If this mighty figure merely stayed inside the Divine Blade Sect, that would be one thing.

But if he were allowed to participate in the Elemental Trial alongside other disciples, would that not be a dimensional strike, directly pressing all the other heavenly geniuses in the sect into the mud?

The crowd revealed looks of suspicion, not understanding why Nerin’s reaction was so massive.

Sylra slammed the table and flew into a rage. "Nerin, what is the meaning of this?! It is one thing to not allow Aya to participate, but you actually do not allow Taryn to participate either!"

"You are the Deputy Peak Master of Broken Sword Peak at any rate!"

"Do you wish for Broken Sword Peak’s face to be completely swept to the ground?!"

"Senior Brother Sylra, I truly have bitter difficulties!" Nerin said with a bitter face.

"Even if you let Aya participate, that is fine, but no matter what, you absolutely cannot let Taryn Lark participate!"

Upon hearing this, the other elders instantly became anxious.

"Nerin, are you crazy?" Torin said.

"If you let Aya Cale participate, what fairness is there for the other disciples? What if she cannot control the power of the Vault of Divine Blade Heart and accidentally injures someone? What do we do then?"

"Senior Brother Torin, just listen to my advice!" Nerin said, wanting to cry but no tears appeared.

"No matter what, we really cannot let Taryn Lark participate!"

At this moment, Nerin’s mood could truly be described as a mute eating burdock root, suffering in silence, completely unable to speak of his bitter hardships.

Letting Aya participate would, at most, result in accidentally injuring one or two disciples.

But letting that Taryn Lark participate was truly equivalent to releasing a vicious wolf into a sheep pen.

Which sheep got eaten would depend entirely on the wolf’s mood. The consequences would absolutely be thousands of times more severe than letting Aya participate.

"Nerin, is your stupid?" Loris asked, puzzled.

"Or is it that after being Deputy Peak Master of Broken Sword Peak for a few days, you cannot even tell the big shots from the small fries?"

The crowd of elders looked at Nerin with sympathy, much like they were looking at a mentally challenged person.

Aerin frowned. "Nerin, you agree to let Aya Cale participate, but strongly oppose Taryn lark participating. What is the reason?"

"The reason... I cannot say!" Thinking back to Alex’s warning at the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, Nerin felt the hairs on his back stand on end. He gulped down saliva, wearing an expression like he was about to cry.

"Senior Brothers, I beg you, just trust me this once. As for the specific reason, if there is a chance in the future, I will naturally tell you."

"But no matter what, we absolutely cannot let Taryn Lark participate in the Elemental Trial!"

Nerin’s earnest attitude actually moved the crowd of elders, making them thoughtful. Except for Sylra.

Sylra still wore a dark, old face and said coldly. "Nerin, do not hog all the good and bad words for yourself. Aya Cale and Taryn Lark are the two most outstanding disciples of our Broken Sword Peak."

"For this Elemental Trial, at least one of them must represent Broken Sword Peak and participate!"

Originally, Sylra coming to today’s meeting was entirely just to give Aerin face.

If the crowd had not brought anything up, he had no interest in some Elemental Trial. However, the crowd proactively brought it up, passionately opposing Aya’s participation as if avoiding a plague.

This aroused a strong competitive desire in him, making him insist on showing these people that Broken Sword Peak did not just have Aya Cale as a lone genius.

Aerin pondered and said helplessly. "Since Senior Brother Sylra insists that one of them must participate, then we have no choice but to vote by a show of hands."

"Those who agree to let Aya Cale participate, please raise your hand."

The moment his voice fell, Nerin immediately raised his hand high. However, he discovered he was the only one.

"Senior Brothers, quickly raise your hands!" Nerin said miserably.

"If Taryn Lark is allowed to participate, this Elemental Trial will be completely finished! Brother Torin, Brother Lorin, Brother Blake, raise your hands!"

But no matter how bitterly he pleaded, the other elders had no intention of raising theirs. Clearly, in their hearts, Nerin’s credibility could not compare to the sheer weight of Aya Cale’s Vault of Divine Blade Heart.

Aerin continued. "Those who agree to let Taryn Lark participate, please raise your hand."

Watching Torin, Lorin, Blake, Loris, and even Aerin himself uniformly raise their hands, Nerin’s heart instantly sank, his face as ashen as dead ashes in complete despair.

Finished.

It is all finished.

The dignified Hale family Saint Lord was actually going to compete on the same stage as their Divine Blade Sect disciples. He only hoped that Saint Lord Alex could be merciful and not cause the heavenly geniuses of their various peaks to all fall and be completely wiped out.

By the time Alex returned to Broken Sword Peak, it was precisely dusk.

Aya Cale was currently sitting outside the Hidden Sword Cave, resting her chin in her hands and gazing at the residual sunset glow on the horizon, revealing a look of melancholy.

Alex hid behind a tree and observed her for a moment before unhurriedly walking out and smiling. "Senior Sister Aya, why do you look so melancholic?"

"Junior Brother Taryn?" Aya Cale instantly revealed a look of pleasant surprise, smiling as she asked.

"Where have you been these past few days? Why could I not find you anywhere?"

"Uh... something suddenly came up at home, so I was busy for a few days." Alex revealed a look of awkwardness and immediately changed the subject.

"Senior Sister Aya, why are you so melancholic?"

"Is it not because of this Vault of Divine Blade Heart?" Aya Cale pouted her small mouth, saying with some displeasure.