Sword Heart

Some wore magnificent brocade robes—the patriarchs of great clans; some wore plain cloth garments—the leaders of Rogue Cultivator organizations; others wore strange attire—foreign powerhouses from remote realms.

Behind them stood their attendants, some in groups of three or five, others numbering more than ten, gathered into small factions.

They all looked at Chu Ming, their gazes varied.

Some were scrutinizing him, assessing this young man's strength; some smiled, attempting to show goodwill; some remained expressionless, their thoughts unreadable; others had hostility flash through their eyes—those were forces friendly with Heaven-Burning Valley, and naturally held no favorable impression of Chu Ming.

Farther away, countless Rogue Cultivators had gathered to watch the spectacle.

They lacked the qualifications to approach, and could only hover far off in the void.

Some even stood atop floating fragments, afraid of missing anything.

Their eyes brimmed with excitement. It was not every day that powerhouses of this caliber gathered in one place.

Chu Ming and the other three stopped in the void, facing those people.

Venerable Dragonbone was the first to speak.

He looked at Chu Ming, his eyes filled with admiration.

That admiration was entirely undisguised, written plainly across his face.

"Good. Late-stage Three-Step cultivation."

His booming voice echoed through the void, reaching every ear.

"I was not wrong about you."

Chu Ming clasped his hands and bowed slightly. "You overpraise me, Venerable."

Venerable Dragonbone laughed heartily, strode forward, and slapped Chu Ming on the shoulder.

The force of that palm was so heavy that even the surrounding void trembled faintly. Yet Chu Ming did not budge, merely smiling slightly.

Approval flashed through Venerable Dragonbone's eyes. He withdrew his hand and said, "I heard about what happened in the Fallen Dao Abyss.

Alone, you forced back three factions, and casually slaughtered that False God besides. Good.