The voice pierced the Gang Winds howling outside the cave and reached both men's ears with perfect clarity.
Han Shi and Jueqing shuddered, immediately straightened their robes, and strode into the cave entrance.
Inside the cave.
Qing Chen sat cross-legged on a pile of rubble formed from bone powder. His aura had withdrawn completely, making him look like an ordinary black-robed cultivator.
Han Shi and Jueqing moved with practiced ease. They stopped a hundred feet before Qing Chen, dropped to one knee in unison, and bowed their heads with their fists clasped:
"Your subordinate, Han Shi!"
"Your subordinate, Jueqing!"
"Pays respects to the Sect Leader!"
Their voices rang out together, firm and powerful.
Qing Chen said nothing. He simply watched them as though looking at two stones.
One breath.
Three breaths.
Five breaths.
Sweat began to bead on Han Shi's forehead.
He felt as though the Sect Leader's gaze were two blades scraping across his divine soul, inch by inch, inside and out, top to bottom, scraping it clean.
Jueqing also felt immense pressure.
They both knew the Sect Leader's rule-until told to rise, they stayed kneeling.
Another three breaths passed.
"Rise." Qing Chen finally spoke, his voice betraying no fluctuation.
As though granted a pardon, Han Shi and Jueqing finally dared to stand. They stood with their hands lowered, not daring to let their eyes wander.
"Su Zixuan said you had something important to report in person? What is it that requires an audience with me?" Qing Chen asked casually.
Han Shi took a deep breath and clasped his fists. "Reporting to the Sect Leader, this matter... is of grave importance. I dared not send a message, much less entrust it to someone else, so I could only come and report it in person."
"Oh?" Qing Chen raised an