The disciples of the Peach Blossom Sect also had tears in their eyes as they clenched their fists tightly.
The glimmer of hope that had just ignited in their hearts seemed to shatter instantly, ruthlessly pierced by Elder Lin of the Wuhua Palace.
"Even if... even if it allowed us to harbor a sliver of fantasy, it would have been something."
"Indeed, without true strength and talent, does one not receive even a shred of due respect anywhere?"
"The Sword Sect is the same, isn't it..."
"..."
Until now, every disciple who had taken the stage from the Ten Great Sects was the elite of their sect. Just as the Wuhua Palace Cultivator said, the only reason for the existence of the weak in this world is to serve as a backdrop!
Is serving as a backdrop all we are good for?
In the midst of silence, everyone was still immersed in the stunning performance brought by the Wuhua Palace, or perhaps in its shocking conclusion, wondering why one even cultivated. They didn't even notice the Sword Sect Disciple's entrance.
It wasn't until the heavens and earth darkened in an instant, followed by a sky full of fireworks, that people reacted, hurriedly looking towards the high stage.
"It's the Sword Sect's turn now!"
"What kind of performance will the Sword Sect bring? I wonder what they can show..."
"I can already guess. A person standing there with a sword, thrusting it towards the sky, right?"
Amidst the murmuring, the Sky Mirror instantly reflected the scene on the high stage. Sure enough, a woman stood quietly there, dressed in a Silver Sea Embroidered Golden Thread Heavenly Master Robe. She looked indifferently ahead, holding a sword motionlessly in her hand.
The elders of the Sacred Land saw this scene and smiled. One spoke up:
"As expected, it's still the same old routine. This elder hasn't guessed wrong, has he? A person holding a sword, thrusting it towards the sky?"
"..."
Below the stage, a tide of discussion rose; clearly, no one was surprised by this.
Wenren Pingxin bit her lip lightly, somewhat puzzled as to why only Sword Maiden's figure appeared on the high platform.
What exactly was Su Bei up to? Weren't a hundred female disciples chosen? Why was only Sword Maiden up there?
Could it be that they hadn't rehearsed properly in the end?
Or had they reverted to the Sword Sect's old routine? A single thrust towards the sky?
People from all Twenty-One Provinces watched the Sword Sect through the Sky Mirror, looking at Sword Maiden standing on the high stage, pointing and murmuring:
"The Sword Sect didn't choose a male disciple this year? Did they switch to a female disciple?"
"Anyway, it's just thrusting a sword towards the sky. What's so interesting about that?"
"It's good, too; it won't delay the next sect!"
"Ah, what the Wuhua Palace cultivator said, though depressing, is indeed true. We ordinary people are just that. In the Cultivation World, where strength is paramount, which sect would respect someone with ordinary abilities?"
The light in the sky dimmed.
At this moment, the world was silent.
Then, a voice seemed to emerge, reaching everyone's ears.
The moment the ancient and profound voice emerged, everyone subconsciously looked towards the sky. They gazed upon the woman standing high above, holding a sword before her. The hilt was lightly grasped in her hands, the blade pointing towards the ground. Fierce moonlight reflected upon the sword, its blade emitting a chilling radiance.
The wind blew, lifting the hem of that Silver Sea Embroidered Golden Thread Heavenly Master Robe!
The South Emperor's eyes narrowed. He watched the projection on the Sky Mirror, his gaze drawn to the Stone Pendant around Sword Maiden's neck.
"What is the essence of an Immortal? What is a Sword Immortal?"
"..."
The next moment, the only sound was the CLANG of swords echoing!
From behind the woman standing on the high platform, an arm stretched out, a longsword piercing towards the sky.
The bright lights shone on the woman; she remained motionless, standing quietly on the platform.
CLANG—
A second sword appeared behind her!
Hmm? Has the Sword Sect come up with a new routine?
Everyone stared at the sky, stunned, their eyes filled with confusion.
The murmuring ceased. It seemed as if, in this entire expanse between heaven and earth, only the Heavenly Master remained, holding a longsword high against the firmament.
"Underworld!"
The ancient voice echoed once more between heaven and earth, accompanied by the sound of wind, falling snow, thundering hooves, and the CLANG of drawn swords!
"Underworld Sword Sect!"
As this voice spread, everyone's gaze was instantly captivated, their eyes filled with shock as they looked at the woman on the stage above.
Key Smoke slightly raised her eyebrows, her eyes narrowed as she watched everything before her.
Wenren Pingxin also held her breath.
The cultivators of Wuhua Palace stared intently at the sky.
One breath.
Two breaths.
Three breaths.
In the silence, dazzling rays of light seemed to appear across the sky. Then, one sword after another materialized behind the woman in the sky.
Below each sword was an arm, one after another, densely packed, stretching to the horizon. The woman at the forefront appeared like a Heavenly Master!
With every sword's appearance, a weighty proclamation could be heard!
"Cheng Ying."
CLANG—
"Tai A."
CLANG—
"Zhan Lu."
"Chunjun."
"Long Yuan."
"Qie Xie."
"..."
Each sword, under the moonlight, shone brilliantly, emanating a chilling radiance, their hues interweaving and gleaming!
Below the stage, everyone watched with solemn expressions, their eyes filled with questions. The older generation of elders from the various sects listened to the voices echoing from the sky. Their faces were grave, and their throats seemed dry as they slowly spoke:
"Those are the swords of the Sword Sect."
"More precisely, they are the swords buried in the Sword Tomb of the Sword Sect."