As Zuo Song, Luo Feng, and the Foundation Establishment cultivator from Peach Mountain entered the Grand Hall, the atmosphere instantly reached its peak. Even Zhou Qing pushed his way forward to be seen. These were genuine late-stage Initiates! Each of them held sway over a sect or a powerful cultivation family.1

Initiates from smaller families, unable to step into such a circle, could only linger on the outskirts, their eyes filled with envy.0

Nangong Jin, standing among the crowd, felt his heart stir with disbelief. The Chen family of Tianyi Market, the Luo family of Luosha Market, Iron Sword Hall, and even our own Lianyun Trade Alliance. Four late-stage Foundation Establishment powers. Now, Peach Mountain came, and they're backed by a Golden Core Adept. It's been just a few short years... How has Luo Chen reached such heights?0

Even Li Yixian could not conceal her astonishment. No amount of networking could explain how Luo Chen had managed to draw such powerful alliances in so little time.0

Within the Grand Hall, the cultivators were not pressed together but mingled in smaller groups, chatting in low voices. Among them was the Foundation Establishment representative of Peach Mountain. Though the delegation...0