The Grand Tournament, Part One

Huangfu Yulong seemed not to have noticed Li Xiao's momentary distraction and continued chatting with him enthusiastically.

He spoke of what he had seen and heard in the capital, then touched on the situation at the Zhou Kingdom's court. His words carried a hint of probing and goodwill; clearly, he hoped to use this opportunity to forge a deeper connection with Li Xiao.

Although Li Xiao was still pondering the matter of dragon qi, he played along and offered a few responses, ensuring that the other man did not feel neglected.

As they spoke, steady footsteps suddenly sounded from the direction of the seat of honor.

Li Xiao looked up and saw the Three Origins Sect's Sect Master emerge in a formal black robe, his bearing composed and imposing. The Azure Wave Peak Master and the Iron Wire Peak Master followed behind him. Together, the three walked over and stopped before the seat of honor.

More than a dozen chairs stood in closely packed rows on either side of the seat of honor. They were already occupied by figures in garments of various colors, each with an aura as profound as an abyss and a piercing gaze.

Li Xiao swept a cursory glance over them, and his heart gave a slight jolt.

Nearly all of them possessed auras at the sixth turn or higher. A few even faintly radiated an imposing authority similar to Elder Shi's.

This gathering almost rivaled the lineup of sixth-turn experts assembled during the great battle on the Yu Kingdom's front lines.

It showed just how deep the Three Origins Sect's foundations ran, and how extensive its ties with the major powers were.

The Sect Master walked up to the seat of honor and slowly swept his gaze across the gathering. The clamorous conversations gradually died