Immortal Lord Cangmo drew back his thoughts and turned his gaze once more to the elders in the hall.
The candlelight cast two flickering points of light in his eyes, leaving his expression shifting between brightness and shadow.
The warmth of the recent argument still lingered in the air.
That stifling sense of grievance hung over every heart like a thin veil.
In the silence, the hum of the spirit lamp in the corner sounded especially clear.
He drew a deep breath.
He pushed the secret concerning the immortal artifact back into the deepest recesses of his heart.
I hope Qingwu Heavenly Lord's recklessness doesn't disrupt Immortal Lord Taiyuan's great plan...
He thought silently.
Otherwise, nearly ten thousand years of patience and planning will have been for nothing.
If that happens, even if Qingwu Heavenly Lord is a Profound Immortal, I won't spare him.
He raised a hand to straighten the cuff of his moon-white robe, then looked again at the assembled elders.
He could see it plainly.
Though the hot-blooded younger elders had stopped arguing, the unwillingness and doubt in their eyes had not entirely faded.
The plump elder kept his head lowered.
His fingers still picked unconsciously at the armrest.
The stern-faced elder had turned away, but his shoulders were slightly tense, and his breathing was heavier than usual.
Old Shen's expression was calm.
Yet deep in those clouded eyes lay something only Immortal Lord Cangmo could read.
It was reluctant acceptance of his decision, and a profound helplessness in the face of their present situation.
Immortal Lord Cangmo sighed inwardly.
They must think I'm timid and weak, too afraid to clash head-on with the Blazing Lion Demon Court.
*They think millions of years presiding over the Holy Land have worn away all the fire and sharpness I