For one suspended moment, the entire arena fell silent. Then Qiao Zhi's Heaven Profound aura rose. It did not explode outward in a wild wave. It settled over the grounds with the calm pressure of a mountain shadow, making the air feel heavier and the sound of the crowd strangely distant. The wooden practice swords stacked beside the arena vibrated in their rack. A banner above the judges' platform fluttered once even though the wind had died. Several experienced cultivators rose from their seats before they consciously decided to stand.
