Meanwhile.
At the Dao Sect.
On Morning Cloud Peak.
All the elders of the Dao Sect had gathered here.
The four remaining Outer Sect elders stood obediently on either side of the hall entrance.
Just then, Elder Wu of the Inner Sect approached slowly from the side, his face expressionless. He stopped in the center, in front of all the elders, and surveyed them before speaking. "The sect leader's cultivation has reached a critical juncture, and he cannot appear in person. He has asked me to relay his instructions."
Elder Wu's voice was not loud, but every word reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.
By the entrance.
When Elder Du of Ten Thousand Mountains Peak heard that the sect leader could not appear in person, his eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, as though he were pondering something.
Elder Wu continued, "Regarding the disappearance of Elder Sun of Emerald Cloud Peak, the sect leader's position is this: Sun Shengcheng may die, but spirit embryo essence is unique to the Dao Sect. Its whereabouts must be traced. Therefore... effective immediately, five elders from the Outer and Inner Sects will be assigned to conduct a thorough search within the sect's grounds!"
"The list is as follows: Elder Du of Ten Thousand Mountains Peak and Elder Hao of Purple Bamboo Peak from the Outer Sect, and Elder Song, Elder Guo, and Elder Zhou from the Inner Sect."
As he spoke, Elder Wu looked at each of the elders he had named.
"As you command."
The five elders cupped their hands.
"There is one more matter." Elder Wu looked at everyone and continued, "Elder Sun is missing, but the position of elder of Emerald Cloud Peak cannot remain vacant indefinitely. Before tomorrow, each Inner Sect elder must recommend at least one Inner Sect disciple who has