"Master, do you think Li Qingxian can awaken the power of the Black Painting?" a disciple asked Black-Bearded Guest.
Black-Bearded Guest was about to answer when White-Bearded Guest said blandly, "Call him Idle Prince, or Martial Uncle Li."
"This disciple spoke out of turn." Black-Bearded Guest's disciple immediately understood the gravity of the matter and hurriedly lowered his head in apology.
But Black-Bearded Guest did not take it to heart. Smiling, he said, "He is merely an official disciple, so naturally he has no affinity with the Black Painting. Throughout the generations, no outer sect member has ever earned the Black Painting's recognition, nor has the Sky Firmament Sword ever cried out for one."
White-Bearded Guest said, "His Thunder Arts are profound. I rather hope he can gain some divine abilities from the Black Painting."
Black-Bearded Guest shook his head. "Junior Brother, everything about you is good, except that you are too much of a peacemaker. No matter what Li Qingxian is capable of, he is only an official disciple, not truly a member of our Sky Firmament Sect. Letting him enter the Hall of Former Masters to pay respects to the former masters is already an immense honor. If he cannot receive the Black Painting's blessing, then that..."
Clang... Clang... Clang...
The sword cry soared into the heavens, ringing out nine times in succession.
Black-Bearded Guest froze where he stood, the colors on his face shifting between green and red.
White-Bearded Guest stared blankly at the bronze doors of the Hall of Former Masters. Though he hoped everyone would prosper, what did nine sword cries mean?
When the sect master had entered back then, it had only rung three times.
Then everyone heard rolling Thunder Resonance from within the Hall of Former Masters.
That Thunder Resonance seemed to contain