Tai Tan's heart gave a jolt. He couldn't fathom Shen Qingling's intentions. He instinctively wanted to ask why, but when he met the other man's indifferent gaze, the words died on his lips.
He didn't dare refuse, and he had no right to refuse.
"Very well. I'll make the arrangements now." Tai Tan pushed down his doubts and turned to quietly give the guards by the door a few instructions.
The attendants and guards in the hall quickly filed out, and the vast space fell silent.
Tang San stood behind Shen Qingling, brimming with curiosity. He could tell that the Strength Clan had a solid foundation, yet they acted deferential at every turn in front of his teacher. The more he watched, the less he could guess at the true purpose of his teacher's visit.
Xiao Wu quietly studied the stone walls and iron tools around them. Gu Yuena stood to one side, her expression utterly unchanged.
Before long, a similarly burly, middle-aged man strode into the hall. It was Tai Nuo.
The first thing he saw when he entered was Shen Qingling. His eyes held suspicion, along with a barely restrained curiosity.
The moment Tai Nuo stepped through the hall's entrance, he saw Shen Qingling sitting in the seat of honor, and his expression darkened.
"Who are you? How dare you sit in our clan leader's seat?"
He stepped forward, Soul Power stirring faintly, his tone full of anger. Only Tai Tan ever sat in the seat of honor of the Strength Clan. To Tai Nuo, an outsider sitting there so brazenly was a provocation.
Before Shen Qingling could speak, Tai Tan barked:
"Silence! Show some respect! This is Teacher Shen from Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Tai Nuo stiffened, swallowing the words that had been on the tip of