The atmosphere in the Central Saint Palace's sect council hall was oppressively grim.
Over a thousand Heavenly Prodigies of exceptional strength, drawn from various cultivation realms, knelt on both knees, their heads lowered to the floor and their bodies trembling involuntarily.
They dared not raise their heads, or even breathe loudly.
Countless sect dignitaries crowded both sides of the kneeling Heavenly Prodigies.
Some looked solemn and grave, others stern and imposing, but every face bore a somber expression.
On the raised platform at the front, the palace master of the Central Saint Palace sat firmly upon the Dragon Throne, the symbol of supreme power and status.
To his left stood a graceful woman, Golden Immortal'er, whose captivating beauty carried a hint of icy aloofness; to his right stood a burly, powerfully built man, Jin Dongni, who radiated an unparalleled aura of strength.
The hall's doors were tightly shut, and disciples stood guard all around.
At that moment, the entire hall was silent as the grave, as though time itself had frozen.
Only faint, flickering light shone down from overhead, making the already dark, damp surroundings even more sinister and terrifying. It was hard to breathe beneath the suffocating pressure that threatened to engulf them at any moment.
"Heh heh..."
Suddenly, a mocking laugh rang out, tearing through the deathly silence like a thunderclap.
"The Central Saint Palace expends vast amounts of manpower, resources, and wealth every year to carefully nurture you so-called 'Heaven's Chosen,' yet now, when all we ask is that you accomplish one trifling task, you end up in such a disgraceful state?
Is this how you repay the Central Saint Palace's earnest hopes for you over all these years?!"
Palace Master Jin lightly tapped his right index finger against the Dragon Throne's armrest, producing a crisp,