At the very front of the crowd, Chen Changgeng, the Celestial River Sect Master, wore an expression so dark it could have dripped water.
He had already handed over a precious treasure, and some of the corruption in his body had been removed. Now, more than anyone else, he feared something might happen to Zhou Xuan.
If Zhou Xuan really died, the Celestial River Sect's reserves would have been thrown away for nothing.
Just as the argument reached its fiercest point, the doors of the Main Hall slowly opened.
Draped in a loose black robe, Zhou Xuan emerged from the shadows. His face was pale, and even his steps looked somewhat unsteady, yet an oppressive presence radiated from him, making it hard to breathe.
Emperor Jiang Wu and the other three Longevity Realm Old Ancestors followed closely behind him, taking positions on either side.
Although they did not deliberately release their four immense auras, the terrifying presence unique to the Longevity Realm still silenced the entire Square in an instant.
The clamor stopped dead.
Everyone's eyes fixed on Zhou Xuan. Chen Changgeng stared intently at his pale face, trying to glean some clue from his complexion.
The other Sect Masters each harbored their own schemes, their gazes flickering uncertainly.
Zhou Xuan walked to the edge of the steps and looked down at these prominent figures of Central Province without saying a word.
The silence lasted for more than a dozen breaths.
At last, someone in the crowd could no longer hold back.
Xie Yuan, the deputy Valley Master of Falling Star Valley, stepped forward.
The previous Valley Master, Xie Chengyuan, had been killed on the spot for trying to fool Zhou Xuan with a fake. Only then had Xie Yuan been able to rise to his position.
He resented Zhou