Pang Xue froze. Seeing the restrictions around him rise and Origin Xia's Heavenly Order seemingly turn against him as well, he said nothing. Silently, he rose from the ritual platform and walked out of the secret hall.
With a wave of his hand, the leading steward Daoist had several people behind him step forward, each holding a talismanic edict. As though escorting a prisoner, they brought Pang Xue all the way into a great hall.
The steward Daoist strode up onto the dais, turned around, and looked at him coldly. "Pang Xue, I ask you this: Chan Xiang and Shang Luo fled to Celestial Xia just now. Did you take part in their conspiracy?"
Pang Xue frowned. "I knew nothing whatsoever of what those two were doing."
The steward Daoist snapped, "The three of you entered and left together. How could you not know what those two were up to?"
Pang Xue shook his head. "I merely knew those two in ordinary times. Even if we entered and left together, it was only in obedience to Origin Upper Hall's orders. By your reasoning, could it be that Origin Upper Hall ordered those two to pledge themselves to Celestial Xia?"
"Presumptuous!"
The steward Daoist shouted, "Pang Xue, you still dare to quibble at a time like this? Do you take Origin Upper Hall for easy prey?"
Having been called by name several times in succession, Pang Xue was displeased as well. He was a Daoist of Seeking Completion, while this man was merely a Real Person of Entrusted Void. Had Pang Xue not been so mild-tempered, and feared implicating the disciples behind him, he would have disdained to answer such questions at all.
He drew a breath, lifted his head, and said, "When Pang went outside this time, I used an