The clash between Luo Chen and Qu Zhenbiao lasted only one move.
It did not last long.
A dozen breaths or so, at most.
Yet the ripples it left across the Four Sect Alliance were immense.
Beneath the seemingly calm surface of a lake, undercurrents surged.
Luo Chen's clash was a massive stone hurled into that lake, setting off those undercurrents in place after place.
Of course, that might have overstated its far-reaching effects.
But on Golden Sand Floating Island, at least, countless cultivators were discussing the brief clash.
At the Fallen Cloud Sect's encampment in the east,
a young Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator slowly drew back his gaze.
"He's rather interesting. He can divide his attention between two tasks with remarkable ease, and the spells he forms are exceptionally powerful."
"He'd be well suited to studying our Fallen Cloud Sect's puppet arts!"
Beside him, surprise showed in the eyes of an old man and a younger one.
Xu Ji, whose red lips and white teeth gave him the look of a boy, opened his mouth to speak. A glance from the old man made him close it again.
The young cultivator caught the exchange and asked with a light laugh, "Senior Brother Tian Xingzi, do you know him?"
Had Luo Chen been there,
he might have recognized the old man the young cultivator was questioning. It was Tian Xingzi, the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who had once presided over Zhenlong Black Market in Great River Market.
But the man who had once held sway over an entire region now behaved with the utmost deference before this young cultivator.
"You guessed right, Junior Brother Han Zheng. I do know him."
"Oh?" Han Zheng's interest stirred. "We have time to spare. Tell me about him to relieve the boredom."
Han Zheng