Qingyun Immortal City, Song Family.
The magnificent, resplendent hall buzzed with excitement.
"Instructor Zhou of the Xuanyuan Daoist Academy presents a second-tier top-grade Qingyang Treasure Sword, congratulating the disciple on successfully achieving Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment!"
A loud herald's cry rang out from beyond the gates.
Zhou Ling stood outside the hall with his father and Yuan Hu.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Ling, forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar!"
A middle-aged man clad in a crimson-gold robe patterned with Cloud Patterns clasped his hands toward Zhou Ling.
The man was powerfully built, rugged in appearance, with bright, piercing eyes.
He was Song Nian, Song Yue's father.
Beside him stood a beautiful woman.
She wore a white dress, her figure graceful, her legs slender, and her skin as fair as snow.
It was Song Yue.
"Master, Grandmaster, you've come!"
Song Yue also clasped her hands and bowed to the three of them.
After a few simple pleasantries, the three were led into the main hall.
Zhou Ling was then seated at the main table, while Zhou Shan and Yuan Hu sat at a side table.
"This junior, Zhou Ling, greets all the Seniors!"
Four Middle-aged Men with extraordinary auras were already seated at the main table.
Nearly all of them were late Golden Core or peak-stage cultivators.
Zhou Ling recognized two of them. They were the heads of Nascent Soul Families—the Qi Family and the Yue Family.
The other two, being seated at the main table, clearly could not have been of low status either.
"Instructor Zhou is so young, yet already possesses such attainments in Artifact Crafting. Truly admirable!"
"Instructor Zhou's instruction is exceptional. Song Yue has even achieved Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment!"
"I am Meng Liang of the Meng Family. Greetings, Instructor Zhou!"
"I am Huo Jin of the