Every Elder in the room straightened their posture.
Bai Yunfei took his seat at the head of the obsidian table.
He did not look like a tyrant, but the effortless gravity of his presence demanded absolute obedience.
"Elders. Sovereigns," the Sect Leader began, his rich, melodic voice filling the chamber. He poured himself a cup of tea, waving off the attending servants. "I apologize for detaining you. But the impending Official Sect Martial Ranking requires... a recalibration of our traditional methods."
A murmur of surprise rippled around the table.
"A recalibration, Sect Leader?" Elder Hua inquired, her cherry-blossom hair tilting slightly. "The tournament format has remained unchanged for three centuries. The preliminary hunts, followed by the Grand Arena duels. It is a tested, proven crucible."
Bai Yunfei sighed, a soft, incredibly majestic sound that somehow conveyed boredom.
