The Master of the Hegemonic Star Manor began with a few pleasantries, then reiterated the dangers of entering the Cultivation Forbidden Grounds and the rewards for capturing the thief.
However, he did not immediately lead everyone inside.
"Today, we have a few distinguished guests visiting our Hegemonic Star Manor."
"Allow me to introduce them."
Once these words left his mouth, two figures rose from the plaza below and strode through the air toward the Manor Master's position.
They were two young men. One was strikingly handsome with fair skin — the very image of a playboy. The other had dark skin and utterly ordinary features; the sort of face that would go unnoticed in any crowd.
Yet the moment the two appeared, the crowd erupted.
Men cheered. Women screamed.
Discussion of the two blazed through the gathering without pause.
"
"The pretty boy is called
"The plain-looking one is even more formidable. His name is
"Both of them are prodigiously talented. Everyone believes that within three hundred years, their cultivation will surpass their Master's, making them the strongest in the Soul Locking Sect."
In truth, while Song Yun was filling Chu Feng in, the Manor Master was doing the same for the crowd — and his description was nearly identical.
But in reality, these two were famous figures in this world. Aside from Chu Feng, there was hardly anyone who didn't know them. Even without an introduction, everyone already knew who they were.
Their talent was so extraordinary that many felt the Soul Locking Sect — a power of its caliber — didn't even deserve geniuses of this caliber. They were widely regarded as the greatest talents since the founding of the Soul Locking Sect.
"Besides young friends Hun Yong and Hun Lei of the Soul Locking Sect…"
"Today we are also fortunate to have another distinguished guest."
The Manor Master continued.
Once he finished speaking, yet another figure rose through the air and made his way toward the Manor Master.
This was a young man — equally handsome, but unlike Hun Yong, he didn't carry the air of a playboy. He was refined and elegant, resembling a scholarly gentleman, pleasant to behold.
When he appeared, the crowd once again whipped into a frenzy.
No one recognized him, but they all recognized the token at his waist.
Upon seeing that token, even Chu Feng's eyes darkened with gravity.
The scholarly, elegant young man bore a token inscribed with four characters: Sacred Light Clan.
He was a member of the Sacred Light Clan.
And what was the Sacred Light Clan? The rulers of the Sacred Light Starfield — its supreme overlords.
Chu Feng hadn't expected to encounter a member of the Sacred Light Clan here.
"Allow me to introduce him."
"This is a young master from our neighboring starfield — the heir of the Sacred Light Clan, rulers of the Sacred Light Starfield.
The Manor Master introduced him to the crowd.
His words were met with a wave of enthusiastic applause.
Though many from the Nine Souls Starfield looked down on the people of the Sacred Light Starfield — believing their starfield's inferiority granted them a natural sense of superiority — the Sacred Light Clan was the exception. After all, they were the rulers of the Sacred Light Starfield. Even within the Nine Souls Starfield, a starfield teeming with powerhouses, very few forces could truly rival the Sacred Light Clan.
That was why Shengguang Jin'an's arrival earned such respect.
The sensation he caused far outstripped even the commotion Hun Yong and Hun Lei had stirred.
"It seems having a powerful force as your backing is genuinely useful."
Watching Shengguang Jin'an bask in the crowd's warm reception, the corner of Chu Feng's mouth curved into a faint smile.
As someone from the Sacred Light Starfield himself, seeing Shengguang Jin'an receive this kind of treatment stirred a pleasant feeling in Chu Feng's chest.
After the brief introductions, the Manor Master finally led everyone toward the Cultivation Forbidden Grounds.
The Forbidden Grounds were a self-contained world, said to have existed since the primordial era. The thief was currently trapped deep within, inside a celestial cave at the very bottom of the Forbidden Grounds.
But no sooner had Chu Feng entered the Forbidden Grounds than his path was blocked — before he had even ventured deep.
It was the Soul Locking Sect.
Not only were the same disciples who had beaten Song Yun earlier present, but several higher-cultivation members of the Soul Locking Sect had joined them.
In truth, it wasn't just them. Chu Feng noticed that Hun Yong and Hun Lei stood in the distant sky above, watching.
The two hadn't come to directly confront Chu Feng and Song Yun, but they glared down with predatory intent — clearly serving as backing for the Soul Locking Sect disciples below.
If these disciples surrounding Chu Feng could handle him, fine. But if they proved no match, Hun Yong and Hun Lei would certainly not stand by idly — they would move against Chu Feng themselves.