No one knew how the Supreme Elder had appeared. Not even the Emperor Venerable realm experts from seven or eight major factions seated on the observation platform had sensed anything, not until
In that instant, Guan Qianxing almost thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
After hurriedly paying his respects, he rushed over to report the news.
By the time
The stone that had been weighing on his heart for years finally dropped in that moment.
The Supreme Elder hadn't abandoned the Seven Stars Workshop. He had returned!
Although he hadn't seen the two disciples the Supreme Elder had taken, the Supreme Elder had always been the sort of figure who showed his head but not his tail — he had no standing to pry.
What delighted Shangguan Ji even more was the reaction of the numerous Emperor Venerable realm experts on the observation platform.
Somehow before this, word of the Supreme Elder's disappearance had leaked, and the many Sects across the Void Continent had probed time and again, suppressing the Seven Stars Workshop's business in numerous places.
This disciple recruitment assembly had drawn more than a dozen Emperor Venerables from other factions to observe.
What was there to see at a mere disciple recruitment assembly? Everyone knew this was simply another probe! When Shangguan Ji had been receiving these powerhouses earlier, every single one had expressed a desire to visit the Supreme Elder, but Shangguan Ji had politely declined each time.
That may have only further confirmed in their minds that
Yet now, with a single glance, those dozen or so Emperor Venerables who should have been sitting high and mighty were huddled like quail in winter, sitting ramrod straight and trembling. Some had gone pale, their auras flickering and unsteady, as if they had been injured.
They had originally been sitting here waiting for the assembly to begin, chatting idly among themselves, the atmosphere cordial — until Guan Qianxing had rushed over and bowed to someone. Only then did the numerous Emperor Venerables realize with a jolt that an extra person had appeared on the observation platform at some point, and was seated in the place of honor belonging to the Seven Stars Workshop.
This had startled them badly!
Among their group were first-level, second-level, and third-level Emperor Venerables, and none of them had detected this person's arrival. Were they seeing ghosts in broad daylight?
One third-level Emperor Venerable from Spirit Sea Hall had attempted to probe the newcomer with his spiritual sense, only to suffer an immediate backlash. Fortunately, the mysterious young man hadn't meant to kill — otherwise, that Spirit Sea Hall expert would likely have died on the spot.
A third-level Emperor Venerable stood at the absolute apex of the Void Continent, and yet a single probe had ended in such a manner. What level of cultivation must this mysterious young man possess?
It was said that there were martial realms beyond the Emperor Venerable level. Could this person be one who had transcended it?
And judging from Guan Qianxing's deferential attitude, this person was very likely that Supreme Elder who had reportedly gone missing for years.
Once Shangguan Ji led the Seven Stars Workshop's senior figures over to pay their respects to Yang Kai, the numerous Emperor Venerables finally confirmed his identity.
It truly was that mysterious and powerful Supreme Elder!
Everyone was baffled. Hadn't this Supreme Elder disappeared many years ago? His spirit mountain was now completely empty, with no trace of him anywhere across the Void Continent. Why had he suddenly appeared now?
No one dared ask. Everyone rose and bowed.
Yang Kai gave a faint nod. "Please, be seated. Guests are honored guests!"
Shangguan Ji, his earlier worry entirely gone and his face now flushed with elation, asked deferentially, "Supreme Elder, do you have any instructions regarding this disciple recruitment assembly?"
"Carry on as before. I'm just here to watch."
"Understood!"
The assembly proceeded as planned, but word of the Supreme Elder's appearance at the Seven Stars Workshop spread on its own. Although Yang Kai had said he was merely watching, for those who had come to participate in the recruitment, this was already an enormously important piece of information.
Who was the Supreme Elder? Why would he come to observe for no reason?
Moreover, the last time the Supreme Elder had come to observe, he had taken two disciples away in one go! Who could guarantee he wasn't here for the same purpose this time?
So after the news spread, every participant in the assembly was fired up as though injected with adrenaline, desperately trying to show their best.
The assembly lasted an entire day, but no matter how outstanding a disciple's aptitude might be, none had managed to catch the Supreme Elder's eye, which inevitably disappointed many who had come to watch the spectacle.
Which was why when a boy of only thirteen or fourteen, thoroughly filthy, was personally led by Shangguan Ji to stand before Yang Kai, everyone wore expressions of utter bewilderment.
The Emperor Venerables on the observation platform hurriedly recalled this boy's information and quickly reached a conclusion.
The Seven Stars Workshop's recruitment threshold had risen considerably — only those with an overall rating of high C or above qualified to join. This Xu Yi's rating clearly fell short, and he was supposed to be eliminated.
Yet Yang Kai had specifically summoned him! No one knew what the Seven Stars Workshop's Supreme Elder intended.