While Xu Yi was meditating and regulating his breathing, more than a hundred li to the west, on a lush little island, over a dozen legion commanders sat together inside a towering pagoda.
The pagoda's furnishings were not at all luxurious, but simple and elegant. No attendants were present. The legion commanders, each wearing a golden Order of Rewarding the Strong and Punishing the Weak on his chest, sat behind their own low tables laden with fine wine and fresh fruit, chatting and laughing merrily.
The dozen or so commanders gathered here were all about the same age as the yellow-robed young master of the Blazing Fire Legion. Even the oldest among them was no more than forty. All were Yin Venerables, and with such cultivation, they could be counted among the geniuses of their generation.
"This time, someone with over a thousand points has actually appeared. What do you gentlemen make of it?"
A purple-robed young man seated at the southern end abruptly changed the subject.
"Such a person really exists? I hadn't paid any attention."
"I haven't looked into which faction he belongs to yet. Heh, this year's contest is rather interesting."
"I did look into it. He's from the Blazing Fire Legion. Tsk, Lie Xingkong is lucky. If nothing unexpected happens, his Blazing Fire Legion will surely take first place this time."
"More than a thousand points—he must have been favored by fortune, and he's surely a rare talent. It's a pity I haven't had the chance to meet him."
"..."
Everyone present was a genius among cultivators. The moment the conversation turned to an outstanding talent, it grew heated. Many of them had once taken part in the contest to reward the strong and punish the weak as Mid Soul Sensing Stage experts, so they knew