Chapter 199: Cloud Empire (20)

The hall of the marquis’s mansion remained enveloped by soft music and low conversations, but the atmosphere gradually changed as the guests began to arrive in organized groups. The party ceased to be merely a celebration and took on the form of a gathering of forces.

Kyrian remained seated, his back straight, his gaze attentive. He showed neither anxiety nor excessive curiosity. He simply observed.

The first force to formally enter the hall, announced by a servant at the entrance, was the Earth Forge.

Five young cultivators advanced together, wearing robes in earthy tones, reinforced with thin plates of spiritual metal on their shoulders and forearms. Their bodies were robust, their dense and heavy energies were released. Each step transmitted stability.

At the front came a broad-built young man with a firm face and attentive eyes. There was no arrogance in his expression, only solid confidence.

“Han Mu…” Yan Ling murmured, recognizing him.

Han Mu made a simple bow toward Tao, the host, without exaggeration.

His eyes rested on the circular arena for a moment, and he nodded, satisfied. Without saying anything, he led his group to a table near the arena, occupying the space naturally.

Soon after, a different energy spread through the hall.

The disciples of the Deep Roots Sect entered in a silent, almost fluid manner. They wore robes in dark green and brown tones, adorned with symbols carved from spiritual wood. The Qi around them was calm, extending beneath the ground.

The leader was a young woman with a serene expression, long hair tied simply, with a jade hairpin shaped like a leaf.

“Lin Qiao…” Li Fen, who had said nothing until now, murmured.

She greeted Tao politely, exchanging only a few words. Her gaze swept across the hall and rested briefly on Kyrian. There was no hostility nor excessive interest. Just a slight acknowledgment upon noticing his eyes.

The group chose a side table, a little away from the center, clearly preferring to observe before interacting.

The third 4° level force entered right after, bringing an abrupt change in the mood.

The Southern Wind Dynasty advanced with light and relaxed steps. Their light-blue and white robes seemed to move with the air around them, even inside the closed hall. The Qi around their bodies was fast and restless.

The leader was a slender young man, smiling confidently, holding a folded fan in his hand.

“Nan Feng Yu,” Kai commented in a neutral tone.

Nan Feng Yu closed the fan upon noticing the arena. His eyes swept over the guests until they landed on the Blood Court’s table. Upon noticing Kai, he smiled faintly and inclined his head. Kai responded with a minimal nod. The group settled at a well-positioned table, making no effort to hide their presence.

Next, a formal announcement was made by the servant at the entrance of the party.

The Blood Court was officially recognized as a guest.

Even though they were already present, the announcement drew the attention of several young people there. Some looks became more cautious, others curious. Some simply looked away.

Kyrian remained unmoving, as if nothing had changed.

Then, a group Kyrian immediately recognized entered the hall.

Five young people advanced together, this time wearing discreet clothing without flashy symbols but of high quality. Their energies were contained. They walked with clear discipline.

At the front of the group was Luo Feng, the silver-haired young man.

Kyrian narrowed his eyes slightly. It was no surprise to see them there. Kyrian had seen them in Iron Bell City before, and their presence in the capital during the auction was expected.

Luo Feng’s eyes crossed Kyrian’s for a brief instant. There was no smile, no greeting. Only mutual recognition. A silent understanding.

The group went to a side table, keeping some distance from the others. They did not seek prominence.

Soon after, the other three 4° level forces arrived.

The Gray Blade Sect entered in a simple and direct manner. Their robes were plain and without adornments. All carried sheathed swords. The leader, Qin Luo, greeted Tao with a short gesture and led his group to a table near the arena.

The Heavenly River Alliance came next. Their disciples wore dark-blue robes with flowing patterns. The leader, He Yun, greeted some guests with controlled cordiality. His eyes passed over Kyrian, evaluating him, but he did not approach.

Finally, the Scarlet Rock Sect made its entrance. They were few, only three disciples, but each exuded a heavy energy. The leader, Shi Kang, had visible scars on his face and a direct gaze. They sat near the Earth Forge, as if there were a natural affinity between their forces.

With that, the eight closest 4° level forces were present.

The hall was now almost completely occupied. Crossed conversations, controlled laughter, evaluating glances. The arena remained empty, but it drew constant attention.

Then, the environment changed once more.

Two forces comparable to the Cloud Empire made their entrance in sequence.

The first was the Radiant Sky Sect.

Its two disciples wore light golden robes, radiating confidence. The leader, Gu Tian, walked at the front with an open smile, absorbing the gazes around him.

He greeted Tao enthusiastically and exchanged a few words with leaders of other forces before sitting at a central table.

Soon after, the Blue Mountain Alliance entered, another equivalent 3° level force.

Its three disciples had a more restrained presence, but no less solid. They wore bluish-gray robes with mountain symbols embroidered on the chest. The leader, Mo Qian, greeted Tao respectfully and chose a table with a direct view of the arena.

The tension in the hall increased discreetly.

And then, without a formal announcement, the gates opened once more.

The disciples of the Cloud Academy entered.

The entire hall turned its attention to them.

They wore deep blue robes, simple and impeccable. They carried no excessive symbols.

At the front came a single young man.

His body seemed perfectly balanced. His cultivation was profound and one of the highest among the youths, already at the Core Formation realm.

Everyone recognized him.

He was famous for his special physique.

His eyes analyzed the arena before anything else. Then, they naturally shifted until they met Kyrian’s eyes.

For a brief moment, everything seemed suspended. There was no hostility. Nor declared respect. But recognition.

Kyrian perceived, with his eyes, that he could see a strange energy coursing through the physique of the young man before him.

While he, looking into Kyrian’s eyes, felt an uncomfortable sensation, one already familiar to him, for he had gone through a similar experience before.

In his mind, the thought came.

“He also has a special physique?”

He recognized it but decided to leave that for later, turned away, and nodded lightly to Tao and sat down with his disciples at the table closest to the arena.

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