Chapter 1144: The Terrifying Fallen Prodigy

As Lu Caiwei appeared alongside the Island Master, the crowd in the grand hall was filled with shock and suspicion.

A subtle expression flickered across their faces, but everyone quickly rose to their feet, bowing respectfully to welcome the Island Master, concealing their doubts and astonishment.

Only after the old Island Master took his seat on the black throne, smiling as he surveyed the room, did he speak.

"Everyone, it's been a while."

"Please rise, no need for formalities!"

His powerful voice echoed through the hall, and only then did the gathered elites and the three Holy Maidens rise respectfully.

The old Island Master appeared weathered, yet his eyes gleamed with sharpness. With a benevolent smile, he toyed with two black and white jade orbs, exuding the demeanor of a kind elder. Yet, his presence alone was enough to awe the entire assembly.

At the sight of this strongest Island Master, dozens of elites in the hall bowed their heads in reverence.

Gradually, their gazes shifted toward Lu Caiwei, who stood quietly in the center of the hall.

The old Island Master glanced around, his laughter breaking the silence.

"It seems I don't need to say much. Many of you already know Lu Caiwei. From today onward, she will be the fourth Holy Maiden of the East Sea."

Whoosh!

His voice reverberated, and the entire hall was filled with shocked murmurs.

Many of the elites wore expressions of disbelief, whispering among themselves.

"Our East Sea has never allowed someone from the righteous path to hold such a high position."

"She's just a young girl from the younger generation. What qualifications does she have to become a Holy Maiden?"

"Haha, wasn't she once a member of the righteous faction? Joining our East Sea, by their standards, wouldn't that make her a fallen one?"

"Tsk tsk, a self-righteous prodigy from the righteous path has actually come to our East Sea. This is truly a rare sight."

"A stray dog like her, worthy of being a Holy Maiden?"

"This is the Island Master's decree!"

As the whispers spread, the gazes of the three Holy Maidens also subtly shifted around the room.

Within moments, several figures with formidable auras stepped forward, clasping their fists and speaking out.

"Island Master, she's just a young girl from the righteous path. She has no right to become a Holy Maiden of our East Sea!"

"Exactly! Our East Sea has never had such a precedent!"

"Island Master, this Lu Caiwei is nothing but a stray dog. She cannot command respect!"

"Though she may have some talent and was once known as one of the 'Three Wonders of Nanli,' she has recently been defeated by the other two. This news has spread far and wide. How can such a failure be worthy of becoming a Holy Maiden?"

...

The voices of those who stepped forward were loud and filled with authority.

Gradually, others in the hall began to echo their sentiments. The surface-level respect they had shown earlier turned into outright defiance. Though their words were polite, they carried a hidden challenge.

The atmosphere in the grand hall grew tense, with a sharp, oppressive aura spreading.

In any ordinary righteous sect, such words and actions would be considered insubordinate. Only in a gathering of the most notorious figures of the East Sea could such a scene unfold.

For several moments, the elites stepped forward like hungry wolves, continuously refuting the old Island Master's words. The gazes of the entire hall cautiously shifted toward the black throne.

Strangely, neither the old Island Master, who sat as steady as a mountain, nor Lu Caiwei, who stood silently in the hall, showed any sign of anger.

They allowed the uproar to continue.

The old Island Master leisurely played with the jade orbs in his hand, glancing faintly at Lu Caiwei.

"It seems many of you hold prejudices. Our Black Island has always operated on the principle of strength. Whether you can command respect will depend on your own abilities."

With these soft words, the old Island Master slightly closed his eyes.

As the crowd pondered the deeper meaning behind his words, they were suddenly struck with confusion.

The Island Master...

Seemed to have great confidence in Lu Caiwei?

Before they could think further, Lu Caiwei bowed respectfully.

"As you command."

After bowing, this former prodigy of the righteous path slowly turned around. Her face was now cold and emotionless, and an extraordinary aura of killing intent radiated from her.

In both demeanor and expression, she bore no resemblance to someone from the righteous path. The contrast with her earlier calmness was like night and day.

Suddenly, she seemed like a completely different person, leaving the crowd even more astonished.

Lu Caiwei's gaze fell on the man who had spoken first.

"Earlier, did you say the words 'stray dog'?"

Her cold eyes were filled with killing intent, and the burly, bald-headed elite was momentarily stunned.

But as he looked down at the seemingly frail woman before him, he felt as though he were looking at a child. With his own formidable cultivation, he immediately sneered.

"Hmph!"

"Yes, I did. So what—"

Before he could finish, a black streak shot toward him like lightning!

"Whoosh!"

A crisp sound rang out, and he felt a chill on his left arm.

Immediately after, an excruciating pain spread through his entire body, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

He turned his head sharply.

Only then did he see that his left arm was gone!

The bald-headed elite's eyes widened in terror. He clenched his teeth, his face now drenched in cold sweat.

"You... you're at the fourth level of the Heavenly Rank!?"

His shocked voice echoed through the hall.

The grand hall fell deathly silent.

All the elites were stunned.

Even the three Holy Maidens' eyes trembled slightly.

Lu Caiwei's strength far exceeded everyone's expectations. Her ruthless attack and domineering demeanor bore no trace of her former righteous self. Even those who had long resided in the East Sea felt a subconscious sense of awe.

How could this be?

Was this the same righteous prodigy who had suffered consecutive defeats?

How had Lu Caiwei's cultivation soared to such heights?

Countless questions arose in their minds, leaving everyone speechless.

Though she stood right before them, Lu Caiwei seemed like a completely different person, utterly unlike the rumors. If her face were concealed, no one would doubt that she was a hidden demoness of the East Sea!

With just one move, she had earned the respect of the entire hall.

In the suffocating silence, the black soft sword, shrouded in killing intent, captured the attention of everyone present. Wherever Lu Caiwei's cold, arrogant gaze swept, there was nothing but fear.

Finally, she felt the long-lost sensation of being a true powerhouse, her eyes filled with pride.

The Island Master also opened his eyes and spoke indifferently.

"Does anyone else object?"

This time, no one dared to voice any opposition.

The three Holy Maidens led the way in bowing, and the entire hall echoed with voices of respect.

"We obey the Island Master's decree!"

The old Island Master smiled upon hearing this, clearly pleased.

"Hahaha..."

After discussing the major affairs of the East Sea, the grand assembly reached its climax. The banquet began, filled with laughter and an atmosphere of superficial harmony, as if the East Sea had returned to its former glory.

After the banquet ended.

Lu Caiwei, having gained an immense sense of accomplishment, stood alone by the window of the luxurious hall. Her cold eyes swept over the treasures filling the room, and finally, the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile.

"This feeling is truly wonderful."

"Only today have I realized what it truly means to be a powerhouse. The so-called fame of a righteous prodigy is nothing but the naive boasting of a frog at the bottom of a well!"

As her eyes filled with greed, a low, sinister laughter echoed in her mind.

"Ke ke ke..."

"This is just the beginning. Once the plan is successfully completed, you will stand at the pinnacle of Lanxing!"