The more he spoke, the angrier he became, until he swept his sleeve aside.
"Let's go!"
"I won't stay in this damned Alliance another moment!"
"I refuse to believe this vast world has no place for our Azure Void Sword Sect!"
With that, he turned to leave.
The two hundred disciples behind him picked up their luggage and followed him out.
The people registering nearby all stopped.
They glanced over and whispered among themselves.
"Sect Master Qingming has quite the temper."
"Rules are rules. Why should he get special treatment?"
"Shh, keep your voice down. He's at the Immortal Sovereign Late Stage."
"The Alliance might end up compromising."
Everyone murmured, waiting to see how the Military Affairs Hall would handle this.
The steward's expression soured.
The Azure Void Sword Sect's abrupt departure would set a terrible example.
If they started this, other sects would follow suit.
The military merit system would fall apart before it even got off the ground.
But he could not stop a mighty cultivator at the Immortal Sovereign Late Stage.
As the standoff continued,
a calm voice came from beyond the crowd.
"You may leave."
"But the Alliance's rules don't let you come and go as you please."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Xuanyuan Tian Ji walked slowly through the crowd in a plain-colored gown.
Her expression was calm, her steps unhurried.
Feng Xuanzi and two members of the Personal Guard followed behind her.
"Miss Xuanyuan!"
As though granted a pardon, the steward hurried forward to greet her.
Azure Void True Person also stopped and turned around.
At the sight of Xuanyuan Tian Ji, his expression softened slightly, though his arrogance remained.
"Miss Xuanyuan, you've come at just the right time."
Azure Void True Person spoke in a low voice.
"I'm willing to reason with you