Xuan Zi smiled calmly and said in self-mockery, "So I'm the one in the wrong? If I say a few more words, won't that make me Bibi Dong, the heinously evil pope of Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago?"
Elder Lin said, "Xuan Zi, Duoduo and Lin'er didn't mean that. Their concern simply clouded their judgment. You were also thinking of the academy, not trying to ruin this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity for the Soul Tool Department. Duoduo, Lin'er, come apologize to Xuan Zi!"
"Xuan Zi, we're sor-" Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er stood, but Xuan Zi stopped them and turned his head away. "Don't. My position hasn't changed. The more important soul tools are, the more cautious we need to be about cooperating. In any case, I don't recommend leaving this person's true identity uninvestigated!"
"In that case, let's vote by a show of hands!"
Elder Lin said, "Those in favor of investigating this person's background, raise your hands."
Xuan Zi raised his greasy hand, but no one else did. After a while, Yan Shaozhe shakily raised his hand as well, then shot Qian Duoduo a glare. Qian Duoduo raised his hand too.
Elder Lin smiled. "Eight to three. Then that settles it. I'll have Duoduo speak with Ning Qingdeng shortly. Remember, we needn't haggle over every penny of those meager profits. What matters most is getting hold of the technology. Actually, Lin'er, you have a better grasp of the bigger picture, and this concerns the Soul Tool Department. Go with Duoduo." Qian Duoduo was accustomed to dealing with merchants, and his way of doing things carried something of a merchant's air. He and Xian Lin'er complemented each other perfectly.
"Yes!" Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er answered respectfully. The venerable elders all had their leanings. Xuan Zi, for instance, was