"Do you two want to leave first?"

After Oraya Lorne left, Nico Weaver took the initiative to ask Carson Flores, "According to that kid, there’s a good chance something will happen on the day of the banquet..."

Carson Flores smiled. "We’re already here, so let’s just see how it plays out. If we leave now, what will Lorne think of us?"

Nico Weaver frowned. "You two haven’t joined the Azure Divine Sect. Even if the Azure Divine Sect runs into calamity, it has nothing to do with you. If even the Azure Divine Sect can’t hold out, you staying won’t help, it’ll just add to the danger."

Carson Flores smiled. "It’s fine. If something really happens, I have ways to keep myself safe."

Nico Weaver couldn’t persuade Carson Flores, and knowing how many tricks he had up his sleeve, he stopped trying. He only reminded him again, "If you insist on staying, so be it. But if any real danger shows up, don’t get involved in anything—just make sure you keep yourselves safe."

"Alright!"

Carson Flores agreed readily, but in his heart he was thinking, if something really happens, even if I have to run, how could I possibly leave you behind?

You’re my future father-in-law. If something happened to you, wouldn’t Cristopher Hopkins spend the rest of his life drowning in grief?

For the next few days, Carson Flores and the others didn’t leave the Azure Divine Sect. He’d just killed two of their people earlier; the other side was probably searching everywhere for him!

If he went wandering around again, wouldn’t that just be giving them the perfect chance to get revenge?

It was safer to hide in the Azure Divine Sect. The only issue was, he had no idea what kind of power was backing that guy, or what experts they had. Could the Azure Divine Sect withstand them?

Fortunately, he had already warned the Azure Divine Sect. They should at least make some preparations to deal with whatever might be coming, right?

Maybe it would just be someone coming to stir up trouble?

They couldn’t really be coming to wipe out the sect, could they? If they were really planning extermination, they definitely wouldn’t pick the day of the grand banquet. There’d be countless guests this day—if they wanted to annihilate the sect, would they have to slaughter all the guests too and offend countless Immortal Sects?

Vexlor Lorne and his sister had been taught a lesson by Oraya Lorne and didn’t dare come bother Carson Flores again, so the small courtyard quieted down.

Very soon, the day of the grand banquet arrived. Guests came one after another, and the whole Azure Divine Sect was decked out in lights and decorations, the atmosphere festive and lively.

Carson Flores and the others took their seats at one of the wine tables and waited quietly for the banquet to begin.

The Sect Master of the Azure Divine Sect, Patriarch Xorin Schneider, Elder Lorvessa Irving, and Elder Dravenor Burgess all made an appearance. These three were the main pillars of the Azure Divine Sect.

By noon, most of the guests that were supposed to come had already arrived; after all, the majority had come early.

As Sect Master, Patriarch Xorin Schneider spoke on behalf of the Azure Divine Sect, giving a speech about Oraya Lorne’s promotion to Great Land Prime Immortal and welcoming guests from all the sects.

Patriarch Xorin Schneider was in the middle of speaking when a message flashed in like lightning from the mountain gate and hovered in front of him.

Patriarch Xorin Schneider swept it with his Divine Sense, his expression unchanged, but his speech rapidly grew much simpler, and he soon wrapped up his remarks.

Sitting at the table, Carson Flores saw this scene and his heart sank.

Looks like trouble’s here.

Sure enough, after Patriarch Xorin Schneider stepped down, he had Oraya Lorne preside over the event while he himself took Elder Lorvessa Irving and Dravenor Burgess and headed straight for the mountain gate.

This scene naturally didn’t escape the eyes of the many guests, and they immediately started whispering among themselves.

"Did some incredible guest arrive that requires Sect Master He and two Elders to go welcome them together...?"

"I’m curious too—who could it be?"

"Their faces looked a bit grim. This doesn’t really look like welcoming an honored guest. Could it be someone’s here to cause trouble?"

Carson Flores and the others exchanged glances but didn’t move, choosing to sit back and watch.

The Azure Divine Sect’s mountain gate.

A group of men and women in black robes stood at the gate. When Patriarch Xorin Schneider and the others appeared, the leading man laughed loudly. "Sect Master He, today is a day of great joy for the Azure Divine Sect. We’ve come to offer our congratulations, so why are we being stopped outside the mountain gate? Is this how the Azure Divine Sect treats its guests?

The leader looked to be in his early forties, with a square face and an imposing air. Hands clasped behind his back, his laughter was unrestrained and carried a faint hint of mockery.

Patriarch Xorin Schneider said in a deep voice, "We did not invite you. With this many people, you don’t look like you’ve come to offer congratulations."

The middle-aged man smiled. "I’m an old friend of Oraya Lorne. When I heard he’d advanced to Great Land Prime Immortal, such a tremendous occasion, of course I had to come and congratulate him. What, are people who aren’t on the invitation list not allowed to come and say ’congrats’?"

Patriarch Xorin Schneider frowned. "You know Elder Lorne?"

The middle-aged man laughed. "More than just know him—we’ve been old friends for many years. So what now, a guest comes to your door and this is how the Azure Divine Sect receives him, not even letting him inside?"

Patriarch Xorin Schneider’s gaze swept over the people behind the middle-aged man. "And them? They’re all Elder Lorne’s friends too?"

The middle-aged man smiled. "They’re my subordinates. I’m doing pretty well for myself these days; when I travel, I bring along a group of subordinates—is there a problem with that? Don’t worry, I’ve brought a generous congratulatory gift. We won’t freeload."

Patriarch Xorin Schneider hesitated slightly, but then thought that misfortune couldn’t be dodged. Since they were already here, blocking them outside the mountain gate wouldn’t solve anything and would only invite ridicule for being timid.

Whatever they were planning, the Azure Divine Sect would just have to face it.

Patriarch Xorin Schneider waved his hand. "Please, come in. But let me put the ugly words out front: if you’re sincerely here to offer congratulations, as hosts, we will of course treat you warmly. But if you’ve come with some unspeakable purpose in mind, don’t blame us if our hospitality falls short..."