"Yes." Han Zhenyuan said no more. He cupped his hands once again, then turned and transformed into an Escape Light, speeding toward the Green Ying Spirit Plain. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the distant sky.
After seeing Han Zhenyuan off, Xiao Shixi returned to the seat of honor. He swept his gaze over the people in the hall, each wearing a different expression, then slowly closed his eyes and assumed a composed posture of resting with his eyes closed, calmly awaiting good news.
He said lightly, "Everyone, wait here for the moment and await Zhenyuan's news."
Though he did not say it outright, his manner, coupled with the arrangements he had just made—seemingly courteous yet actually pressing forward step by step—made it abundantly clear that deep down, he intended to stand hard against Lu Jiu and was unwilling to easily abandon the established strategy.
The hall fell silent.
Everyone had long since experienced Xiao Shixi's forcefulness and ruthlessness over these years.
Seeing his resolve now, even if they still harbored doubts, none dared casually voice their opposition again.
After a moment of silence, someone finally broke it.
An Elder of the Zhong Family, deeply dependent on the Xiao Family and eager to demonstrate his loyalty, rose to his feet and cupped his hands. "Alliance Leader is wise! Though Lu Jiu is powerful, he is ultimately alone, and he has been gone for hundreds of years. No one knows the truth of his current circumstances."
"Our Heavenly Star Alliance is now strong in troops and steeds, with Nascent Souls as numerous as clouds. How could we shrink back in fear simply because one man has returned?"
"Alliance Leader has sent Daoist Friend Han to invite him, which already gives him ample face. If Lu Jiu knows what