Under the dim moonlight, guests arrived before the Dong clan estate. Rows of influential people arrived one after the other.
Everyone that arrived held considerable wealth in the capital and the surrounding cities.
Inside the Dong clan estate, brighter lanterns were lit up, beautiful decorations were everywhere.
Servants dressed in neat clothes while the guards had their armor shiny, their gazes sharp, filled with vigilance.
Guests walked in twos and threes with smiles on their faces as they talked. The beautifully paved cobblestone led to a magnificent grand hall.
At the entrance, a middle-aged man announced the presence of each guest. Inside the grand hall, various seats had been prepared according to the status of the guests.
Those with lower status sat at the back and close to the entrance. As for the most important guests, their seats were in front, closer to the celebrant’s main seat.
"The Li clan master has arrived." The sonorous voice of the announcer echoed in the room.
Those inside the grand hall did not bother to look up. The Li clan was an average clan in the city; thus, no one regarded them.
As time passed, more and more guests arrived. Slowly, the important guests arrived.
"Artifact Refiner Hall Master has arrived."
Quickly, many turned their heads and looked at the entrance. Quickly, elders from the Dong clan rushed to greet him.
Leading the Hall Master, his expression was calm but expressionless. Behind him were the elders from the hall, and none of them wore an approachable smile.
Those that were prepared to approach them halted in their tracks. With a bittersweet smile, they returned to their seats.
Slowly, gossip began to spread among those behind. However, the Artifact Refiner Hall Master and elders did not seem to care.
They took their seats without touching the snacks provided for them.
Next, the Runic Inscription Hall arrived, followed by the Formation Guild before other hall masters arrived.
With the arrival of the various hall masters inside the grand hall, the sweet pleasant atmosphere wore a tense undertone like a second skin.
Even though the party was going on, everyone was laughing and chatting, with each servant bringing in food and wine.
That did not reduce the ever-rising tension.
"The Gao clan has arrived." The announcer’s voice echoed inside the hall.
Before anyone could see the Gao clansmen, the announcer’s voice echoed again.
"The Ma clan has arrived."
"The Cai clan has arrived."
All those inside the grand hall were stunned. Three of the top clans arrived at the same time. Is this a coincidence or what?!
Just like the various halls, the three top clans had solemn expressions on their faces.
When they were greeted, they only responded perfunctorily and took their seats. Now, even a fool could sense something was definitely going on.
Seated beside the Gao Matriarch was a cold beauty. Dressed in a purple robe that accentuated her figure, every man around had their gaze locked on her.
She was named as the most beautiful woman in the capital together with the leader of the Broken Moon Consortium.
For the Broken Moon Consortium, no one had ever seen her face; thus, the Gao Young Miss was crowned as the prettiest maiden.
Many suitors had tried to have her hand in marriage but all failed. Apart from her beauty, she was talented in cultivation, and she was personally recruited into the Frost Moon Sect by a core elder.
At such a young age, she was at the peak of the Foundation Realm stage 7, with only a few to compare to her.
Beside the Ma clan master, a handsome young man sat with an air of pride and arrogance.
His gaze only wandered around the grand hall for a moment before he lost interest.
With his cultivation at the Peak of Foundation Building Realm stage 7, with a battle strength that could rival stage 9 warriors—
Even the Gao clan’s beautiful princess could not compare to him.
To him, all the younger generations in the grand hall were just too weak.
For the Cai clan, seated beside the patriarch was an ordinary-looking young woman. If she was not from the Cai clan, she would be taken as the girl next door.
However, those in the Cai clan knew how terrifying her alchemy talent was. At such a young age, she was already an Intermediate Tier-1 Alchemist.
Therefore, no one dared to look down on her.
Looking at the three top clans, those that planned to form a connection were nervous. This was a rare chance to elevate their clans.
Suddenly, the announcer’s voice came from the entrance.
"The Golden Pavilion has arrived."
Instantly, everyone shifted their gaze to the entrance. Leading the Golden Pavilion was a handsome middle-aged man.
He had an amiable smile on his face as he entered the grand hall. Quickly, a lot of people rushed to greet him; some were flattering him just to get his favor.
With the arrival of the Golden Pavilion, the Seven Talisman Trade Hall arrived. Each of them were old men, but no one underestimated them.
For such old men, only a few people in the grand hall dared to stand up to greet them.
The Broken Moon Consortium also arrived. Everyone looked at them, trying to find out the beautiful leader of the consortium; unfortunately, none of them saw her.
In the lead was an elderly woman with an ordinary appearance. Yet, no one looked down on them.
Just after the Broken Moon Consortium took their seat, the Wuyu City Lord arrived.
Behind him were two of his children; a prideful handsome young man and a beautiful lady. Their seats were near the celebrant’s seat.
Instantly, murmurs spread among the audience as they talked about the Wuyu City Lord and his children.
While the audience was talking about the Wuyu City Lord, the Governor’s mansion Chief Maid arrived.
Quickly, everyone was on their feet to welcome her. Although she was only a mere maid, she represented the Governor.
She took her seat beside the main seat of honor.
Now that she was present, everyone expected the celebrant to come and let the banquet start.
But some people knew the main person had not yet arrived.
Time slowly wisped by, and some people were already getting impatient when the announcer shouted—
"The Jade River Exchange has arrived."
Various gasps echoed in the hall as everyone turned their heads to the entrance.
Three men and two women entered the grand hall, their expressions were unreadable.
Looking at them, no one stood to meet them except for the Dong clan responsible for welcoming visitors.
Taking their seat, their eyes scanned the crowd for a moment before they turned their gaze to the entrance.
Instantly, everyone turned their gaze to the entrance. Even though some of the younger generation did not know who they were waiting for—
They still looked at the entrance door.
Suddenly, the announcer’s sonorous voice echoed through the air, declaring,
"The Thousand Wealth Chamber has arrived."
Instantly, silence fell—chatter, gossip, and the clatter of utensils ceased.
Those drinking wine froze, their eyes widening in shock.
A strange stillness enveloped the grand hall, heavy with curiosity and anticipation.