The grand hall of the Misty Cloud Sect was quiet, the air tense with deliberation. Sunlight slanted through the tall windows, illuminating the faces of the elders seated in a semi-circle. Some brows were furrowed, some stern, while others carried the faintest trace of worry.
"It's been a while," one elder finally said, breaking the silence. "Why haven't we acted against the Xiao family yet? With their influence growing, it would have been the easiest time to strike."
Another elder shook his head. "Acting rashly now would only bring trouble. Their connections with multiple families, their alchemical influence… even a partial conflict could spark backlash we are not prepared to handle. And Xiao Yan himself—his abilities and reputation with the alchemists only make the family stronger. To attack them, especially now would risk much more than we gain."
A younger elder leaned forward. "We could isolate them, weaken their influence, or strike at a vulnerable point. But the truth is, the clan's position has strengthened considerably. With Xiao Yan in charge of their alchemy and trade, they've made allies early, gained favor, and attracted attention from alchemical grandmasters. They might not have acted till now, but they've got their eyes on him. And being on their wrong side won't be good for us in the long run."
The older elder nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. So we need to wait. Observe. Let their ambitions show themselves before we act. The Xiao clan have proven that they are able to compromise with their actions till now, so its better to not waste our resources and reputation unless absolute necessary."
After a moment, the conversation shifted. Xiao Chen, the young man who had already defied expectations in the city and the tournament, became the center of discussion.
"Regardless of the position of the Xiao clan, Xiao Chen's rise cannot be ignored," one elder said. "His power has disrupted our plans in the city, humiliated our disciples, and undermined the authority we hold here. Already some disciples are wondering if they should return to their families and try a different method."
At that, Nalan Yanran's master interjected from the far end of the hall. "Do not forget the damage he caused. Yanran's wounds are not healing easily, not even with our most advanced techniques. It takes a massive amount of resources just to negate the negative effect of his energy. Whatever method he's got, it suppresses our methods directly."
Murmurs of agreement passed through the hall. An elder added, "He must already consider us adversaries. I've already confirmed the rumors of him poisoning his own blood. A person like that, capable of harming his own blood, and acting with such calculation, is dangerous. We cannot underestimate him."
Another elder spoke carefully, "His growth has been rapid, almost monstrous. To ignore him would be folly. But to strike prematurely risks exposing our weaknesses and drawing unnecessary attention. The future threat he poses is undeniable, but patience must guide our actions."
Heads nodded in agreement, and for a moment, silence fell. Each elder weighed the consequences: the growing power of the Xiao family, the cunning of Xiao Chen, and the undeniable reality that the sect's authority had already been challenged.
Finally, the first elder spoke again, his tone measured. "For now, we wait. Observe. Let the Xiao family and Xiao Chen reveal their intentions. But make no mistake— We do not act against the clan indiscriminately, but Xiao Chen's every move must be monitored, anticipated, and countered where possible. If he steps out of the line, we must squash him promptly"