Firmament Sword

'This scene... feels awfully familiar,' Xu Luo thought to himself.

The beginning of his rise had taken place in the Cangqiong Imperial Capital, in that vast public square. He was just a green youth back then, serving as the Drummer, standing before the world for the very first time and enduring all sorts of gazes.

Xu Luo could still clearly remember the looks he received from the crowd back then—envy, jealousy, ridicule, disdain... Each gaze burned with a fiery intensity, all converging upon him.

That was the first time Xu Luo felt what it was like to be the center of attention. It turned out to be not as wonderful as he had imagined.

Because of it, the green youth had nearly... fallen into eternal damnation, had the Seven-Star Soul not entered his body.

Time had passed. The green youth of yesterday had grown into a mature and composed young man. Facing the same kinds of gazes once more, Xu Luo's demeanor was far calmer.

A faint smile touched his lips as he strode through the void, slowly descending from mid-air.

"So that's the guy who got in through the back door? I really don't know what the Grand Elder was thinking, actually wanting to take him as a disciple. Sigh, this time, our Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden has really become a laughingstock!"

"Tell me about it. Yesterday, I ran into some fellow disciples from other departments, and they asked about this. They were gloating, saying the guy who relied on connections became our Senior Brother Medicine Garden. Said our Medicine Garden will be so mighty and domineering from now on, ruling over all..."

"Sigh, don't even mention it. I was mocked too. Seriously. I heard several hundred Inner Sect Disciples signed a joint petition, but they just got a harsh scolding from the Grand Elder and were sent packing..."

"Guo Yi, an Inner Sect Disciple, was brutally beaten by him. I hear he'll be bedridden for several months at least. This guy is ruthless! He dared to beat up an Inner Sect Disciple before even joining the Medicine Garden!"

"That's nothing! The worst off is Chu Lin, the Seventh Elder's Direct Disciple. Haven't you heard? Not only was Chu Lin utterly humiliated, but the Seventh Elder, in a fit of rage, kicked him into the Black Wind Cave. He nearly died!"

The massive square was in an uproar, with almost everyone whispering amongst themselves, creating a constant buzz.

At the very front of the square stood the upper echelons of the Medicine Garden, along with the Direct Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples. They all wore solemn expressions and remained silent. Many didn't even raise their heads, unwilling to look up at the figure descending from the sky.

Nine people were seated on the high platform. The Chief Grand Elder of the Medicine Garden, Yuwen Ji, sat in the center, flanked by the eight other Elders of the Medicine Garden.

Xu Luo descended from the sky, landing below the platform. Someone then led him up onto the platform, where he stood to one side.

Then, a middle-aged man approached, followed by four young women. Each woman held a tray covered with a red cloth, concealing what was inside.

"Luo Tian, today is the day you enter the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden. After this ceremony, you will become a Heavenly Brilliance Disciple. From this day forward, glory and responsibility will accompany you. Do you understand?" the middle-aged man's voice boomed.

Xu Luo nodded and replied in a clear voice, "This disciple understands!"

"From now on, as Senior Brother Medicine Garden, you will bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Medicine Garden. You must respect the Elders above you and care for the junior brothers and sisters below you. Can you do this?" the middle-aged man asked again.

Xu Luo nodded again and answered, "This disciple can do it!"

"Good..." The middle-aged man's gaze was calm as he looked at Xu Luo and nodded. He had just uttered the single word "Good" when a voice from below suddenly interrupted him.

"Wait, Steward Hong! This disciple has something to say!"

The speaker was a young man who appeared to be around thirty. He had a righteous and dignified air about him, standing as still and imposing as a deep pool or a towering mountain.

The square fell silent in an instant. A strange atmosphere formed, and almost everyone grew excited.

"Second Senior Brother is making his move!"

"Second Senior Brother has finally spoken!"

"Haha, now we've got a show to watch!"

"Third Senior Brother was disgraced and his reputation ruined. Even though Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother weren't that close, they were fellow disciples for years. He probably can't stand seeing a new Senior Brother suddenly appear above him!"

"The biggest shame today is that First Senior Sister isn't here. Otherwise, with her temper, she wouldn't have just interrupted with words. She'd have charged onto the stage and kicked this pretentious bastard flying!"

"Yeah, what a pity. If First Senior Sister were here, it'd be even more exciting!"

A wave of low chatter spread through the square.

The young man who had spoken, however, wore a placid expression, his eyes as still and tranquil as water in an ancient well.

The middle-aged man on the stage didn't seem surprised. He glanced at the young man and asked, "Disciple-Nephew Zhu Gang, this is the Grand Elder's disciple acceptance ceremony. If you have something to say, you can say it afterward."

"The Grand Elder is accepting a fine disciple, so this disciple would naturally not dare to disturb the occasion. However, regarding something Steward Hong just said, this disciple has some doubts that I must voice. I hope Steward Hong... and all the Elders will forgive me!" As Zhu Gang spoke, he cupped his fist in a salute to the Elders on the stage.

A stern-faced elder beside Yuwen Ji furrowed his brow. He glared coldly at Zhu Gang below and rebuked him in a low, displeased voice, "Nonsense! Is this the place for you to act so brazenly?"

This stern-faced elder was none other than Zhu Gang's master, the Second Elder of the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden, Thunderstorm.

