Ling Feng's voice boomed through the noisy crowd like a low peal of thunder, carrying considerable power to rally them.
"Good! Let's go!" A burly disciple was the first to respond, raising his weapon high, his face alight with excitement.
"As long as he can't get up the mountain, he'll become the laughingstock of the Imperial Capital!" another disciple chimed in. He had a pointed mouth and monkeylike cheeks, and cunning glinted in his eyes. He seemed to already see Xiao Qian stranded in disgrace at the foot of the mountain. The corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily into a gloating smile.
The surrounding disciples froze briefly at Ling Feng's words. A trace of hesitation flashed in their eyes, but it was soon replaced by the frenzy of following the crowd.
Then, like a powder keg set alight, the crowd erupted in eager agreement.
For a moment, voices boiled over, shouts and footsteps weaving together into a deafening din.
The disciples rubbed their fists and flexed their hands, itching to act as they prepared to rush down the mountain. It seemed a scene of chaos was about to unfold.
Su Yao's beautiful eyes flickered, a strange look passing through their autumn-water clarity.
Suddenly, her crimson lips parted, and she said coolly, "This is the Entrance Test. The sect rules expressly forbid anyone from helping or obstructing a participant. Have you all forgotten?"
Her voice was quiet, yet it fell over the frenzied disciples like icy spring water poured over their heads.
The crowd abruptly stilled, as though struck by an immobilizing spell.
The excitement on the disciples' faces froze instantly, alarm and hesitation surfacing in their eyes.
They exchanged uncertain looks. Their newly kindled enthusiasm seemed to have been extinguished by a basin of cold water, leaving only bewilderment.
But