An elder clicked his tongue in admiration: “What luck…”
“Indeed, even a Sect-Entering Order could be found…”
Elder Shen nodded: “Some people in this world do indeed encounter extraordinary fortunes…”
“Since this boy has such fortune, then…” an elder probed Elder Shen’s intention.
Elder Shen mused for a moment and slowly said: “Having fortune is one thing, but…”
Elder Shen’s expression became slightly haughty as he reflected:
“Our Qian Taoist Sect offers such a grand opportunity; he simply cannot bear it!”
The elders were startled, and they exclaimed in admiration:
“Elder Shen speaks wisely!”
“A fortune too great can also be a misfortune…”
“A person of light fortune cannot withstand such overwhelming wealth…”
“This is also for his own good…”
…
“But…” some elders were concerned, “if we refuse, will that not damage the prestige of our Qian Taoist Sect?”
After all, those holding the Sect-Entering Order were generally not refused.
If they were refused, they might be labeled as “untrustworthy,” and that would sound bad if it got out…
Elder Shen frowned, pondering before he spoke with weighty consideration:
“It’s not ‘refusal,’ it’s ‘under deliberation’…”
The crowd was taken aback.
“Under deliberation?”
Elder Shen nodded, “It’s not rejection, merely that this matter is special and requires thorough discussion…”
Thorough discussion.
As for how long they will deliberate, be it a month, a year, or more than a decade, whether or not a decision is reached, and what that might be…
That was the concern of the Qian Taoist Sect and no one else’s business.
Elder Shen did not articulate this, but everyone understood.
The others nodded:
“This is for the best…”
“Such a significant matter indeed requires thorough discussion…”
“Indeed, Elder Shen handles matters fittingly, measuring every action with perfect discretion…”
…
“So how shall we deal with this Sect-Entering Order?” someone else asked.
Elder Shen said indifferently:
“Just enter it into the record of cultivators.”
The Sect-Entering Order was precious, one per person. Once entered into the records, if returned, it could not be used by others again.
And once “under deliberation,” the matter of the order-holder’s admission into the sect was effectively stalled.
Thus, the matter was properly dealt with.
Elder Shen nodded slightly.
The light of the Sect-Entering Order flashed momentarily as it was recorded.
Elder Shen annotated “under deliberation” on the record, then tossed it aside, burying it under a pile of documents where it began to gather dust in silence.
As he discarded it, his glance fell once more on the name atop the record.
“Mo Hua…”
The name was swiftly forgotten by Elder Shen, who didn’t deem it to be of any significance…