309: I disagree

"There's no need to underestimate yourself."

"When it comes to perseverance and Heart-Nature, few in this world can compare to you."

The words of the Demon Lord of Suffering echoed in Zhou Xiangyu's heart.

Hearing this,

Zhou Xiangyu subconsciously sat up straighter.

The arrival of powerful forces,

Opened the eyes of the crowd below.

Among the forces in Luo Prefecture,

The Luotian Sword Sect and the Fan Family both had Nascent Soul True Lords bringing their Disciples.

However, the Myriad Manifestations Hall, which was almost wiped out by the Luotian Sword Sect and only had one Old Ancestor whose Lifespan was nearing its end, did not send anyone.

"Luo Prefecture, Qingyang Prefecture, Zhou Family arriving..."

Another announcement sounded.

However, few paid attention except for Zhou Xiangyu.

The Zhou Family was content to stay in their corner; if not for being a force within Luo Prefecture, they might not have been known.

Zhou Xiangyu's hand, holding the spirit tea, trembled slightly.

His mind was taut,

Fearing to reveal any flaws.

High in the sky,

Zhou Leren and Zhou Xiuyuan followed behind a Golden Core Realm Protector Elder of the Jiang Family, flying towards the ice island in the air.

Zhou Leren glanced downwards, his gaze sweeping over the area where Zhou Xiangyu was, then quickly moving on.

On an outer floating island,

Zhou Leren and Zhou Xiuyuan landed.

They exchanged greetings with several Golden Core Realm Immortal Masters who had arrived earlier.

"Hoo~"

Zhou Xiangyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, he didn't notice him... "Dong~ Dong~ Dong~"

The sound of forging iron resounded throughout the Heavenly Forging Peaks,

Echoing within the Extreme Cold Ice Realm.

The Jiang Family's Sword Wielder Ceremony officially began!

"Om~"

In front of the giant ice and snow circular platform,

Upon the tall ice and snow throne,

Figures of various builds and different attire suddenly appeared.

But their commonality was an incredibly vast Aura.

As these figures appeared,

The several Nascent Soul Elders who had been accompanying them also rose and came before the thrones.

"Eighteen..."

"Nascent Soul True Lords!"

Zhou Xiangyu was silent.

At this moment, there were already eighteen figures before the thrones.

And these were not all of the Jiang Family's powerhouses.

After all, some thrones still had no figures before them.

"This old man, Jiang Wuwang, welcomes all Fellow Daoists."

As Zhou Xiangyu's heart grew heavy,

In the middle of the thrones, an old Cultivator with white hair and beard and an extraordinary demeanor stepped forward, cupping his hands and speaking.

His voice reached everyone's ears.

"Greetings, Grand Elder!"

Everyone rose and returned the bow.

The Third Young Master of Xingai Grotto-Heaven gazed at the speaking Grand Elder of the Jiang Family.

He secretly mused that although his Aura was powerful and stable, there was no sign of him having taken that step forward.

The Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder of the Jiang Family were all top-tier Late Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses.

But if anyone could advance further, it would definitely be the Grand Elder, who had been famous for many years.

"Fellow Daoists, please be seated!"

Jiang Wuwang smiled faintly, then continued.

Subsequently, together with the various Jiang Family Elders, he slowly sat upon the tall ice and snow thrones.

"How has Star Venerable been recently?"

After Jiang Wuwang sat down,

He asked the Third Young Master on the nearest floating island.

As for the Seventh Young Master, he clearly hadn't been put in his eyes yet.

"Thank you for your concern, Grand Elder, my master has always been well."

The Third Young Master's voice was clear and polite.

Jiang Wuwang nodded, not asking further.

After all the Cultivators had taken their seats,

A middle-aged Jiang Family Elder sitting on the right side rose.

He took out a scroll.

The scroll floated, slowly unfurling.

"The Jiang Clan's Heavenly Maiden, blessed by heaven in her youth, possessing both virtue and talent, with extraordinary aptitude, is hereby conferred the title of Saintess..."

"The Sacred Sword fu ling, resonating with heaven and man..."

"By this decree, Jiang Clan Saintess Ning Chan shall wield the Sacred Sword fu ling, taking charge of protecting the clan and repelling enemies, becoming the new Sword Wielder of our Jiang Clan!"

The middle-aged Jiang Family Elder recited each word clearly.

The scroll glowed brightly.

