A few hours later, all members of the group dispatched to control the situation across the Piercing Heaven Sect's territory had returned. Without delay, Sect Master Ryu summoned all the elders to the vast training ground in front of the main building. With more than a hundred elders present, the gathering hall was far too small to accommodate them.
Once the elders had assembled in orderly rows, Sect Master Ryu emerged from the building, accompanied by the announcement elder.
"Sect Master has arrived! Pay your respects!"
All of the elders dropped to one knee, cupping their hands and bowing their heads slightly toward Sect Master Ryu. Standing on the elevated ground of the main building, which overlooked the training field, the sect master surveyed the assembled elders before finally speaking.
"There were no casualties among you. Good. I expect at least that much. If any of you had died despite the element of surprise, there would be no one to blame but the weakness of the dead."
