Zhou Xuan looked at him.
This reckless brute who had roamed Central Province for tens of thousands of years, bowing to no one, had now sheathed every last edge. He stood there like a blade its master had pressed back into its scabbard.
He was unwilling.
But he had accepted it.
Zhou Xuan nodded slowly.
"Vein Master Zhao, you're a straightforward man."
He rose from his chair and looked down at Zhao Tu from above.
"You're the first to come to my door of your own accord. That takes courage. For that courage, I'll give you a benefit no one else gets."
Zhao Tu abruptly raised his head.
"You'll be the Origin Return Alliance's first public showcase."
Zhou Xuan's words left Zhao Tu momentarily stunned.
Beside them, the Alliance Leader's projection leaned forward slightly, evidently having thought of something as well.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Tu frowned.
"I mean I won't treat you in a secret chamber. I won't do it on the sly."
Zhou Xuan descended the steps, passed Zhao Tu, and headed straight for the Main Hall's entrance.
The hall doors were still open. Outside, the distant Square was filled with indistinct figures.
Representatives of forces visiting under all manner of pretexts, sect masters and elders who had delivered three cartloads of spirit crystals and were still awaiting word, informants and spies craning their necks to sniff out inside information—all of them had gathered outside.
Zhou Xuan stood at the entrance and glanced back at Zhao Tu.
"Some of those people outside are watching and waiting. Some are hesitating. Others are still clinging to luck, thinking their illness isn't that serious and they can put it off a little longer."
"They need to see a living example."
"They need to see with their own eyes just how