Chi Xuntian's expression remained unchanged, unmoved by favor or disgrace, his gaze steady.
With his hands clasped before him, he bowed once more, his bearing so respectful that not a single fault could be found. "This disciple respectfully welcomes the First Grand Supreme."
Sunlight shone on his ink-black hair and jade crown, setting off his sword-like brows and star-bright eyes. He possessed a composure all his own.
A trace of amusement flickered in Qing Chen's eyes.
Over a hundred years of managing the sect had indeed taught Chi Xuntian a few tricks.
He recalled that when this lad first appeared over a century ago, he had been, at most, a rash young man with all his sharp edges exposed.
The disciple that old fellow Xuanji had taught was rather interesting.
Young, a Deputy Sect Master of a Nascent Soul Great Sect, at the late Golden Core stage, with a jade soul body and a top-tier spiritual root, neither arrogant nor impatient-he had truly made Earth Pass Island (Cangming Island) flourish.
"Why don't I see Junior Brother Xuanji?"
He asked despite knowing the answer.
Qing Chen spoke abruptly, displeasure in his tone.
"I've returned from afar, yet he, as my junior brother, hasn't even come to welcome me? Simply outrageous."
Those final words struck like icicles smashing into the ground.
The cultivators on the docks shuddered in unison.
The question came so abruptly that Chi Xuntian's heart lurched. He stepped half a pace forward and bowed. "Reporting to the First Grand Supreme, Master left over half a year ago to roam the world in search of an opportunity to break through. There has been no word from him since.
"That he failed to welcome you in time was due to this disciple's failure to maintain contact. Please forgive me, First Grand