The female cultivator in colorful robes immediately turned frosty. She sat upright, her red lips parting as she prepared to say more.
Just then, a dry, hoarse voice rang out, and an unquestionable authority quietly swept over the sand dune. "Enough. Stop your bickering. The mission comes first. Set aside your grievances and devote yourselves to completing it, or do not blame this True Person for showing no mercy!"
The black-robed elder still had not opened his eyes, but his Divine Sense scraped past like a steel blade. The colorful-robed woman's expression changed sharply, and she bowed her head, not daring to speak again.
Mo Zhaoli appeared much calmer. She had no intention of opening her mouth again merely to win a war of words.
"Since everyone is here, let us depart."
The black-robed elder withdrew his magical power, and the [Ebony Wood Banner] floated upward. His mouth opened slightly, instantly shrinking the banner before he drew it into his body. At the same time, he rose and gave the others his instructions.
Only then did Lin Changheng discover how extraordinarily short the elder was. His legs were extremely stubby; if he was not a dwarf, he was close enough.
Yet his false core presence rivaled a giant's.
"We obey your command, True Person."
The sect cultivators present, all in the middle or late stages of foundation establishment and ordinarily lofty figures themselves, still dared not show any negligence. Some stood, others opened their eyes, and all acknowledged the order and prepared to depart.
Lin Changheng remained among the crowd without setting himself apart. He likewise cupped his hands and accepted the order, making no other display or movement.
Only his peripheral gaze drifted lightly over the colorful-robed woman a few times.
Whoosh!
The black-robed elder nodded slightly and reached