Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3511: The Five Major Sects Of The Continent

The conversation did not end with Elyon’s report. If anything, it only made everyone more curious. And a short while later, Daoist Chu also arrived, before taking a seat at the table.

Daoist Chu cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, one hand resting casually on the table as if he had been waiting for his turn all along.

"I learned quite a bit as well," he said, his tone relaxed.

Cattaleya immediately turned toward him, one eyebrow rising. "Learned," she repeated slowly. "From where exactly. Do not tell me this came from a courtesan pavilion."

Daoist Chu coughed once, then twice. "That is a gross oversimplification."

Lin Mu looked at him calmly. "Then explain."

Daoist Chu sighed, realizing escape was impossible. "Fine. Yes, I did visit a courtesan pavilion. But that does not mean the information is unreliable. On the contrary, people talk far more freely in such places. Especially cultivators."

Cattaleya smirked. "So you paid for gossip."

"I paid for relaxation," Daoist Chu corrected. "The gossip was complimentary."

Meng Bai tried very hard not to laugh.

Lin Mu simply gestured for him to continue. "What did you learn?"

Daoist Chu’s expression turned serious, showing that beneath his casual demeanor he had indeed been working. "The Southern Continent is far more structured than the northern one. There are many sects scattered across it, but only five of them truly matter in the grand scheme of things."

"Five," Lin Mu repeated. "Go on."

"The strongest," Daoist Chu said, "is the Ten Wings Martial Sect. You have already heard their name."

Lin Mu nodded. "They were mentioned before."

"They are located between the territories of the Alabaster Plains Kingdom and the Olive Canopy Kingdom," Daoist Chu continued. "They are a large orthodox sect with deep roots. Nothing particularly strange about them. No extreme philosophies. No forbidden techniques. They are simply powerful because they are old, numerous, and well managed."

"So they are stable," Lin Mu said.

"Yes," Daoist Chu agreed. "Which also makes them boring."

Cattaleya snorted. "Strong and boring. That checks out."

"The second sect," Daoist Chu went on, "is the Golden Urn Light Sect. They are located far to the west of the Great Steppe Kingdom."

Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Urn Light Art?"

Daoist Chu nodded. "You have heard of it?"

"I have heard bits and pieces today," Lin Mu replied. "It is a Restriction and seal oriented cultivation path."

"Exactly," Daoist Chu said. "They specialize in imprisonment and suppression. Their signature technique is the Urn Light Art, which allows them to manifest special urn type immortal tools. These urns can trap Qi, seal movement, suppress Dao manifestations, and in extreme cases even contain living beings."

Meng Bai frowned. "That sounds dangerous."

"It is," Daoist Chu agreed. "They are not particularly aggressive, but once they decide to act, escaping them is extremely difficult. If we ever cross paths with them, caution is advised."

Lin Mu nodded slowly, mentally filing the information away.

"The third sect," Daoist Chu said, "is the Breaking Skies Sect."

Cattaleya’s posture straightened slightly. "That sounds interesting."

"They are unorthodox," Daoist Chu said. "Located in the tall peaks near the southern tundra. They were involved in several major conflicts in the past and earned themselves a fearsome reputation. However, after a large scale war several thousand years ago, they withdrew and became reclusive."

"So we will not see them," Lin Mu said.

"Highly unlikely," Daoist Chu confirmed. "They are far too south, and there is no reason for us to head into that region."

"Shame," Cattaleya muttered. "They sound fun."

Daoist Chu smiled faintly before continuing. "The fourth sect is the Dark Bear King Sect."

At that name, Lin Mu’s attention sharpened.

"They are located within the Equatorial Rainforest," Daoist Chu said. "And they are... different."

"In what way," Lin Mu asked.

"They are not a purely human sect," Daoist Chu replied. "They are composed of multiple beastkin races. The core of the sect is the Dark Bear Tribe, who founded it and still rule over it."

Cattaleya nodded slowly. "That explains the name."

"They are considered neutral," Daoist Chu continued, "but that does not mean they are gentle. They are territorial and aggressive by nature. Outsiders passing through their lands are tolerated only if they behave appropriately. Any perceived disrespect can escalate quickly."

Meng Bai swallowed. "And we are going through the rainforest."

"Yes," Daoist Chu said. "That is why this sect matters to us."

"Can we avoid them?" Meng Bai asked.

"We can," Daoist Chu replied. "But the alternatives are worse. One route goes far west and would take us an extra month. The other skirts the territory of the Ten Wings Martial Sect, which is not ideal either."

Lin Mu considered this. "So the Dark Bear King Sect is the lesser inconvenience."

"Precisely," Daoist Chu said. "As long as we do not provoke them, we should be fine."

Cattaleya cracked her knuckles. "If they provoke us, though."

Lin Mu gave her a look. "No."

She grinned. "I was joking. Mostly."

Daoist Chu shook his head and continued. "The final sect is the Boundless River Sect."

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. "Boundless River."

"A female only sect," Daoist Chu said smoothly. "Orthodox. Well respected. Their territory lies between the Alabaster Plains Kingdom and the Great Steppe Kingdom."

"And their specialty," Lin Mu prompted.

"They focus on water aligned cultivation techniques," Daoist Chu said. "Flow, endurance, adaptability. They also have excellent relations with the surrounding kingdoms."

Meng Bai tilted his head. "How so?"

Daoist Chu smiled. "Their disciples are known to be both powerful and... aesthetically pleasing. Many nobles from the three kingdoms seek marriage alliances with them."

Cattaleya’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Daoist Chu did not notice immediately and continued speaking. "As a result, the Boundless River Sect enjoys strong political backing and protection. Few dare to offend them."

Cattaleya leaned forward slowly. "Daoist Chu."

"Yes," he replied absentmindedly.

"You took note of them because you saw someone from that sect, did you not?"

The table went quiet.

Daoist Chu froze.