Hearing Sect Master Xiao's words, the Third Elder fell silent for a moment.
Then he smiled. "Sect Master, you're overthinking it."
Sect Master Xiao raised his head and looked at the Third Elder.
"No matter what, he is still a disciple of our True Martial Sacred Sect," the Third Elder replied.
"You said before that if he stayed in the sect, you would protect him.
"Though we did not help him all the way through, it was not as though we did nothing."
"I understand." Sect Master Xiao nodded.
Then he asked, "What reactions did the other elders have?"
"No reaction at all. They're very quiet," the Third Elder said with a smile.
"Quiet? I'd say every last one of them is trembling with fear." Sect Master Xiao shook his head.
"They joined forces to drive Qingshan down from the position of Vice Sect Master. Let's see what they can do now."
At this point, Sect Master Xiao sighed again. "I should go see the ancestors and explain the situation."
"Sect Master, in my opinion, the ancestors do not wish to interfere in this matter," the Third Elder said.
"What do you mean?" Sect Master Xiao froze for a moment.
"Though the ancestors do not show themselves, you and I both know that not even the slightest stir within the sect can escape the notice of the several ancestors."
The Third Elder replied, "Yet this matter was so serious, and the ancestors never appeared from beginning to end.
"Think about it. Did the ancestors truly not know, or did they simply not wish to intervene?"
Having said that much, the Third Elder did not continue. The answer was already clear to both of them.
"You see things more clearly than I do." Sect Master Xiao gave a bitter smile.
"It