Bai Wangyuan looked uncertain. Xia Shenji had clearly been involved in this matter, so why did he seem intent on distancing himself from it?
Bai Wangyuan was becoming more and more convinced that something was wrong.
"Senior Great Celestial Venerable, we didn't..."
"Jiu Yao, what are you doing with them?" Lu Yin suddenly barked.
Jiu Yao wasn't stupid. He also sensed that something was wrong, but he didn't dare speak up. Everyone here was an Ancestral Realm powerhouse—he'd never seen so many in his entire life.
Outside, the 999,000 people listening to the teachings watched the scene unfold. In truth, far more than 999,000 people were following the tea gathering. People kept spreading news of what was happening there, and the sudden turn of events in particular drew countless eyes.
Quite a few people recognized Luo Lao Er.
"Why is that guy Luo Lao Er there?"
"Didn't he disappear with Mu Jun?"
"He actually qualified to attend the tea gathering?"
Bai Wangyuan bowed deeply. "Reporting to you, Senior Great Celestial Venerable, we don't know what Xia Shenji is talking about. We only wanted to attend the tea gathering."
Wang Fan added, "That's right. We only came to attend the tea gathering."
"Do you take us for fools?" the Illusory Lord said coldly.
Wood God shook his head. "They're taking the Celestial Venerable for a fool, too."
"How interesting," Lord Wei said with a chuckle.
Bai Wangyuan's expression darkened.
Young Yin Divine Venerable hurriedly turned to face the Great Celestial Venerable. "Master, actually..."
"Young Yin Divine Venerable, the Great Celestial Venerable is questioning them, not you." Wood God's voice was calm, but she cut him off before he could finish. Young Yin Divine Venerable couldn't get another word out. The gap in cultivation was simply too great.
"Speak!" the Great