Blazing Sun Peak.
The place seethed with voices, heads packed shoulder to shoulder.
With the clang of a gong, everyone's gaze immediately turned toward a raised platform ahead.
More than a dozen figures stood there.
They were the dozen or so most powerful and influential people in the Star River Sect.
Star River Sect Master Zhong Wanyang, Blazing Sun Peak Master Chen Xiangzhou, Bright Moon Peak Master Sima Shuo, Myriad Star Peak Master Gao Xin'ang.
Besides them, there were also important elders of exalted status, such as He Baichuan, Head of the Artifact Refining Hall of Blazing Sun Peak, and Zhou Guang'en, the Inner Sect Transmission Elder.
Naturally, Fang Hong's two nominal masters, Zhao Tianchen and Chang Chunbo, were among those dozen or so people as well.
At this moment, Zhong Wanyang, dressed in magnificent robes and carrying himself with imposing bearing, stepped forward.
An invisible but overwhelming pressure instantly spread across the entire venue. The many disciples who had still been somewhat noisy fell silent in an instant.
Not a crow cawed; a dropped needle could be heard.
Zhong Wanyang wore a domineering expression. His sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, swept over everyone before he finally spoke.
"The Sect Grand Competition officially begins!"
Zhong Wanyang wasted no words and directly announced the start of the competition.
His voice was thunderous and brimming with authority.
At his declaration, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from below.
The entire scene seemed to come alive at once from its previous silence.
Afterward, everyone, including Fang Hong, followed the competition guides forward to collect their number plaques.
However, as he left, Fang Hong's eyes flickered as he glanced at Zhong Wanyang on the platform.
He seemed to have seen Zhong Wanyang's gaze linger on him for a moment when he swept his