Chapter 2689

The door of the ancient building was closed, and the room was dark and secluded. Only two rows of dim lamps were lit on both sides of the hall, which seemed very quiet. In the main hall, there were two pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes on each side. On both sides of the pillars, there were ponds about half an arm deep with lotus lamps and some small black fish. 13 steps led up to a high platform at the end of the hall. An ancient podium carved with a dragon stood atop the high platform. At this moment, a withered old man with scant gray hair and a hunched back sat cross-legged on the podium. After Ernest entered, he immediately bent down, walked cautiously to the bottom of the steps, and prostrated on the floor. He greeted, “Grandmaster.” The old man on the podium opened his profound eyes, looked at the kneeling Ernest below, and said in a gruff, deep voice, “Get up.” Ernest stood up but was still bent over. The old man on the podium asked, “Is something wro