The next day, Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Fang Yaoting arrived at the foot of the mountain of Golden Gate Sector. The four friends met with the Xiao sisters and the twelve Spirit Leaders, who were disguised as humans. The fairy Leaders greeted and paid tribute to their two chiefs, Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu.
"Thank you for coming," Guo Baiyu said, acknowledging their presence.
"Shan only said for us to meet you here," Xiao Huli replied.
"Let us head up the mountain, and I will tell you everything," Guo Baiyu offered.
When the group arrived at the main entrance, they were stopped by two disciples guarding the gate.
"Which sector or clan do you belong to?" the Gate Sector disciple asked.
"Guozhao Sector," Guo Baiyu replied calmly.
The two disciples looked at each other, murmuring, "Guozhao Sector..." They exchanged a glance, clearly surprised by the unexpected arrival of a sector they knew little about, yet whose name held a certain weight.
"Please follow this disciple," the Gate disciple finally said.
The disciple took the four friends and fourteen members onto a big stage, where the annual hunter competition was being held. The disciple then announced loudly, "The Guozhao Sector has arrived!"
All the hunters on the field began whispering, "Guozhao Sector."
Others chattered, "They never participated, why now?"
An Yi disciple of Golden Gate Sector whispered to Yi Guozhi, "Senior brother, is it possible that the seniors of the Guozhao Sector are here regarding what happened in Tam Village?"
"It's been four years since that incident at Tam Village," Yi Guozhi replied, curious. "Let us wait and see if they are here for that."
The friends and fourteen members sat at the end of the seating area.
Leader Yi, the head of Golden Gate Sector, stood up and addressed them. "Guozhao Sector, I apologize for my impoliteness. I didn't expect your sector to come today. I will make sure that next year we have a designated seat for your sector."
Guo Baiyu stood up. "Leader Yi, we are not here to compete against other Clans or Sectors."
Zhao Renshu stood up and added, "We won't come next year."
"Then why is the Guozhao Sector here today?" Leader Fu from Lotus Sector asked.
"We are here today to ask for your help," Guo Baiyu stated clearly.
"Please speak," Leader Fu invited.
Guo Baiyu said, "Up north in the land of the Horsemen, there is a gate called the Demon Gate."
The hunters glanced at each other and whispered, "There is such a place."
Other hunters chattered, scoffing, "I think this is a myth."
Guo Baiyu continued, "There is a magic circle called the Northern Fortress, which guards the gate to prevent demons from entering our world. Centaur soldiers have been guarding the safety of the Northern Fortress for thousands of years. Now, the magical fortress of the Northern Fortress has begun to decline. If the magic of the Northern Fortress disappears, the Demon Gate will collapse, and the creatures and demons who have been imprisoned for thousands of years will flee to this world as they please. The Northern Fortress will fail in less than two months. Horsemen Land has asked for our help."
"That's not our problem," Leader Yi scoffed, dismissing the threat.
"Do you know what will happen when the Demon Gate breaks?" Zhao Renshu replied indifferently, his voice sharp. He looked at everyone. "Horsemen Land will be wiped out, and then Waterfall City. The demons will not stop there; they will continue to descend until they reach Ocean City."
"They come to destroy; everyone you know will die," Guo Baiyu added, emphasizing the gravity.
"We have lived in the north for generations and have never heard of such a thing," Leader Hu from Snow Sector stated, skeptical.
"Stupid old man," Zhao Renshu murmured under his breath.
"Renshu," Guo Baiyu reprimanded, shaking his head. "You have never heard of such a thing because the Horsemen soldiers have been protecting the Northern Fortress."
Leader Wong from Swords Sector stood up. "Have you ever seen such a creature? Anyone?" he challenged.
"Are you calling us liars?" Zhao Renshu looked at him angrily.
"I don't dare," Leader Wong mocked. "Just because the Guozhao Hunters are feared by most, it doesn't mean that you are feared by all."
"How dare you insult our leader?!" Lang Lirun, the wolf clan leader, roared, stepping forward. "I'll show you..."
Guo Baiyu raised his right hand to stop Lang Lirun. Then twenty-three hunters who were present at the Ocean City incident stood out from the crowd, stepping forward in solidarity.
A hunter said, "We believe in the existence of the centaur soldiers from Horsemen Land. We fought side by side with them and the Guozhao Hunters in Ocean City. We witnessed the centaur soldiers stepping out of the city wall to help the citizens of Ocean City. If they didn't come to the rescue, Ocean City would be nothing but ashes."
