Cultivation begins in the endless sea.

Qingyang Island, Su Mansion.

The Third Elder, Su Shuangjiang, stood at the mountain gate, welcoming guests from all directions.

This banquet, ostensibly a thank you to the various families for their support after the reconstruction of Wanfu Market, also carries a hint of a reunion of the nine clans.

Therefore, in addition to the more than twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators from the nine major families, the Su family also invited many prominent Qi Refining cultivators to participate, bringing the total number of people in the gathering to nearly two hundred.

To ensure the success of this grand event, the Su family not only prepared a giant banquet plaza, but also appointed Su Shuangjiang as the reception staff to be in charge of the reception at the mountain gate.

"Father, was that the Qian family's house we just went into?"

If Lin Qing were here, he would surely recognize that the person asking the question was an old acquaintance of his, Su Wending, whom he had met when he first arrived at Wanfu Island!

His father was none other than Su Shuangjiang, the third elder of the Su family and a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Su Shuangjiang nodded slightly and said calmly, "The Qian family has been hiding this young genius in body refinement, I'm afraid..."

Just as Su Wending was about to press further, he saw a flash of green light approaching from afar and immediately shut his mouth.

The green light descended about half a mile from the mountain gate, revealing two figures.

The man in front was tall and imposing, exuding an air of authority with his gait. The man behind him wore a blue Taoist robe, was tall and thin, with a stern face, and his left sleeve hung limply…

"This is?"

Su Wending was startled.

Father Su Shuangjiang stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Brother Lin, how have you been? Congratulations on your progress in cultivation!"

Lin Canglan smiled upon hearing this, and with a wave of his hand, handed a three-hundred-year-old spiritual herb to Su Wending, who was standing to the side.

"May the Wanfu Market prosper day by day, and may the Su family enjoy eternal prosperity!"

Su Shuangjiang gestured and asked in a low voice, "Where is Clan Chief Lin Qing?"

Lin Canglan frowned almost imperceptibly and shook his head: "Qing'er has not yet returned from her training trip, so she won't be able to make it this time."

"What a pity..."

Su Shuangjiang couldn't help but sigh.

Upon hearing this, Lin Canglan asked curiously, "What... is there to regret?"

Su Shuangjiang shook her head again, giving a wry smile, indicating that she couldn't go into details.

This behavior only confused Lin Canglan and made him feel flustered.

Without further pleasantries, he quickly left the area with the silent Lin Shenglei and headed to the banquet.

The banquet was held on a mountain peak at the foot of Lingshan Mountain, slightly to the east.

At this moment, the Su family used their great magical power to flatten the mountaintop into a flat area.

After further meticulous work by Lingnong and Lingjiang, the unique three-tiered, layered design was finally created.

The first stack is naturally the main seat for the Su family.

The second section features the positions of the eight major families, arranged like outstretched arms on either side.

The third table, however, was set up with ten people from Qi-cultivating families and independent cultivators, who were talking to each other in hushed tones.

By this time, more than half of the eight major families had arrived. Lin Canglan walked steadily forward, passing the Qian, Li, Zuo, and Chen families, nodding to each of them, and then slowly sat down in the third-to-last seat opposite him.

However, compared to other groups of three or four people, the Lin family seemed rather isolated.

Among the eight major families, the Chen family and the Lin family are the closest. Lin Shengqian's first wife, Chen, is a daughter of the Chen family.

Therefore, when Chen Enzhi, the head of the Chen family, sent a telepathic message to inquire, Lin Canglan could not be too perfunctory.

"Brother Chen, Qing'er has indeed gone far away and has not returned."

Chen Enzhi was a bit older, but he was a kind-hearted person.

"Then you should be extra careful at this conference."

"If you need anything in the future, you can let Yunzhou come to me."

Lin Canglan felt a warmth in his heart and raised his wine glass in a toast, drinking it all in one gulp.

This scene, witnessed by Qian, Li, and the Gu family who were about to sit down, involuntarily brought back memories of decades ago when Lin Canglan single-handedly withstood three major battles, proving himself to be a very respectable opponent.

