Qing Chen had barely settled into his chair when Second Elder Yuji took the initiative to attack. "Hall Lord Qing, what a rare honor to have you grace us with your presence today.
"Since you took charge of Tianshu Hall, this must be your first time setting foot in the Elder Hall, mustn't it? Aren't you being rather too arrogant?
"You may be young, but since you rank among the elders, you ought to act like one."
As soon as those words fell, the hall grew quiet, then sank into deathly silence.
Qing Chen remained composed, as though he had heard nothing;
the other elders each harbored their own thoughts. No one took up the conversation, nor did anyone voice a disagreement.
Third Elder Tianhuo sat upright in his chair, his lips tightly shut, without uttering a word.
When Qing Chen had taken charge of Earth Pass Island and distributed the Spirit Stones, he had actually forgotten all about him. Such cold treatment would have left anyone seething inside, and he was naturally displeased.
Elder Dan Ding and Elder Xuanzhen, meanwhile, looked detached from worldly affairs, their eyes on their noses and their noses pointing toward their hearts;
as though what was happening before them had nothing whatsoever to do with them, plainly adopting an attitude of "if it doesn't concern me, hang it high and leave it alone."
Yet Xin Bairen was quite unlike his usual self today.
As Elder Yuji's most capable subordinate, he ordinarily obeyed his every word and followed wherever he led.
His silence today was truly rather surprising.
Elder Yuji was also somewhat startled and could not help casting a sidelong glance at Xin Bairen.
Xin Bairen's gaze was dull, his eyes vacant, as though his divine soul had left his body to wander beyond