A Chance
Back in Sam's city.
Arc is still in the meeting room with Sam. He wanted to persuade Sam to not push too far, but he felt that his words made sense, but he quickly lost in thoughts about his own weakness.
If he really is strong, he should have been able to not care about the whole situation from the major associations at all and let Sam do what he wants.
The towers are indeed arrogant for their own good. They control many things in society.
And all that stemmed from these associations. His father tried to free the empire from the influence of the central continent. He didn't like being a subordinate of the thunder god temple.
But he died of old age. Cultivators wouldn't have kids when they are in their twenties, with the breakthrough past the Nascent stage, their life span changes and they have a completely different take on their youth.
A transcendent will stay in his youth for over a century.