The air inside the hall seemed to have frozen.
The Dragon-Robed Elder's clouded eyes, which had witnessed the upheavals of countless ages, fixed intently on Zhou Xuan, as though trying to see him through, inside and out.
Only after a long while did he force a dry snort from his throat.
"Heh. Big words."
Undisguised doubt laced the elder's voice. He jabbed a withered finger hard against the divided Geomantic Map on the table, sending out rings of rippling energy.
"Every single thing they want would bankrupt an immortal vein of the next rank down. Some of those things are so rare that even my Treasure Vault holds only a handful."
He raised his eyelids and scrutinized Zhou Xuan, the pressure in his words mounting layer by layer.
"You're a brat from a barren place like the Northern Lands. What makes you think you can produce what they want? Those few so-called Perfect Crystals of yours?"
"Boy, don't underestimate Central Province. Your little offerings might put out the fire at my brows, but for those madmen who have already found a 'new path,' or those bandits who worship plunder, they are nowhere near enough."
Faced with questioning that bordered on outright humiliation, Zhou Xuan's expression did not change in the slightest.
He even had the leisure to lift his cup of stone-cold tea and gently swirl it, watching the leaves rise and sink.
Lin Qingzhu's heart had risen into her throat. Fine beads of cold sweat seeped from her palms as she clutched the thick ledger, her knuckles turning faintly white.
She knew this was the most crucial step.
The Alliance Leader's trust was the foundation of all their plans.
"Alliance Leader."
Zhou Xuan finally spoke. He set down his teacup with a soft click that sounded especially clear in