Therefore, at least on the surface, many family heads also sent messages to inquire and offered a toast from afar.

A short while later, the remaining members of the Wang and Zhang families arrived, and all the distinguished guests were present.

Su Mangxia coughed lightly and laughed loudly, "Fellow Daoists, today all the wise men of Qingyang Island have gathered here, young and old alike."

"Mr. Su thanks all fellow Daoists."

After speaking, he and the other three elders of the Su family bowed slightly and drank the spiritual wine in their cups in one gulp.

"A tribute to the tragedy of the market town, to comfort the souls of the departed."

The cultivators below, many of whom had lost members of their clan in the last great battle, turned solemn upon hearing this and echoed in agreement:

"...to comfort the souls of the departed!"

"Thank you again for your help, fellow Daoist. May you enjoy boundless blessings and prosperity."

Su Mangxia sent her best wishes to everyone.

"...May you have many blessings and prosperity."

"May the world be at peace, and may people be free from worries and have peace of mind."

"...peace of mind and no worries."

Nearly two hundred cultivators shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

On the second platform, the Qian and Gu families had complex expressions upon seeing this scene.

After a short while, everyone sat down.

The Qi Refining cultivators clinked glasses and chatted quietly, as attending a spiritual feast was a rare opportunity to build connections.

The Erjue Foundation Building family was much more refined, exchanging pleasantries and formalities.

Gu Yuanqi, the head of the Gu family, was handsome and dashing, holding a folding fan and looking every bit the elegant young gentleman.

He stroked his long beard and laughed heartily, "Brother Su, it's a rare occasion for all nine of our great families to gather here today. How about we follow the ancient custom and do something interesting?"

Su Mangxia remained calm, then asked with feigned curiosity, "What is it?"

At the same time, he sent a telepathic message to Su Shuangjiang: "Where did the sword fly to?"

Su Shuangjiang's expression remained unchanged as she replied, "The message arrived in about half a cup of tea's time."

Su Mangxia felt relieved. Her cousin was good in every way, except that he was obsessed with obtaining a sword. He had obtained a sword in the Qinglong Bay market and immediately began to refine it, only returning now.

"I almost messed things up."

Qian Changlin, the head of the Qian family, with a round face and a kind-looking appearance, dressed like a wealthy old man, picked up on Gu Yuanqi's topic:

"Brother Gu, are you perhaps referring to the Nine Clans Alliance?"

Gu Yuanqi nodded slightly: "Exactly."

Upon hearing this, the eight major families were already prepared, and they showed no surprise.

The Qi Refining cultivators on the three-tiered platform all showed joy. Some, not understanding why, hurriedly asked Zuo Jin before realizing what was going on.

It turns out that the alliance of the nine clans has a long history. In the beginning, there were only six clans, and later foundation-building families such as the Wanling Lin clan joined one after another.

They agreed to a legal contest lasting approximately 60 years to determine the distribution rights to several resources on the high seas.

First, the Su family has won the title for several consecutive terms and monopolizes more than 30% of the resources, which is why they are able to support a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator!

In the second tier, Qian and Gu are evenly matched, with each having their share of victories and defeats.

The third tier consists of the Li, Zuo, and Chen families, each with at least two Foundation Establishment level cultivators in charge at the lowest level.

Those from the Lin family and others who ranked last were not eligible to participate in the profit sharing.

The rules of the duel are also very simple: players of the same level fight each other in pairs, and the final ranking is determined by the points.

"I agree."

The Li family has produced many talented individuals in recent years, and they immediately expressed their support. The Zuo family and others also nodded in agreement.

The six families turned their attention to the Lin, Wang, and Zhang families, and the latter two families immediately felt like they were being pricked by thorns.

Lin Canglan, completely oblivious, loudly proclaimed, "Good!"

"Alright! Let's do as everyone says."

Su Mangxia laughed loudly.

"Initiate the Nine Clans Alliance!"

At that time, colorful clouds drifted by, and auspicious clouds swirled, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a celestial realm.

"For the first match, I, this old man, will first experience Brother Lin's Chonglan Palm!"