The great hall of Kaelthorn had not held this many cultivators in decades.
Torches burned along the stone walls as servants hurried to arrange tables and chairs. The long chamber had been built for noble gatherings, not sect delegations, and the difference showed.
Arden noticed it immediately.
The sect disciples stood easily among the armored soldiers and nervous servants, their presence filling the room in a way Kaelthorn's people never could.
Cultivators carried a different kind of weight.
Not just power.
Confidence.
Arden stepped into the hall beside his father.
Conversation quieted slightly as the two of them entered. Several sect disciples glanced toward them with mild curiosity before returning to their discussions.
None of them bowed.
Arden expected that.
Frontier nobles rarely commanded respect from cultivation sects.
Lord Mathen walked toward the center table where the sect leaders had gathered. His cane tapped softly against the stone floor with each step.
"Honored guests," Mathen said calmly. "Kaelthorn welcomes you."
The first to respond was the Silverroot elder Arden had seen earlier.
He inclined his head politely.
"Elder Fen of the Silverroot Sect. We appreciate your hospitality, Lord Kaelthorn."
His tone was respectful, though Arden could hear the careful distance behind it.
Silverroot cultivators preferred diplomacy.
The Iron Fang leader showed less restraint.
He leaned back in his chair and studied Mathen openly before speaking.
"So you're the baron of this place."
Mathen met his gaze without flinching.
"I am."
The man grinned.
"Iron Fang Sect. Elder Varek."
His eyes shifted briefly toward Arden.
"That your son?"
"Yes."
Varek studied Arden for another moment before shrugging.
"Looks calm enough."
The comment sounded almost like approval.
Across the table the Azure Cloud delegation remained silent. Their leader, the young sword cultivator Arden had noticed earlier, finally spoke after several seconds.
"Disciple Lin Yue of the Azure Cloud Pavilion."
Her voice was clear and composed.
"We thank Lord Kaelthorn for receiving us."
Unlike the others, she rose slightly from her seat when speaking.
A gesture of courtesy.
Arden noticed that as well.
Which left the final delegation.
The woman from Black Lantern Hall had not spoken since the meeting began. She sat quietly near the edge of the table, her pale hair catching the firelight as she studied the room.
Mathen turned toward her.
"And Black Lantern Hall?"
The woman looked up slowly.
"Master Seris."
Her voice was calm, though something about it felt… distant.
"We appreciate the invitation."
Arden watched her carefully.
Unlike the other sect leaders, she showed little interest in the formal gathering itself.
Her attention kept drifting toward the northern windows.
The direction of the Silent Valley.
Mathen continued once the introductions were complete.
"As you all know, Kaelthorn has long allowed sects to recruit within our territory during your travels. That tradition remains unchanged."
Several sect disciples nodded.
Recruitment rights were the primary reason most sects visited frontier regions.
But Arden could feel something different in the room tonight.
The sect leaders were listening.
Too carefully.
Mathen rested his hands on the table.
"There is, however, a matter that may interest you."
The room grew quieter.
Arden already knew what his father intended to say.
"Four patrols have died in the northern mountains during the past two weeks," Mathen continued. "The most recent included one of our cultivators."
The reaction was immediate.
Several Iron Fang disciples exchanged interested glances. Even the Silverroot elder leaned forward slightly.
Only Black Lantern Hall remained completely still.
"What killed them?" Elder Fen asked.
"We are not certain," Mathen said. "The wounds suggest blades rather than beasts."
Varek chuckled softly.
"Bandits then."
Arden spoke before his father could answer.
"No."
The word drew several curious looks.
Arden stepped forward slightly.
"If it were bandits, they would target supply routes or merchants. Military patrols provide little profit."
The Iron Fang elder tilted his head.
"Smart boy."
Arden ignored the comment.
"The attacks occurred near the Silent Valley," he continued. "Every patrol that died was operating along the same stretch of mountain."
Now even the Azure Cloud leader looked interested.
Lin Yue's fingers rested lightly on the hilt of her sword as she spoke.
"Ruins."
Arden didn't answer.
But the silence confirmed the thought.
Several sect disciples began murmuring quietly among themselves.
Old ruins meant opportunity.
Lost techniques.
Spirit treasures.
Ancient formations.
Even rumors of such places could attract sect attention.
Which meant Kaelthorn's problem had suddenly become far more valuable.
Elder Fen folded his hands calmly.
"Interesting."
Varek grinned openly now.
"Very interesting."
Only one person in the room did not react.
Master Seris.
The Black Lantern master remained seated in complete silence.
But Arden noticed something.
For the first time since the meeting began—
She smiled.
Very slightly.
And in that moment Arden became certain of one thing.
Black Lantern Hall had not come here for recruitment.
They had come for the Silent Valley.