Xia Yan glanced at her.
"Spare the formalities. How has Spirit Hall been doing since I left?"
Xue Ke straightened up, puffed out her chest, and said solemnly,
"After Your Highness left, I followed your instructions to the letter and kept watch over every movement Spirit Hall made."
"After your departure, Bibi Dong's disciple, Hu Liena, joined five elders of Spirit Hall in announcing that Bibi Dong had entered secluded cultivation. Hu Liena had been appointed to oversee part of Spirit Hall's affairs temporarily, while the elders would handle the rest."
"At first, no one suspected anything. But two months ago, four months after Hu Liena's announcement..."
"All sorts of rumors began spreading, because someone discovered that several of Spirit Hall's titled elders had also disappeared."
"It was extremely suspicious. Those missing titled elders never appeared again, and Hu Liena offered no explanation."
"Many people suspect that... Your Highness made a move..."
Xue Ke's voice suddenly grew softer. She stole a glance at Xia Yan and said timidly,
"Mostly because Your Highness told me to take back the Soul Master subsidies Spirit Hall distributed on our behalf and distribute them ourselves..."
"Everyone in Spirit Hall is on edge. Some have quietly fled. After Salas returned to Spirit City, he never came back."
"And..."
"That's enough."
Xia Yan did not need to hear any more. He already understood.
Some people had defected from Spirit Hall, some remained loyal, and some simply wanted to get on with their lives, wherever they were. But the once-mighty Spirit Hall was indeed gripped by anxiety, even with five Titled Douluo still remaining.
Five Titled Douluo were still a lineup only a top-tier power could possess.
That was enough.
"Summon all the ministers to the palace, along with the minor officials. Everyone from the Secrecy and