The first light of the rising sun often signaled a new beginning.
The Mystic Continent Regional Lord, Chi Rang, did not keep just any guest around. The people from the eleven sects he had snatched away also left the military compound.
Beside a road in the Royal Capital where vehicles raced back and forth, the group looked dispirited and crestfallen. They did not flag down rides. Nearly a hundred people from eleven sects walked silently along the roadside, without any destination.
Though the people from the eleven sects wore different clothing, they walked as if they all belonged to the same sect.
Suddenly, the Jade Tide Sect elder stopped, indirectly blocking the sect members following behind. Everyone who had been walking with their heads lowered gradually looked up.
"Chu Jingtang," the Jade Tide Sect elder suddenly called.
"Hm?" Chu Jingtang hurried forward from behind and cupped his hands. "Your disciple is here!"
The Jade Tide Sect elder sighed. "How many years have you been with the Jade Tide Sect?"
Chu Jingtang froze, vaguely sensing that something was wrong, but still answered honestly. "I joined at eight and am now thirty-five. Twenty-seven years."
The Jade Tide Sect elder sighed again. "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. There is still affection between us, and I cannot bear to punish you for this. You were deceived, after all. But to call your actions entirely innocent would be deceiving ourselves as well as others. Surely you have not forgotten how solemnly the sect entrusted you with leading the team. How could you treat that responsibility so lightly?
"There is no need for you to return to the sect. Let us part here. Acting on the sect's behalf, I formally expel you from the Jade Tide Sect!"
"Elder!" Chu Jingtang