The moment those words fell, the air around them seemed to freeze.
The garden, warm and tranquil a moment ago, seemed to have been seized and locked tight by an invisible hand.
Saint Venerable Man Yue's gaze rested calmly on Li Yun. There was no killing intent in it, no anger—only a simple question. Yet the pressure behind it was suffocating.
Kneeling nearby, Yu Huafeng's heart clenched. Cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes!
His heart leaped into his throat.
Here, the Ninth Princess, Saint Venerable Man Yue, was the heavens.
Even across the Evergreen Ancient Domain, few could rival her status.
Everyone treated her with the utmost respect.
He himself had dropped to both knees and bowed with utmost deference, yet Li Yun, a mere Third-Class Guest, had only bent slightly at the waist.
And now... the Ninth Princess was clearly displeased.
Yu Huafeng regretted not giving Li Yun a thorough warning before bringing him to Man Yue Palace.
If the Ninth Princess flew into a rage, he would be dragged down with him.
Yu Huafeng hurriedly lowered his head further, then quietly turned to signal Li Yun with his eyes to kneel before he angered the Ninth Princess.
But Li Yun was not looking his way at all.
His nerves had drawn taut as well, but long habit kept his back straight as an ancient pine. His expression remained composed, his gaze open and unflinching.
He met the Ninth Princess's eyes without looking away.
"Ninth Princess."
"Since I have joined Man Yue Palace, I am naturally your subordinate."
"Oh... then why do you not kneel?"
"Ninth Princess, I mean you no disrespect. But in cultivating Martial Dao, I have tempered my heart and made it one with the heavens. I did not bow even before the World Will.