Even with the most basic form of true essence, Luis''s true vortex essence was far superior in quality to that of ate-stage foundation-building cultivator.
And that didn''t even ount for the added strength he gained from his ancient body-building technique.
For various reasons, Luis had now reached the level of a half-step Gold Core cultivator.
As he reflected on this, a Zhou family cultivator approached, trotting briskly. The man bowed respectfully and said, "Senior Luis, your seat is over there."
This Zhou family member, an early-stage foundation-building cultivator, had addressed him as "Senior."
Luis understood that this change in how others treated him was solely due to his strength.
If he were still just an early-stage foundation-building cultivator, he would be no different from the rest of the cultivators in the hall. He certainly wouldn''t have been invited to sit on the high tform in the main hall.
It was clear to anyone with a discerning eye that only those with significant power or profound family backgrounds were given a ce on the high tform.
Scanning the people seated there, Luis recognized several familiar faces: Zhou Minghao, head of the Zhou family; Yang Linyuan, head of the Yang family; and Wu Guangyi, head of the Wu family.
There was also one unfamiliar cultivator, likely a casual cultivator at thete stage of foundation building.
It was rare for casual cultivators to reach the peak of foundation building, at least in the Cangzhou region. However, on the battlefield of the Izumo Kingdom, such strength was far moremon.
The unfamiliar cultivator in question appeared to have recently returned from the Izumo Kingdom battlefield.
Luis could sense an aura emanating from him, one that felt strikingly simr to Zhou Mucheng''s—a murderous and sinister energy left behind from prolongedbat.
With such an aura, a mere re from him could make an ordinary foundation-building cultivator''s knees buckle.
However, the murderous aura had no effect on Luis.
He was a man who had battled even the most powerful zombies.
If he could withstand Zhou Mubai''s aura, this casual cultivator''s presence posed no threat at all.
The casual cultivator, dressed in a red Taoist robe with a head of fiery red hair, carried himself with a wanton and arrogant demeanor. ncing at Luis, he chuckled and said, "It''s said that Guang''an Prefecture now boasts not one but two truly strong cultivators. Aside from Mubai, we have another rising star. After seeing him today, I must say, the rumors don''t do him justice!"
"Brother Zhang, you''re absolutely right," Zhou Minghao replied with a smile.
"Of course, I am!" Brother Zhang—so named by Zhou Minghao—shook his head and continued, "Ancient cultivators and sword cultivators vary greatly in strength. While sword cultivators are often considered unmatched in offense at the same level, they''re not invincible. The same holds true for ancient cultivators.
Take us, for example. Even as casual cultivators, some of us can rival sword cultivators at the same level!"
He paused, his tone turning darker. "And isn''t that fellow Shen Jue a perfect example?"
At the mention of God Killer Shen Jue, the room fell into an uneasy silence.
It was clear that Shen Jue''s name was a taboo topic. The devastation he had once brought to the families in this hall was etched deeply into their memories.
Luis stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Luis greets all the seniors."
"Take your seat!" Zhou Minghao said with a weing smile.
Luis bowed once more before taking his designated ce. His seat, the second from the front, was positioned between Wu Guangyi and Zhou Minghao.
As he sat on the high tform, looking down at the rows of cultivators below, a peculiar feeling stirred in Luis''s heart.
This seat wasn''t just about strength; it was a deration of status.
In the future, it would reflect the standing of each family in Guang''an Prefecture.
Before long, the Hartmann family had ascended to an exceptionally high position.
"My fellowrades!"
The voice of Zhou Minghao, head of the Zhou family, resonated throughout the grand hall, instantly silencing the buzzing discussions among the gathered cultivators.
Luis sat on the high tform, his gaze sweeping across the dark sea of people below. He remained silent, observing the scene unfold.
As the chatter died down, Zhou Minghao nodded in approval and continued, "You are all aware that the entire Zhao family was annihted six days ago. Today, my Zhou family, along with the Yang family, the Wu family, and the Hartmann family, has invited you here to discuss how we can resolve the corpse chaos on Lotus Ind.
If anyone has suggestions, now is the time to speak."
His words fell like a stone into water, stirring another wave of murmurs among the crowd.
"Ahem!"
The subtle release of magical power rippled through the hall, making everyone tense slightly. Themotion subsided, and the hall returned to an uneasy silence.
"Ancestor Zhou," ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stood and spoke with deference, "since we cultivators of Guang''an Prefecture have gathered here today, it''s clear that we''re willing to follow the Zhou family''s guidance.
What should we do next? Just give us your instructions, and we willply."
