Before long, Pei Ling turned his gaze away and looked toward the eight sects who had come to offer congratulations.
The closest to him, and the most conspicuous, was naturally Wushi Villa.
Of the four Villa Masters, all had arrived except Patriarch Su Ji, who should still be undergoing tribulation. Patriarch Ling Yi, Patriarch Yi Xi, and Wei Wei Zi were all present. Among the many prodigy disciples and sect elders, there were also two auras comparable to those of Ling Yi and Yi Xi. They were clearly Patriarchs as well.
Noticing Pei Ling's gaze, everyone from Wushi Villa looked over at him. Their expressions were all pleasant, and their attitudes friendly.
Jue Xinzi and Ji Zhaozhi even stood up and waved without a care for anyone watching, as if afraid he might not notice them.
After exchanging brief greetings across the distance, Pei Ling looked toward the Tower of Reincarnation's cloud platform.
A group of gray-robed cultivators watched him with dark eyes, making no response. However, the Tower of Reincarnation Patriarch who had appeared during Wushi Villa's debate was among them. Several cultivators of seemingly similar cultivation sat beside him, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods and impossible to make out.
After looking at them for a moment, Pei Ling turned away. Next was the Innate Religion.
He didn't know a single one of the Innate Religion's newly risen leaders. When their gazes met, both sides hesitated briefly before inclining their heads in greeting.
The Patriarch Zhu Yi, seated alone, remained as dazzling as ever. Nearby sat several other Innate Religion Patriarchs of comparable cultivation. All wore white robes and golden circlets, looking resplendent and noble.
Zhu Yi had been resting with her eyes closed. Suddenly, she opened them and nodded slightly at Pei Ling.
Pei