And by what right is it assumed they will not rise?

Disciples of Wuhua Palace looked down at the murmurs below, aware that their words had pricked the tender vulnerabilities of most cultivators. This was precisely the effect they desired. Why should Peach Blossom Sect not be punished? Why should they stand as equals with us? Wuhua Palace has no place for the weak, nor does it need trash!

The disciple leading the group gazed upon the crowd beneath, still squinting with a sense of superiority, and continued to speak in a low voice, "I know these words may offend many, but that is the reality. Many of you here are also working hard, cultivating diligently. Perhaps in time, you might also achieve a level of strength that others would envy. However, cultivation is a matter of talent, and the disparity in talent between most of you and us is a chasm that can never be crossed. The lifetime pursuit of the worthless is nothing but our starting point."

The faces of everyone from Peach Blossom Sect were gloomy, their fingers clenched tight, biting their lips. How could they not know that this Wuhua Palace disciple was openly mocking Peach Blossom Sect from atop the high stage?

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic applause rose from where the Wuhua Palace disciples were seated, each clap resounding sharply! Elsewhere, applause broke out sporadically. Even though they knew the Wuhua Palace disciple was referring to Peach Blossom Sect, with whom they had previously clashed, his words were infuriating and painful to hear. This feeling of having their dignity stripped bare was like thorns pricking their backs! The applause was merely people going with the flow; the disciples from the various sects looked somewhat lost as they watched the high stage.

A disciple from Peach Blossom Sect sighed deeply, murmuring, "Are we truly to just give up? To let them trample all over us? Is effort truly worthless in the face of talent? Is our whole life nothing more than the starting point for a genius?"

A disciple from Black Mountain Sect beside him shook his head, looking somewhat dazed, and replied, "I don't know either."

Another disciple from Qinghe Sect sighed softly, shaking his head and saying, "Wuhua Palace is among the top ten sects in the world. When a sect of this caliber speaks, there's usually truth to it. We might feel indignant, but who can we blame? Our own talent is weak. Are we doomed to achieve nothing?"

Ji Nanjue listened to the surrounding discussions with an impassive face, while Lin Jinyu clearly sensed a change in her emotions. Lin Jinyu gently patted Ji Nanjue's hand. Ji Nanjue gave Lin Jinyu a faint smile, but her expression remained tinged with coldness as she looked at the Wuhua Palace members who had not yet left the stage.

No one knew of the biting, cold pain she had endured in her youth.

The Supreme Yin Vein—the very "trash" these Wuhua Palace disciples so confidently derided!

The Sacred Land disciple stuck out his tongue slightly. These words were targeted at all Twenty-One Provinces, so he could only outwardly agree with Wuhua Palace. After all, that sect had always revered strength above all else, instilling this belief in all its disciples.

Elder Lin Duo stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he glanced towards the Sword Sect's position. Wenren Pingxin's eyes flickered briefly, and his eyelids twitched.

As expected, the next moment, they heard Elder Lin Duo speak indifferently, "Previously, Wuhua Palace had a minor conflict with Peach Blossom Sect, but it was halted by the trusted Nineteenth Elder of the Sacred Land. There is a sect in the Twenty-One Provinces with an elder who constantly preaches about treating Sword Sect disciples equally and respecting the weak. However, to Lin Mo's knowledge, both of his disciples are among the most talented individuals in all Twenty-One Provinces! Lin Mo does not oppose the sense of justice everyone holds in their hearts, but isn't this rather hypocritical? At least Wuhua Palace doesn't go around claiming to treat its disciples equally, respecting the weak and the worthless, only to have elite disciples take the stage in the end. Wuhua Palace welcomes every person of talent!"

The Sacred Land disciple seemed unwilling to dwell on this issue and quickly added with a smile, "Elder Lin, may I ask what Wuhua Palace's philosophy on cultivation is? What is the purpose of cultivation for a cultivator?"

Elder Lin Duo stood with his hands clasped behind his back, nodded, and began to speak, "In Wuhua Palace, cultivation! It is to cultivate for oneself! It is to cultivate for the sake of the sect! To seek ultimate freedom and a carefree existence through cultivation!"

After Wuhua Palace left the stage, the atmosphere in the venue grew palpably heavy.

The elders of Sword Sect snorted coldly, their gazes icy as they watched Wuhua Palace.

However, disciples from some of the Great Sects applauded, showing their approval for the cruel truth spoken by Wuhua Palace!

Even the South Emperor, after a moment of contemplation, nodded and clapped. Other matters aside, he found himself largely agreeing with Wuhua Palace's philosophy. He concurred with their idea of cultivating for the sect. Indeed, he also believed cultivation is, first and foremost, for oneself—to attain ultimate freedom, escape the torments of reincarnation, be unrestrained, and soar with unfettered self-liberation.

It was even recorded in ancient texts: "Across myriad realms, a thousand variations in the Dao; I ask only one question: can one achieve immortality?" Wasn't this perfectly in line with Wuhua Palace's philosophy? Carefree, solely for the sake of immortality.

Gazing at Wuhua Palace with eyes full of deep meaning, the South Emperor remarked to the Eastern Emperor, "This Wuhua Palace isn't bad at all!"

The Eastern Emperor nodded, but his expression revealed neither joy nor anger as he merely watched the high stage impassively.