Above Sun Radiance City, a vast floating island spanning hundreds of miles hung quietly amid a sea of clouds.
Its framework was forged from star-pattern steel, its walls built of void-storing jade. Pale golden ribbons of rules light cascaded from its edges like a river of stars hanging from the heavens.
Tier upon tier of halls and pavilions spread outward from the island's center. At its heart, the council hall pierced the clouds, the Alliance emblem atop its roof radiating immense pressure beneath the sunlight. Even from a hundred miles below, one could feel its vast, weighty presence at the Wasteland Martial level.
Inside the council hall, bright lamps hung overhead.
Two parties sat on opposite sides of a long table. Beside the seat of honor, Seventh Council Speaker Ao Feng, dressed in dark gold robes, rubbed a jade thumb ring with his fingertips. His face lay in the lamplight's shadows, his aura deep and still as an abyss.
Beside him sat Third Council Speaker Carmen, an elderly man in gray robes with white hair and beard. His eyes were half closed, and he appeared ordinary, yet carried the weighty bearing of someone long accustomed to high office.
At the head of the opposite side sat Xiao Zhenshan, Blood Shadow Commander and chief envoy of the Crimson Blood Empire's delegation.
He wore dark red robes embroidered with blood-colored cloud patterns along the hem. The killing intent of the battlefield had yet to fade entirely from him. Even seated, he resembled a vicious blade resting in its sheath.
Helian Lie, Hong Yin, and the others stood behind him, their postures straight and their auras steady and imposing.
"We'll settle the shares from the three mixed mineral veins along the border as discussed. Our subordinates can work out the details of jointly