There was a stretch of silence inside and outside the classroom, but it was far from quiet—the heartbeats and breathing of countless people blended together, as if some monster were being born there.
Ming Shuangli and the others had also arrived outside the classroom to watch. After hearing Ming Shuiyun's speech, Ming Taolang exclaimed in surprise, "Shuiyun is amazing today!"
"I thought something would happen to her. I didn't expect..." Ming Dailan looked at Ming Shuiyun, who had become the center of attention, her eyes filled with envy. "...Something did happen to her, but in a good way."
Ming Shuangli snorted. "It must all be Qin Leyin's teaching."
"Oh my, I wonder who said a few days ago that 'Nieruo is the greatest sword sheath in the world'..." Ming Yueyan giggled.
"Nieruo is still the greatest sword sheath in the world!" Ming Shuangli refused to back down.
"So Shuiyun was lying when she said Qin Leyin was distancing himself from her." Ming Qingyun smiled. "There's simply no one who can resist the contract of the Holy Sword Huiyao."
Inside the classroom, amid the silence, someone suddenly raised a hand.
It was an utterly ordinary gesture, yet Ming Shuiyun's heart blossomed—this was the first person to ask for her permission before speaking.
This was the first person to respect her position.
The corners of Ming Shuiyun's lips turned upward. She extended a hand and said, "Go ahead."
"Shuiyun Palace, you said just now that only by lending you money can we demonstrate our loyalty. Then for students like us who are short on cash, if we also want to take part in your cause, wouldn't that mean there's no way in?"
"Of course not!" Ming Shuiyun immediately replied. "After the association is established, we'll recruit new members to participate in the