Si Hour had just passed.
A party of several dozen entered the Earth Pill Sect, led by none other than Desolate Suppression City's Commander-in-Chief, Gao Tianfang.
Upon receiving word, the senior members remaining at the Earth Pill Sect immediately assembled to welcome Gao Tianfang and ushered him into the Council Hall.
Since no acting Sect Master had been selected, the central seat of honor in the Council Hall stood vacant.
Every one of these senior members wanted that seat, but none dared sit there now, afraid of becoming the target of everyone's arrows.
After entering the Council Hall, Gao Tianfang walked straight to the central seat of honor without any hesitation and plopped himself down.
The guest had usurped the host!
The expressions of all the Earth Pill Sect's senior members in the Council Hall changed drastically, but no one dared utter a sound.
Gao Tianfang looked around, his gaze slowly sweeping over the senior members. "Everyone, sit down."
After a brief hesitation, the senior members took their seats one after another.
Their expressions, however, kept shifting between light and shadow.
Gao Tianfang cleared his throat. "I've investigated everyone present. Behind each of you stands one of the city's various powers."
At these words, the senior members' expressions changed again.
Gao Tianfang continued, "I've also investigated the senior members and disciples who left with Hong Qingliu.
"Those people are loyal to the Earth Pill Sect and have no ties to the other powers in Desolate Suppression City. Most also possess considerable talent in pill refining."
At this point, he deliberately paused to observe their reactions. Six breaths later, he raised his voice.
"I can only tell you, with great regret, that Hong Qingliu has discarded you. Hong Qingliu hasn't disappeared. He left Desolate Suppression City of his own accord."
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