Before long!
The true faces of these mysterious Half Venerables were completely exposed, laid bare in the open and clearly presented before Cheng Buzheng's eyes.
His gaze slowly swept over those faces—some pale, some savage, some despairing.
The corner of his mouth curled into a faint, ambiguous smile.
Cheng Buzheng first looked at the sinister-faced, withered old man standing in the center and gave a soft "Oh."
"Isn't this Ghost Soul Hall Master of the [Spirit Source Hall]?
It has been many years. Your cultivation has improved somewhat."
Then his gaze shifted slightly, falling upon the middle-aged Dao Lord at the old man's side, whose face was as handsome as carved jade but now utterly bloodless.
"And the Deputy Hall Master of the [Supervision Hall], young friend Xuanming.
You came as well."
His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with absolute clarity.
"Spirit Fusion Immortal Sect, young friend Fu."
"Ten Thousand Immortals Sect, young friend Qu... Qu Changfeng."
"..."
"The young friend from the Blood Fiend Gate has come as well.
What an impressive lineup."
He called them out one by one, his tone calm and unhurried, as though reminiscing with old friends.
Each time he named someone, the corresponding Half Venerable sealed in place turned a shade grayer.
Some had already closed their eyes.
Others clenched their teeth so hard that blood seeped from their lips.
Once the final Half Venerable had been identified, Cheng Buzheng finally stopped.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes once more slowly sweeping across the crowd. The faint smile on his face gradually faded, ultimately becoming an unfathomable indifference.
"Good."
He softly uttered a single word.
"Very good."
"The top sects of the Cultivation World have not missed a single one today. You have all gathered here."