Sages were rare anywhere in the cultivation world, and those who reached that realm without the support of a sect were rarer still. The Northern Sea might be rich in resources and home to countless formidable rogue cultivators, but only three well-known characters had ever formed Nascent Souls. And in truth, even the Three Hermits were not truly without backers.

Moon Hermit had once belonged to the Penglai Immortal Sect before breaking away to establish her own force. Blood Hermit's origins were even less of a mystery; his origin and deeds were known throughout the Northern Sea. Only Mad Hermit remained somewhat mysterious, though some of the older Sages still remembered the name Fengling Jushi.

By comparison, the man seated across from Resonant Jade was different. This so-called Wilderness Hermit looked remarkably young. Since no one could reach the Nascent Soul Realm without centuries of cultivation, appearances alone meant little, but Resonant Jade judged him to be no more than two or three hundred years old. More puzzling still was the strength of his divine consciousness. Although his mana...