Shen Yuanzhi's voice was as ethereal as drifting dust and smoke, yet clear rather than muddled, like the pleasing chime that rang out when two pieces of finely textured, water-sunken jade gently struck each other.
Chen Heng lifted his eyelids and swept his gaze lightly around.
He saw that several of the less seasoned inner disciples in the hall wore expressions of admiration or bashfulness. They dared not look Shen Yuanzhi in the face, as though she were some raging flood or savage beast.
They merely forced their eyes firmly downward, not daring to overstep in the slightest for fear of giving offense.
Yet the backs of their necks
were already conspicuously slick with sweat...
Chen Heng raised an eyebrow slightly, inwardly amused.
Mi Hui beside him had evidently noticed this too. The corners of his mouth kept lifting, as though he could not help breaking into a smile.
In the end, however, he merely clenched a hand into a fist, brought it to his mouth, and forced out a few low coughs before stopping.
Just then, several more brilliant streaks of traveling light broke through the clouds, descending into the hall like flying lightning.
When the luminous haze dispersed,
the figures of Jiang Tongyuan, Jiang Daolian, and Wang Dian appeared.
"We disciples arrived late. Please forgive us, Master."
After bowing in greeting and receiving Shen Yuanzhi's nod, Jiang Daolian and Wang Dian each found a cushion and sat down.
Jiang Tongyuan alone advanced rather than retreating. Taking a small green wooden box from his sleeve, he opened its lid and said with a light chuckle,
"Master, I recently refined a Spirit-Clarity Elixir. Unfortunately, my skills are inadequate, so I would like to ask for your guidance."
The instant the lid opened,
a chill spread outward. A single sniff sent