Convergence

The Cloud Mist Boat came to an abrupt halt, and the figures ahead flew forward on their own initiative to offer greetings. "Fellow Daoist Qi, Fellow Daoist Hu..." Peak Chief Lu returned each greeting in kind, showing no arrogance despite his high cultivation and powerful standing. He treated everyone equally, including the cultivators from smaller sects. "Fellow Daoist Moyu has arrived early as well..." Peak Chief Lu cupped his hands to a scholar-like man, then glanced at the figure beside him and asked with mild curiosity, "And this fellow daoist is...?" "This humble one's Daoist name is Mingyue. I am not a cultivator of Landou Island, but merely passing through. Having heard Fellow Daoist Moyu speak of the grand occasion of the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly, I was drawn by the prospect and came especially to observe. Fellow Daoist Lu won't drive this poor Daoist away, will you...?" This man was none other than Qin Sang in disguise. Aware that his mask could not deceive the eyes of the Core Formation cultivators present, he showed not the slightest trace of awkwardness. After sending his incarnation to infiltrate the Landou Sect, his true body had been searching for an opportunity. Not long ago, he had finally struck up an acquaintance with a cultivator on good terms with Landou Island: Daoist Moyu, the Master of Mount Moyun. Qin Sang had associated with him in earnest, never rushing to pry into sect secrets. Daoist Moyu's cultivation was comparable to his own. However, Qin Sang hailed from another region and had led an incomparably more eventful life than Moyu, who had spent his days cultivating quietly in his mountain sect. After a round of discussing the Dao, Daoist Moyu had been deeply impressed. The two had hit it off splendidly. Upon learning of the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly, Qin Sang realized it was the ideal chance to make contact with Landou Sect's Core Formation cultivators. He asked Daoist Moyu to bring him along as an observer, and Moyu readily agreed. Acting as though he had not noticed his incarnation at the rear of the Cloud Mist Boat, Qin Sang gave a slight bow with cupped hands and spoke to Peak Chief Lu with a smile. Peak Chief Lu laughed heartily. "That Fellow Daoist has come in person to observe is an honor for us all. Why would I ever refuse?" Qin Sang revealed his true cultivation. A mid Core Formation stage master was well worth Peak Chief Lu's courtesy and respect. Like the others, Peak Chief Lu acted as though he had not even seen the mask on Qin Sang's face, never uttering a word about it. Qin Sang smiled and expressed his thanks. "Once we set foot on the island, I shall properly host Fellow Daoist Mingyue. For now, please wait a moment while we join forces to open Dongming Island's spirit formation," Peak Chief Lu said, his expression shifting slightly. "Please, Fellow Daoist." Qin Sang stepped aside and flew back a short distance to make room. The Cloud Mist Boat and the other flying treasures also carried the disciples of each sect off to the side. Aboard the Cloud Mist Boat, the incarnation sensed a gaze. Turning his head, he saw Fang Ting and Zhao Songqiao standing on Yanmiao Pavilion's bamboo boat, and he gave them a subtle nod. Hovering in midair, Peak Chief Lu produced a circular array plate and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoists, aid me in opening the formation!" Old Daoist Huayang and the others flew to Peak Chief Lu's side one after another. Peak Chief Lu tossed the array plate above the crowd. The cultivators from Yanmiao Pavilion and the other sects each took out an identical blue crystal and tossed it up as well, fitting them seamlessly into the indentations on the plate. The array plate then flashed with light and trembled slightly in the air. Without needing any prompt from Peak Chief Lu, the others immediately catalyzed their true essence, channeling it into ribbons of light that poured into the plate. Infused with true essence, the plate suddenly blazed with brilliant radiance. A muffled roar like rolling thunder echoed from the distance as towering waves surged violently tens of li to their north. "Go!" Peak Chief Lu took the lead, with the others following closely behind. Qin Sang flew along to observe. According to Daoist Moyu, Dongming Island's spirit formation was exceedingly ingenious. Only by holding the complete array plate and locating the constantly shifting 'vital gate' could one unlock the formation and bring Dongming Island into view. Peak Chief Lu flew to the center of the waves and cast