Volume - 6 → Age of Alliances
The palace garden was quiet.
Golden flowers swayed gently beneath the evening breeze.
Ancient spirit trees radiated faint silver light.
The fragrance of countless spirit herbs drifted through the air.
Lin Shuan and Han Qing Li stood before Protector Yi.
Neither spoke.
Both were still digesting everything they had learned inside the Cosmic Chamber.
The Emperor.
The Emperor Sword.
The Sleeping Age.
The mysterious warning.
The future rebellion.
Every answer had only created even more questions.
Protector Yi silently observed them.
Then suddenly—
a flash of crimson light appeared within her hand.
Whoosh!
Two masks emerged.
Both were pure white.
Simple.
Ordinary.
Yet strangely elegant.
Ancient runes were carved across their surfaces.
The moment they appeared—
Lin Shuan immediately froze.
His eyes widened.
Then he slapped his forehead.
"Aiya!"
Han Qing Li blinked.
Protector Yi raised an eyebrow.
Lin Shuan hurriedly grabbed one of the masks.
His expression became awkward.
"How could I forget this?"
The moment the mask covered his face—
he finally released a long breath.
"Areee..."
"I almost ended up killing people."
Han Qing Li stared.
"What does wearing a mask have to do with killing people?"
Lin Shuan coughed.
A little embarrassed.
"Nothing."
"Forget I said that."
Inside the Dragon Pendant—
Tian Wuchen burst into laughter.
"Brat."
"You really forgot."
Lin Shuan's face twitched.
Ever since entering the Imperial Arena and inheriting countless opportunities—
he had traveled for months without hiding his identity.
If enemies from the Lin Clan's past appeared—
the consequences would be troublesome.
Very troublesome.
Han Qing Li eventually accepted the second mask.
The white mask concealed her beautiful appearance immediately.
Only her bright eyes remained visible.
Protector Yi looked at both of them.
Then her gaze settled upon Lin Shuan.
Her expression became serious.
"Shuan Hao."
Lin Shuan immediately straightened.
"Protector Yi."
Protector Yi looked toward the distant horizon.
"The Merchant Organization gathering will attract people from every corner of the Da Cang Empire."
"Countless merchants."
"Countless clans."
"Countless wandering cultivators."
Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"And perhaps..."
"...some survivors."
Lin Shuan's heartbeat accelerated.
"Survivors?"
Protector Yi nodded.
"The surviving members of your Lin Clan."
Silence.
Lin Shuan froze.
For several seconds—
he could not speak.
The destroyed Lin Clan had become the deepest wound inside his heart.
For years—
he had believed he was alone.
Completely alone.
But now—
Protector Yi was telling him otherwise.
"There may be survivors?"
Protector Yi nodded.
"There is a possibility."
"Many years have passed."
"Some may have hidden themselves."
"Some may have changed their identities."
"Some may have joined other factions."
Then she looked directly at him.
"If you encounter them..."
"Gather them."
Lin Shuan slowly clenched his fists.
His eyes became determined.
"I understand."
Protector Yi continued.
"And not only them."
"The Merchant Gathering is also an opportunity."
"Talented people."
"Hidden experts."
"Future allies."
"You may encounter all of them there."
Her gaze deepened.
"The storm approaching Da Cang Empire will not be small."
The words carried hidden meaning.
Lin Shuan understood immediately.
A major war was coming.
Perhaps even larger than he imagined.
Slowly—
he nodded.
"I'll remember."
Protector Yi finally smiled.
A rare smile.
Then she waved her hand dismissively.
"Go."
"Your friends are waiting."
Lin Shuan and Han Qing Li bowed respectfully.
Moments later—
both left the garden.
Only Protector Yi remained standing beneath the spirit trees.
Watching their disappearing figures.
Watching destiny move one step further.
Several moments later—
a tall armored figure appeared behind Protector Yi.
Boom.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the garden.
The newcomer wore dark golden armor.
A crimson cape fluttered behind him.
The aura surrounding his body was terrifying.
Like an ancient battlefield condensed into human form.
The Imperial Commander.
The supreme guardian of the Imperial Capital.
An existence rumored to possess Immortal Seed cultivation.
The moment he arrived—
he immediately knelt.
"Protector."
His voice was respectful.
Almost reverent.
Protector Yi did not even turn around.
"What is it?"
The commander lowered his head.
"The preparations are complete."
Protector Yi nodded.
Before she could answer—
another light descended from the sky.
A familiar old man emerged.
The Announcer Elder.
The same mysterious elder who had overseen the Imperial Arena.
His expression was solemn.
"The guests have begun arriving."
Protector Yi finally looked upward.
Her crimson eyes reflected countless stars.
"Then let us begin."
The commander and elder exchanged glances.
Then—
all three transformed into streams of light.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Three radiant streaks shot toward the heavens.
Disappearing beyond the clouds.
Meanwhile—
Lin Shuan and Han Qing Li were walking through the capital streets.
Suddenly—
Lin Shuan stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
Above the city—
Three dazzling lights rose into the sky.
Like shooting stars moving in reverse.
Han Qing Li noticed them too.
"What is that?"
Lin Shuan shook his head.
"I don't know."
Then—
something even more astonishing occurred.
High above the Imperial Capital—
the enormous protective barrier surrounding the entire city trembled.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Countless formation lines lit up.
A massive opening slowly appeared.
Like a heavenly gate opening within the sky.
Han Qing Li inhaled sharply.
"The barrier..."
The next moment—
ships appeared.
Flying ships.
Hundreds of them.
Large.
Small.
Luxurious.
Ancient.
Some resembled floating palaces.
Others looked like giant spirit beasts.
Many carried enormous merchant banners.
Some came from neighboring kingdoms.
