The situation in Bian Province grew increasingly bewildering and tense, but this didn't affect Song Changsheng. By now, his party had traversed Yang Province and entered Xiang Province.
Although Xiang Province was the Rong Clan's territory, their control and influence didn't actually extend throughout the entire province—or more accurately, it didn't extend to the vast population of Loose Cultivators.
This was because Xiang Province was home to a very famous organization of Loose Cultivators—the Independent Cultivator Alliance.
The Independent Cultivator Alliance was a rather loosely-knit organization that existed in many parts of the Daqi Cultivation World. They were all self-organized, but they held great influence and prestige among the Loose Cultivator community.
This was especially apparent in Xiang Province, where the vast majority of Loose Cultivators were affiliated with the Alliance, to the point that it nearly undermined the Rong Clan's rule in the province.
