The Mystic Spirit Seclusion Pavilion stood deep within the Xuan Clan's ancestral grounds, forged entirely from thousand-year mystic iron. The engraved words "Seclusion from the World" above its doors bore deep marks, radiating a solemn air cut off from the world.
The pavilion was dimly lit, illuminated only by the faint glow of night pearls embedded in the walls. Several white-haired elders sat around a round bluestone table, the authority accumulated through the years visible even within their wrinkles.
Xuan Ye wore a black robe embroidered with the clan leader's python patterns, yet his shoulders and back were slightly tense.
Though he held real power within the clan, he still felt as though a great mountain weighed upon his heart when facing these Seclusion Pavilion elders, who had remained in closed cultivation for years and only appeared when the clan's survival was at stake.
"Elders," Xuan Ye said, lowering his head and cupping his hands. Only after steadying his voice did he continue, "I have come today to seek guidance on a matter.
"Under Grand Elder Xuan Chuqing's name is Blue Star, a planet located in the Milky Way Star Domain. Someone is willing to purchase it at a high price."
The moment his words fell, an old woman on the left, leaning on a Dragon-patterned Cane, lifted her eyes. Her gaze was sharp as a blade.
"Chuqing's private property, and someone else dares covet it?"
"It is not a forcible seizure."
Xuan Ye hurriedly added, "The buyer is the deputy director of the Time-Space Administration Bureau. It is said that he controls the approval rights for interstellar routes, and our clan's merchant caravans are preparing to pass through the star domain under his jurisdiction.
"This man has considerable influence. If we refuse him, I fear he may bring trouble