True Martial Heaven.
The Azure Profound Sect, Five Elders Pool.
"Prefecture Lord Liu, back then, we really should have found some way to send a few people over to bolster Taiping's presence."
In the stands reserved for the Nine Prefectures Guest Retainer.
When he saw that the seats arranged for honored guests on Xu Taiping's side remained empty for so long, Sword Maniac Qian Yi, who cared rather a lot about appearances, smacked his lips and spoke with some displeasure.
"How could we have arranged it on such short notice? Besides, this old man never expected Taiping would actually make it into the Chief Contest."
Liu Chuxuan looked helpless.
"It doesn't matter. When the Sword Chief Contest begins another day, we can make up for the grandeur we owe Taiping."
An elder from Yellow Maple Valley smiled as he spoke.
"Exactly. The Sword Chief Contest takes place on our True Martial Heaven's own turf."
The other Nine Prefectures Guest Retainers all chimed in.
"As long as Taiping isn't affected."
Sword Saint Amon folded his arms across his chest and murmured expressionlessly to himself.
"He won't be. Taiping doesn't care about these things."
Zhao Qian, Sect Master of the Azure Profound Sect, spoke with the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Junior Brother wouldn't care about that!"
In another section of the stands at Five Elders Pool, Zhao Linglong said something much like what her father had said.
"Yes, Junior Brother won't be affected."
Fifth Senior Sister Wu Mo nodded, holding Zhao Linglong's arm.
"Still, even though I know Junior Brother won't care, if only we could be there with him in Youyun Heaven right now. At least then he wouldn't be all alone..."
Zhao Linglong suddenly grew somewhat dejected again.
"I heard the Sword Chief Ranking might reopen. Junior Brother