"That''s right. The Zhou family leads, and we''ll follow."
"Exactly!"
A chorus of agreement erupted from the hall, voices echoing in unison.
Zhou Minghao surveyed the crowd, clearly pleased with their response. With a satisfied nod, he dered, "In that case, I propose that the cultivators of Guang''an Prefecture form a coalition army, led by my Zhou family.
We will also invite a powerful monk from Guang''an Prefecture tomand this army and eradicate the corpse chaos on Lotus Ind once and for all!"
"Excellent! A brilliant n!"
"Agreed!"
"That''s the right decision!"
Voices of approval filled the hall as the cultivators nodded in agreement.
Luis, seated on the tform, observed the scene with a calm demeanor. He didn''t need to look closely to know that the Zhou family had nted individuals among the casual cultivators to lead the cheers and steer the discussion.
Still, at its core, most of the gathered cultivators genuinely hoped to follow the Zhou family''s leadership to survive this crisis.
The monks of Guang''an Prefecture weren''t fools. Blind allegiance couldn''t be earned by a few strategically ced voices—it was the Zhou family''s strength and position thatmanded this unity.
"Since everyone agrees to form a coalition, I hereby dere that the Guang''an Prefecture Coalition is officially established from this moment!"
With that deration, Zhou Minghao continued, "Cultivators interested in joining the coalition can sign up with our Zhou family cultivators after this meeting. While we may not be fighting zombies on the Izumo Kingdom frontlines, we can still earn military merits!"
As he spoke, Zhou Minghao gestured toward the red-haired Taoist priest beside him and announced, "This is Taoist Zhang, recently transferred from the front lines by the Qianyuan Sword Sect. He will be responsible for recording everyone''s military exploits."
Hearing this, murmurs of recognition and intrigue spread among the independent cultivators present. Many had experience on the Izumo Kingdom battlefield and were familiar with the Qianyuan Sword Sect''s military merit system.
This system was widely regarded as the key to the rapid rise of the Ten Thousand Star Ind cultivators within just four centuries. Without it, the immortal cultivation families would have continued monopolizing cultivation resources, leaving independent cultivators struggling to ess even the spiritual energy required for basic cultivation—let alone achieving any significant progress.
As Zhou Minghao finished, Taoist Zhang rose from his seat, bowed to the crowd, and sat back down.
The audience regarded him with curiosity for a moment. As a cultivator who emerged from war, Zhang was clearly powerful, yet he was unfamiliar to most present. After a brief exchange of curious nces, attention drifted back to the meeting''s proceedings.@@novelbin@@
Despite his unfamiliarity, the crowd ced their trust in the Qianyuan Sword Sect''s reputation for fairness in recording military achievements. This trust formed the foundation of the sect''s sessful campaign against the Izumo Kingdom—something no one dared to doubt.
"Now, everyone, take a look."
Zhou Minghao waved his sleeves dramatically, and a vivid light-and-shadow map materialized in the air above the hall, capturing everyone''s attention.
Luis''s eyes focused sharply, immediately recognizing the light-and-shadow projection as a map of Guang''an Prefecture.
At the map''s center was Lingbei Ind, the very ce where everyone now stood. The ind was highlighted prominently, drawing attention to its significance.
Beyond Lingbei Ind, the map depicted the surrounding territories. To the easty Lotus Ind, now overrun by zombies. Northwest of Lotus Ind was Fengwu Ind, the stronghold of the Wu family.
The map revealed a distinct T-shaped terrain formed by the Zhou family''s Lingbei Ind, the Wu family''s Fengwu Ind, and the zombie-upied Lotus Ind.
To the north of Lingbei Ind, the Yang family''s Jinwu Ind marked another strategic location.
Farther away, directly west of Lingbei Ind and at the rear of Guang''an Prefecture,y the Hartmann family''s Hartmann Ind—the most distant of all.
In theory, if the zombie horde on Lotus Ind intended to reach Hartmann Ind, it would have to break through three critical lines of defense: the Wu family''s Fengwu Ind, the Zhou family''s Lingbei Ind, and the Yang family''s Jinwu Ind.
Given the current circumstances, this seemed an improbable feat for the zombie tide, especially with the Sun brothers''bat powers capped at the Perfect Foundation realm.
Inside the main hall.
Zhou Minghao continued: "ording to the terrain, I divided Guang''an Prefecture into five defense zones, namely the Central Defense Zone, the Eastern Defense Zone, the Southern Defense Zone, the Northern Defense Zone, and the Western Defense Zone."