Inside the hall.
The atmosphere was tense.
Bai He sat at the head.
One man sat on either side below Bai He.
The man on the left was powerfully built, his skin dark as iron. With thick brows, large eyes, and a deep, imposing presence, he was none other than Niu Gao, chief of the Defense Clan.
Niu Gao drank his tea with a deep frown, his rough fingers squeezing the cup until it creaked.
The man on the right was lean, dressed in a gray robe washed nearly white. His stern face looked carved by knife and axe, and his eyes were as sharp as those of a man-eating hawk. A cold, murderous aura that warned strangers away radiated from him. He was Yang Wudi, chief of the Breaking Clan, renowned for poison and offensive prowess.
Yang Wudi merely sat with his arms folded and his face cold, his eyes half closed. He did not spare the entering Lin Ye so much as a glance.
When Bai He saw Lin Ye enter, he immediately stood.
Bai He began the introductions.
"Old Rhino, Old Goat, this is..."
Niu Gao slammed his teacup onto the table.
Niu Gao snorted.
Niu Gao cut Bai He off.
Niu Gao stared at Lin Ye, his tone hostile.
Niu Gao's voice boomed like a great bell.
"Lin Ye? You're the brat who wants to 'absorb' us old fellows?"
Niu Gao made no attempt to hide his resistance.
Niu Gao pointed at Lin Ye.
Niu Gao demanded.
"I just want to know-what gives you the right?"
Niu Gao's presence bore down on him like a mountain.
Only then did Yang Wudi, beside Niu Gao, slowly open his eyes.
Yang Wudi's eyes were as cold as ice frozen for ten thousand years.
Yang Wudi spoke without preamble.