A huntress added, "I have witnessed the fight between the Guozhao Hunters and those bat demons in Peace Town."
Master Yao, a prominent hunter, said, "If it weren't for the heroic act of the Guozhao Hunters and General Lim, Peace Town would be destroyed."
Another hunter stepped forward. "In Waterfall City many years ago, my hunter buddies and I also fought alongside them. General Lim is here today. You can ask him."
Leader Huang from Guzheng Sector stood up. "My daughter and my niece have been fighting alongside the Guozhao Hunters for many years. We, the Guzheng Sector, will answer King Shammek."
Lim Peizhi stood up. "Waterfall City will answer King Shammek."
The twenty-four hunters, those who stepped forward and spoke, "We also join!"
Leader Fu from Lotus Sector stood up. "We might be a small sector, but since the general of Waterfall City and the Guzheng Sector answer, we will also answer King Shammek."
Many of the smaller Clans and sectors also joined in, but Leader Yi of Golden Gate Sector, Leader Hu of Snow Sector, and Leader Wong of Swords Sector all refused.
Guo Baiyu rose, his gaze sweeping over the assembled faces. "Thank you for your help," he began, his voice firm. "I can't guarantee that you will all come back alive, but this is something we must do to ensure the future of us, our disciples, our children, and the generations to come. If you don't want to go, you will not be forced."
"If there are so many monsters," Leader Wong challenged again, trying to sow doubt, "then our small sectors, with so few hunters, can't defeat them." He looked at the many clans and hunters that had joined. "We should all return to our sector and protect ourselves!"
Lang Lirun roared wildly. "I have had enough of you!" He jumped out, pounced on Leader Wong, turned himself into a big gray wolf, and went straight for Leader Wong. He pressed Leader Wong to the ground, snarling loudly at his face, showing his true, monstrous form.
The other hunters stepped back and discussed among themselves. "So, it's true, the Guozhao Hunters are the leaders of the twelve Fairy Clans!" they whispered in awe.
"You want to challenge me?" Lang Lirun shouted, growling at Leader Wong, his fangs bared.
Leader Wong's disciples surrounded Lang Lirun with their swords, ready to attack.
Zhao Renshu stood up and conjured his icicles talisman. Hundreds of icicles appeared, and each one was aimed at the disciples of Leader Wong.
"Leader Lang, stop now!" Guo Baiyu commanded, his voice firm. "This is an order!" Lang Lirun turned back into human form and walked behind Guo Baiyu, obeying his chief. Guo Baiyu then looked at Zhao Renshu. "Remove your talisman; we are here to ask for help, don't cause trouble."
Zhao Renshu smirked, then he shook his right hand, and the icicles disappeared, respecting Guo Baiyu's command.
Guo Baiyu addressed everyone present. "I apologize for the disagreement. Anyone who is unwilling to participate in this troubled time, I will not force you. For those who are willing to participate in this troubled time, I thank you all on behalf of the people. You will forever be heroes in their hearts. You stood for justice. As hunters, we swear to protect the weak and the innocent. It is for this reason that we decided to become hunters." He looked at the fourteen fairy leaders behind him. "You are right, these are fairy leaders of different clans, but they put aside the difference between their world and ours. They will fight with us for justice and peace. Let today tell the younger generation: no matter where our origins start, what we call each other, which clan or sector we belong to, or what our skin color is. If the enemy wants to destroy our way of life, we will unite and drive them back!"
Lim Peizhi rose, his voice ringing with conviction. "We stand as one!" he declared, his gaze sweeping across the determined faces before him. "To those who defy our peace, we will stand as one and drive them back!"
Hunters chanted loudly across the arena, their voices unified, "We stand as one!"
Guo Baiyu raised his hand to quiet the hunters. "We are not here for fame or fortune. Today we are here to ask you to help and protect the people we pledge to protect. Three weeks from today, we will see you in Waterfall City."
"We will be there!" Leader Huang affirmed.
"We will be there!" Leader Fu echoed.
Lim Peizhi looked at the hunters. "Waterfall City will be waiting for your arrival."
Guo Baiyu nodded to Lim Peizhi. "Thank you, everyone."
The friends and fourteen Spirit Leaders left the arena, and many hunters and smaller clans and sectors followed them, united in their resolve.