Ancient, unadorned seal characters projected from the scroll,

Imprinting themselves in the Void Realm.

Below,

The assembled Cultivators listened with bated breath.

On the floating ice island,

The Seventh Young Master sneered in his heart.

"High-sounding..."

"Present the Sacred Sword!"

After the middle-aged Elder finished reciting, the scroll retracted.

He bowed deeply, shouting loudly.

"Present the Sacred Sword!"

The Jiang Family Disciples spoke in unison.

Their voices, like a torrent, resounded through the sky.

"Om~"

A three-foot-long sword, entirely snow-white, descended from the sky.

Tearing through space.

Slowly landing on the giant ice and snow circular platform.

Sword Intent permeated the air.

On the periphery,

Zhou Xiuyuan's heart was startled.

How could the Sword Intent of this fu ling Sacred Sword be somewhat similar to the great snow mountain sword?

"The fuling divine sword, truly extraordinary..."

The Third Young Master praised.

"Welcome the Saintess!"

The middle-aged Elder shouted again.

"Welcome!"

"..."

The Jiang Family Disciples shouted in unison.

A young girl, dressed in a white robe adorned with blood-colored patterns, appeared on the ice and snow staircase with her hands behind her back.

In a flash,

She had already arrived on the giant ice and snow circular platform.

"That must be the Saintess..."

Although her appearance couldn't be clearly seen,

She must surely be like an Immortal descending to the mortal world.

Some young Cultivators had fervent eyes.

If they could gain the Saintess's favor, their Dao would be hopeful in this life.

Without prior agreement,

The young Cultivators all sat up straight,

Presenting their best demeanor.

"Hehe~"

"A bunch of ignorant fools..."

The Seventh Young Master looked at the changes in the Cultivators below.

His heart was filled with disdain.

Then he looked at the beautiful young girl standing on the ice and snow circular platform.

"Pitiable..."

There was some pity.

He naturally knew the hidden secrets within.

However, he didn't say anything.

He merely tasted the spirit tea in his hand.

When 'Jiang Ningchan', whose beautiful face was like cold frost, appeared,

The figures seated high on the ice and snow thrones watched indifferently, without the slightest change in emotion.

"Please, Saintess, wield the sword!"

The Nascent Soul Elder who had read the scroll looked at Jiang Ningchan and said loudly.

At this point, it was merely a formality; Jiang Ningchan had long since merged with the fuling divine sword.

'Jiang Ningchan' had a calm expression.

In a few steps, she arrived before the pure white longsword.

Slowly reaching out to grasp it... "I disagree!"

At this moment,

A loud, hoarse shout came from below.

Whoosh!

'Jiang Ningchan' paused her hand, and the Cultivators burst into an uproar.

Someone actually dared to cause trouble in the Jiang Family.

A figure shrouded in a black robe flew up, landing on the ice and snow staircase.

He walked step by step towards the high circular platform.

"Jiang Family's Sword Wielder, what a grand title, but it's just a Puppet!"

"Exchanging the lives of your own juniors for power, is this the conduct of a dignified ancient family that has stood for ten thousand years?"

Zhou Xiangyu spoke continuously.

As his words came out, the faces of many Cultivators who didn't know the truth changed, and they discussed animatedly.

"Insolent wretch, how dare you slander our clan's Saintess, you seek death!"

In the sky, the floating Nascent Soul Cultivator's tone sharpened.

He reached out to press down on Zhou Xiangyu.

Seeing this,

The Seventh Young Master of Xingai Grotto-Heaven quickly reached out and nudged his Senior Brother.

The Third Young Master understood.

He rose and said with a smile,

"Bullying the small with the great will only invite ridicule."

It was rare to see the Jiang Family make a fool of themselves, so he was naturally happy to lend a hand.

The Nascent Soul Elder's expression changed slightly.

Out of consideration for the Third Young Master's identity, he withdrew his hand and turned to look at the Jiang Family's Grand Elder.

Jiang Wuwang's expression was calm, not taking Zhou Xiangyu's words to heart in the slightest.

"The Jiang Family refines swords with people, a heinous crime, I ask all Seniors to see clearly!"

Zhou Xiangyu continued.

He had fabricated this matter, merely to cause more trouble for the Jiang Family.

"Damn it, how did he know?"

The Nascent Soul Elder's heart sank, but fortunately, he was well-composed and his expression did not change.