"Elite disciples, instructors, and division authorities of the Green Shadow Academy; welcome to the reception ceremony!"
When the man sitting at the peak of the pyramid spoke, everyone, without a single exception, turned toward him and bowed their heads.
"Second Elder!"
The gleam in the eyes of the man, who accepted their respect with a haughty look, grew stronger; raising his voice, he kept talking.
"Since the Patriarch of our Academy has gone into seclusion to pass a critical step in his cultivation, I will lead the ceremony in this tenth year, just as I have for the past nine!"
A storm of applause burst from the spectator rows surrounding the new disciples; two seconds later, the people sitting in the pyramid joined the noise. Yet, exactly one man stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Look at that bastard! He has the nerve to stand there without clapping!"
