Swans danced, white deer drew the carriage, and falcons cleared the way. Amid the highest ceremonial welcome Liaodong could offer, Cheng Xinzhan arrived at the main reception hall of the City Lord's residence, surrounded by the Xiao Household.
Those waiting to receive him in the hall were all at least in the Golden Core Realm, and among those in that realm, Shi Yiniang had the lowest cultivation.
"I have come today to offer my thanks."
Seated in the place of honor beside the host, Cheng Xinzhan set down his teacup and spoke.
Xiao Wanzhong's expression shifted. He too set down his cup and asked, "What do you mean, sir?"
Cheng Xinzhan said, "For nearly thirty years, the Demon Tide has surged through the lower world. Our Eastern Daoist Sect formed an alliance to vanquish demons and defend the Dao together. Countless sects joined, spanning nearly ten provinces south of the great river, as well as the southeastern coast.
"With so many people across such a vast area, neither deploying troops nor supplying them is simple. Yet, with the Dao Ancestor's blessing, there have been no major mistakes throughout these years.
"The alliance has always handled troop deployments, directing the war with Purple Tenuity Mountain as its hub. But when it comes to supplies, the Golden Water Trading Association has played an extraordinary role."
Cheng Xinzhan sounded deeply moved. "When we first established the association in Golden Water Ravine in Wuling, we meant to supply the two fronts in Three Xiang and Yuyang, while putting Wuling's Unorthodox Sects and rogue cultivators to use clearing the demonic miasma and evil influences from the Mount Wuling Area. We never expected the Golden Water Trading Association to develop so much faster than we anticipated. In just a few years, it rapidly expanded beyond Wuling,