Their weathered wrinkles and aged hearts quivered under the weight of the abrupt surprise. Some of them were still panting, desperately attempting to regain control of their breath after being caught off guard.
Bai Qingsheng, the current Patriarch, experienced a tumultuous mix of emotions as he observed their condition. These individuals were meant to be the clandestine guardians of their sect, yet seeing them in such a state filled him with deep concern, despite their elevated cultivation.
After a brief moment, the ancestors began conversing amongst themselves, reminiscing about the rarity and magnificence of this sensation. Eventually, they recalled that they had kept their successor standing for far too long.