Afterward, Elder Shen began to discuss other matters. The Sect-Entering Order, which was recorded in the annals and set aside as "to be discussed", effectively becoming "voided", was returned. The disciple handed the Sect-Entering Order to Mo Hua. "As for the matter of joining the Sect, further discussion is needed..." "How long will the discussion take?" Mo Hua asked. The disciple, polite yet with a touch of indifference, said, "The Elders’ deliberation is not something we disciples can inquire about. I do not know either. Just let it be..." Mo Hua understood the situation in his heart. To accept is to accept, to reject is to reject. Even with a Sect-Entering Order in hand, they still prevaricated with discussions. It was probably a polite refusal... He didn’t think that, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was worth the Qian Taoist Sect, a fifth-rank Sect, to deliberate over for ten days and a half a month. Most likely, it would come to nothing. Mo Hua shook his head. He hadn’t expected that after traversing mountains and rivers to get here, he wouldn’t even enter the gates of the Qian Taoist Sect... Looking at the threshold in front of the Sect’s entrance, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: "The threshold of the Qian Taoist Sect is indeed high..." Mo Hua put away the Sect-Entering Order. Although the order was now useless, it was, after all, something his master had left him and could be kept as a keepsake. If you’re not family, you don’t enter the family’s door. A Sect so grand and luxurious, with a high threshold, accepting only "geniuses" was indeed not suitable for him... The Qian Xue State Boundary was so vast; he could simply look for another Sect! "If this place won’t keep me, there will be another that will!" Mo Hua invigorated his spirit. The slight disappointment in his heart instantly vanished as he looked up and puffed out his chest, leaving the gates of the Qian Taoist Sect with a proud and defiant air. However, as he descended the mountain, he brushed past a cultivator donning the Taoist robe of a Qian Taoist Sect Elder, with half-white hair and a stern face and eyes. One ascending the mountain, the other descending. The two passed by each other without taking notice. This stern-faced Elder of the Qian Taoist Sect had four golden patterns on his robe. Wearing an aura of authority, he strode directly into the Sect’s entrance. Along the way, disciples greeted him with clasped hands, and he responded with a slight nod before entering the hall where the Sect deliberated, only then frowning slightly. Elder Shen looked up and saw him, saying indifferently: "Elder Zheng, you are late." Discover more content at freewebnovel Elder Zheng took his seat as if it were a matter of course, snorted and said, "It’s all the same whether I’m early or late." The atmosphere grew somewhat stiff. Elder Shen chuckled, unperturbed, and said: "Let’s continue discussing... the recent approach of disciple admission brings many tasks. They should be dealt with promptly to avoid delay. Finishing the discussions earlier will make it easier for everyone..." The others echoed in agreement. The atmosphere returned to normal. One by one, the various affairs were brought up, involving matters from disciple enrollment to improvements in Sect governance, rewards and punishments for instructors, and matters related to the Elders’ treatment... The gathering of Elders put forth their suggestions, then looked for Elder Shen’s reaction, and ultimately reached a consensus. Only Elder Zheng, either silent or, when he spoke, with sharp words, added some tension to the atmosphere. But he was only one man with one vote, and he couldn’t change much. In most cases, he could only turn a blind eye and reluctantly "agree". However, an hour later, when a certain matter was discussed, Elder Zheng’s attitude became stubborn, even angry. "Only the highest-grade Spiritual Roots are allowed to enroll?" Elder Zheng banged the table furiously, "What kind of nonsense is that?!" Elder Shen’s composure twitched slightly, but he still managed to contain his anger and said indifferently: "Elder Zheng, as an instructor, you should not speak foul language and forget your manners..." Elder Zheng retorted angrily, "Enough with the pretense, what manners? You’re ready to lose your own face, so what manners do I need to uphold?" Elder Shen, growing angry, said, "Elder Zheng!" He took a deep breath, "Only the highest-grade Spiritual Roots are allowed to enroll; this is what all the Elders agreed upon after discussion..." Elder Zheng scoffed, "Agreed upon? Isn’t it all about following your lead?" This statement made the other Elders at the scene uncomfortable. Elder Shen said coldly, "Are you implying that I, Shen, run a one-man show?" "It’s not you, Shen, it’s your Shen Family!" Elder Zheng sneered and spoke bluntly: "What are you counting for? Just a Feather Transformation. Why should others give you face?" "The respect is for your Shen Family at your back, a colossal entity, a noble clan established for ten thousand years, deeply rooted! You’re nothing more than a human ’messenger talisman’ for your Shen Family..." Elder Shen flew into a rage, "Presumptuous!" The other Elders in the hall were also somewhat taken aback. Elder Zheng sneered without a word. Elder Shen continued coldly, "Elder Zheng, your unfounded accusations are not only disparaging me but the Shen Family as well!" "Whether it’s slander or not, you know it in your heart. What is the ethos of this Qian Taoist Sect? Needless for me to elaborate?" Elder Zheng sneered again, "I heard that even Great cultivators of the Heaven Void Realm wishing to take a post in the Qian Taoist Sect have to bend down and toast you, Elder Shen?" Elder Shen still only said, "Nonsensical talk!" Elder Zheng proceeded to air his own grievances, "How many spots have you covertly skimmed off over the years? Who exactly have those spots gone to?" "To the Shen Family?" "Or sold at a high price to noble clans in cahoots with the Shen Family?" "Do you want the Qian Taoist Sect to change its allegiance and surname?!" ... This statement was extremely grave, causing all the Elders present to change their expressions. Elder Shen settled down instead, waved his hand to the others, "Everyone, please disperse. We will discuss this matter later. Elder Zheng... he has encountered some deviations in his cultivation and injured his Sea of Consciousness, occasionally speaking nonsense. Please be understanding..." The gathered Elders, as if pardoned, clasped their hands and dispersed. In the now empty hall, only Elder Zheng and Elder Shen were left.