Lu Caiwei appeared alongside the Old Island Master, drawing puzzled glances from the assembled crowd in the grand hall.
A flicker of subtle expressions passed through the room as everyone rose to their feet, masking their surprise and skepticism with respectful bows to welcome the Old Island Master’s arrival.
Only when the Old Island Master took his seat on the black throne, surveying the gathering with a smile, did the tension ease slightly.
"Long time no see, everyone."
"Rise. No need for formalities!"
His booming voice echoed through the hall, and only then did the gathered powerhouses and the three Holy Maidens rise respectfully.
The Old Island Master appeared weathered yet sharp-eyed, his kindly smile belying the authority that commanded the room as he idly rolled two black-and-white jade orbs in his palm.
At the sight of the most formidable ruler of the East Sea, the dozens of influential figures present stiffened, their heads bowing in deference.
Gradually, their gazes shifted toward Lu Caiwei, who stood silently in the center of the hall.
The Old Island Master’s eyes swept the room as he chuckled."It seems I need not explain much. Many of you already know Lu Caiwei. From today onward, she shall be the fourth Holy Maiden of the East Sea."
Whoosh—
His declaration sent a ripple of shock through the hall.
Many of the powerhouses exchanged hushed, incredulous whispers.
"The East Sea has never allowed a righteous sect disciple to hold such a high position."
"She’s just a young upstart. What merits qualify her as a Holy Maiden?"
"Tch. Wasn’t she once a righteous sect’s so-called genius? By joining us, wouldn’t her former peers call this a fall from grace?"
"How amusing—a self-righteous prodigy actually crawling to the East Sea. What a rare sight."
"A stray dog like her isn’t fit to be a Holy Maiden!"
As murmurs spread, the three Holy Maidens’ eyes darted subtly around the room.
Within moments, several imposing figures stepped forward, fists clasped in false courtesy as they voiced their dissent.
"Island Master, she’s just a righteous sect’s castoff. She has no right to be our Holy Maiden!"
"Exactly! The East Sea has no precedent for this!"
"Island Master, this Lu Caiwei is nothing but a stray dog. She’ll never command respect!"
"Though she once held the title of the ‘Three Peerless Talents of Nanli,’ she’s been defeated repeatedly by the other two. The whole world knows she’s a failure. How can trash like her be worthy?"
The challengers’ voices grew louder, their auras oppressive.
Soon, others joined in, their superficial respect melting into open defiance—veiled challenges disguised as polite objections.
A tense, sinister atmosphere thickened in the hall.
In any orthodox sect, such insolence would be treason. But this was the Black Island’s gathering, where the most ruthless tyrants of the East Sea convened.
For several breaths, the powerhouses prowled like wolves, their words laced with thinly veiled rebellion as their eyes darted warily toward the black throne.
Yet, strangely—
Neither the unmoving Old Island Master nor Lu Caiwei showed the slightest anger.
They allowed the uproar to continue.
The Old Island Master leisurely toyed with his jade orbs before casting a glance at Lu Caiwei.
"It seems many here hold prejudices. But on Black Island, strength speaks louder than words. Whether you can silence them… depends on your own ability."
With that quiet remark, he closed his eyes.
The crowd froze, parsing his meaning.
The Island Master…
Seemed to have absolute confidence in Lu Caiwei?
Before they could ponder further, Lu Caiwei bowed respectfully.
"As you command."
When she straightened, her demeanor had transformed entirely.
Gone was the calm composure—replaced by an icy, murderous aura. Neither her bearing nor her expression bore any trace of her former righteous sect identity.
The sudden shift stunned the assembly.
Lu Caiwei’s gaze locked onto the first dissenter.
"Just now… did you call me a ‘stray dog’?"
Her frigid tone dripped with killing intent.
The burly, bald powerhouse stiffened under her stare but quickly sneered, looking down at her as if she were a child.
"Hmph! So what if I—"
Before he could finish, a streak of black lightning flashed!
Snap!
A crisp sound—followed by a chilling numbness in his left arm.
Then, agony seared through his nerves as blood gushed like a fountain.
Whipping his head around, he saw—
His severed arm lay on the ground.
Eyes bulging in horror, the bald man clenched his teeth, cold sweat drenching him.
"You—you’re at the fourth tier of the Heaven Rank!?"
His shocked cry echoed in the deathly silent hall.
Every powerhouse stood dumbfounded.
Even the three Holy Maidens trembled faintly.
Lu Caiwei’s strength far exceeded expectations. Her ruthless strike and domineering presence bore no resemblance to the righteous sect’s fallen genius. Even the hardened veterans of the East Sea felt an instinctive dread.
How was this possible?
Was this the same Lu Caiwei who had suffered repeated defeats?
How had her cultivation soared so drastically?
Questions swirled, but no one dared voice them.
The woman before them was unrecognizable—so far removed from the rumors that if her face were hidden, none would doubt she was a hidden demoness lurking in the East Sea.
With one move, she had cowed the entire hall.
Amid the suffocating silence, the black soft sword wreathed in killing intent held countless gazes captive. Wherever Lu Caiwei’s cold, arrogant eyes swept, fear followed.
For the first time in so long, she relished the thrill of dominance.
The Old Island Master finally reopened his eyes and spoke indifferently.
"Any more objections?"
This time, no one dared oppose.
The three Holy Maidens led the assembly in a synchronized bow, their voices ringing in unison.
"We heed the Island Master’s decree!"
The aged ruler chuckled, clearly pleased.
"Hahaha…"
With major East Sea affairs settled, the banquet reached its peak. Wine flowed, laughter resounded, and an illusion of harmony veiled the gathering—as if the golden age had returned.
Only when the festivities ended did Lu Caiwei stand alone before the grand window of her opulent chamber, her cold eyes sweeping over the treasures within.
At last, her red lips curled.
"This feeling… is intoxicating."
"Only now do I understand what true power is. The empty prestige of a righteous sect’s so-called genius was nothing but the delusion of a frog in a well."
As greed flickered in her eyes, a sinister voice echoed in her mind.
"Kekeke…"
"This is only the beginning. Once the plan succeeds, you will stand at the pinnacle of Lanxing!"