Unfortunately, with Liu Yu's forceful return, the proposed marriage alliance naturally came to nothing.
Time ticked by amid the oppressive, solemn atmosphere.
Over the next quarter of an hour, no more elders appeared. The number of Golden Core Elders attending the meeting settled at eighteen.
"The appointed hour has come. Our fellow disciples who have yet to arrive are all carrying out missions outside the sect. They likely won't make it."
"It seems we are the only ones attending this meeting."
When the time came, True Person Changfeng surveyed everyone, rose, and spoke quietly.
Although his failed Nascent Soul Formation had considerably weakened him, his strength remained on par with Qi Yuntian and He Rulong, the spokesmen for the other two lines.
Thanks to his previous efforts, he still narrowly retained the initiative.
However, the changes in True Person Changfeng's bearing were visible at a glance. White now threaded his once-black hair, and his neatly trimmed black beard had turned white.
It was plain that he no longer possessed the spirited confidence of his younger days. His failed Nascent Soul Formation had dealt too heavy a blow to his Dao heart.
"This matter is of great importance. Since our other fellow disciples cannot make it, let us begin the meeting."
The two Golden Core Elders, Qi Yuntian and He Rulong, nodded in agreement, followed by the other Golden Core Elders.
Together with Elder Changfeng, these two were known as the sect's "Three Great Elders."
They were the strongest, had the highest cultivation, and possessed the greatest seniority!
They also held the greatest say in the elders' deliberations.
When Heavenly Wind Ancestor did not intervene, the elders decided matters great and small, but the final decisions still rested on these three men's will.
Of course, that had been the situation