30 Minutes Earlier in the Meeting Hall in the Upper Sect of Mount Hua,

Richard had just finished signing a contract and bowed respectfully to the administrative staff of the Mount Hua Sect. "With this, I have completed casting the detection spell in every corner of the sect's border as per our contract," he announced, his tone formal yet courteous.

The administrative staff member smiled warmly as he signed the document. "Thank you for your work, Mister Rin. We appreciate the support of you and the Western Merchants Association in keeping our sect safe." He paused for a moment before adding, "I heard you would be employed by Blazing Dawn Sect after this? Is that true?"

Richard returned the smile, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Yes, I am to be a Leonese Teacher to Her Highness Edina. The orders came from the top, and I am being paid handsomely for my services."

The administrative staff chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I never took you as the teaching type. I hope you can be a great teacher to the young mistress."

Richard nodded and left the meeting hall, remembering his promise to meet Young Master Lu Shun later during breakfast. He decided to find him and perhaps share a couple of drinks.

He walked to the grand hall but found it empty. Puzzled, he approached a staff member and inquired about the whereabouts of the young master of the Blazing Dawn Sect. They informed him that Lu Shun and a group of young merchants' participants had gone to one of the terraces.

Richard nodded and began making his way toward the terrace. As he approached, he felt a slight change in the air, an unsettling shift that made him pause. He sensed the presence of numerous qi energies and heard the faint clashing of swords. His instincts, honed by years of training and experience, told him something was wrong.

He stopped, his expression growing serious. Slowly, he took out the staff hanging on his back and started walking forward with caution. The closer he got, the more he could feel the dark, malevolent qi emanating from the terrace. His heart rate quickened, and he tightened his grip on the staff, ready to face whatever danger awaited.

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As he neared the terrace, the sounds of battle became more distinct. He quickened his pace, moving silently yet swiftly. The sight that greeted him was chaotic—young martial artists fighting desperately against cloaked figures, their faces hidden by dark masks.

Richard's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. The demonic sect members were clearly overpowering the young fighters. He saw Mei Lin, Han Feng, and Li Wei struggling valiantly but ultimately falling one by one under the relentless assault. His heart ached at the sight of their lifeless bodies.

Among the chaos, Richard spotted Lu Shun, desperately trying to fend off his attackers despite his injuries. The young master was bleeding heavily, and his movements were slowing and slowly fell down. Richard's resolve hardened. He raised his staff, its tip glowing with ethereal light.

With a powerful incantation, he unleashed a surge of mana. A barrier of golden light formed around the remaining fighters, pushing back the demonic sect members. The air crackled with energy as Richard stepped into the fray, his presence overwhelming and commanding.

As the shield held the attackers at bay, Richard realized the gravity of his actions. As a foreign merchant from the Western Continent, specifically from the Leon Empire, he was bound by strict non-aggression policies. The Leon Empire maintained delicate diplomatic relations with both the Central Plains and the Demonic Sect, and any interference in their conflicts was strictly prohibited. His involvement here could spark a diplomatic incident.

The demonic sect warriors, realizing the barrier's strength, redoubled their efforts. The shield began to crack under the relentless assault, their combined dark qi creating fractures in the golden light. Richard's eyes darted around the battlefield, assessing the situation. There were more than twenty demonic sect warriors, most of them at least Grade 3 or Grade 4 martial artists. As a Sequence 4 mage, Richard knew he could potentially handle one or two Grade 4 warriors, but the sheer number and their coordinated attack were overwhelming.

Richard's mind raced as the barrier continued to weaken, each crack spreading like a web through the shimmering light. He knew he had to act fast. He couldn't let the barrier fall completely, or the remaining fighters would be overwhelmed. Then, he heard Lu Shun’s faint, desperate voice, “Help my friends! Mister Rin!” before the young master collapsed.

Gritting his teeth, Richard cursed himself for his impulsive actions. "Me and my unintelligent decisions," he muttered, raising his hand to maintain the barrier. His mana was draining rapidly, and he needed a plan. Quickly, he waved his staff, drawing an intricate equation in the air.

As the barrier shattered, Richard released a spell and shouted, “Invaders! Demonic Sect Invaders! A group of young participants are keeping them at bay, and many have perished or are injured, including Young Master Lu Shun Cha Ling of the Blazing Dawn Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects!” His voice, amplified by magic, echoed throughout the mountain peak.

This was the best course of action he could think of. By naming Lu Shun specifically, he hoped to attract other participants from the Nine Great Sects. Despite their rivalries, the sects took great pride in their status, and hearing that one of their own was in danger would likely spur them into action.

The demonic sect members, realizing the barrier was down, rushed toward Richard. Exhausted and with his mana nearly depleted, he launched two fireballs, hoping to keep them at bay. But his efforts were in vain; the relentless attackers closed in. One of them lunged with a knife aimed straight at Richard's neck. Just as the blade was about to strike, a gust of wind and the scent of cherry blossoms filled the air. In an instant, a figure appeared between Richard and his assailant.

“You Demonic Sect scum dare harm my grandson!” the figure declared with fierce authority.