Sword Master's Invitation, Ye Li Takes the Field
The scene of Yue Qing's crushing defeat was still vivid in everyone's minds—the visual impact of his mangled body and the terrifying Sword Qi tornado filled the crowd with a chilling indescribable rage.
On the three- High Platform, no one dared to make a move; the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.
Cao Ming's face was ashen. "..."
The Sword Master Ceremony had proceeded entirely within the rules, but Zhou Qinghan's behavior was far too cold-blooded. He didn't even stop at the basic level, directly injuring his opponent severely without any regard for their feelings.
Everyone felt publicly humiliated.
This includes him, the prefect of the Xianjing Continent.
Once news of today's events spreads, Zhou Qingyan's name will undoubtedly shake the entire Xianjing Continent, and even the supreme beings of the [Four Extremes Twelve Gates] will take notice of this name.
This is an even greater honor than winning the championship at Yushan!
The Sword Sect's Old Ancestor, a barely suppressed smile on his face, glanced at the many silent representatives, cleared his throat, and asked again:
"Does anyone else want to go up and try?"
The slightly amused words echoed in the quiet cobblestone Plaza, but no one stormed off in anger.
Zhou Qingyan remained standing in the same spot.
Her white robes were as pure as snow, untouched by any dust, as if the bloody massacre that had just occurred to her had nothing to do with her.
She didn't even look at Yue Qing being carried away, as if it were just an insignificant interlude.
Until countless eyes focused on her once again.
Zhou Qingyan slowly raised her eyes, and for the first time, her icy blue pupils, devoid of any emotion, truly landed on a spot on the three- High Platform—
There sat a Boy in Black who remained silent throughout.
Boom!!--
In that instant, the Sword Intent that filled the sky roared and swirled, the wind and clouds surged, and the magnificent Sword Qi turbulence seemed to have found its enemy at this moment. The sharp energy that filled the world locked onto the Boy in Black according to its master's will to die!
Without a word, everyone knew who Zhou Qingyan's attention was on!
The champion Jade Mountain Refinement! Ye Li, of the Nine Luminaries Division of Immortal Realm!
Realizing this, the representatives from many of the Mountain Gate paused slightly, their breathing momentarily halting. "..."
Regardless of the difference in strength between the two sides at this moment, the mere act of "testing their skills" against the officials has already broken the rules of the traditional ceremony for the Sword Master Ceremony!
The Boy in Black was taken aback at first, then a clear look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
However, Zhou Qingyan's gaze remained indifferent, without the slightest ripple, as if she were looking at an item... that needed to be dealt with and resolved.
"The swordsman's test of skill aims to demonstrate the breadth of Sword Dao and to showcase the camaraderie of the sect."
Zhou Qingyan's voice clearly resounded throughout the hall, its content grand and dignified, yet its tone utterly devoid of warmth. "Those of you on the stage are not prodigies, and have failed to fully display the profound mysteries of swordsmanship."
She paused slightly, her gaze fixed on the boy, emanating a tangible, icy pressure that seemed to freeze the surrounding air.
"Ye Li." She called out his name precisely, without any prefix or honorifics, as if she were calling out the name of an ordinary disciple.
"Hearing of your victory at Jade Mountain, your martial prowess is truly remarkable." Her words, though meant as praise, conveyed no warmth whatsoever, but rather a condescending scrutiny.
"Please leave the stage."
"Considering you are not a disciple of our sect, your cultivation may be inferior."
"I... I'll give you three moves."
The last five words, like steel needles tempered with ice, pierced the taut nerves of all the Mountain Gate representatives and Sword Sect disciples!
I'll give you three moves?!
By treating the champion, Jade Mountain Refinement, as a mere test subject and setting such an impolite premise, their wolfish ambition to make their name known throughout the fairyland is blatantly obvious!
The Sword Sect disciples in the Plaza were taken aback at first, then burst into even more unrestrained laughter and noise.
"Hahaha! Not a disciple of our sect... Senior Sister Zhou's words are brilliant!"
"To let the champion of Yushan make three moves, that's quite a show of power!"
"This is a good opportunity for us to broaden our horizons and see just how good the leader of Jade Mountain really is!"
