456: Could it be that these seven people all came from the same school?!

The next day, noon was approaching.

Yunhai Terrace, located on the side of the main peak of Dao Yuan Mountain, was a massive platform paved with white jade. It spanned a thousand feet across, surrounded by churning seas of clouds, resembling a fairyland.

At this moment, dozens of jade tables had been arranged on the platform, with spiritual fruits and immortal brews displayed upon them, their fragrance filling the air.

Twenty or thirty people had already arrived early, gathered in small groups and chatting.

These people had steady auras; the weakest among them was in the King Realm, and many even radiated the pressure of the Saint Realm.

When the five—Xiao Ruobai, Fang Hanyu, Ling Xi, Wang Xiaopang, and Mo Yu—arrived together, the originally noisy platform momentarily fell silent.

Everyone's gaze turned toward them in unison.

Curiosity, scrutiny, and burning Battle Intent intertwined, along with a faint, imperceptible sense of wariness quietly spreading through the air.

Xiao Ruobai's gaze swept across the area, taking in the entire scene.

The jade tables on the platform were arranged in rows on the left and right, and many people were already seated.

On the left were several local Prodigies nurtured by the academy, led by Lu Chenzhou.

Among them were the individuals who had followed Immortal Master Xuanji to welcome Xiao Ruobai a few days ago, and Lu Chenzhou was one of them.

They had steady auras and profound cultivation, watching with gazes full of scrutiny and curiosity.

On the right, Chu Daolin, Qin Wuye, Jiang Ruofeng, and Lei Dong—the Ancient Freaks and top Prodigies who were the first to ascend the nine thousand steps—each occupied a table alone.

Their auras were either as deep as an abyss, soaring with Battle Intent, surging with vital energy, or flickering with lightning, appearing much more solitary and lofty compared to the collective aura of the senior students.

There were seven empty seats nearby, with no one seated!

On another side, Ji Xuanye, the Golden Lion, Shi Potian, Mo Xingyun, and others sat together.

Meanwhile, Wang Zhan sat alone in a corner, drinking by himself. His azure-green vital energy was extremely restrained, but when Xiao Ruobai's gaze passed over him, he raised his cup in a toast, his eyes filled with Battle Intent of the utmost purity.

Clearly, for this banquet, almost all the newly promoted true Disciples who had ascended above the eight thousand steps were present!

This was no longer just local Prodigies welcoming the newcomers; it was the first official meeting of the top Prodigies of the Golden Age!

Lu Chenzhou saw the five arrive and immediately went to meet them with a smile. "Your presence brings light to this humble place. Please, take your seats."

With a humble attitude, he led the five to the first five vacant jade tables on the right.

Once Xiao Ruobai and the others were seated, Lu Chenzhou, as the host, swept his gaze across the venue. His brow furrowed slightly as he let out a soft "Eh?"

He beckoned a deacon over and asked in a low voice, "There are still seven Prodigies who ascended the nine thousand steps. Why haven't they arrived? Was an invitation missed?"

The deacon quickly bowed and replied.

"In reply to Senior Brother Lu, the invitations were delivered long ago. However, it was just confirmed that these seven individuals resigned to Dean Xuanji today and left the academy without stating a reason. Even after the Dean repeatedly tried to persuade them to stay, they did not."

Although the deacon's voice was soft, everyone present possessed high cultivation and heard him clearly.

In an instant, the entire Yunhai Terrace fell into an eerie silence.

"Left?"

"All seven of them left together?"

"On the eve of entering the Dao Infusion Pool, such a great fortune, they gave up the chance to cultivate at Dao Zang Academy? How is that possible?!"

After a brief silence, uncontrollable exclamations and discussions broke out.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden news; it completely exceeded their understanding.

Even those with steady Heart-Nature like Chu Daolin and Qin Wuye had a look of deep surprise flash through their eyes.

The deacon paused, as if still finding it hard to believe, and added, "I heard that even Immortal Master Xuanji was shocked when he first heard of this, and only granted permission after confirming it multiple times."

While everyone was discussing fervently...

...a Prodigy who was usually taciturn and skilled in the Art of Deduction looked around, his face pale with near-terror.

"On the ladder, did you notice? Although those seven were plainly dressed and their auras were restrained, their Dao Foundations—that kind of perfect, flawless, and terrifyingly solid depth—were so similar!"

"Seven people resigning at the same time, their steps so perfectly in sync... could they be from the same Sect?!"

These words were like a sudden enlightenment, or like thunder from the highest heavens, exploding in everyone's minds!

From the same Sect!

Of course!

If they weren't from the same Sect, how could one explain those seven Foundations that were equally stunning across the ages?

If they weren't from the same Sect, how could one explain those seven equally resolute and transcendent figures making such a uniform and irrational decision?

"A single Sect simultaneously cultivating seven Disciples capable of ascending nine thousand steps on the dao zang heavenly ladder?"

A senior student repeated these words with a dry voice, feeling a chill run up his spine to the top of his head.

What kind of concept was that? Such depth had already exceeded the limits of their imagination!

"Just what kind of power is it that allows them to treat even Dao Zang Academy as insignificant? Where are they going now that they've left?"

Another Prodigy murmured to himself, his face filled with horror and confusion.

If this deduction were true, it meant a colossus they had never known or understood had already appeared in this Golden Age!

Qin Wuye licked his lips, the Battle Intent in his eyes covered by an unprecedented layer of solemnity.

Wang Zhan gripped his wine cup, his azure-green vital energy unconsciously accelerating its flow within his body. Chu Daolin also completely retracted the casualness in his eyes, becoming incredibly profound.

The seven vacant seats now seemed to transform into seven bottomless black holes, emitting a heart-palpitating sense of mystery and pressure.

Xiao Ruobai and the others looked as usual; before Li Xuanfeng and the others left, they had bid farewell via voice transmission.

Sect Master Xuan Yangzi had sent an urgent message for them to return. Hearing the Sect Master's slightly excited transmission, they dared not delay and left overnight!

A flash of light crossed Lu Chenzhou's eyes as he quickly suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart and spoke loudly, pulling everyone's thoughts back.

"Everyone! Each person has their own ambitions; there is no need to force it. Since the seven Junior Brothers have other opportunities, let us wish them a bright future."

"Today's banquet is to welcome all the Prodigies present! Come, let us drink this cup together, and may we walk the Great Dao together!"

Everyone raised their cups, but the atmosphere had already changed.

Those seven empty seats seemed to have become a massive mystery and warning, casting a layer of mystery over the banquet.

The banquet began with spiritual wine, immortal brews, and exquisite delicacies; the atmosphere appeared harmonious.

As the host, Lu Chenzhou was socially adept, constantly bringing up topics and introducing academy matters with witty remarks, preventing the scene from becoming cold.

However, beneath the surface harmony was an invisible competition between the new and old geniuses, with surging undercurrents.

After three rounds of wine and two more delicacies were served, Lu Chenzhou put down his wine cup.

His gaze swept across the Prodigies with their varying expressions, and he spoke loudly:

"You are all top geniuses of this age, but closed-door cultivation has its limits. Why not take advantage of today's gathering to exchange pointers and spar a little?"

"It will serve as both a discussion of the Dao and a verification of our paths. We shall stop once the point is made. What do you say?"