An Lihong exchanged a few polite words with the other Holy Court stewards before leading everyone up the wide stone steps.

Though many among the Guardians of the Gods are already thirty-four years old, more of them are still young, eighteen or nineteen, or in their early twenties, full of energy. It’s their first time visiting the Holy Court, so it’s inevitable to be excited, making the atmosphere along the way as noisy as a market.

An Lihong and the stewards turned to glance at them yet said nothing. However, Mu Hanyan could clearly perceive the disgust and disdain in their eyes, even a hint of hostility.

It seems the people of the Holy Court aren’t welcoming our arrival. Mu Hanyan furrowed her brows and thought quietly.

Although the stone steps stretch thousands of feet, most of those who came have the cultivation level of Sword Masters or higher. They aren’t true experts but aren’t weak either, so climbing the thousand-foot stone steps isn’t challenging. Soon, the group reached the end of the steps.

About a few hundred young people in Holy Court Sword Robes were waiting there, and as they approached, many revealed amused smiles.

"No manners at all. I wonder how the continent countries taught their offspring," a young person said with disdain.

This person had an ancient-looking longsword hanging at his waist, with gold thread embroidered along the border of his sword robe, exuding the unique aura of a Magic Artifact, quite different from the sword robes worn by Holy Court disciples and even superior to those worn by An Lihong and the other stewards.

Clearly, this person’s status is higher than the others, even surpassing that of An Lihong and the stewards.

"Others are descendants of the Guardian of the Gods, and their bloodlines have awakened. In the continent countries, they must be pampered like little ancestors, why would they need to learn manners?" a young man who looked like a follower sneered. Although he seemed to be just a follower, the silver thread on his sword robe suggested a stature higher than other Holy Court disciples.

"Even if they are descendants of the Guardian of the Gods, so what? With their cultivation level, they can’t even match our Holy Court elites. I wonder what the Holy Master is thinking, letting them train in the North Abyss Misty Plain and inherit the legacy of those peerless masters from the past," An Lihong agreed, his words tinged with a sour note.

"Nothing can be done; others have good fortune. They are the Guardian of the Gods, the Guardian of the Gods indeed," another steward sneered with cold disdain.

They spoke without restraint, not bothering to lower their voices and almost shouting.

The crowd, who had just stepped onto the stone steps, reacted with anger upon hearing the ridicule and contempt.

Though some descendants of the Guardian of the Gods sent by the countries missed the best cultivation age due to late awakening and others had limited time to improve their strength due to recent awakening, some were strong. Immediately, a hot-tempered Great Sword Master from West Qin angrily pointed at the young man who spoke first, shouting, "What do you mean? We’re here for the safety of the continent, not to be ridiculed by you. If you disagree, would you dare to face me in a fair challenge?"

"Presumptuous! How dare you be disrespectful to the Holy Saint!" An Lihong shouted sternly.

The Holy Saint, so that’s the person’s true identity! The faces of the Guardians of the Gods from various countries changed.

"Face me in a fair challenge? Are you even qualified?" The young man stepped forward, releasing a mighty aura.

Though his face still bore a faint smile, under the enormous pressure, the young Great Sword Master from West Qin turned pale, sweat pouring down.

He appears only twenty-five or six years old and has reached the Great Sword Master Realm, making him a remarkable talent. Yet the gap between Sword Saints and Great Sword Masters is like a chasm, and furthermore, this was no ordinary Sword Saint, but a Holy Saint.

"Tell me, are you qualified?" The Holy Saint stepped forward again, glaring at the West Qin expert, a cruel grin tugging at his mouth.

Clearly, this is a ruthless person! Mu Hanyan frowned quietly.

"N-no..." Under the rising pressure, the West Qin expert decided to yield.

"Next time you challenge someone, make sure you know their identity first, so you don’t die without knowing why." The Holy Saint smiled slightly, withdrawing the pressure.

The West Qin expert felt his legs give way, falling to the ground. When he looked at the opponent again, his gaze was full of fright.

"I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Wei Xiaotian, one of the Twelve Saints of the Holy Court. If you wish to enter the Holy Court, you must first verify your identity with me; this is according to the Holy Court rules," the Holy Saint said.

Although it was impossible, and unnecessary, for the continent countries to falsify such significant matters, upon hearing it was a Holy Court rule, none dared to object.

Wei Xiaotian spoke while taking out a palm-sized piece of jade, engraved with runes, evidently an Alchemy Magical Tool.

"You, come first," Wei Xiaotian pointed to the West Qin expert on the ground, arrogantly saying.

Already subdued, the West Qin expert naturally lacked bravado and walked over obediently.

Wei Xiaotian took the jade, sweeping it around him, the jade emitted a mysterious glow.

"Go on in." Wei Xiaotian pointed towards the winding mountain path behind him.

The West Qin expert clearly feared him, hastily walked over.

Afterward, Wei Xiaotian verified identities one by one with the jade, soon reaching Mu Hanyan.

As the jade swept over Mu Hanyan, she immediately felt something within her seemed activated, causing a strange fluctuation, while the jade emitted a dazzling mysterious light.

"It’s you, who are you?!" Wei Xiaotian’s expression suddenly changed, gripping his sword hilt, a fierce killing intent emerged.

Witnessing his predator-like gaze, everyone was taken aback with surprise.

Mu Hanyan was momentarily stunned, not knowing why he suddenly showed killing intent toward her.

But soon, Mu Hanyan noticed the anomaly, the light on the jade differed from before.

The previous light from the jade was mysterious and pure, dreamlike, but now, there was an added faint misty blue color, like threads or wisps, hardly noticeable unless closely observed.

Why was she different from others? Could it be due to her unique bloodline?

Mu Hanyan had long sensed she was unlike other Guardians of the Gods like Huayue.