"This fellow Daoist is quite unfamiliar—"
Seeing Fang Qing enter, an old man in a golden robe rose to greet him.
He bore himself with solemn dignity, his face as fair as jade beneath a crown; he must have been a rare beauty in his youth as well. An ancient sword still sheathed hung across his back, and every movement he made carried an edge of sharpness. He was clearly a sword cultivator. "This old man is Zhao Gongming—barely the host of this place. My juniors caused you much disturbance before; I hope Fellow Daoist will not take offense."
"So it is Fellow Daoist Zhao—my condolences."
Fang Qing returned the salute, knowing that this man was likely the Zhao Family patriarch, the hereditary cultivators of Neck Metal.
After taking his seat, he casually swept his gaze around and found that among the Dao Foundation cultivators present, Pi Xiuyuan was probably the only one he knew. Pi Xiuyuan sat in a corner, his expression grave.
"Hmm?"
Just then, Fang Qing sensed another gaze fall upon him.
Looking up, he saw a Dao Foundation cultivator wearing a conical hat, his entire body shrouded beneath a black robe.
This person's aura was murky and unreadable. He had likely used some treasure to conceal himself. When he saw Fang Qing looking over, he immediately shifted his gaze away.
Fang Qing's heart tightened, and he secretly raised his guard.
"Everyone—we have gathered here merely to exchange information and trade what we have for what we lack. Ancient Shu is now wracked by turmoil, and the fall of a Purple Mansion cultivator is even more extraordinary—"
Zhao Gongming delivered a brief opening address.
"A Purple Mansion cultivator has fallen? I only knew that a Black Stasis Sect Purple Mansion cultivator died in the Misty-Wave Blessed Land,