Among the crowd below the platform, a man in a coarse cloth tunic stood up. He was visibly nervous, his rough voice trembling with unease:
"My lord, those factions have Soul Rings now, but what are independent cultivators like us supposed to do?"
At his words, quite a few people lounging nearby straightened their backs.
A low chorus of agreement rose from below the platform. "Exactly! What about those of us without a sect or school?" "How can we get Soul Ring Crystals?"
"The major sects won't divide them all up among themselves, will they?"
Seeing that Li Chen had not interrupted him outright, the man plucked up his courage and added, "We independent cultivators can't afford expensive Soul Rings. Hunting Soul Beasts used to be dangerous, but at least we could fight for our lives and carve out a path through our own efforts.
"If we can only buy Soul Rings from the merchant guild from now on, does that mean those of us who can't pay will never advance again?"
Li Chen looked at the independent cultivator. Rather than answering, he asked, "What's your name?"
The man froze for a moment, clearly not expecting to be asked his name. "I... I'm Shi Yi. Just an independent cultivator who wanders from place to place."
"A good question. If you're willing, you can join Heaven Beyond Heaven."
Shi San stood with his mouth hanging open. Several breaths passed before he recovered, his voice stammering with disbelief. "M-my lord... you're saying I can join Heaven Beyond Heaven?"
"Yes." Li Chen's tone was just as casual as when he had asked his name. "Your question was practical. It shows you're truly thinking of those who have nowhere to turn."
Shi San stood rooted to the spot. The independent cultivators beside him looked