Shen Liang’s expression turned cold, his hands clenched into fists.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
No matter how much he wanted to slap Bai Zihan across the face, he couldn’t afford to act recklessly—not when other disciples were present.
After all, this was his territory, and he believed he could get justice for what he had suffered unfairly at the Bai Clan.
Bai Zihan, on the other hand, remained utterly relaxed, even tilting his head slightly as if daring Shen Liang to make a move.
Elder Lu, unwilling to let this mockery continue, spoke again.
His voice boomed through the hall.
"Bai Zihan, since you don’t want to compromise, your admission to the Heaven Sword Sect is denied. You are not welcome here!"
A silence fell over the disciples.
For many, this was exactly what they wanted—to see Bai Zihan get kicked out.
But instead of looking concerned, Bai Zihan simply raised an eyebrow.
Bai Zihan said, almost happily.
If that was really the case, Bai Zihan couldn’t help but feel happier.
After all, he wasn’t interested in joining the Heaven Sword Sect to begin with.
He could quietly grow stronger at home without needing anyone else’s help—only the System.
He turned to Chu Ziyan and Bai Xueqing, as if checking whether they had anything to say.
Bai Zihan wasn’t going to take any initiative to enter the Heaven Sword Sect, but he need to see what Bai Xueqing and Chu Ziyan would do.
"Elder Lu, you do not have the authority to reject his admission . My master already agreed—"
"The decision has already been made. If you want to challenge it, take it up with your master."
Bai Xueqing sighed and shook her head.
"Fine! Seems like I’ll have to bring my master."
If Elder Lu didn’t want to register Bai Zihan, then she couldn’t do anything except complain to her master.
Just as she was about to turn—
A clear, calm voice echoed from the entrance.
Everyone turned their heads sharply.
And then—she appeared.
A graceful figure in flowing azure robes descended from the sky, landing silently at the entrance to the hall.
Her presence alone silenced the crowd.
Every step she took carried the weight of authority and elegance. In that moment, even the arrogant Elder Lu froze, as if struck by lightning.
The sound of light footsteps echoed as the woman entered.
She wore flowing azure robes, her long black hair trailing behind her like a silken stream. Her eyes were sharp like polished jade, radiating a calm intensity that could silence storms.
Even her simple stance exuded natural elegance—like a sword in its sheath. Hidden, but deadly.
Chu Ziyan and Bai Xueqing called out in unison, quickly stepping aside with respect.
"Peak Master Qinglan!"
The disciples immediately lowered their heads and clasped their fists in deep respect.
Elder Qinglan—a name known throughout the Heaven Sword Sect and even across the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Once a prodigy of the sect, she had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm before the age of 18 and was rumored to be undefeated in her generation.
She was also one of the few cultivators personally recognized by the Sect Leader.
Years ago, she had single-handedly repelled a demonic invasion at the Southern Frontier.
"I heard there was an issue with my new disciple."
Bai Zihan looked at the approaching woman who declared herself his new master—something he expected, as Inner Disciples needed to choose a master and join a peak.
His default master was Chu Ziyan and Bai Xueqing’s Master—who had already accepted him.
Elder Qinglan’s gaze swept across the hall before landing on Bai Zihan.
"So, this is the heir of the Bai Clan and my new disciple."
She could identify him easily by his clothing and, more notably, because he was the only disciple who hadn’t greeted her.
Indeed, with Bai Zihan’s personality, it was impossible for him to display humble manners.
The way he carried himself was arrogant—even in front of the elders of the Heaven Sword Sect, including the renowned Elder Qinglan, his future master.
However, she didn’t seem to mind his lack of courtesy or care about such displays—unlike some people who become offended when not properly greeted or acknowledged.
Those with power often demanded deference. But Elder Qinglan appeared indifferent to such things—which was fortunate for Bai Zihan, who didn’t know anything about respecting others.
Elder Qinglan turned to Elder Lu.
"Now, explain to me... on whose authority did you reject Bai Zihan’s admission?"
Elder Lu tried to maintain composure.
"I—I simply judged his character unfit. He even dared to insult me, an elder of the Heaven Sword Sect—"
"That is your excuse?"
Elder Qinglan cut him off, her tone serene but laced with unmistakable pressure.
Before her, Elder Lu was nothing. Their positions were worlds apart.
As a Peak Master, Elder Qinglan held far more authority than Elder Lu.
Only someone like Elder Shen—the head of the Admission Office—was her equal in the sect’s hierarchy.
"His recommendation was approved by me and personally acknowledged by the Sect Leader. If you believe he is unfit, then you are questioning the Sect Leader’s judgment. Do you intend to take responsibility for those words, Elder Lu?"
The hall fell into dead silence.
Elder Lu’s lips quivered.
"I... I didn’t know..."
He tried to offer an excuse.
But he had been warned—both Chu Ziyan and Bai Xueqing had informed him, yet he remained adamant about rejecting Bai Zihan.
He intended to cause trouble on Shen Liang’s behalf. After that, he wouldn’t need to do anything more—Elder Shen would handle the rest.
But no one had expected Elder Qinglan to personally appear while he was deliberately making things difficult for Bai Zihan.
Even Shen Liang could only keep his head down, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Hmph! I don’t want to waste my time. Quickly register him as Inner Disciple under my Mystic Moon Peak."
Elder Lu’s legs nearly gave out beneath him.
He breathed a sigh of relief that Elder Qinglan wasn’t taking further action.
Indeed, Elder Qinglan didn’t usually involve herself in matters that didn’t concern her, especially sect politics.
She was a person focused primarily on cultivation and guiding her disciples.