"Everyone seems to have arrived. Why hasn't it started yet?"
"Exactly. Look at the seniors in front, they can drink water and eat tea, but we're just given a worn-out meditation cushion."
"It's good enough to have a cushion. Do you think you can compare yourself to the masters in front? Where do you get that courage?"
The empty seats in the circular plaza were dwindling, and the cultivators who had been waiting patiently couldn't help but whisper to each other and talk loudly.
The topic of their conversation was naturally the advanced array masters seated at the very front.
From their conversations, Xu Yi learned that the cultivators occupying the black seats were at least seventh-level array masters.
Most of these individuals were the leaders and deputy leaders of various branches of the Array Heaven Alliance, along with a few array masters who, while not holding official positions in the Alliance, were still quite influential. Examples included elders of certain sects or patriarchs of clans.
However, there were no representatives from the five great sects among them.
Even the Great Artifact Sect, rumored to be the backing of the Array Heaven Alliance, had no one present.
Hearing someone nearby voice this question, Xu Yi chuckled.
Cultivators across the Nine Continents Continent all believed the Great Artifact Sect was the patron of the Array Heaven Alliance, but the truth was quite different.
Xu Yi, being familiar with Yu Xiaoyu, had naturally tried to subtly inquire about the matter.
To her surprise, Yu Xiaoyu had been even more clueless upon hearing about it.
The Great Artifact Sect and the Array Heaven Alliance had very little interaction, let alone the former acting as a patron to the latter.
The rumor had originated because Qiu Yuanfeng's ancestor and the Great Artifact Sect's reclusive Grand Ascension stage ancestor were old friends. However, their relationship had gradually faded as their pursuits diverged.
Later, for some unknown reason, rumors began to circulate about the Great Artifact Sect's Grand Ascension stage ancestor being connected to the Array Heaven Alliance.
The Great Artifact Sect had attempted to clarify the situation early on, but few people believed them, and eventually, they stopped bothering to explain.
As for the source of this rumor, it was easy to guess who was behind it.
The Array Heaven Alliance was using a tiger's hide to intimidate others. Today, she intended to strip away its fig leaf completely.
"Fellow Daoists, fellow Daoists, please be quiet."
On the platform in the center of the circular plaza, a smiling elder bowed in all directions. His voice, imbued with spiritual energy, quickly drowned out the surrounding noise.
Everyone promptly fell silent, and soon only the elder's voice could be heard throughout the plaza.
"Welcome, esteemed seniors and fellow Daoists, to the Array Master Exchange Meet hosted by the Array Heaven Alliance. I am Qi Er, and on behalf of everyone in the Array Heaven Alliance, I welcome you all."
Qi Er's voice was loud and filled with enthusiasm, conveying his sincerity.
"Before the exchange conference begins, allow me to formally introduce the distinguished senior masters attending this conference."
"They are—Qiu Yuanfeng, the Alliance Leader of the Array Heaven Alliance, an eighth-level array master."
"Tan Long, the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Array Heaven Alliance, an eighth-level array master."
"Bai Xinlian, the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Array Heaven Alliance, an eighth-level array master."
"..."
The introduction of several consecutive eighth-level array masters caused the array masters around Xu Yi's vicinity to widen their eyes and part their mouths slightly.
The most formidable array masters they had encountered in their daily lives were only sixth-level. To see so many important figures from the Array Heaven Alliance at once made them feel that this trip was worthwhile.
Xu Yi, on the other hand, couldn't help but cover her mouth and let out a small yawn.
This segment was so boring. When would it finally be over?
Her reaction was noticed by Zhang Tao beside her, who began to read into it.
Ordinary array masters would show reverence upon hearing the names of these masters, but Senior Su seemed unfazed. Doesn't this imply that Senior Su was at least their equal, hence her casual demeanor?
Gongyang Hao, my good brother, where on earth did you meet a supreme expert like Senior Su? Being brothers with you is the most correct thing I've ever done in my life.
Sitting at the venue of the exchange conference, Zhang Tao began to miss Gongyang Hao, who was unable to attend, his eyes filled with deep nostalgia.
Gongyang Hao, who was fleeing rapidly on the road, suddenly stopped and sneezed loudly.
His expression changed drastically. He quickly calculated and realized it was the time the conference was starting. Had something happened?
He shivered fiercely, then increased his speed, fleeing into the deep mountains and old forest without looking back.
Zhang Tao, you'll have to fend for yourself.
...
Six eighth-level array masters and eighteen seventh-level array masters, this luxurious lineup made all the disciples of the Array Heaven Alliance present straighten their chests and wear proud expressions.
After Qi Er finished introducing all the seventh-level masters, he finally announced the official commencement of the first Array Master Exchange Meet.
"The first item on the agenda for the exchange conference is a speech by Alliance Leader Qiu Yuanfeng of the Array Heaven Alliance."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yi sat up straighter, her gaze fixed intently on Qiu Yuanfeng as he walked onto the high platform.
Today, Qiu Yuanfeng was wearing the Alliance Leader's robe, which exuded greater authority. As he walked, the golden array patterns on his robes flickered, involuntarily drawing everyone's attention and dispelling any distractions.
"An array that can capture the mind." Xu Yi's eyes were clear as she murmured softly.
She glanced sideways. Zhang Tao was staring directly at the high platform, his expression focused, and everyone else was similarly engrossed, clearly affected by the array.
"Fellow Daoists, I am Qiu Yuanfeng, and I thank you all for participating in the exchange conference I am hosting. As the person in charge of this inaugural conference, I feel immense pressure..."
Qiu Yuanfeng's tone was extremely humble, entirely lacking the arrogance he had displayed during their private conversation. This caused the Array Heaven Alliance members who already supported him to look at him with even greater fervor.
After briefly introducing himself, he began to expound on his aspirations and ideals.
For instance, he spoke of his desire to foster greater exchange and mutual learning among array masters across the Nine Continents Continent through the Array Heaven Alliance, enabling them to progress together. He stated that he had been working tirelessly towards this goal, and today, his efforts had finally borne fruit.
Xu Yi gently shook her head. If the Array Heaven Alliance led by Qiu Yuanfeng were truly as positive and friendly as he depicted, she would not be here today.
Very few people could see through Qiu Yuanfeng's facade. Even some array masters who had minor grievances against him began to waver.
The future he painted was too enticing, and coupled with the influence of the array, some people had already begun to loudly express their agreement, their praise creating a wave of fervent support and raising the atmosphere.
Beside Xu Yi, Zhang Tao also looked fanatically at the crowd, shouting along with them at the top of his lungs, making Xu Yi want to cover his mouth.
Qiu Yuanfeng stood on the high platform, smiling as he observed the scene before him.
Cheer! Shout!
The more fervent your display, the more powerless those hidden in the shadows will become.
The future development of the Array Heaven Alliance is an unstoppable trend.
How can individual strength contend against the collective will?
He was very satisfied with the reaction from the audience, feeling that his carefully prepared speech was not in vain.
On the black seats, a middle-aged woman in a white robe nodded and smiled intermittently, but a deep, unresolvable gloom lingered in the depths of her eyes.
While Qiu Yuanfeng was speaking, she couldn't help but turn her head to glance at the man in black beside her.
Seeing the man in black subtly shake his head at her, she immediately averted her gaze, her lips resuming their polite smile.
Just wait a little longer, wait a little longer...