Marcus and Xander watched in stunned silence as Elder Feng suddenly whisked Lucian away, their eyes wide with disbelief and confusion.
"Wait... Why is the elder..." Xander's voice trailed off, his mind trying to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
Marcus's golden brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing to slits as he watched Elder Feng and Lucian disappear into the mist-shrouded heights of Azure Sword Mountain.
The wind whipped around them, carrying whispers of confusion from the examination grounds below.
"This is... unusual," Marcus muttered, his fingers unconsciously tracing the hilt of his spirit sword, "For the sect elder suddenly to interrupt the recruitment process and personally escort a candidate... Something is amiss!"
Xander nodded, his cheek still stinging from the earlier slap.
"Senior brother, could it be that someone higher up has been watching the examination process and taken interest after seeing…"
