The hall was decorated in a rich style with gold being the main theme. Pillars with the carving of various divinities and divine beasts stood tall, supporting the whole structure. From the depth of the place, conversations made their way to Calum's senses. He stopped admiring the architecture and headed deeper.

Soon enough he was greeted by a festive scene. Lamps releasing mystical blue fire were strung about everywhere. There was a long table shaped like the letter 'u' with at least 30+ seats prepared for all the core disciples. Already, there were disciples seated, talking with their peers, and drinking heartily.

The atmosphere was not much different from a mortal celebration but the quality of the people in presence, the food and drink served were naturally not average. Most eyes fell on him briefly at his entrance.

The pressure would have been sufficient to crumble the staunchest outer sect disciples, even inner disciples would feel some trepidations. Calum barely reacted. He bowed appropriately and cupped his fist.

"Greetings, seniors. This one is Calum Seren. Newly admitted core disciple. I look forward to your guidance." Calum greeted neither overbearing nor servile. His bearing made quite a few senior's eyes lit up in appreciation. Not one person in this hall was average. They were all tyrants amongst geniuses.

As expected, bending over to please, will not win me any praise just pure disdain.

Calum thought secretly, moreover, it's not like it's my style to bow down to the whim of others.

"Junior brother, come sit, we are still missing a few people, but we will start soon enough." The youth going by Luo who handed him the invitation was the one who spoke. Despite the rowdy atmosphere people still toned their conversations down as he addressed Calum.

This was respect, instinctive respect that came from their souls. More than that, it was unanimous, meaning there was not a single person in his presence that didn't feel threatened by him. Calum was startled by this and quickly upgraded the status of this youth in his heart.

"Gratitude, senior brother." He took a seat near the edge of the table. He looked at the cup of wine in front of him. The fragrance was enough to make one ascend to heaven. It had a light fruity smell mixed with a floral scent. He drank it in a single motion. The taste was indescribable. Potent qi caused all his cells to cheer in exhilaration. Without care, he closed his eyes to savor the taste.

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"How was it, junior brother? This is the wine personally refined by the Saint. It can purify the body of any impurity and render the consciousness clear like a mirror. Not bad huh?" A senior next to him suddenly spoke breaking his trance.

Huh? Since when did he sit here!? I know I was savoring the wine, but my consciousness is always spread out. Not to mention, it is the seat next to me!

Surprise shone briefly in Calum's eyes. But he quickly recovered and answered. "Indeed, It's the most delicious wine I've ever had the pleasure of tasting."

"Right? Sigh. Unfortunately, the old man only gives it to his favorite disciple." He pointed at a celestial beauty in the middle of the Banquet. She was surrounded by a lot of other seniors, each trying to appeal to her. Except for senior Sun Luo who invited him here. Despite sitting next to her, he appeared distracted.

"By the way, I am Yan King. A foreign prince stranded in these lands." He continued speaking with a wry smile, he had a debonair charm about him that made anything he said interesting.

They talked while drinking, and he introduced him to numerous secrets in the sect, from small matters like who liked who to big secrets like who's family was exterminated by who. Calum was in awe of this senior who seemed to know everything under Heaven.

Suddenly a hush came upon the crowd as four people entered the hall one following the other. The first two were, the stern man and the frail scholar who greeted him at the sect entrance. The last two people were two girls. One was cold like the deepest abyss, her pale blue eyes seemingly able to freeze one soul and the other was like a beautiful sword: charming but deadly. Qualities which applied to both.

"Oh… Interesting, the Devil Duo, the Silver Queen, and Death Sword." Yan King muttered next to him.

Calum's eyebrows rose at these titles. They were all domineering and just looking at their holders one could only be certain that they were well deserved.

"Who are they?" Calum asked curious about the origin of their titles.

"Oh? Curious, are we? They are amongst the strongest disciples in the sect even stronger than some elders. There are seven of them. The Divine Saber Sun Luo, Fire Saintess Lina Yu, Devil Duo: Jerran and Niro Heartclaw, Silver Queen Nue, and Death Sword Neilie." He spoke with interest.

Calum asked. "You said seven. You just namedropped 6 of them. Who is the seventh?"

"Ah! You got me. I am the last one. They call me Heaven's secrets Yan King." Yan King answered, snapping his finger like a kid who got caught.

So, he is one of the strongest disciples in the sect. No wonder I didn't feel him getting next to me.

Calum digested the information. He once again firmed his heart he would become strong enough to be mentioned in the same breath as those people. Yan King happened to look at Calum after he finished speaking.

This kid is not afraid or even dumbfounded. He isn't becoming servile. His expression is one of determination. No fear of inferiority exists in his gaze. Formidable!

Silently, Yan King had passed a judgment. He recognized the potential of the kid in front of him.

Worth befriending.

A stamp of approval! Like that, one of the strongest disciples acknowledged Calum as a future expert of at least the same level. Yan King's smile widened and put his hand across Calum's neck. "Come let drink tonight until we pass out."

Calum looked at the suddenly boisterous Yan King as if he had grown a second head. A few people noticed the interaction between them and became solemn. Most people wouldn't know but these 6 knew. Someone Yan King valued would become a powerhouse for sure. After all, when they joined the sect together, Yan King picked them too. He tried to become closer to them amongst the thousands of disciples that came when this demonic sect first started to take in disciples, 100 years ago.

The Devil Duo looked at each other recognizing the kid who took the trial recently. Not only were they surprised by his immediate entry as a core disciple. They were also stunned by the fact that he reached the mastery level of the 1st state of foundation from mortality in a matter of days. Now at this Banquet, they were startled to see this kid on such good terms with Yan King.

He isn't simple.

They deduced simultaneously.