3. War Is Near

Cloud City was a monstrosity of cultivation and engineering, a massive city that hovered in the sky, powered by countless arrays and formations. It was the sign of Shenzhou's pride and arrogance; home to the wealthiest and most powerful people in the oriental kingdom. Any merchant who wanted to make it big had to get into the floating capital's market district; the best craftsmen and artisans were there, the best hotels and restaurants and many more. Even the cultivation sects had to have at least one branch in the floating city, because the most talented youngsters either came to Cloud City or were from Cloud City. There was no room for the poor, untalented or even average people. Everyone in Cloud City was there to seek returns.

The royal family which ruled over all of Shenzhou did so from the innermost district of the floating capital, the royal district. It was here that the minister of cultivation affairs had called a meeting with the sect leaders of all eight cultivation sects in Shenzhou.

While Li Feng and Koryn were having dinner and discussing cultivation related matters, a very important meeting was being held in the royal district.

Shi Kong, the patriarch of the Cosmic Path Sect, sat on a cold seat in the dim hall, surrounded by seven others. Everyone gathered here were formidable and influential figures in the cultivation world, each leading a sect that had thousands or millions of followers. They were not part of the government and usually weren't under the authority of the royal family. However, today's matter was important enough that every one of them had to be present.

"I think you all know why I've invited you here today." The Minister began. "The king is old and dying, and he has no heir to succeed his throne. Although he has chosen his nephew to be his successor, I have reason to believe the four generals will not listen to the boy after the king's passing."

"Bai Hong, both you and the king should know that immortal sects do not get involved in mortal matters." Shi Kong spoke up. "Whatever happens to the ruling family doesn't change much in the overall picture of things. The sects are not subordinates of the crown. We are not obligated to keep them in power."

"Shi Kong is right," an elegant woman agreed, "As long as the people still live, the sects will not be affected."

There was a chorus of affirmations from the other sect leaders.

Bai Hong, the minister shrugged. "The Shi Kong is right. Originally this would not have been a matter the sects should take part in. However," he scanned the room with narrow slits for eyes. "I have yet to tell you about the reason as to why his majesty's four generals do not wish to acknowledge his nephew as his heir. Our spies in both the Choson and Yamato kingdoms have affirmed my suspicions that there are outside forces involved in this. While the Tiger General remains loyal and will support his majesty's nephew, we have reason to believe that the Dragon General wishes to take the throne for himself, the Phoenix General is backed by the Choson Kingdom and the Serpent General is being backed by the Yamato kingdom."

The atmosphere in the room changed immediately. The sect heads knew what it meant when other kingdoms were looking to invade. Although the sects and the royal family operated independently of each other during times of peace, the same could not be said during times of war. The very first thing was a kingdom could not go to war unless the majority of its immortal sects supported the war. If the Choson and Yamato kingdoms were looking to instigate a civil war in Shenzhou, it logically followed that the sects in those two kingdoms were looking to expand into the territory of the Shenzhou sects.

An old man in a worn out robe sighed among the sect leaders. "I knew the Yamato sects were getting extremely arrogant recently, but to think even the weak Choson sects dare make a move on us."

"I believe his majesty Tian Wei still has a couple more years to live." A man dressed in battle armor said.

"A decade at most; that's us being hopeful," Came Bai Hong's response. "I'd suggest the sects lay low during this time but bolster your defenses and call back all your adventuring disciples. This war will not be fought by mortals."