The moment Ye Jing uttered the words "free-for-all," the hall fell cold.
No one answered.
Which of those seated in the hall wasn't someone who could swagger unchecked across their own territory?
Yes, the Great Yin Dynasty was powerful, but the sects and factions behind them were no pushovers either.
They could show him some respect, sit down for a meal, and exchange a few rounds if the mood struck them. That would have been fine.
Now, with a single word, he wanted to throw the prodigies of every region into one pot and make them fight among themselves.
Who did he think he was?
On the Eastern Region's side, Xie Changsheng lowered his head to drink his tea, while Zhou Yan waved his fan.
Song Chi had just finished his fight and was feeling pleased with himself, discussing what he had learned with Si Chen.
Luo Qingyin's mind was still wandering elsewhere, her thoughts unknown.
On the Northern Frontier's side, Xiao Lin, who had just been helped down, was panting. A cold sneer appeared on his face when he heard this.
Hui Chen of the Western Region was still pale, but the monks behind him exchanged dark looks, none expressing a stance.
Black Mountain held his book and muttered, "Third Uncle Granduncle said: press a cow's head down, and it still won't drink; drag a couple together, and they still won't wed..."
Red Wind was thinking when he heard Black Mountain quoting again. He nearly spat blood in fury. Quote your damned mother!
The atmosphere remained just as cold.
Ye Jing took in everyone's reactions, the mild smile on his face unchanged.
He even raised his wine cup and slowly took a sip, as though he hadn't been the one whose words had just sunk like a stone