All Milfs are my disciple

The moment the unknown old man descended from the skies, a suffocating pressure swept across the Divine Palace grounds like a silent storm.

All the elders seated on the stage, including Palace Master Li Tian, turned their heads sharply. Their gazes locked onto the figure in the air. Even with their vast cultivations and centuries of experience, their expressions turned serious.

Meanwhile, on the ground below, the sea of cultivators froze in place.

One by one, heads lifted toward the sky, faces paling. Every single person—whether at the Qi Gathering, Foundation Establishment, or even Core Formation realm—trembled unconsciously under the mere aura of the newcomer. A chill passed through their spines, and many began sweating, their bodies instinctively recoiling, their breathing turning shallow.

That single presence—calm, unhurried, and yet incomprehensibly vast—had shaken the entire field.

The old man's long white hair drifted with the wind as his robes fluttered around him like celestial silk. His hands were folded behind his back, and he stood with an air of quiet supremacy.

Seeing the countless gazes directed at him, the old man turned his head slightly and looked toward the high platform. His eyes met the sharp, unreadable gaze of the Palace Master.

Smiling faintly, the old man cupped his fists and spoke in a respectful tone, "Palace Master, please forgive this sudden interruption. I hope you won't mind my rudeness."

His voice was gentle, almost affable, yet it carried through the grounds as clearly as thunder, touching the ears of all present.

However, not everyone was as calm.

Second Elder Wang Shui scoffed from his seat, the folds of his robe stirring with spiritual energy.

"Hmph! Zi Xiao, you really are bold, aren't you?" he said coldly, rising to his feet. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "To appear uninvited during our disciple acceptance ceremony… Do you truly think our Divine Palace is so easy to provoke? Are you here to throw your Heavenly Court's weight around?"

Tension surged again as whispers rippled through the disciples below.

Heavenly Court?

Zi Xiao?

That's someone from the Upper Realm's ruling force!

Zi Xiao, however, didn't flinch at the rebuke. He maintained his peaceful smile, turning slightly toward Second Elder Wang Shui.

"Hehe… Fellow Daoist, you've misunderstood our intentions," he said with measured grace, his tone devoid of arrogance despite the authority in his presence.

Then his gaze returned to Palace Master Li Tian, who had remained unmoving—still seated, expression unreadable, watching the entire scene play out in silence. He neither spoke nor acknowledged Zi Xiao's words. He simply sat like an immovable mountain.

Seeing this, Zi Xiao's tone grew even more deferential.

"Palace Master," he said, "I understand how this may appear. But please do not misunderstand. Our Heavenly Emperor only learned of your sect's disciple acceptance ceremony today. Out of goodwill, he wished to send a gift—an expression of respect to your Divine Palace."

As he finished speaking, Zi Xiao raised his right hand and tossed a small, jade-colored spatial ring through the air.

The ring hovered midair in front of the elders.

A soft hum echoed as the ring opened itself without anyone touching it. A flash of brilliant golden light burst from within, materializing into a dazzling artifact that slowly floated forward.

A golden sword, glowing with divine inscriptions and flickering with dense Saint-level energy, hovered in front of the stage. The atmosphere seemed to tighten as its pressure lightly brushed past the elders.

Gasps echoed across the platform.

"This is—!"

"A Saint-level artifact!"

"An Imperial-grade…!"

Even the usually composed elders widened their eyes, shock flickering across their faces. This was no ordinary item.

Palace Master Li Tian's expression remained calm—but only barely. His fingers tightened slightly on the arms of his throne.

Zi Xiao, seeing their reactions, smiled faintly and said in a humble voice, "This Saint-level artifact is merely a token of goodwill. A gift from our Heavenly Court to the Divine Palace, offered with the highest respect."

The artifact glowed gently, its power restrained but not hidden.

Palace Master Li Tian remained silent, eyes fixed on the golden sword. His mind raced.

Even among the Five Great Forces of the Upper Realm, Saint-level artifacts are precious… not rare, but not casually given. And now, they're offering one simply because we're holding a ceremony we do every ten years?

His brows furrowed slightly as he considered the implications.

This isn't goodwill. It's bait. A hook…

The Heavenly Court wants something from us.

Still, he couldn't deny the value.

But if it's something we can afford to give… then in exchange for such a treasure, it may not be a bad deal.

He looked up at Zi Xiao for the first time and finally opened his mouth.

"I accept the goodwill of your Heavenly Court." His voice was calm, but sharp. "However, I'm not naïve. What's the price?"

Zi Xiao smiled wider, as if he'd been waiting for that very question.

"Palace Master," he said gently, "our Heavenly Court does not seek anything difficult. Merely… a single person."

The crowd grew tense again.

Zi Xiao's eyes turned back toward the mass of disciples below, though his gaze was focused with pinpoint precision.

"There is someone who has come to take part in your disciple selection. A certain girl who has harmed a disciple of our Heavenly Court."

The tension exploded.

Palace Master's gaze sharpened immediately. "...Who?"

Zi Xiao spoke her name clearly and without hesitation.

"Li Yao."

Gasps rippled across the field.

On the high platform, Fang Ming's body tensed.

His brows drew together in a sharp frown.

So that's their game…!

Below, Li Yao, who had just taken her first step toward the staircase, froze mid-motion.

All eyes turned toward her.

Her body stiffened, and her face turned pale.

The air was heavy.

And the true trial… had just begun.