Feng said, his eyes cold and stern. "What do they want to do?"

Everyone was silent. The sudden move by the Liu Domain was too unexpected, and no one could guess their intentions. The Nine Domain Assembly is not something that can be convened lightly.

Mu Chen frowned deeply. His intuition told him that the Liu Domain must have a specific purpose, and this purpose would likely be very detrimental to the Mu Domain.

"This sudden move by the Liu Domain makes me feel uneasy. Should we simply ignore them and not attend the Nine Domain Assembly?" Zhou Ye mused.

"Refusing to attend is not an option. The Nine Domain Assembly is a rule set by the nine domains. Whoever convenes it, we must attend. Breaking the rules would not be beneficial for us," Mu Feng shook his head. "Moreover, if they are targeting us, even if we don't attend, it won't prevent them from taking action. They might even use some means to make other domains distance themselves from us."

Zhou Ye sighed. "What should we do then?"

"Tomorrow, gather our forces and bring the strongest of the Mu Domain to attend the Nine Domain Assembly."

Mu Feng slammed his hand on the table, his voice cold. "I don't believe the Liu Domain can swallow the Mu Domain whole. Also, send messages to the Lord of Tangshan Domain and the other domain lords. I think they are also feeling uneasy. If the Liu Domain dares to do anything, we eight domains can oppose them, and see what they can do!"

Zhou Ye nodded. Although they didn't know what the Liu Domain was planning, they wouldn't dare to offend the other eight domains.

Mu Chen looked at the tense Mu Feng, his eyes becoming more serious. It seemed that Mu Feng also sensed some danger. However, no matter what, if the Liu Domain dares to act against the Mu Domain, Mu Chen would not let them have their way easily.

The location for the Nine Domain Assembly was set in a city named Nine Domain, located in the central area of the Northern Spirit Realm. The last Nine Domain Assembly was held here, and the city became famous because of it.

This area is considered neutral territory, not specifically controlled by any force. Generally, the domain that calls for the assembly acts as the host, welcoming the other forces.

The city, which is usually not very bustling, has become the most watched place in the Northern Spirit Realm since the Liu Domain announced the assembly. The level of attention is even higher than the recent quota competition for the Northern Spirit Academy.

After all, the quota competition, though many aspire to it, only a few have the qualifications to compete. Therefore, the outcome has little direct impact on most people, who attend mainly for the excitement and the spectacle.

However, the Nine Domain Assembly is different. It truly concerns the structure of the Northern Spirit Realm. If there is any turmoil, all forces in the Northern Spirit Realm will be affected.

Therefore, for matters that directly impact them, no one in the Northern Spirit Realm can afford to ignore it.

When Mu Feng and his large group arrived at Nine Domain City, the city was already teeming with people. They could see many forces bringing their troops, wave after wave, entering the city.

The Mu Domain sent its elite forces, with Mu Feng leading personally, accompanied by Zhou Ye, Mu Chen, and the four city lords. Even Wen Ling, who had recently become a second-level Spirit Array Master, came along. With nearly a thousand troops, the group was formidable and imposing.

The arrival of the Mu Domain forces caused some commotion in the city. Many forces came to greet them, and Mu Feng smiled and returned their greetings.

The Mu Domain forces stopped before a stone hall in the city center, then the four city lords led the troops to set up camp. Mu Feng scanned the area and saw several other large groups, clearly brought by other domain lords. It seemed that these people were also on high alert.

"Brother Mu."

As Mu Feng was observing, a laugh came from nearby. He turned to see Tang Shan, accompanied by several key figures, approaching quickly.

"Brother Tang." Mu Feng hurried to greet him, and Mu Chen followed closely. His eyes swept over Tang Shan's group and he was surprised to see Tang Qian'er among them.

Tang Qian'er also saw Mu Chen, and her beautiful eyes lit up with joy. She winked at him playfully.

Mu Feng and Tang Shan quickly gathered, speaking in low voices, their expressions serious.

"Why did you come too?" Mu Chen asked the girl beside him, a bit surprised.

"My father seems to take this Nine Domain Assembly very seriously. I was bored in Tang Domain, so I came along to see what happens." Tang Qian'er smiled, but then her brows furrowed slightly. She glanced around and leaned closer to Mu Chen, whispering, "I heard that the Liu Domain seems to have some plans this time."

"Otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to convene the Nine Domain Assembly?" Mu Chen smiled faintly. "Although all nine domains have the right to convene the assembly, since the nine-domain structure was established, no domain has done so."

