Two Heavenly River overlords drew near, but they did not reveal themselves. They remained above the clouds, gazing down from on high.
However, the anomalous phenomenon triggered by the Seven Star Gravity Tower had attracted far more than just those two Heavenly River overlords.
More and more figures who had been cultivating within the Sacred Palace arrived one after another.
Many chose to remain hidden.
But among those who showed themselves, several hundred had already gathered — and the number was still swelling.
Among them were elders and juniors alike, but anyone permitted to cultivate in the Sacred Palace held an extraordinary status.
Even several True Dragon Spirit World Masters had come.
In such a situation, regardless of who arrived, it was only proper to pay respects to those of higher standing first.
But one old man was the exception.
He was extremely aged — hunched at the back, forced to lean on a walking stick with every step. Though he was thin, the skin on his face hung loose and was covered in deep wrinkles.
Yet he wore a Spirit World Master's robe, and his cultivation was not concealed. One could see that he stood at the peak of the Divine Robe realm.
That strength was nothing to scoff at, but among the crowd there were figures of the True Dragon Spirit World Master caliber.
And yet, he did not bow to anyone. Instead, he shuffled calmly toward Ling Xinian.
When the others noticed him, not a single person showed the slightest offense. Instead, elders and juniors alike bowed in unison to the old man.
"Greetings, Lord Canghai."
The old man called Lord Canghai did not speak. He paid no mind even to the elders of True Dragon Spirit World Master rank.
It was only when he drew close to Ling Xinian that he stopped.
Seeing this, Ling Xinian promptly deployed a barrier technique, condensing a chair and placing it behind Lord Canghai.
But Lord Canghai had no intention of sitting. He did not even spare Ling Xinian a proper glance. Instead, he stared at the gravity tower that was still shooting beams of light into the sky.
"Someone reached the top? Who was it?"
"Reporting to Lord Canghai — the ones who entered were Jie Feng and Chu Feng," Ling Xinian answered honestly.
"Chu Feng? An outsider?" Lord Canghai asked.
"He has just passed the Sacred Palace entrance trial. His results were excellent — barring any surprises, he will be the top scorer of this entrance trial and will become a member of our Seven Realms Sacred Palace," Ling Xinian said.
"The entrance trial? Was that something that little brat Tianran came up with?" Lord Canghai asked.
The Tianran he referred to was none other than the current Palace Master of the Seven Realms Sacred Palace — Jie Tianran.
Within the Seven Realms Sacred Palace, who would dare call the Palace Master by his name so directly?
To make matters worse, he had tacked on "little brat" after it — the height of disrespect.
Anyone else who dared such a thing would have been subdued on the spot. At best, thrown into prison. At worst, executed immediately.
But when Lord Canghai said it, not a single person dared to utter a word.
"Reporting to Lord Canghai — it was approved by the Palace Master himself," Ling Xinian said.
"Mm." Lord Canghai gave a slight nod and said no more, his gaze fixed on the tower.
High above in the sky, the Cangqiong Sect Master wore a faint smile as he looked at the Seven Realms Palace Master. "Nowadays, there are very few people in the Seven Realms Sacred Palace who dare address you like that, aren't there?"
The Seven Realms Palace Master returned a mild smile. "That's true. But having even one person who can — that's rather nice."
"Lord Canghai — why has he never broken through to the True Dragon realm? Is it true, as the rumors say, that he cultivated a special Mental Power technique?" the Cangqiong Sect Master asked.
"This old man doesn't know the details either. But it doesn't matter. All this old man hopes for is Lord Canghai's health and long life," the Seven Realms Palace Master said.
"Fair enough. The Seven Realms Sacred Palace no longer needs Lord Canghai to bolster its fighting strength."
"But regardless, Lord Canghai remains the strongest Spirit World Master beneath the True Dragon realm — a title no one has been able to shake to this day," the Cangqiong Sect Master remarked.
But at those words, both the Cangqiong Sect Master and the Seven Realms Palace Master let their expressions shift subtly.
For two figures had just stepped through the barrier gate of the gravity tower — Jie Feng and Chu Feng.
Only, Jie Feng had to be supported by Chu Feng as he walked out. Yet compared to Jie Feng's feeble state, Chu Feng had broken only a slight sweat.
The sight below erupted into an uproar.
Anyone could tell at a glance — the one who had reached the top was Chu Feng, not Jie Feng.
"So this is that Chu Feng from the entrance trial?" the Cangqiong Sect Master asked.
"Mm," the Seven Realms Palace Master confirmed.
"Is he the same Chu Feng who is acquainted with those two young ones of the Totem Dragon Clan?" the Cangqiong Sect Master pressed further.