the array plate—now glaringly bright—downward. The cultivators let out a collective low shout and drove their true essence with all their might. The next moment, empty space warped in every direction. Over the previously barren expanse of the sea, a silhouette materialized out of nowhere—a small island shrouded in mist and clouds. "What an ingenious spirit formation!" Qin Sang could not help marveling inwardly. It was truly worthy of a grand array personally laid down by a Nascent Soul cultivator, the former Sect Master of the Landou Sect. "Fellow Daoist Mingyue, after you!" As Qin Sang gazed intently ahead, Daoist Moyu flew over to invite him onto the island. Meanwhile, the others were already flying directly toward the islet. Qin Sang quickly spurred his escape light. Before long, he arrived near Dongming Island, where the dense cloud mist parted in one spot to reveal a narrow valley. The clouds and mist were evidently manifestations of the formation's power. Feeling a chill of caution, Qin Sang kept properly to Daoist Moyu's side. At that moment, Peak Chief Lu singled out several disciples from the Cloud Mist Boat. "Guard this pass. Bar entry to anyone who does not hold a Dharma Assembly token, regardless of sect." "As you command!" Those disciples flew to both sides of the valley, while the rest traversed straight through. Before long, a sheer cliff appeared below them. Ahead lay a massive depression sunken far below the outside terrain! Shrouded in light mist, the depression was obscured from clear view. The terrain inside was uneven, rippling with rolling hills that were not particularly tall, while at the very center stood a lofty mountain, towering like a crane among chickens. The landscape reminded Qin Sang of a meteorite crater. *That mountain must be Longxing Mountain,* Qin Sang thought to himself. Not far beyond the valley, a low mountain came into view before the group. A few delicate bamboo pavilions stood on the mountain, vibrant green like fresh shoots in the thin mist, yet showing signs of long having been uninhabited. "Fellow Daoists, please follow me to the bamboo pavilion to rest for a while. Once the other fellow daoists arrive, the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly will commence at noon for our disciples to compete," Peak Chief Lu said, withdrawing his escape light and turning around. From the corner of his eye, Qin Sang caught sight of his incarnation and the other disciples disembarking from the Cloud Mist Boat. They skirted the low mountain and flew ahead, vanishing into the thin mist in the blink of an eye. Quietly pulling back his gaze, Qin Sang flew into the bamboo pavilion. Meanwhile, the incarnation followed behind the Daoist boy and the others, flying over several peaks in succession. Flashes of warding restrictions flickered across these mountains—territories staked out by various sects. The Landou Sect possessed the largest share, occupying nearly half of Dongming Island. Before long, the Foundation Establishment cultivator ahead paused in midair. He produced a wooden tablet and waved it toward the peak before them. Once ripples parted across the ward, he flew straight toward a row of stone cottages nestled in the mountain. The buildings on the mountain appeared quite crude, but the group would not be staying long anyway. "The assembly begins at noon. The spiritual energy here is dense and especially beneficial for junior brothers cultivating the Wood Puppet Scripture. Settle your conditions quickly and strive for a high ranking—it will only serve you well..." The cultivator landed before the stone cottages and turned to speak to the rest. "Senior Brother Ruan, you took part in the last assembly. Share some of your experience with us so we can be mentally prepared!" someone called out in a loud voice. The cultivator shook his head and joked, "Whatever rewards you win won't be shared with this old man, yet you always want to order me around. Fine then, whoever wants to listen, come along..." With that, he pushed open the door to a stone chamber and walked inside. Having looked forward to the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly for a long time, the Daoist boy moved to follow right behind him. The incarnation hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "Martial Uncle Yang, before we set out, Martial Uncle Jin Yan told me to gather some spiritual materials on the island to take back. May this disciple..." The Daoist boy waved an impatient hand. "Your cultivation isn't high enough anyway; hearing Senior Brother Ruan's advice won't do you much good. Go on!"