Luo Chen saw clearly that the Initiates outside the hall all bore emblems on their robes. Some were family emblems, others sect symbols. Although the Three Hermits had their own forces, none of their symbols matched those before him.

Wu Ruofu explained cautiously from the side, "They're probably prodigies from Divine Origin City. Through Elder Sang's connections, they've come to the Three Oceans Defensive Line for training."

"Prodigies?" Luo Chen furrowed his brow and swept his gaze over them. As expected, most of these Initiates looked young, and even the older ones appeared only middle-aged. Although cultivators could maintain their appearance, doing so consumed spirit power. Those who truly sought immortality would not waste effort on such things. If some people appeared young, that was one thing, but if an entire group appeared this way, it could only mean that they were genuinely young.

Wu Ruofu nodded. "Yes. The war is becoming increasingly chaotic. Some forces that've been dragged into it send their most promising disciples to neutral forces. After all, you don't put all your eggs in one basket. Divine Origin City is the headquarters of the Heaven Origin Trade Alliance, backed by the Heaven Origin Dao Sect. It's basically the safest place in the Northern Sea right now. Over the years, more and more talented young cultivators have gathered there. At first, seeing so many people at my level who were decades or even centuries younger than me made me feel a bit embarrassed. But after a while, you just get used to it."

By the end, his tone carried a trace of emotion, but Luo Chen did not respond. His attention had already shifted to someone in the crowd: an Initiate of Resonant Jade Mountain. Back when Luo Chen traveled from the southeast to Giant Whale Harbor, he had boarded Resonant Jade, with this very Wang An at the helm. He had not expected to see him again here at the Three Oceans Defensive Line.

Wang An was still young. Back then, he had been in his late thirties. Now, he was just over forty, yet his cultivation had already reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. It spoke of the talent of those chosen by Resonant Jade Mountain. Without worldly distractions, his progress was astonishing. However...

If I remember correctly, the elders of Resonant Jade Mountain instructed them to remain in Divine Origin City and cultivate in peace, and to preserve their strength for the coming war. And yet here they are, running off to the Three Oceans Defensive Line for 'training.' Hard to tell if they're overestimating themselves... or just don't value their lives.

Luo Chen dismissed the thought and stepped into the main hall without hesitation. Many gazes followed him from behind. After he entered, murmurs rose among the crowd. They spoke of him with respect. Wang An, dressed in white robes, watched Luo Chen's departing figure with a frown. He felt that the man was somewhat familiar. But how could he possibly know anyone in the Myriad Immortal Society?

"Junior Brother Wang, what's wrong?"

A senior brother from Resonant Jade Mountain tapped his shoulder. But Wang An did not reply.

The senior smiled. "Don't worry. This is the second defensive line; it's not that dangerous."

Wang An snapped out of it. "Aren't we supposed to head to the first line to hunt demonic beasts? Though... I heard things are pretty unstable over there."

The senior shrugged. "If it was peaceful, how would we train? We've spent years in seclusion, and our cultivation has improved, but if we can't actually use that power, what's the point? We can't just stay sheltered forever. We can only train properly in places like that. Junior Brother, don't tell me you want all that effort the sect spent raising us to go to waste. If we end up as nothing more than showpieces, that'll be just too sad."

Fighting demonic beasts could hone combat skills, and there was no need to worry about the endless schemes of human cultivators. In other words, it was a safer way to gain experience. This had long been a common practice among sect and family disciples in the Northern Sea once they reached a certain level. In the past, they would head to the open sea in groups to hunt demonic beasts. Now, they had simply come to the Myriad Immortal Society instead.

Even so, Wang An felt uneasy. He could not tell if it came from the sense of familiarity that man had triggered or from something deeper within himself. "This isn't what the elders told us to do. How are we supposed to explain this later?"

The senior grew impatient. "We paid a hefty price to get here through Elder Sang. He'll step in if things really go bad. Besides, it's not just us from Resonant Jade Mountain. There are plenty of others too. Do you see any of them worrying?"

Wang An opened his mouth and looked at the crowd. Everywhere he looked, he saw eager faces flushed with excitement. Each one of them was itching to give it a try. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

***

Inside the hall, a woman's voice rang out with restrained anger. "These people aren't members of the Society. How are they allowed on Winding Island so easily? Sang Jiugong, I need an explanation!"

