The next second, a crisp crack rang out from beyond the hall. Immediately afterward, the entire hall shook violently. The roof was blasted away by a terrifying force, and shattered stones and tiles flew through the sky before crashing to the ground with thunderous bangs.
The sudden upheaval stunned everyone in the hall. The smugness and smiles on their faces were instantly replaced by shock as they all looked up.
A seven-colored streak of light slowly descended from the sky, hovering above the hall. When the radiance faded, a massive seven-colored peacock appeared before them.
Its body was covered in dazzling multicolored feathers, its tail plumes long and magnificent, the lifelike eyes upon them flickering faintly. An unnerving pressure radiated from its body.
Even merely hovering there, it made everyone in the hall feel a chill seep through their bones.
What shocked them most, however, was the figure seated cross-legged upon the peacock's back.
The man wore a green robe, his gaze cold and sharp, his bearing otherworldly, like an exiled immortal descending into the mortal realm.
"Xu... Xu Changqing?!"
An elder was the first to react. His voice trembled, and his face was full of disbelief. "How... how could he be here?!"
Xu Changqing, the sect master of the Azurewood Sect—his strength was unknown, yet his reputation had spread far and wide.
Everyone present had heard more or less of his name and seen his portrait. They recognized him at a glance.
Yet their astonishment did not last long. Once they saw that Xu Changqing had only a seven-colored peacock by his side, with no other helpers, their taut nerves gradually eased, and their thoughts began to stir.
They had never heard news that Xu Changqing had broken through to the Spirit Transformation Realm. They assumed he was still