Dead?
What she said seemed like an explanation, but it only left the audience more confused.
"Dead?" The Dragonkin woman hosting the event looked surprised, then smiled. "Are you joking, contestant Jiang Hongxiu? Please give everyone a proper explanation."
"Ha, I'm not joking." Jiang Hongxiu smiled too. "Something unexpected happened back then, and I really did die that day. But at the moment of my death, I awakened my Divine Phoenix Immortal Body and was reborn through nirvana. My cultivation actually advanced further. It's just that my last-minute absence from the group stage led to my team's elimination, and I'm personally very sorry."
"Now that the East Sea Dragon Hall is actually willing to use this precious Golden Token to bring me back into contention, I feel truly honored. I'll work hard at my cultivation in the East Sea Dragon Hall and contribute as much as I can to the Dragon Hall and the Human Realm."
With that, she bowed deeply toward the front.
With just those few words, Jiang Hongxiu won over many members of the audience.
First and most importantly, there was her appearance. They had to admit that she was stunningly beautiful, fully comparable to beauties like Li Luoci and Zhao Xing'er.
But Li Luoci came from a prominent family and had a naturally cool, aloof air, while Zhao Xing'er was volatile and explosive, making people afraid to approach.
Jiang Hongxiu looked both beautiful and approachable, making it easy to like her. She spoke politely, and her voice was soft and sweet. There wasn't a single flaw to be found in her outward presentation.
Second, her reason really did hold water.
Normally, contestants brought back into contention at the Ascendant Dragon Assembly would certainly be chosen from the later rounds of the elimination tournament. No one would