"Now, who do we have here?" The elder's voice carried a hint of intrigue, his eyes scanning the newcomers with a shrewd gaze.
Feeling the weight of the elder's scrutiny, the patriarch steadied himself, his pulse quickening with nerves. This was a pivotal moment—he had to strike the right balance between confidence and humility.
"We represent the Scarlet Sect, freshly promoted. It's an honor to meet you," the patriarch responded, his voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He offered a respectful nod, his posture poised yet humble.
"The Scarlet Sect, you say..." The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Ah, yes, I do recall hearing of your sect some time ago, though the details elude me." His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he observed the patriarch.
"Yes, well, our sect had seen better days in the past" the patriarch admitted, a hint of determination coloring his tone.
"Better days? Do you mind going further into detail young man?" The elder's question hung in the air, laden with anticipation.'
With a self-assured smirk, the patriarch interjected, "How 'bout we save this chat for later? You can call me Yun, or better yet, Scarlet Lord."
Jun, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but admire the way the patriarch deftly navigated the conversation with these seasoned players, who seemed to thrive on stirring up trouble.
What the patriarch didn't realize was that he wasn't the first to find himself in this predicament. Years prior, the patriarch of the Bold Elders sect had faced a similar dilemma when their Sword Flow sect ascended to 7-star status.
And just like the Scarlet Sect, their Sword Flow sect faced the same situation in which they didn't know what to do and were completely lost. Faced with such a situation, the patriarch of the Sword Flow Sect had managed somehow to get on the good side of the same person who faced the situation last time.
This paved the way for their Sword Flow sect to swiftly forge alliances with the other 7-star sects, propelling them forward like a rocket in their development. Years had passed since that pivotal event, and now they stood as one of the top 7-star sects.
"Hehe, I like your style, young man. The name's Lu Zhen, or you can just call me Elder Lu," Elder Lu said with a warm smile, extending his hand in greeting.
Seeing this as his lifeline, the patriarch grasped Elder Lu's hand firmly. "Pleasure to meet you, Elder Lu," he replied, relief washing over him.
With that simple handshake, the patriarch felt a weight lift from his shoulders. This gesture symbolized his acceptance into their group, opening the door for potential trade and collaboration.
"Welcome aboard, young man. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask any of us. We're here to help," Elder Lu said, his tone reassuring.
As the atmosphere shifted with Elder Lu's welcoming gesture, Jun couldn't help but notice the palpable decrease in hostility among those around him. It was as if a collective tension had been diffused, evident in the softened expressions and relaxed postures of the gathered sect members.
"It seems if they didn't approve of us... then perhaps we will have become the nourishment for the dry land," Jun thought eerily.
Focusing back, Jun turned on his epiphany phase and spread out his divine sense over everyone else. Thanks to Jun's new system, no one seemed to notice his actions.
Within a fraction of a second, everyone's appearance in the vicinity was remembered by Jun and just as he was about to explore more, a tremor spread through the ground which caused Jun to reel back his sense.
Above, piercing through the veil of clouds, an immense metallic cube emerged, its imposing form suspended high above the earth, casting an otherworldly glow against the backdrop of the sky. Jun and Yinling watched in astonishment as the colossal structure dominated the horizon, its presence commanding reverence.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as every cultivator in attendance bore witness to the awe-inspiring sight. In an instant, a thunderous cry erupted, echoing across the barren expanse, "We have met Heaven's Eternal Alliance!"
Caught off guard by the sudden proclamation, Jun and the Scarlet Sect exchanged bewildered glances. Yet, as the resounding call enveloped them, an unspoken understanding seized their hearts. With solemn determination, they joined their fellow cultivators, bowing in humble deference to the enigmatic entity before them.
In that moment, amidst the reverent silence, Jun realized the significance of the structure towering above. It was more than a mere monument—it housed the essence of humanity's most revered figures, a beacon of wisdom and power that commanded unwavering respect.
Deep within the metallic confines of the towering structure lay the descendants of mankind's legendary saviors—those who had emerged from the chaos of history to forge an era of peace.
But these weren't mere echoes of the past; they were the heirs to a legacy steeped in heroism and sacrifice.
Despite the passage of time, the blood that flowed through their veins carried the essence of their ancestors—the same courage, determination, and resilience that had once saved humanity from the brink.
These descendants weren't just symbols of lineage; they were living embodiments of a proud heritage, their very existence a testament to the triumph of hope over despair.
But they were more than just relics of a bygone era. These descendants had forged their own paths, each one a beacon of strength and prowess in their own right.
With abilities far surpassing those of ordinary cultivators, they had risen to prominence, their names whispered in awe and reverence across the lands.
Yet, despite their individual achievements, they remained bound by duty to the Heaven's Eternal Alliance, guardians of the world's equilibrium. Within the confines of their headquarters, they stood as sentinels, ever vigilant against threats to the fragile peace their ancestors had fought so hard to establish.
And so, as the descendants gazed out from their metallic sanctuary, their eyes held the weight of generations past, their hearts filled with the solemn responsibility that came with their lineage.
Jun although curious to use his divine sense to inspect what was inside, a sense of caution held him back. He couldn't risk exposing himself to unknown capabilities without fully understanding the consequences.
Suddenly a door hatch shape opened up in the metallic structure, in which a lone figure emerged. From inside came out a beautiful woman with unmatched beauty and elegance who was just a few points behind Yinling.
Jun couldn't help but be captivated by her presence, his gaze drawn to her radiant aura. She exuded an air of innocence and elegance that was both enchanting and disarming.
"Well, it seems the representatives from all twelve domains have graced us with their presence," the woman remarked, her voice carrying a hint of playful innocence.