A complete path is far easier to walk than an incomplete one. This is especially true for a path that others have already trodden.
For those with few options, obtaining such a complete path was exhilarating. This was the source of the excitement filling the Council Pavilion.
"For this, you all have the Merak Sacred Land to thank, along with Sect Leader Liu and Elder Lü!"
Gu An continued.
A single word of thanks, however, drew a clear line between them.
Within the Sect, one didn't speak of thanks, but of contributions.
Some didn't notice anything amiss, but others had already grasped the underlying meaning of his words.
"Sect Leader Gu is far more courteous than he used to be!"
Lü Zhenghai replied with a smile.
He, of course, understood the implication.
Before, they were all part of the Cyan Yuan Sect, but now they represented different parties.
Ostensibly, nothing had changed between them, but where their interests were concerned, a shift had already occurred.
