The peak elder's throat rolled tightly as he fixed his icy gaze on Elias standing quietly behind him.
Anguish battled with resolve beneath his calm exterior. No matter how tense the situation, he couldn't be cowardly.
Elias was Ethan's favored disciple; to openly challenge Ethan was to invite peril far worse than any peak elder could face. He would rather offend Adyr and the Outer Sect than Ethan himself.
The elder's voice turned cruel and sharp, belying his internal restraint.
"Haha, Master Adyr, please do not assume strength excuses you from respect and law. Remember, you are only an Outer Sect elder now. Elias's fate will be decided by the Inner Sect's punishment hall. You have no authority here!"
Adyr's eyes narrowed with venom. His spiritual energy coalesced rapidly, transforming into a blade of searing light pulsating in his hand, aimed directly at the elder.
