"Understood."
The elders answered in unison.
"Good. That's all for now. If anything changes, I'll let you know promptly."
Donghuang Dixiao spoke.
"Yes, Hall Master."
The elders answered in unison.
"Then you're dismissed."
Donghuang Dixiao waved a hand.
The elders rose at once and bowed solemnly.
Ye Chao in particular clenched the hand hidden beneath his sleeve.
He knew that presiding over the Heavenly Mandate Selection was both a chance to redeem himself and a matter of life and death.
If he handled it well, all would be fine. No one would dare bring up the face he had lost at the Supremacy Grand Arena again.
If he failed, even Ye Chaotian would no longer protect him.
He could not afford the slightest mistake.
More importantly, Ye Chaotian had given him an absolute order.
Of the fifty places available, five had to go to their people.
That was the bottom line.
If he failed to meet it, things would end badly for him.
Phew.
At the thought, Ye Chao drew a deep breath.
He began weighing his options.
With that, he lingered no longer and turned to leave the hall.
After the elders had gone, a dark figure emerged from the shadows.
He bowed his head slightly and said, "The Thatched Cottage has replied."
"Oh? What did they say?"
Donghuang Dixiao raised a brow, clearly interested.
"They'll send one person, but they didn't say who," the Man in Black said.
"Receive whoever comes. Don't make a fuss. Treat them like any other visitor."
Donghuang Dixiao paused before speaking.
"That won't be a problem, but I'm afraid they may come with ill intentions," the Man in Black said, taking a deep breath.
"One person can't stir up much of a storm. Rest easy."
Donghuang Dixiao's voice was calm, with a faint