"Greetings, Valley Master..."
The assembled group saluted in the hall.
"Dispense with the formalities. Please, take your seats."
"Thank you, Valley Master!"
After this exchange, everyone took their respective seats in the hall. Several seats remained empty, reserved for those who held the rank of elder but had other pressing duties and had not returned in time to report.
Fang Qianyuan paid those people no mind, merely casting his gaze around the hall.
The hall was filled with figures clad in vermilion and purple, all Spirit Tamers of Earth Rank or above. Most, however, were in the early or middle stages. Apart from himself, only three had reached the late stage.
One was a richly dressed, middle-aged woman who still retained her charms, attired like a noble lady. She was said to be a renowned veteran of the Island, Elder Hai Yanhua.
Another was a lean old man with graying hair and a tangled beard, looking somewhat unkempt.
Fang Qianyuan could sense cultivation around the ninth transformation from him. His name was Cao Song, the illustrious Elder Cao of the valley. He had once followed Dongfang Zhi into campaigns across the surrounding islands, rendering outstanding service in stabilizing the region and winning recognition from all sides.
The last was a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, seated at the head of the hall.
He had a fair, beardless face and looked quite frail, but in truth, his cultivation had reached Earth Rank Tenth Transformation.
His name was Pan Bai. He was a Guest Elder of the older generation who had arrived on the Island and pledged his service over twenty years ago, before Dongfang Zhi advanced to Heaven Tier. Now serving as deputy Valley Master, he was the strongest below Heaven Tier, aside from Chi Gongming in the past!
Now