The deafening roar of mockery and jeers, like an invisible tidal wave, relentlessly battered the dignity of the Mountain Gate representatives and the Jade Mountain Nine Luminaries Division.
"Presumptuous!!"
On the three- High Platform, Cao Ming suddenly stood up, his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white, his face instantly turning from ashen to bright red. An indescribable rage almost burst from his chest, and the pressure of a Venerable One and his furious roar poured down from the High Platform!
Zhou Qingyan's actions were not merely disrespectful; they were a blatant and public humiliation!
It's about trampling the entire Nine Luminaries Division's face underfoot! And even going so far as to crush it several times!!
After Zhou Qingyan clearly displayed extraordinary strength, the gap between the two became obvious.
She actually used such words to provoke Ye Li into taking action, clearly wanting the Jade Mountain Refinement of the past few days to become a significant part of her resume!
That's absolutely outrageous!!
The sound was like thunder, and the entire bluestone Plaza instantly fell silent. The heavy pressure of the Venerable One was like a mountain and a sea, causing tens of thousands of the Sword Sect disciples to wisely shut their mouths.
But from the slightly amused glances they exchanged, it was clear that they were not convinced by Nine Luminaries Division's solution.
There was even a hint of disdain in his expression.
"Prefect, please do not be angry."
The Sword Sect's Old Ancestor quickly turned around, his tone tinged with apology, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Our Sword Sect's new Sword Master is well-versed in cultivation, but he lacks manners. This was merely a frivolous joke, and we hope you will forgive him."
Although it was an apology, a slight smile played on his lips.
These remarks pushed the prodigy of the Nine Luminaries Division to the brink of disaster.
It was just one step away from smashing it to pieces.
If they don't step in, it's an admission that Nine Luminaries Division is afraid, cowardly, and doesn't even deserve to be considered a "test subject," nor does it have the courage to defend its own dignity!
This is a hundred times more humiliating than Yue Qing being defeated in public!
If that's the outcome... well, just look at Yue Qing to see how it ends.
Zhou Qingyan's terrifying strength, far surpassing that of her peers, and her cultivation at the late stage of the seventh level of the Dao Evolution Realm, are more than enough to handle any unforeseen circumstances!
This is a complete dead end!
Cao Ming was also fully aware of the matter, and his eyes, filled with anger, were almost spitting fire!
If it weren't for his special status, he would have loved to kill the Sword Sect Old Ancestor on the spot!
If only I had known this would happen! I shouldn't have brought the boy here to participate in the ceremony; now I'm in a bind!
How will he resolve this stalemate?
How am I supposed to explain this to the Dragon Pool County trusted me afterward?!
"..."
Zhou Qingyan sensed the venerable one's anger on the High Platform, but she didn't care at all.
She simply stood there quietly, her white robes fluttering, like an iceberg, waiting for the dust to settle.
After a brief silence, she even slightly turned her head, facing Ye Li who was slowly rising from the three-tiered stone platform, and spoke again in that cold, flat voice:
"Ye Li, this is the Sword Master's request, and also for..."
"No need for further words." Under everyone's watchful eyes, the young man interrupted her directly.
He stretched his limbs, his dark, ink-like eyes looking down at him, and said in a tone clearly tinged with amusement:
"I agree to this."
Ye Li never expected that there would be Sword Sect leader who would so eagerly Trouble.
But if you just want him to participate, you don't need to put so much pressure on him; you can just invite him directly.
All this roundabout stuff is really unnecessary.
"Good!!"
Upon hearing this, the Sword Sect Old Ancestor's eyes gleamed brightly, and he laughed loudly:
"I didn't expect you to be so straightforward, even accepting such a rude and joking invitation from my sect's sword master!"
"There's no time to lose, Trouble get off the stage now!!"
He hadn't finished speaking.
Ye Li, facing countless gazes with different meanings, leaped down from the High Platform and stood on the bluestone Plaza.
"Further discussion is pointless."
With each breath, a genuine Dao Evolution Realm aura emanated from his body, accompanied by calm words, causing the hearts of many Sword Sect disciples to gradually quicken.
"Let's begin..."