There were no fewer than fifty Supreme Elders present, each possessing at least mid-stage Grandmaster cultivation.
This genuinely surprised Ian Song; he hadn't expected the Pristine Way Sect to have so many mid-stage Grandmasters and above. But then again, the sect had produced Martial Saints before, so it wasn't that strange for them to have such deep foundations.
But the atmosphere felt ominous; quite a few Supreme Elders were looking at him with clear hostility.
He was sharp enough to quickly figure out the reason: word of his falling out with the Military Council must have reached these Supreme Elders. He might have the guts to defy the army, but the Pristine Way Sect probably didn't.
He couldn't help but wonder how the Pristine Way Sect was going to deal with him.
His mind was racing, but his steps didn't falter. He walked to the center of the grand hall, bowed to Sect Master Ethan Chen Yuanshan: "Disciple Ian Song greets the Sect Master."
"No need for formalities." Ethan Chen Yuanshan nodded, expressionless, neither happy nor sad.
Next, Ian Song bowed to the Supreme Elders on both sides: "Disciple greets all Supreme Elders."
"Hmph." More than a dozen Supreme Elders snorted coldly in unison, their gazes growing even more dissatisfied.
"Little Ian, what's going on between you and the Military Council?" Ethan Chen Yuanshan asked, clearly pretending not to know.
One of the elders spoke up in a deliberately ambiguous tone.
Fifteen snorted coldly, one mocked him, twenty-three wore dark expressions, and the remaining eleven showed no emotion at all.
After sizing them up, Ian Song couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He knew his situation was seriously bad.
Forget about becoming sect master—at this rate, he might not even be allowed to stay in the Pristine Way Sect.
"Little Ian, what's going on between you and the Military Council?" Ethan Chen Yuanshan asked, clearly pretending not to know.
Ian Song thought for a moment, then said, "I refused to leave Sanctum Martial Academy and join the army, which angered the Military Council. Now they want me punished."
"Heh, kid, I didn't think you were arrogant enough to actually defy the Military Council!"
The same Supreme Elder who'd mocked Ian Song earlier spoke up again.
"Sigh."
Ethan Chen Yuanshan let out a heavy sigh. "You really are foolish. The Military Council is so powerful—countless people would kill to join them, but you refused. Honestly..."
Ian Song didn't say anything else and simply stayed silent.
After a while, Ethan Chen Yuanshan spoke again: "Supreme Elders, what do you think is the best way to handle Little Leon's situation?"
The Supreme Elder who'd mocked Ian Song twice before spoke up darkly: "I say we should cripple his cultivation, expel him from the Pristine Way Sect, and hand him over to the Military Council!"
"Elder Lutz, isn't that a bit too harsh?" said a rather portly Supreme Elder. "Expelling him is one thing, but crippling his cultivation too? The kid's come a long way—just let him fend for himself."
"Why? Little Leon hasn't broken any sect rules—what right do we have to punish him!" Elder Dongfang Tianya shouted angrily.
"That's right, this isn't proper!" Cole Chong Duan chimed in.
The richly-robed elder standing first on the left sneered: "He may not have broken any rules, but the mess he's made is even worse. We all know how powerful the Military Council is. Right now, Sea Emperor Sect is joining forces with Divine Moon Cult and Sky-Net Gate to target us, but they've held back so far.
But if we provoke the Military Council, those three sects won't hold back at all. There will be others lining up to destroy the Pristine Way Sect. Compared to total annihilation, not killing him outright is already mercy. So, he must be crippled and expelled—and it would be best if we personally handed him over to the Military Council."
His tone became sharp and decisive, then his gaze fell on Elder Dongfang Tianya: "Since Elder Dongfang is his master, it's only fitting that he be the one to cripple his cultivation."
At these words, Elder Dongfang Tianya's face changed dramatically.
Standing behind the long-bearded elder, Harriet Gu couldn't help but tug at his sleeve.
A look of helplessness flashed in the long-bearded elder’s eyes. He spoke up, "Elder Ma, isn’t this a bit too heartless?"
Elder Ma glanced playfully at Elder Gu. "I’ve heard your granddaughter is quite close to that boy, Elder Gu. Don’t let personal feelings override the public good. If you lose one potential grandson-in-law, you can always find another. But if disaster strikes the Pristine Way Sect, none of us will escape!"
"...You...!"
Elder Gu’s face instantly turned ashen, but he couldn’t say another word.
Dongfang Tianya’s voice rang out again: "No, I disagree. Our Pristine Way Sect has a thousand years of heritage. If we cripple a disciple’s cultivation and cast him out just for offending the Military Council, it’s just too chilling. Where’s the backbone of our sect?"
"If you want backbone, then be ready for the sect’s destruction!" Elder Ma retorted sharply, then mocked, "Elder Dongfang, since you’ve got so much backbone, why don’t you go talk to the Military Council yourself? Maybe they’ll be moved by your righteousness and spare both our sect and your disciple!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Tianya’s face went dark with anger. He shouted, "Ma Xuanji, don’t go too far!"
Elder Ma Xuanji sneered, then cupped his hands toward Ethan Chen Yuanshan. "Sect Master, we need to make a decision soon. If the Military Council gets angry, we won’t have any room left to maneuver!"
"Sigh!"