After this battle, Cheng Heng had firmly established his footing in the Dragon-Tiger Sect. No one dared to regard him as some junior from the frontier any longer.
Elder Hong Kuo had already come to hold this young man from the Cloudpiercing Sect in high regard and did not dare show the slightest neglect.
Seeing that dusk was settling in, the sun had vanished beyond the horizon, and the mountain gate's lights were lighting up one after another, he immediately ordered the sect stewards to arrange suitable lodgings, placing Zhang Jin and Cheng Heng in the most elegant and tranquil guest courtyard in the Dragon-Tiger Sect's back mountain.
The courtyard nestled against the mountains and beside the water, surrounded by spiritual springs. Its halls were secluded and refined, and its living conditions far surpassed those of ordinary disciples. This was already the highest standard by which the Dragon-Tiger Sect received guests.
Once they had been settled in, Hong Kuo immediately sent out orders to hold a banquet in the Dragon-Tiger Sect's main hall, laying out a grand evening feast to welcome Zhang Jin and Cheng Heng, who had come from afar.
Night descended, and moonlight spilled across the mountains.
The Dragon-Tiger Sect's main hall blazed with light. A thousand glazed lamps hung high from the beams, their flowing radiance glittering as they illuminated the entire majestic hall.
Exquisite delicacies were laid out within, spiritual fruits filled the air with fragrance, and century-old spiritual brew was poured into jade vessels. Heavenly treasures and medicinal delicacies that only great sects could enjoy were arranged in neat rows, their aromas wafting everywhere.
Those attending the banquet were all elders from the various branches of the Dragon-Tiger Sect, core stewards, and foremost true disciples.
An ordinary visiting cultivator might not see such a grand