Chronicles of Heaven's Chosen - Chapter 66

Elder Yan was staring at him with a piercing gaze.

Unhurried, Cang Li stepped forward and saluted. Then he smiled and nodded to every leader present, making no deliberate attempt to exclude Elder Yan.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, he casually found a seat and sat down.

Throughout the entire exchange, Cang Li remained neither humble nor overbearing. Every movement carried an easy, proper grace that left no fault for anyone to find.

All the representatives knew what had happened outside, but they were shrewd enough not to interfere.

The Sixth Elder of Taisui Sect resumed the earlier discussion.

“This old man suspects the residents of Yunming City were poisoned by some hallucinogenic substance. At present, we should summon physicians from the various sects, identify the poison, and refine an antidote.”

The plump elder from Dual Poles Sect rejected the idea firmly. “No. This is not poison! If it were, why would the unconscious residents wither away and die the instant they are removed from Yunming City?”

“We have discussed this endlessly without finding a solution. What is the point?! We might as well enter together and investigate for ourselves!”

Pang Liang, the Third Elder of Tianyun Sect, shot to his feet and spoke with a violent temper.

“Pang Liang, calm down!” Elder Yan frowned.

“How am I supposed to be calm? Many disciples of the Tianyun Sect are trapped in Yunming City!” Pang Liang grew more agitated with every word.

Among them was Weng Mingshu, the sect master’s precious daughter.

Pang Liang planted both hands on the table and glared around the room.

“We began discussing countermeasures last night, and we’re still sitting here talking! Have we truly reached no clear conclusion?”

Elder Yan frowned. “Pang Liang, this is a matter of grave importance. If we fail to plan every detail properly, even more innocent people will lose their lives. And the Tianyun Sect is not the only one with a team inside Yunming City. Every sect here has already sent squads of elite disciples to infiltrate it.”

Pang Liang shot back, “And has all this discussion produced any result? If we send no one to investigate, are we supposed to wait until everyone is dead before strolling in to rescue them?”

Elder Yan’s expression turned ugly.

“If the Tianyun Sect is so impatient, then investigate on your own! This old man will not stop you!”

“Fine!” Pang Liang straightened and tossed out the word with a cold laugh.

“Pang Liang…” Someone tried to dissuade him, but he had already strode out.

Feng Degang of the Chongxu Sect spoke with measured calm.

“At present, we know nothing about why the residents of Yunming City have fallen unconscious. In my view, a thorough investigation is necessary. This time, however, we should not send the disciples. We leaders should form a team and go ourselves. What do you all think?”

The leaders exchanged glances.

One of them said, “I agree with Elder Feng. The longer we waste here, the more people will die in Yunming City. I am willing to accompany you.”

“I’ll go as well,” the plump elder from Dual Poles Sect added.

More and more people voiced their agreement.

Elder Yan remained silent. Once the inner hall quieted, he looked toward Cang Li, who had yet to speak.

“Cang Li, is no one from your esteemed sect willing to represent it on this expedition?”

Cang Li sighed deeply and said with regret, “To tell the truth, this disciple knows his cultivation is shallow. If I rashly followed everyone into Yunming City, I fear I would only become a burden.”

Elder Yan sneered. “The Xiaoyao Sect’s sect master certainly seems unconcerned. From beginning to end, he has sent only two so-called mentors and a group of powerless young disciples to make a perfunctory show of helping.”

His words hid needles in silk. He had come just short of saying outright that the Xiaoyao Sect did not care about the Yunming City crisis and was unworthy of its name as a righteous sect.

Cang Li’s expression shifted. He raised his head and answered, each word ringing with force.

“Elder Yan, that isn’t fair! Most of the disciples sent by the Xiaoyao Sect are physicians. They came to Yunming City to treat the unconscious residents. Could it be that Elder Yan holds physicians in contempt?”

“Of course not.” Elder Yan’s face stiffened slightly, and his reply was cold.

Cang Li rose, cupped his hands, and smiled.

“Then please think more carefully before passing judgment, Elder Yan.”

Elder Yan’s face darkened at once.

Just as he was about to erupt, a voice rang out from outside.

“The Second Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect has arrived!”

Everyone exchanged glances and turned toward the entrance to the inner hall.

A woman in pale blue strode inside. Her expression was frosty, and an indescribably powerful aura radiated from her, inspiring instinctive awe.

“Second Elder!” Cang Li brightened when he saw Zong Rao.

Zong Rao looked toward him. He hurried over and, with his back to the others, secretly signaled her with his eyes.

She understood immediately.

In truth, Cang Li had never wanted to take part in this council. Now that the Second Elder had arrived, he could finally withdraw with his duty done.

“Second Elder, I’ll go outside now,” Cang Li murmured. “Little Junior Sister is waiting for me.”

Zong Rao had already greeted little Yuan Yao outside. She nodded, then sent him a voice transmission.

*Wait outside with her. Your Master asked me to pass a message to both of you.*

“All right.” Cang Li’s heart filled with guilt.

He saluted everyone present, turned, and left the inner hall.

Zong Rao looked around the room.

“Everyone, it has been a long time.”

They all greeted her in return.

Zong Rao walked past them to Elder Yan’s side, pulled out a chair, and sat directly beside him. Turning to the scrawny old man, she gave him a small smile.

“Elder Yan, it has been a long time for us as well. I wonder whether you’ve been saying anything unpleasant about the Xiaoyao Sect. Even if you have, you shouldn’t say it in front of the younger generation. If you frighten them, I’ll have to soothe their tender little hearts.”

“Zong Rao!” Elder Yan’s wrinkled face sank, and his tone carried a warning.

Zong Rao raised a brow. “You still remember me, Elder Yan. I’m delighted.”

Elder Yan’s expression darkened.

Zong Rao turned to the other representatives. “Would someone tell me how far the discussion has progressed?”

Completely ignored, Elder Yan nearly choked on his own rage. He wanted nothing more than to kill the woman beside him on the spot.

Feng Degang was the first to explain the situation.

When he finished, Zong Rao rose.

Her expression turned grave.

“There is no time to lose. We leave immediately.”