Since this was an independent cultivator gathering, it was only natural to seek the opinions of the independent cultivator powerhouses. Even the sect leaders wouldn't begrudge them for it.
After all, this Dragon and Tiger Grand Gathering had been organized by the Glazed Royal City specifically for independent cultivators. Those sect forces had merely been invited to observe.
So when word spread that the Young Lord of Peacock Holy Mountain was hosting a banquet for the Emperor realm independent cultivators, the sect representatives felt a twinge of jealousy but refrained from making any complaints.
What truly worried them, however, was the possibility that Young Lord Zhen might successfully win over all these Emperor realm independent cultivators. If that happened, the Glazed Royal City's strength would truly be enough to sweep across the entire Upper Eight Regions.
But when everyone thought about it more carefully, they realized such an outcome was impossible.
Winning the loyalty of every independent cultivator under heaven had been the ambition and grand aspiration of countless powerful sects throughout history, yet none had ever succeeded.
These Emperor realm independent cultivators, upon hearing that Young Lord Zhen wished to host them at the Young Lord's residence on Peacock Holy Mountain, felt suspicious and even instinctively wary. But in the end, none of them refused outright, and all agreed to attend the banquet.
Jiang Chen had always valued efficiency. The banquet was prepared by that very evening.
A total of twenty-three Emperor realm independent cultivators attended, including three of the six great powerhouses—Emperor Jingzhong, Emperor Huoyan, and Emperor Ruoyi.
Among all these cultivators, Emperor Jingzhong was unquestionably the one with the greatest strength and highest standing.
These Emperor realm cultivators had spent years roaming the martial world and were naturally well-experienced and well-informed. The moment they entered Peacock Holy Mountain's territory and felt the formidable aura of the Nine Radiance Flying Formation, each one felt a chill run through their hearts.
Everyone knew Peacock Holy Mountain had deep foundations, and this formation alone was enough to awe them. Even the most unruly Emperor realm independent cultivator had to admit, under the overwhelming pressure of the Nine Radiance Flying Formation, that this was a formation none of them could possibly break.
After being awed by the Nine Radiance Flying Formation, the arrogance in these Emperor realm cultivators' hearts diminished somewhat. They all understood that Peacock Holy Mountain, as the premier cultivation site of the Glazed Royal City, had certainly not earned its reputation through empty boasts.
"Haha, distinguished Emperor realm seniors, your presence graces Peacock Holy Mountain with tremendous honor. On behalf of Peacock Holy Mountain, I thank you all for coming."
Jiang Chen showed not the slightest hint of nervousness as he greeted them with hearty laughter.
The moment Jiang Chen appeared, nearly every Emperor's gaze converged upon him. They all shared the same thought—they wanted to see whether this Young Lord Zhen, who had risen to fame across the world in such a short time, truly lived up to his reputation.
Facing the focused gazes of twenty to thirty pairs of eyes, each belonging to an Emperor realm powerhouse, Jiang Chen's expression didn't change in the slightest. His smile remained as warm as a spring breeze. "Everyone, please come inside. Brother Mo, these are all towering figures of the independent cultivator world, and many of them are your old friends. Please help me keep them comfortable."
Mo Wushuang smiled. "The independent cultivator world is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Of the fellow cultivators here today, I know perhaps seventy or eighty percent. But strangers become friends after the first meeting. Everyone, please come in."
Emperor Jingzhong chuckled. "Brother Mo, allow me to congratulate you first—your wife's injuries have finally healed, and the worry in your heart has been lifted. Come, come, come! Just for this wonderful news alone, we must have a drink."
Emperor Jingzhong and Mo Wushuang shared a mutual appreciation for each other. They had crossed swords and exchanged techniques in the past, and each held the other in high regard.
Although Emperor Jingzhong had once edged out Mo Wushuang by a narrow margin, in his heart, Mo Wushuang was undoubtedly a friend and fellow cultivator of considerable weight.
"Brother Hui, I appreciate your kind regards." Emperor Jingzhong's real name was Jingzhong Hui. Among independent cultivators, he was generally addressed as Senior Hui or Senior Jingzhong.
Mo Wushuang was of the same generation, so he called him Brother Hui.
As these were all Emperor realm powerhouses, the banquet naturally had to be prepared with proper refinement. Jiang Chen had put considerable thought into the arrangements, and he invited the Emperors to take their seats.
"Everyone, the reason I've invited you all here today is first and foremost to hear your thoughts. What suggestions or ideas do you have for the independent cultivator gathering?" Jiang Chen opened the discussion.
Emperor Huoyan wore a flame-patterned robe that gave him an imposing air of authority. When he spoke, his presence was overwhelming, as though a roaring blaze burned before them.
"Young Lord Zhen, this Dragon and Tiger Grand Gathering is being organized by your Glazed Royal City. I assumed the rules and procedures had already been decided. Why are you asking us about it now?"
Emperor Huoyan was straightforward by nature and saw no need for beating around the bush.
Jiang Chen smiled. "Emperor Huoyan, as one of the six great powerhouses of the independent cultivator world, your name has long preceded you—it thunders in my ears. Your direct and decisive manner is every bit as legendary as they say. While we do have an established framework for the Dragon and Tiger Grand Gathering, since this is an independent cultivator gathering, the goal is to make sure everyone is satisfied and feels the trip was worthwhile. Only then can we call it a success."
"To ensure everyone's satisfaction, we must first understand what you're thinking and what you need. Only then will the Dragon and Tiger Grand Gathering have been worth holding."
Mo Wushuang chimed in from the side. "Brother Hui, why don't you share your thoughts first?"
Emperor Jingzhong chuckled. "This old man came to attend the Dragon and Tiger Grand Gathering for three reasons. First, out of respect for Brother Mo. Second, because of Young Lord Zhen's reputation. And third—I want to know whether those rumors about the Pine Crane Pill are true or not."
No matter how convincing the rumors were, without seeing and hearing for oneself, one couldn't fully believe them. This sentiment essentially represented what every Emperor realm independent cultivator was thinking.
"Please, take a look." Jiang Chen had anticipated this and didn't waste any time. He opened his palm, and a pill appeared in his hand.
It was a Pine Crane Pill, jade-green and seemingly crafted by nature itself, radiating an overwhelming sense of power that struck the viewer with its visual impact.