Lingxiao Hall, Established!

Marquis of Wu'an Mansion, Core Council Hall.

The hall was exceptionally spacious, its vaulted ceiling soaring overhead.

At this moment, the hall was utterly silent. Xiao Yin sat upright in the seat of honor at its far end.

Today, he wore a fitted dark-gold combat outfit, his long hair simply bound with a black jade hairpin. He had lost some of his usual laziness and casualness, replaced by the calm and sharp edge of one in power.

Behind him stood two figures in silent attendance, one to either side.

On the left was Ying Yue, dressed in a black maid's uniform. Her posture was straight, her aura cold and secluded. Only her exposed eyes calmly watched those below, taking in every subtle movement.

On the right was the Cat Girl, Ling Tong. She seemed unaccustomed to such a formal and solemn occasion. Her small cat ears twitched slightly, and her heterochromatic eyes swept curiously yet warily across the hall. But standing behind Xiao Yin, she did her best to straighten her back and appear more dependable.

The hall was filled with people seated in a certain order.

Directly below the seat of honor, two rows of broader, more comfortable seats had been arranged on either side. This was the first tier.

At the foremost seat on the left sat the Snow Empress, clad in white robes whiter than snow, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall.

Beside her were the Ice Empress in an emerald-green gown, and Ah Yin with her blue hair loosely tied back.

At the foremost seat on the right sat Dugu Bo. The Poison Douluo's expression was equally composed.

Behind him was Liu Erlong, dressed in a capable dark-purple gown, her brows brimming with heroic spirit.

Next came Ye Qingyi, beautiful in appearance and graceful in