"Have you heard of Liu Jingshan?" Tang Qian'er whispered. "I seem to have heard my father mention him very seriously."

"Liu Jingshan?"

Mu Chen's heart skipped a beat, his pupils constricting. He whispered, "Liu Jingshan is Liu Qingtian's father, the strongest person in the Northern Spirit Realm years ago. However, he disappeared three years ago. Why would your father suddenly mention him?"

Tang Qian'er shook her head. "I don't know."

Mu Chen frowned, a sense of unease rising in his heart. Liu Jingshan was once the strongest in the Northern Spirit Realm, with the power of the late Divine Soul Realm. It was said that he was just one step away from the Three Days Realm, but he disappeared, reportedly due to a cultivation mishap that led to his death.

"Could that old man not be dead?"

Mu Chen's heart trembled. If Liu Jingshan were indeed alive, his appearance would mean that the Liu Domain would have two late Divine Soul Realm experts. With Liu Zong, that would be three Divine Soul Realm experts, a strength that no single domain in the Northern Spirit Realm could match.

Moreover, the most unsettling thing was that Liu Jingshan was at the late Divine Soul Realm three years ago. If he were still alive and had made progress, he might have already reached the Three Days Realm.

At this thought, Mu Chen drew a sharp breath. The Three Days Realm had not appeared in the Northern Spirit Realm for many years. If the Liu Domain had such a powerful expert, no force would dare to oppose them.

Mu Chen's mind raced, his expression turning grim. Tang Qian'er, noticing this, stuck out her tongue and put her hands behind her back, not daring to speak further.

As they entered the stone hall, Mu Chen saw Mu Feng looking at him, his expression very serious, with a hint of unease. This was the first time Mu Chen had seen him look this way in years.

It seemed he had also received some information from Tang Shan.

The stone hall was spacious, now filled with people. On the stone seats, other domain lords had already arrived, chatting with each other. However, Mu Chen could sense some unnatural tension beneath their laughter.

It seemed that the news had already spread secretly.

Mu Feng sat down at a stone seat, with Mu Chen and Zhou Ye standing behind him. He then looked across to a beautiful woman in a red dress. She smiled charmingly, drawing attention, and behind her, Mu Chen saw a familiar figure—Hong Ling. He didn't expect her to come along with her mother.

Hong Ling saw Mu Chen and smiled, her eyes like peach blossoms, with a hint of charm inherited from her mother.

"Girl, are you interested in the Mu family's boy?"

The beautiful woman's eyes had been fixed on Mu Feng since he entered. She bit her lip and glanced at the handsome young man beside him, then suddenly said to Hong Ling.

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Hong Ling blushed, a bit embarrassed.

"That Mu Feng is not a good person, and his son probably isn't either. If you don't like him, it's best to keep your distance." The woman said coolly, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible resentment.

"With the quota for the Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Academy, you have a bright future ahead. You will meet many talented young men, many of whom will be better than the Mu family's boy."

Hong Ling looked at her mother strangely. She vaguely knew some of her mother's past. Her mother had once pursued Mu Feng but failed, and later married her father in disappointment. Her father died in a battle, and her mother had remained single since then. Although time had changed many things, her mother still harbored some resentment towards Mu Feng.

"Mother, I just want to enter the Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Academy and focus on cultivation. We can talk about other things later." Hong Ling said softly, her eyes lingering on the tall, handsome young man beside Mu Feng, her heart feeling a bit complicated.

The woman patted Hong Ling's hand, glared at Mu Feng, who was avoiding her gaze, and then turned away.

"Father has been looking at you."

Mu Chen had also noticed the commotion and cleared his throat.

"Shut up." Mu Feng glared at Mu Chen, who always brought up the wrong things at the wrong time.

Mu Chen chuckled. It seemed his father was quite popular in his youth.

In the hall, as time passed, the domain lords gradually arrived, along with some other well-known forces in the Northern Spirit Realm.

As more and more people gathered, the hall became increasingly quiet. Suddenly, footsteps were heard from the back of the hall. The pearl curtains were lifted, and several figures slowly walked out, with Liu Qingtian's laughter following.

"Ha ha, thank you all for giving the Liu Domain face, all of you have come, which is a great honor for me!" Liu Qingtian walked into the hall with a smile, then ascended to the main stone seat, followed closely by Liu Zong, Liu Zong, and Liu Mu Bai.

As soon as Liu Mu Bai entered, his eyes fell on Mu Chen, and a cold look appeared in them. He sneered at Mu Chen.

Mu Chen, today, this place will be the burial ground for you and your father!

(To be continued)