How Could They Not Be Furious!

The Sword Sect's Old Ancestor's voice carried across the entire venue. Only then did the representatives from the various sects who had come to observe the ceremony come back to their senses. After exchanging glances, each of them could see the urge to retreat rising in the others' eyes.

It could not be helped. If they had previously valued the Xuanming Sword Sect's Sword Master because of rumors—

Then after her casual Sword Opens Heavenly Gate, that regard had naturally escalated into wariness, and even... a measure of fear.

Amid the rather strange silence blanketing the venue, countless Sword Sect disciples looked mockingly toward the three-tier platform, their gazes roaming over those people without the slightest restraint.

This was what they called home-field advantage.

Even without that intangible, inexplicable pressure of public sentiment, however, these sect representatives who had rushed here from all across Xianjing Continent would likely have lacked the courage to meet the chilling majesty of the white-robed Sword Master in the arena head-on.

"..."

Under countless watchful eyes, Zhou Qingyan rested her longsword at her waist, one hand on its hilt, her expression as cold and indifferent as ice.

She merely stood there in silence, yet boundless Sword Intent filled heaven and earth, giving everyone—even the Sword Sect disciples—a sense of unease, as though a blade's edge hung above their heads.

She lacked the ability to sympathize with others, nor did she have any interest in defeating everyone present.

The Sword Sect disciples' cheers meant nothing to her. Power, wealth, love... the things countless people flocked toward like ducks, could not stir even the faintest ripple in her emotions.

Only studying the Sword Dao could give her the pleasure she deserved.

To Zhou Qingyan, taking up the mantle of Sword Master was merely for the sake of