BANG!
The heavy doors of the Punishment Hall creaked open.
Everyone turned in unison.
Elder Qinglan walked in, her azure robes flowing like water—cold and graceful, every step light yet firm.
And behind her—Lin Xuan.
The same Lin Xuan who should've been locked away in cultivation, riding the high of his Heaven-grade Dao Resonance result.
Yet here he was, face serious, eyes sharp, striding just a half step behind Elder Qinglan like he'd personally dragged her over.
The crowd instantly buzzed again, whispering like cicadas.
Even Elder Shen's face stiffened.
Bai Zihan, meanwhile, simply smirked a little, raising his chin a fraction.
(Not bad, Lin Xuan!)
Bai Zihan thought casually.
He hadn't asked for help nor shared anything with him.
But Lin Xuan had obviously heard about his arrest somehow and immediately gone to Elder Qinglan—who, as Bai Zihan's Peak Master, couldn't ignore it.
It wasn't a huge favor... but Bai Zihan appreciated it.
