The star mist over the Star-Magnetic Selection Platform behind Purple Pole Hall was thicker than usual. More than a hundred cultivators stood in formation below, wearing a mix of blue robes, cloth armor, and beast-hide armor. Their cuffs or collars bore the Black Tiger Gang's wolf heads, Green Bamboo Island's bamboo patterns, or the Shattered Stone Sect's shattered-stone insignia-all belonged to outside factions the Star Palace had absorbed over the past two years. Not one wore the Star Palace's original silver-patterned uniform.
Han Li stood at the center of the platform with his hands behind his back, the Magnetic Essence Griffin's golden feathers glimmering behind him. His gaze swept over the cultivators below. Some had auras as rough as wild bulls, others as sinister as venomous snakes. Even the weakest had reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. Core Formation cultivators made up thirty percent of their ranks, and five were at the Nascent Soul Early Stage-more than all the Star Palace's original disciples combined.
"Elder Han, the candidates have been selected according to your instructions." Second Elder Shi Jian, the only Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator among the Star Palace's original ranks, stood beside the platform rather than in the formation. Holding a roster, he spoke in a voice like cold iron. "One hundred Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators, all elites chosen from surrendered sects such as the Black Tiger Gang and Green Bamboo Island. The Star Palace forced the Star-Magnetic Fundamentals Art on them, but in truth, each still keeps his own faction's killing moves up his sleeve. Fifty Core Formation cultivators, including ten at great perfection. Shi Gandang of the Shattered Stone Sect and Tu Laosan of the Blood Saber Stronghold are both ruthless men capable of holding their own. The five Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators include Black