"Sovereign Thatched Mountain, there's no need to get upset. It's not like other forces haven't operated along the Three Oceans Defensive Line before."

"That was during wartime, and they came as reinforcements. It's not the same! The main areas of the three defensive lines have always been off-limits to outsiders. You've been in the Society longer than I have; you can't tell me you didn't know that."

"Do you really have to press the issue?"

"I am the one in charge here for the next ten years. If anything happens, you will not bear any responsibility, but I will. Tell me, how could I not take this seriously?"

When Luo Chen entered the hall, the first thing he heard was their argument. He had not expected a group of outsiders to cause such an argument between two Adepts. As he listened, he began to pick up on what was going on. It seemed that Sang Jiugong had taken advantage of his position to make money. Those young prodigies from various sects had come to Divine Origin City to seek refuge. Their cultivation was not particularly noteworthy, but their backgrounds were certainly strong and wealthy. Sang Jiugong had likely made a fortune. Otherwise, he would not have dared to confront a fifth-stage Adept like Sovereign Thatched Mountain.

Feeling the tension reach its peak, Sang Jiugong's expression turned grim. He suddenly looked toward Luo Chen and forced a smile. "You must be Azure Yang, the master of Surging Lake. I'm Sang Jiugong. Greetings."

People often say it's hard to slap a smiling face. Luo Chen could only return the courtesy. "That's me. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Sang."

Sovereign Thatched Mountain was surprised. She had long known of Luo Chen as a somewhat well-known artisan who had rented the entire Surging Lake five years ago. He was known for his wealth and strength, and it appeared that he was also the now-famous Devil Lord Azure Yang. That was why she had taken the initiative to propose a transmission talisman deal when they met. She had even considered building a closer relationship and setting up a talisman business with him. Even so, Sang Jiugong's attitude came as a surprise. Though only at the fourth stage of Golden Core, he was experienced and influential. He usually acted arrogantly toward others. Yet here, he seemed almost humble.

Sang Jiugong smiled faintly. "Not at all. You forced Huangfu Song to back down at Surging Lake. Someone of your ability deserves all the courtesy in the world."

Huh? Forced Huangfu Song to back down? What's that about? Sovereign Thatched Mountain frowned slightly. She realized that coming here early must've caused her to miss some news from the Hidden Dragon Mountain Range. Huangfu Song was a seventh-stage Adept, though. Azure Yang forced him to back down?

Seeing the two of them chatting more and more enthusiastically, Sovereign Thatched Mountain gave a light cough. After they stopped, she said coldly, "Let's set that aside for now. We should discuss how to deal with this group. Their backgrounds are complicated, and most of them come from upper forces. If we leave them on Winding Island, it's bound to become a problem sooner or later."

Sang Jiugong's wrinkled face tightened. "I brought them here. There's no way I'm sending them back in disgrace."

"You—"

Sang Jiugong turned to Luo Chen. "Azure Yang, you're a reasonable man. Why not give us your take?"

Luo Chen felt a headache coming on. How was he supposed to judge this? No matter what he said, he'd offend one side. He was not that foolish. After thinking for a moment, he said calmly, "At the end of the day, this is just a matter of lacking proper justification. Who's right or wrong isn't the real issue. What matters is resolving it. In my view... we could grant them temporary status as rogue cultivators under the Society."

"That..." Sovereign Thatched Mountain hesitated, then shook her head. "There's no precedent for that."

Luo Chen smiled. "It's just the standard rogue cultivator status, and they can apply for it themselves. It's not like the star-ranked demon hunter status we register through the division. Besides, their goal is to head to the first defensive line to hunt demonic beasts and train themselves. Why not just urge them to move over there sooner?"

He was clearly suggesting they dump the problem on someone else. Sovereign Thatched Mountain frowned slightly as she weighed the idea.

Seeing that she was hesitating, Sang Jiugong pressed on, "Azure Yang makes a good point. I've heard the number of demonic beasts at the first line have been rising lately, and they're short on manpower. Sending a group of Initiates over would help ease the pressure on the Society. It's a win-win situation, so why not give it some thought?"

Sovereign Thatched Mountain considered it for a long moment before finally nodding. "Three days at most. They must leave Winding Island. Elder Sang, I'm just a humble Daoist. I trust you won't make things difficult for me."

Phewwwww... Sang Jiugong let out a breath of relief. He reassured her, then thanked Luo Chen before leaving the hall.