Elsewhere!
Just as cold light flickered in Cheng Buzheng's eyes and he had reached a decision—
Outside the main hall, a figure appeared out of thin air, seeming slow yet moving swiftly.
A moment ago, he had still been a hundred paces away, no more than a blurred outline.
The next moment!
That figure appeared like a ghostly phantom outside the palace doors, stopping precisely before the threshold.
He then bowed and cupped his fists, his voice steady and forceful:
"Xuanming, Deputy Hall Master of the Supervision Hall, requests an audience with the Association President!"
His voice passed through the heavy hall doors and echoed through the vast, empty hall.
Inside the main hall...
Upon hearing this, Cheng Buzheng's gaze shifted slightly. The bone-piercing chill on his face vanished without a trace in an instant.
Instead, the corners of his lips curved upward in a meaningful cold smile.
Interesting...
I have only just received the shadow division's secret report, and the deputy hall master in charge of supervision has already come requesting an audience.
It seems I underestimated this little friend Xuanming.
He is certainly well-informed.
Very well. I would like to see how this "great power of our Association" intends to report to me shortly.
And how he intends to explain these frequent incidents of shattered Spirit Veins.
Cheng Buzheng mused inwardly, his gaze as deep as an abyss.
Then, he swept out a hand—
Bzz!
The hall-protecting formation covering the entire main hall surged with Spirit Light, opening a passage of its own accord.
The two heavy black-iron doors also slowly swung inward amid a deep creak.
The next moment, the figure of Xuanming Half-Venerable, Deputy Hall Master of the Supervision Hall, came clearly into Cheng Buzheng's sight.
Xuanming Half-Venerable wore an official robe of dark green embroidered