Chen Wei's fine words had barely left his lips.
Taibai Jinxing cast the minor immortal a sidelong glance and leisurely picked up the conversation. "Qingquan, the Great Heavenly Venerable himself just said there were no outsiders in this hall. Relax. There's no need to stand on ceremony."
Those words sounded like an attempt to smooth things over, but they were actually a pointer.
Chen Wei caught the meaning, but his expression remained unchanged. "Star Lord, the Great Heavenly Venerable's consideration for his humble servant is a boundless heavenly grace. Yet I keep his instructions engraved upon my heart at all times and dare not slacken in the slightest. Rules are the foundation upon which the Heavenly Court stands. As the official charged with enforcing discipline, if I behaved improperly before His Majesty, I would be knowingly breaking the law."
His refusal to budge did make him seem somewhat unappreciative.
But Chen Wei did not mind.
Relax?
Laugh and chat?
Don't be ridiculous.
He had only held his position for a few days. If he actually took the invitation at face value and treated the Lingxiao Palace like his own backyard, trouble would follow.
Polite words from senior immortals were just something to listen to. Whoever took them seriously would die.
Besides, Chen Wei had already guessed that the Great Heavenly Venerable's covert assessment had begun the moment he stepped into the Lingxiao Palace. Taibai Jinxing's remarks had simply added a bonus question.
Upon the high dais.
The Great Heavenly Venerable raised his eyelids slightly, glanced at Yang Chan, then nodded. "Good. Qingquan, you hold high office without arrogance and enjoy great favor without indulging yourself. You know your bounds, and you get things done."
"I am humbled, Your Majesty." Chen Wei remained respectful, his gaze still fixed straight ahead.
His