Others from distant regions.
The sky instantly became crowded.
Lin Shuan quietly watched.
His heart could not help but feel amazed.
Even the Imperial Arena had not gathered so many forces.
This was the influence of commerce.
The influence of wealth.
The influence of information.
After several moments—
he exhaled slowly.
Then continued walking.
"Let's return first."
Han Qing Li nodded.
Not long afterward—
they arrived at the hotel.
The building stood near the center of the capital.
One of the most expensive inns in Cang Yue City.
Soon—
they reached the seventh floor.
Click.
The door opened.
Instantly—
nine figures stood up.
The moment they saw Han Qing Li—
their expressions brightened.
"Princess!"
"You're back!"
"Are you alright?"
"Did anything happen?"
Everyone immediately surrounded her.
Concern filled their faces.
They had been worried ever since she left.
One after another—
questions exploded.
"Princess Qing Li!"
"What happened?"
"Did you meet the Empire Protector?"
"Did they help us?"
Han Qing Li became slightly nervous.
Her gaze unconsciously moved toward Lin Shuan.
Because she did not know how much she should reveal.
The things she had seen today...
The Cosmic Chamber.
Protector Yi.
The Emperor Sword.
The Ancient Ages.
Any one of those secrets would terrify ordinary cultivators.
After a moment—
she smiled.
A genuine smile.
"Good news."
Everyone became excited immediately.
Han Qing Li continued.
"We can stay in Da Cang Empire."
Silence.
Then—
the room exploded.
"Really?!"
"Princess!"
"That's wonderful!"
"Finally!"
Many of them nearly cried.
Ever since the destruction of Wanling Empire—
they had been wandering without a home.
Without protection.
Without hope.
Yet now—
they finally had a place to stay.
However—
Han Qing Li quickly raised her hand.
"But."
Everyone became quiet again.
"We must hide our identities."
"And..."
Her expression became serious.
"We must work for the Empire's security."
The excitement lessened somewhat.
Yet nobody complained.
Compared to becoming homeless refugees—
this outcome was already miraculous.
At that moment—
a thunderous sound echoed outside.
Whoooooosh!
Whoooooosh!
Whoooooosh!
Everyone turned toward the window.
Massive flying ships were passing overhead.
The entire sky seemed crowded.
Xue Han Yue widened her eyes.
"What is happening?"
Han Qing Li explained.
"The Merchant Organization Gathering."
Lei Hao Tian immediately approached the window.
His expression became shocked.
"This is huge..."
Yan Feng Luo laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"Can we go too?"
Lin Shuan immediately looked at him.
Then said calmly:
"Yes."
Yan Feng Luo became excited.
Then Lin Shuan continued.
"But this isn't a battlefield."
Instantly—
everyone burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Yan Feng Luo's expression stiffened.
"What does that mean?!"
Lei Hao Tian grinned.
"It means don't challenge everyone you meet."
The room became lively again.
For the first time in many days—
everyone relaxed.
Han Qing Li eventually distributed masks to all nine survivors.
White masks.
Simple and elegant.
Perfect for concealing their identities.
After everyone finished preparing—
the group finally departed.
Their destination—
the Merchant Company Headquarters.
Also known as the Merchant Organization.
The commercial heart of the entire Da Cang Empire.
Night gradually descended.
Yet Cang Yue City became brighter instead of darker.
Countless spirit lamps illuminated every street.
Golden light stretched endlessly across the city.
The roads were overflowing with people.
Merchants.
Cultivators.
Scholars.
Nobles.
Adventurers.
Everyone was moving toward the same destination.
The Merchant Organization.
Lin Shuan's group merged into the crowd.
Immediately—
they felt the atmosphere change.
Everywhere they looked—
there were unfamiliar faces.
A man riding a giant spirit tiger.
A beautiful woman followed by dozens of guards.
An elderly merchant carrying rare treasures.
A wandering swordsman with killing intent hidden beneath his robes.
The city felt like a gathering point for the entire empire.
Street vendors shouted loudly.
"Spirit Beast Meat!"
"Fresh Spirit Fruits!"
"Five hundred-year-old herbs!"
"Formation talismans!"
"Weapon refinement materials!"
The noise filled every corner.
Many cultivators were bargaining.
Many merchants were negotiating.
Many factions were recruiting.
Everywhere—
wealth flowed like water.
Han Qing Li looked around in amazement.
"So many people..."
Lin Shuan nodded.
"The Merchant Organization truly deserves its reputation."
Ahead—
the streets became wider.
Massive jade roads appeared.
Golden lanterns hung overhead.
Ancient formations illuminated the surroundings.
Even the buildings became more luxurious.
Finally—
the crowd suddenly slowed.
Everyone looked forward.
And then—
they saw it.
The Merchant Organization Headquarters.
A gigantic golden complex.
Towering hundreds of meters into the sky.
Countless floating pavilions surrounded it.
Thousands of spirit lamps illuminated its exterior.
Golden dragons and phoenixes were carved across every wall.
Streams of flying ships continuously landed on enormous platforms.
The scene looked less like a merchant organization—
and more like an imperial palace.
Han Qing Li's eyes widened.
The nine survivors stood speechless.
Even Lin Shuan felt shocked.
The headquarters alone possessed enough wealth to rival countless kingdoms.
Above the main gate—
four enormous characters shone brightly beneath the night sky.
CANG YUE MERCHANT ORGANIZATION
The crowd surged forward.
Countless opportunities.
Countless secrets.
Countless dangers.
All awaited inside.
Lin Shuan silently looked toward the towering golden building.
His instincts told him something.
This gathering—
would change many things.
And perhaps—
it would become the first step toward the storm Protector Yi had warned about.
The storm that was already beginning to gather over Da Cang Empire.