"Did I hear that correctly?" an elder asked, his brows furrowed in disbelief.
"The patriarch intends to lower himself and form an alliance with that newcomer?"
Murmurs spread through the hall like ripples on a still pond.
The air was thick with unease, each elder exchanging glances but offering no firm opinion.
"It's not entirely unexpected," another elder finally said, stroking his long, silver beard.
"Daoist Riley has already proven himself to be a formidable powerhouse. His strength is no rumor."
"Formidable is an understatement," a third added with a grim chuckle.
"One palm, five kills. The witnesses weren't exaggerating. That kind of power isn't something you see every day. It's not even far-fetched to call him invincible within his realm."
"A man like that doesn't just command fear—he demands respect," someone muttered.
"Who would ever want to provoke someone like him?" another elder said, shaking his head. "It would be suicide."
