In a Side Hall of the Seven Mysteries Sect's council hall, every ward was activated. The light was dim, and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed water could drip from it. The sect master sat in the center, his expression grave. Elder Li and Elder Wang sat on either side, their brows tightly furrowed. Nangong Wan sat quietly nearby, her veil concealing any trace of emotion. Han Li occupied a lower seat. His breathing had steadied, but the torn clothing beneath his ribs and the faint scent of blood testified to the danger he had just survived.
"Nether Nightmare actually dared infiltrate the heart of our sect to carry out an assassination! The Shadow Killer Sect has gone too far!" Elder Wang slammed a hand onto his armrest, beside himself with fury.
Elder Li sighed. "Had Wan'er not noticed something amiss in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Han Li, are you all right?"
Han Li nodded slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Elder. It's only a minor injury, nothing serious." His gaze was calm, as though he had not been the one targeted by an assassin moments earlier.
The sect master raised a hand to quiet everyone, then fixed Han Li with a piercing gaze. "Han Li, Wan'er has already given me a general account of your deeds in the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land. You fought fiercely against formidable opponents, used your wits to secure spiritual treasures, and even escaped a Core Formation demonic beast and an ancient remnant soul. You are truly a talent our Seven Mysteries Sect has not seen in centuries! The sect is proud of you!"
Han Li rose and replied, neither servile nor arrogant, "You praise me too highly, Sect Master. I dare not accept such acclaim. Everything I did was to survive.