The hall was decorated in a rich style, with gold as its primary theme. Pillars carved with the likenesses of various divinities and divine beasts stood tall, supporting the massive structure. From deeper within the hall, a murmur of conversation reached Calum's senses. He paused his architectural appreciation and headed further in.
Soon enough, he was greeted by a festive scene. Lamps releasing a mystical blue flame were strung about everywhere. There was a long table shaped like the letter U with at least thirty seats prepared for all the core disciples. Several disciples were already seated, talking with their peers and drinking heartily.
The atmosphere was not much different from a mortal celebration, but the caliber of the people present, along with the food and drinks served, was naturally far from average. Most eyes fell on him briefly as he entered.
The ambient pressure would have been sufficient to crumble the staunchest outer sect disciples, and even inner disciples would have felt a degree of trepidation. Calum barely reacted. He bowed appropriately and cupped his fist.
"Greetings, seniors. This one is Calum Seren, a newly admitted core disciple. I look forward to your guidance." Calum's greeting was neither overbearing nor servile. His poised bearing made quite a few seniors' eyes light up in appreciation. Not a single person in this hall was ordinary; they were all tyrants among geniuses.
As expected, bending over to please will not win me any praise—only pure disdain, Calum thought to himself. Besides, bowing to the whims of others is not my style anyway.
"Junior Brother, come sit. We are still missing a few people, but we will start soon enough." The youth known as Sun Luo, who had handed him the invitation, was the one who spoke. Despite the rowdy atmosphere, people toned down their conversations as he addressed Calum.
This was respect—instinctive respect born from their souls. More than that, it was unanimous, meaning there was not a single person in his presence who didn't feel a subtle sense of threat from Sun Luo. Calum was startled by this realization and quickly elevated the youth's status in his mind.
"My gratitude, Senior Brother." Calum took a seat near the edge of the table and looked at the cup of wine placed before him. The fragrance alone was enough to make one feel as though they were ascending to heaven, carrying a light, fruity aroma blended with floral notes. He downed it in a single motion.
The taste was indescribable. A potent surge of Qi caused all his cells to cheer in exhilaration, prompting him to instinctively close his eyes to savor the sensation.
"How was it, Junior Brother? This is wine personally refined by the Saint himself. It purifies the body of impurities and renders the consciousness clear as a mirror. Not bad, huh?" A senior seated next to him suddenly spoke, breaking his trance.
Huh? When did he sit there? I know I was savoring the wine, but my consciousness is always spread out—not to mention this is the seat right next to me!
Surprise flashed briefly in Calum's eyes, but he quickly recovered. "Indeed. It is the most delicious wine I have ever had the pleasure of tasting."
"Right? Sigh. Unfortunately, the old man only gives it to his favorite disciple." The senior pointed toward a celestial beauty sitting near the center of the banquet. She was surrounded by several other seniors, each trying to vie for her attention—with the sole exception of Senior Sun Luo, who sat next to her looking entirely distracted.
"By the way, I am Yan King. A foreign prince stranded in these lands," the senior continued with a wry smile, radiating a debonair charm that made everything he said sound compelling.
They talked while drinking, and Yan King introduced him to numerous sect secrets—ranging from petty matters like who fancied whom to monumental secrets like which rival families had been exterminated by whom. Calum was genuinely in awe of this senior, who seemed to know everything under the heavens.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd as four people entered the hall in single file. The first two were the stern man and the frail scholar who had greeted him at the sect gates. The final two were women: one cold as the deepest abyss, her pale blue eyes seemingly capable of freezing a soul, and the other sharp like a magnificent sword—charming yet deadly. Both qualities applied equally to each.
"Oh... interesting. The Devil Duo, the Silver Queen, and Death Sword," Yan King muttered beside him.
Calum's eyebrows rose at these titles. They were undeniably domineering, and looking at their holders, one could be certain the monikers were well deserved.
"Who are they?" Calum asked, curious about the origins of their titles.
"Oh? Curious, are we? They are among the strongest disciples in the sect—even stronger than some elders. There are seven of them: the Divine Saber Sun Luo, Fire Saintess Lina Yu, the Devil Duo Jerran and Niro Heartclaw, the Silver Queen Nue, and the Death Sword Neilie," Yan King listed with evident amusement.
Calum blinked. "You said seven, but you just named six. Who is the seventh?"
"Ah, you got me!" Yan King snapped his fingers like a child caught in a prank. "I am the last one. They call me Heaven's Secrets, Yan King."
So he is one of the strongest disciples in the sect. No wonder I didn't sense him moving next to me.
Calum digested the information, his resolve hardening once more. He would eventually grow strong enough to be mentioned in the same breath as these figures.
Noticing Calum's expression, Yan King offered a quiet assessment. This kid isn't afraid or dumbfounded, nor is he acting servile. His expression is one of pure determination—no inferiority complex exists in his gaze. Formidable!
Worth befriending.
It was a stamp of approval. By recognizing Calum's potential, one of the sect's premier powerhouses implicitly acknowledged him as a future peer. Yan King's smile widened as he slung an arm around Calum's shoulders. "Come, let's drink tonight until we pass out!"
Calum stared at the suddenly boisterous Yan King as if he had grown a second head. A few nearby disciples noticed the interaction and grew solemn. While most present were unaware of the significance, the other six core disciples knew: anyone valued by Yan King was destined to become a major powerhouse. After all, back when they had all joined the sect together a century ago during its founding recruitment drive, Yan King had similarly singled them out.
The Devil Duo exchanged glances, recognizing the kid who had recently completed the trials. Not only were they surprised by his immediate entry as a core disciple, but they were also stunned to learn he had leaped straight from mortality to the Mastery level of the 1st state of foundation in a matter of days. Now, seeing him on such remarkably familiar terms with Yan King, they were thoroughly taken aback.
He is not simple, they deduced simultaneously.