Although he also had his reservations about the Grand Elder's decision, he understood that things had reached a point where nothing could be changed. Therefore, he had even instructed his disciples beforehand not to cause trouble during the ceremony.

And yet, the first to speak out was this impetuous disciple of his...

Although Second Elder Thunderstorm's name contained the character for "violent," he was actually a very composed person. His temper was not impetuous; if anything, he was somewhat grim. In his view, so what if he was the Senior Brother? Once he became a Medicine Garden Disciple, there would be plenty of opportunities to challenge him.

As long as Luo Tian was defeated just once, then... his title of Senior Brother would be nothing but an empty name!

At that point, no matter how much Yuwen Ji tried to protect his own, he would have nothing to say.

The Second Elder had just finished speaking when the Fifth Elder, Li Tian, a man with white hair but a youthful face, said lightly, "The disciples of the Medicine Garden have always been straightforward. They say what's on their minds. Second Elder, you can shut his mouth, but you can't shut his heart."

"Fifth Brother is absolutely right. Zhu Gang, if you have something to say, just say it." Yuwen Ji, seated in the center, didn't seem angry at all. He looked calmly at Zhu Gang below and spoke.

"Grand Elder, please forgive me. This disciple will be bold and speak his mind." Zhu Gang took a step forward, glanced back at the crowd behind him, and then said loudly, "It is a joyous occasion that the Grand Elder is taking a disciple. All of us are happy for the Grand Elder..."

"Get to the point," the only female elder on the stage, the beautiful young matron Eighth Elder Lu Xue, cut Zhu Gang off directly.

Zhu Gang's face flushed red, but he didn't dare to lash out. Everyone knew that the Eighth Elder had a special status; no one in the entire Medicine Garden dared to provoke her.

"Yes, this disciple will get to the point." Zhu Gang took a deep breath and said, "The ranking of Direct Disciples in the Medicine Garden has always been based on comprehensive strength, not status or position! This disciple has heard that while Luo Tian's combat prowess is formidable, enough to grievously injure two Inner Sect Disciples, I do not know... what accomplishments does he have in the dao of pill refinement? Can he even recognize various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures? If he is completely ignorant about medicinal ingredients, then by what right, by what virtue, can he directly become our Senior Brother Medicine Garden?"

As he spoke, Zhu Gang stared directly at Xu Luo on the stage and declared loudly, "The Senior Brother Medicine Garden represents the entire Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden! When he goes out into the world, he is the face of the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden! This disciple dares to ask: Is Luo Tian worthy?"

With that, Zhu Gang gave another deep bow to the nine Elders on the stage and took a step back. "This disciple has finished speaking."

Several of the Elders on the stage showed amused expressions. They had disagreed with this matter from the very beginning but had been forcefully suppressed by Yuwen Ji. Now that a disciple was openly questioning it, they felt a great deal of approval in their hearts.

The middle-aged steward, Hongtao, glanced at Zhu Gang, then at the calm-faced Xu Luo beside him, and called out to the crowd below, "Who else shares Zhu Gang's view? Please raise your hand."

As soon as he said this, a vast sea of arms instantly shot up across the entire massive square!

The movement was so synchronized it was as if they had rehearsed it beforehand. Almost no one's arm remained down!

Xu Luo looked out as far as he could see and noticed that many who hadn't initially raised their hands, seeing everyone around them do so, also hesitantly lifted their arms.

He laughed inwardly. 'It seems this Steward Hong... is also on the other side! By instigating them like this, he's practically hijacking public opinion!'

Sure enough, of the nine Elders on the platform, aside from Lu Xue and the Grand Elder Yuwen Ji, the other seven all sat upright with stern, expressionless faces.

Lu Xue's brow was tightly furrowed, her expression tinged with anger, while Yuwen Ji's face was placid, betraying no emotion.

The atmosphere gradually grew cold.

Those with their arms raised had initially been excited, as if they were making history.

But gradually, as the atmosphere cooled, they all began to feel awkward.

With their cultivation levels, holding their arms up for a whole day wouldn't be tiring, but being stuck like this, unable to put them down, also gave off a very childish impression.

At this moment, the middle-aged steward, Hongtao, looked at Xu Luo. His meaning was obvious: 'You should say something now!'

Xu Luo grinned at Hongtao, baring his teeth. For some reason, a chill suddenly ran through Hongtao's heart. The young man before him... didn't seem as easy to deal with as he had thought!

'Facing a scene of near-universal condemnation, he can actually... still smile?'

Just then, Xu Luo finally opened his mouth, and his first words were earth-shattering!

"A bunch of trash!"

Everyone's expression changed drastically. Their gazes, now fixed on Xu Luo, were filled with icy coldness!

This was especially true for the Inner Sect Disciples and Direct Disciples at the front; their glares looked as if they wanted to eat Xu Luo alive.

However, because of Xu Luo's words, everyone with a raised arm could finally, justifiably, put it down.

"What are you putting them down for? Keep them up!"

This was Xu Luo's second statement. His tone was flippant, his eyes filled with a look of utter disdain.

"You all looked so happy before. Why does everyone suddenly look so unhappy now?"

With his third statement, Xu Luo smiled as he gazed down at the many people grinding their teeth below, and said nonchalantly.

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