Sword Master's Invitation, Ye Li Takes the Field

The sight of Yue Qing's crushing defeat still lingered before their eyes—the visual impact of his mangled, bloody body and that terrifying Sword Qi tornado had filled everyone's anger with an indescribable chill.

On the third-tier platform, no one dared act rashly again. The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Cao Ming's face darkened like still water. "..."

The Sword Master Ceremony had proceeded entirely within the rules thus far. It was merely that Zhou Qingyan had acted far too mercilessly, not even observing the basic principle of stopping at the right point. She had directly beaten her sparring opponent into grievous injury, with no regard whatsoever for his dignity.

Everyone felt as though they had been publicly humiliated.

Including him, the governor of Xianjing Continent.

Once word of today's events spread, Zhou Qingyan's name would undoubtedly shake all of Xianjing Continent. Even the supreme figures of the [Four Extremes Twelve Gates] would take notice of her.

This was an honor far greater than winning first place in the Jade Mountain Refinement!

A smile he could scarcely suppress hung on the Sword Sect Old Ancestor's face. His gaze swept over the many representatives, who were trembling like cicadas in winter. He cleared his throat and asked once more:

"Is there anyone else who wishes to come down and give it a try?"

His faintly amused voice echoed across the silent bluestone square, yet no one stepped forward in anger again.

Zhou Qingyan remained standing where she was.

Her white robes were whiter than snow, untouched by even a speck of dust, as though that bloody crushing defeat just now had nothing to do with her.

She did not even look at Yue Qing as he was carried away, as though he had merely been an insignificant interlude.

Until countless