Guan Qianyan looked faintly enlightened. "Oh, the Flying Swallow Sword Gate. They're a Longdong sect, one of the Longdong Seven Swords—or was it Six Swords? Their Sect Master doesn't seem to have reached Body Recasting yet. Among their peers... I think they have a fairly good disciple surnamed Vermilion."
Among Black Garment and white tassels, the girl immediately glared over. "Whose young lord or princeling are you, talking so big!"
Guan Qianyan coldly raised a brow and was about to retort, but Pei Ye stretched out an arm to stop her. Turning back, he said, "Sorry. It was rude of us to discuss you to your faces."
His features were clear and handsome, his tone sincere. The girl's expression softened a little, and she turned back without a word.
This little incident drew no attention. Some of the party watered their horses; others ordered tea. Only now did the two elders walk slowly over, conversing. Once seated, they smiled and waved a hand, and the younger members sat down one by one.
"Senior Brother Wei, tell me, what does 'reordering the ranks' mean?" The middle-aged man laid his sword on the table and spoke slowly.
"Our sects are usually much of a muchness, but if someone suddenly masters a Secret Sword or breaks through to a new realm, the rankings have to shift." The white-bearded elder said, "Where there are variables, there will be changes. It's always been so, and this Sword Selection Meet is now the greatest variable of all."
"But there have been sword debates among the sects in the Prefectural City before, too, with young disciples competing. They never caused such a stir."
"Yes, those truly didn't involve the 'rankings.'" The elder's voice was low and slow. "Because there was never any talk of a 'Shaolong Sword