[Book II Chapter 57] DYLAN: The Great Assembly

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The mountain capital of Wushan was built around the palatial complexes which served the Great Assembly. Hundreds of cultivators milled about the central plaza, all of them saints. Their boisterous chatter fell silent as an old man sauntered forward to address them.

“I am Luohan Shen, the former head of Divine Serpent Sect.”

“Two thousand years ago, the great assembly erred gravely. We remained impassive as the world burned around us. We ridiculed those venturing out to fight the flames and, out of petty spite, slew the greatest among them.” Luohan turned around, behind him two towering statues stood, a man and young girl. “Xia Ning, the eighth hero.”

Luohan shook his head. “Nataray, the avatar of hate, taught us our folly when her undead armies massacred our people. Two of our great sects were wiped out, their elders slain. It was period of suffering, despair… and ultimately shame.”

“Our salvation came in the form of twelve year old, who vanquish the avatar of hate.” Luohan gestured to Lily Morgana’s stone figure. “And one fourth of our land was vaporised by the Dragon God Aragon as the price for our hubris.”

“For us who survived, this past is our greatest regret. What we swore never to let this happen again. This is why you are gathered here today.”

“Now to speak of the future, I will cede the ground to my successor.”

Luohan ambled away, replaced by a younger man with reptilian eyes. “I am Chon Woosang, leader of Divine Serpent Sect.”

“Today is the day the great assembly has prepared for tirelessly for two millennia. Once more, the stars are vanishing. A Dark Age has come, threatening our world.”

“This age of tragedy offers an opportunity to correct mistakes of old. This time, it is we who will take the lead, and you’ll be our representatives. You will travel to far off lands and save strangers unrelated to you.”

Chon continued as mumbling rang out around him. “I am aware it goes against your nature as cultivators, but that is what you must strive for. This is a time where heroes are needed, such as the young man who I now call forth.”

Soul strode into view in his full ice armor. He appeared to have grown older and taller in the last few weeks. The whispering increased as he took his place besides Chon.

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“This is Soul Skyfell, the one who has been causing waves across Sanwue. He has repeatedly risked his life for the sake of our citizens, earning nothing but ire in exchange. His greatest feat was retrieving panacea from the Godly Herb Garden, saving thousands. It is this commitment and selflessness which you all should strive.”

“Lest you believe this unachievable, Soul has already inspired our first hero, who I invite to join us.” Chon glanced to the entrance where Dylan was waiting.

For the sake of vanquishing my enemies… With a deep breath, Dylan stepped out before the crowd. This was the price Chon had demanded. He was to take the stage as an aspirational example. Stiffly, he stopped besides Soul.

“Expecting no reward, Dylan faced great danger to rescue a young maiden who was to be sacrificed as a living cauldron by demonic practitioners. I witnessed this act of valor myself on the way to Wushan and was heartened knowing there was already one on the path of Xia Ning.”

Dylan clenched his jaw as he endured the attention. His eyes had the misfortune of stumbling upon Gen Jiang in the crowd. His companion from the godly herb Garden had a look of utter shock on his face. Dylan suppressed a wince. Besides him, Soul had an insufferable smirk. However, the worst was Dowart Fain floating above, roaring with laughter only he could hear.

“I didn’t expect you to be so diligent.” Soul spoke softly.

“My debt to you is settled in full.” Dylan responded tersely.

Chon turned serious, his voice booming out to silence all present. “The first cataclysmic event of the Dark Age is upon us. A demonic beast named Kaygren has rallied his brethren to wage a war of extermination in the shadows of Ground Zero. Several major cities have fallen, millions perished. Every one of these death brings the world closer to ruin.”

“Tomorrow, you will venture forth through the portal to Bastion.” Chon pointed to the giant half-ring arch on the Plaza’s far side. An arid city landscape spread out inside. “From there, you will travel east and stem the slaughter.”

“Fear not.” Chon declared confidently. “While we have great expectations of you, the Great Assembly understands it is difficult to change one’s ways overnight. As such, we have prepare system of incentives and safeguards to support you. Yaozu Gao, the venerable leader of Ghost Corrosion Sect will explain.”

An elderly man materialized next to them. It’s him! The one I must speak to.

“Myself and two hundred members of my sect have traveled to Black Citadel and taken the oath. We did so to bring unity to Sanwue through words that cannot lie.”

“Ghost Corrosion disciples will accompany you on your journey, serving as uncontestable witnesses. In addition, we have made arrangements with the Adventurer’s Guild to employ a large quantity of these.” Yaozu held up a tiny transparent object. “Quest stones are widely used in the outside world to verify accomplishments. Their accuracy is indisputable.”

“Cultivators whose deeds have been verified by these two methods will receive prizes. Weapons, armor, catalysts, the rarest of medicinal pills… The Great Assembly’s vast treasury is available to all who sufficiently prove their worth.”

There was a rumbling of approval at these words. While risky charity work held little appeal, mercenary motives were something Sanwue’s saints could accept.

And I will be expected to take part in this grand expedition, serving as shining model for others. Dylan once again lamented the role thrust upon him. He prayed Yaozu Gao had answers which would make this humiliation bearable.