A commotion arose within the sect as I returned with 38 new disciples, accompanied by Tang Yusheng, bringing the total number of cultivators to 40. Sun Liang, the sect leader, greeted us as we landed on the central peak.
"Elder Li, you're back. Look at how many new disciples we have here," Sun Liang exclaimed.
Various sect elders were also present, and as the newcomers and Tang Yusheng bowed and addressed Sun Liang as "Patriarch," I refrained from following suit. I simply wasn't in the mood for such formalities.
"Old man, aren't these disciples too numerous?" I casually remarked.
Xue Li, one of the elders, admonished, "Tian Li, mind your words when speaking to the Patriarch."
I met Xue Li's gaze and retorted, "You should mind your words too, Xue Li. It's 'Elder Li' for you as well. Crazy woman."
Xue Li seethed with anger, and a few other elders, whom I had little contact with, expressed their disapproval. But I paid them no mind.
