They exchanged glances, then withdrew their gazes.
As the highest-ranking Elders, they naturally knew about Zhu Lingyun's mission this time.
Now that Zhu Lingyun had returned alone, with no apparent change in his aura, they vaguely sensed that things had not gone smoothly.
Something must have gone wrong along the way. Otherwise, Zhu Lingyun would not have returned in his present state.
But this matter was confidential and unsuitable for discussion here, especially with the Sect Master absent.
Zhu Lingyun went to a corner of the main hall, sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and entered meditation without moving.
The surrounding Elders glanced at him from time to time.
Seeing this, Chu Zhiyuan became exceedingly curious about the Giant Spirit Sect's rules for wielding power.
As Elders, they did not even ask about it?
They clearly knew something was amiss, yet they remained silent, not uttering a single extra word?
It was clear that this Sect Master carried immense prestige, enough to suppress all the Elders.
Half an hour later, a cold and stern middle-aged man drifted into the main hall.
Zhu Lingyun sensed his arrival. His eyes flew open, and he turned to look before rising into the air and landing before the man. He clasped his fists. "Master!"
Chu Zhiyuan observed him through Zhu Lingyun.
The middle-aged man had a square face, and his large eyes were bright and spirited, their gleam almost scorching.
Nearly every gaze would be drawn to those eyes, overlooking everything else.
One would overlook the fact that he was neither tall nor broad, merely of average build, even somewhat lean.
Through Zhu Lingyun's memories, Chu Zhiyuan knew that this middle-aged man was Zhao Ruilin, the Sect Master of the Giant Spirit Sect.
Zhao Ruilin swept his gaze over the other