Chapter 63: Elder Lin

"Do they know something we don't?" Came a timid voice from a newly promoted elder named Ai Lin.

All eyes immediately swiveled towards her, their collective gaze bearing down on the petite figure with silver locks cascading down her shoulders and piercing blue eyes.

Sensing the weight of their scrutiny, Ai Lin couldn't help but retreat a step, her nerves betraying her in the presence of every single one of her peers.

The patriarch's steely gaze bored into her, his tone devoid of emotion as he asked for an explanation. "Now, would you care to enlighten us as to who you are?"

Summoning every ounce of courage she possessed, Ai Lin met the patriarch's unwavering stare.

"Um, I-I'm Ai Lin," she stammered softly, her voice a mere whisper in the vastness of the hall as she nervously tugged at the hem of her robe. "I-I was recently promoted to be an elder... I-I'm sorry for interrupting, I-I just couldn't help but wonder..."

Her words trailed off as she shrunk back further, feeling the weight of the patriarch's gaze upon her. Despite her timidity, there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes, a longing to understand the mysteries that surrounded them.

The patriarch nodded, his gaze lingering on Ai Lin for a few more seconds, his expression unreadable.

"Are you implying that the sudden pulse of energy could be connected to the actions of Heaven's Eternal Alliance, Elder Ai Lin?" There was a hint of suspicion in his voice as he addressed her.

Ai Lin's eyes widened in alarm, her breath catching in her throat. She swallowed nervously, her voice trembling as she responded, "N-no, Patriarch! I-I would never suggest such a thing!"

"Then what exactly are you proposing, Elder?" The patriarch's tone hardened slightly, sensing her unease, but his gaze remained penetrating.

The room fell into a stunned silence as Elder Lin's words reverberated off the walls, each syllable laden with tension. Shock rippled through the gathered assembly, their eyes darting between Elder Lin and the patriarch.

It was a rare sight to witness such gravity in the patriarch's demeanor, a stark departure from his usual composed presence. Even the memory of his son's public humiliation in a remote 5-star city didn't elicit such a response.

Elder Lin's mind raced, desperately searching for the right words to ease the tension.

"I... I was just wondering," she began, her words hesitant. "With everything going on, I thought it was worth asking why Heaven's Eternal Alliance chose to proceed with the event." Her voice wavered, betraying her anxiety.

The patriarch's gaze bore into her, unwavering yet inscrutable. "And what exactly do you suggest we do about it, Elder Lin?" he asked, his tone sharp but controlled.

Ai Lin remained silent, not daring to speak any more than what she had done in fear of making things worse.

The patriarch seeing her silence frowned.

"So basically what you're saying is..." The patriarch narrowed his eyes at her "You want to be killed"

The room grew tense, a suffocating atmosphere of imminent danger enveloping Elder Lin, making it hard for her to breathe, her knees trembling under the weight of the oppressive atmosphere of everyone's dangerous eyes piercing into her.

The patriarch rose, a slight grin playing on his lips. "Seeing that you're a new elder, I can forgive this transgression of yours, as your punishment, you will be part of the bodyguards accompanying the team to the silent battlefield games, understood?"

Elder Lin swallowed hard, unable to meet his gaze. "Y-yes, Patriarch," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, her fear palpable.

From an outsider's perspective, the scene might appear absurd, but to the assembled elders, it made perfect sense. It was an unspoken truth among them that the patriarch's lineage boasted a long history of valiant warriors who had fought bravely in the 900,000 thousand-year war.

As tradition dictated, once his ancestors reached a certain age, they would depart for Heaven's Eternal Alliance, leaving their domain behind.

This arrangement, mandated by the Alliance across all twelve domains, ensured a rotation of fresh leadership and maintained balance in the Eternal Continent.

With all of the patriarch's older relatives, including his parents, having joined the ranks of Heaven's Eternal Alliance, any insinuation about the Alliance would understandably rattle him.

Satisfied to see the elder accept her punishment, the patriarch nodded with a sense of closure.

After the tense encounter, the meeting resumed its usual course, with each elder speculating about the origins of the mysterious pulse. Meanwhile, Elder Lin hurriedly departed, seeking solace in the seclusion of her woodland home, far removed from the prying eyes of others.

As she rushed through the dense forest, a wave of relief washed over her. Her remote dwelling offered her sanctuary, shielding her from the judgmental gazes of her peers.

Alone in her haven, Elder Lin couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered from the confrontation. She longed to disappear into obscurity, wishing to escape the unwanted attention that had befallen her. For the first time, she found herself questioning whether anyone would still welcome her presence.

Despite her intentions being pure, Elder Lin's innocent question had stirred up a hornet's nest of suspicion and unease among her peers. Far from deterring her, this unexpected backlash only strengthened her resolve to uncover the truth behind Heaven's Eternal Alliance's actions.

Throughout her upbringing, Elder Lin's insatiable curiosity and gentle nature had endeared her to the elders, earning her their favor. However, in the aftermath of her ill-fated question, she found herself questioning whether her pursuit of truth had inadvertently jeopardized her standing and reputation.

(I rewrote the last few paragraphs of the last chapter since reading it again the next day, I realize I must have been half asleep since It made no sense, so if you wouldn't mind, please re-read them)