Though the space here was not large, Chen Yan's senses were sharp enough to catch every whisper from the Brocade-Clad Youth and his followers, as well as the scattered conversations around them. Every word came through as clearly as a trickling stream.
The young man's departing figure also conveyed a faint, almost imperceptible malice—not directed at anyone here and now, but unmistakable all the same.
Chen Yan was pondering this when a cold snort interrupted him.
"Fine. Let's see what use those few people you found will be!"
Pei Yin, who had been facing off against Meng Ran, said no more. She merely sneered, her phoenix eyes sweeping over Chen Yan and Master Wuxiang with a hint of menace. Then she turned and left with her people, strutting away like a proud peacock and leaving behind a strained silence in the passage.
Meanwhile,
Meng Ran's face betrayed no emotion. She simply said, "Let's go."
Then she led the group onward.
After they had taken a few steps, she casually explained, "That woman's crazy. Ignore her. She may act outrageously here, but once we enter the Secret Realm, she won't dare make a move."
The group reacted in different ways, but all tacitly chose not to respond.
The Pavilion Masters' feud was not something they could comment on.
Noticing that the interruption had made the atmosphere somewhat tense, and mindful that they would need to work together in the Secret Realm, Meng Ran took the initiative to change the subject.
She looked at Qin Lan and Yan Zheng. "Elders Qin Lan and Yan Zheng, please tell Daoist Hou and Master Wuxiang about your strengths as well, so you can coordinate later."
Qin Lan straightened slightly and spoke briskly. "I'm skilled with the Soul-Breaking Spear. I'm decent at frontal assaults and breaking