Beneath the starry sky, beside a flight of steps whose top was nearly impossible to see, stood two enormous characters: Ancient and Present.
Fu Jian descended the steps and went to meet Lu Yin and the others.
Shao Kang stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Fu Jian acknowledged him, then looked at Lu Yin and the others and smiled as he approached. "I am Fu Jian, Alliance Leader of the Ancient Alliance. I've brought my deputy alliance leader and eleven Alliance Elites to welcome you all."
The people behind Lu Yin regarded him with calm, teasing looks, and a hint of anticipation.
"So you're Alliance Leader Fu. I'm Zhu Zi. Oh, and I may soon be an Alliance Elite of the Ancient Alliance as well. Pleased to meet you, Alliance Leader."
Fu Jian smiled. "No need for formalities. I'm impressed that you led the Si Nan Team to win the championship at the Yin God Festival. It's truly astonishing, and I admire you." As he spoke, he looked at the people behind Lu Yin. He didn't recognize any of them except Si Jiu Shi.
He looked at Si Jiu Shi and slowly bowed. "If I'm not mistaken, this must be Senior Si Jiu Shi of the Great Five Palm Gate. I'm Fu Jian. It's an honor to meet you."
Si Jiu Shi nodded. "You're polite enough. Not bad."
Fu Jian didn't take offense at Si Jiu Shi's attitude. After all, he really was an Ancestor. "What's your relationship with Mr. Zhu Zi, Senior?"
Si Jiu Shi looked at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin said casually, "Alliance Leader Fu, there's no need for formalities. Show me around the Ancient Alliance. I'm quite curious about it."
"I'll show you around, sir." A deputy alliance leader stepped forward with a smile.
Zhuo Baiye