The Venerable trailed off, staring in stunned disbelief at the First, the Emperor, and the Prophet—three awe-inspiring and terrifying figures.

To his shock, these three bowed their heads, just as he had done, but not to him. They bowed to the figure in the mist.

"Mentor, you've arrived," the three council members said in deep, reverent voices.

Venerable: ???

"Take your seats," the mysterious figure in the mist said calmly, and the three elders obediently sat down, with noticeable caution. The figure then glanced at the Venerable.

"You, too, sit."

"Yes, sir!" The Venerable immediately sat up straight, placing his hands carefully on the table as if he were a primary school student.

Chen Xiang couldn't help but think this guy was truly peculiar. He remained silent for a while before asking, "Who is this Venerable?"

The Prophet replied with respect, "During your six-year absence, I recovered a council token that had been taken by the Thought Hall Church. This is the new member, appointed just last month, though they were not a former apostle."

Chen Xiang remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Which elementary school did you recruit him from?"

The three council members looked puzzled. The Prophet hesitated, trying to grasp the deeper meaning of the Mentor's words.

"I don't quite understand, sir. Are you suggesting we spread the old flame in elementary schools? That's indeed a good idea. Children are more malleable, after all. You've opened a new door for us."

Chen Xiang felt his chest tighten. Had the three of them gone mad while he was away?

Maybe it was contagious from this guy.

Chen Xiang glanced at the Venerable, who lowered his head respectfully, inwardly cursing himself. If only he could go back and give his past self a good slap.

After another long silence, Chen Xiang leaned back slightly in his bronze chair and said casually, "Six years."

"I have not concerned myself with worldly matters for six years. What has happened during this time?"

The First replied respectfully, "To answer your question, since the divine punishment six years ago, the outer three rings of the Great City have fallen into the depths of the Mist Sea. The people there are now known as wanderers—elusive and difficult to track. They often appear in different nations, spreading the name of the True Shepherd."

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He paused for a moment and continued, "The Great City itself has already been filled in and rebuilt in the outer three rings, which have now completely become a testing ground for the gods. Criminals from the nine nations and the Great City are sent there, and each year bishops and archbishops from various churches go there for harvests or divine descents."

Chen Xiang frowned slightly, nodding to indicate he understood.

The Emperor then spoke softly, "As for the East Hong Kingdom, it remains the same as before, with no significant changes or noteworthy events."

The Prophet added quietly, "The White Star Nation also shows no abnormalities. If there is anything of note, it's that a group called the Secret Society, which has long opposed the Thought Hall, has resurfaced. They now have a Saintess, who once lived in the Great City."

"A Saintess?" Chen Xiang asked in surprise, glancing to the side as a familiar face came to mind.

"Yes, that's right."

Seeing that the Mentor was interested, the Prophet quickly elaborated, "Her name is Li Xiaotong. According to our investigation, she briefly traveled with the True Shepherd. For some unknown reason, she became the Saintess of the Secret Society, and under her leadership, the society has grown rapidly, almost regaining its former glory."

Chen Xiang pondered this, having a rough guess that it was likely due to the Eye of the Thinker. Wait, did the Prophet refer to Li Xiaotong as 'she'? That girl seemed to have changed quite a bit; good for her.

After tapping his fingers lightly on the round table, Chen Xiang turned his gaze back to the Venerable, who was sitting upright, and asked, "And you? Which nation are you from?"

"Reporting to you!"

The Venerable immediately replied, "I come from the East Hong Kingdom!"

"Another from East Hong?" Chen Xiang nodded lightly, not asking too many questions, before looking at the other three council members, saying calmly, "I've healed quite a bit, but I'm still not fully recovered. This time I'm here to guide my disciple back from the Eternal Void."

The Venerable blinked, thinking, 'Disciple? Eternal Void?'

He swallowed hard; it seemed that only one being had been banished there—the True Shepherd, who had hurled a spear at the Lord of Death!

His mentor's disciple was actually... her?

The Venerable's heart raced, feeling the figure cloaked in mist was even more imposing and terrifying.

"We know," the Prophet spoke reverently, "We are aware of your injuries. Your battle with the Lord of the Abyss turned the entire Abyss upside down."

Chen Xiang suddenly turned his head, three question marks popping up above him.

"???"

What?!

He felt somewhat bewildered, wanting to ask for clarification but hesitating.

Fortunately, someone else was there to voice the confusion.

"Ah?!"

The Venerable's eyes widened, his breath quickening noticeably as his body trembled slightly. He spoke with awe, "The chaos in the Abyss was caused by the Mentor?!"

The Prophet gently nodded, waving his hand as illusory mist intertwined into light and scenery. "This is a vision of time I obtained not long ago, coming from the Abyss six years ago. The First and the Emperor have seen it, and Venerable, you should take a look as well."

The Venerable's eyes widened as he watched intently.

Chen Xiang cast a sidelong glance at the scene, curious but also somewhat amused at the Venerable's shocked expression.