Within the Five Elements Sect, the four women chatted easily and pleasantly. Their conversation ranged from the sect's recent development to the movements of the various forces in Middle Continent, then to the new insights they had gained in cultivation. There was nothing they did not discuss.
Ya Fei closed the ledger in her hands and rubbed her brow. Smiling, she mentioned how, a few days ago, a merchant caravan from the distant Western Region had arrogantly tried to exchange a few Tier 7 Medicinal Pills for guest elder positions in the sect, making Zi Yan slap the table and burst into laughter.
Xiao Yi Xian sighed and spoke of how someone had actually come to propose marriage a few days ago, claiming to be the son of an Elder from one of the Ancient Races. Qing Lin immediately kept asking what the man looked like.
Yet no matter how the topic changed, the women's gazes would always drift, from time to time and without conscious thought, in the same direction.
That was the direction of his secluded cultivation. Every time they looked over, a trace of complicated emotion they could not conceal would pass through their eyes—pride and anticipation at sharing in his glory, as well as a sliver of worry carefully buried deep within their hearts.
"Almost half a year..." Ya Fei set down her teacup and withdrew her gaze from that direction, letting out a soft sigh.
Her voice, usually carrying a hint of shrewdness and crisp efficiency, now held a faint, barely perceptible worry. "I wonder how he's doing."
"Don't worry." Zi Yan stuffed the last bite of pastry into her mouth, chewed hard and swallowed. Then she raised her teacup and gulped down several mouthfuls before wiping her mouth. Her tone was firm.
"Although inheriting