Theater?

The deathly silence in the Main Hall deepened.

The councilors throughout the hall looked around blankly, as though trying to find some answer on their colleagues' faces. Yet all they saw was profound confusion.

Qu Hongwen gripped the armrest tightly with his right hand, his body swaying slightly as his gaze remained fixed on that excessively young face.

"Domain Lord Qu, we finally meet."

Li Qingshan broke into a smile and walked to the head of the conference table, saying apologetically:

"Xiao Kong only started work recently, so there may have been some flaws in the wording of the letter. Please don't take offense."

"Take offense?"

Qu Hongwen repeated those two words, and a trace of absurdity suddenly flashed across his face.

Was the problem really with the letter's wording?

Of course not!

The real question was: how had Li Qingshan done it?!

Qu Hongwen's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart leaped into his throat. He tested him with a trembling voice:

"General, you descended upon Yuqing Domain in just one month. Could it be that you secretly achieved Star Ascension and became a Venerable?"

As soon as those words fell, every councilor present turned tense and looked over in unison.

This was precisely what they were wondering!

Under everyone's gaze,

"Of course..."

The two words left his lips, and pair after pair of eyes widened swiftly.

The corner of Li Qingshan's mouth lifted, but he suddenly shook his head.

"No!"

In an instant, whether it was Qu Hongwen or the councilors present, they nearly failed to catch their breath. Their faces flushed red at a visible speed.

They had been played!

Yet before they could speak and demand an explanation, Li Qingshan had already struck first.

"Domain Lord Qu, don't joke around."

"I..."

Qu Hongwen pointed at himself and