This announcement didn't surprise anyone as they had all known that the exchange program that was sjsit completed was only the first part of the program to foster cooperation between the five sects.
They knew to expect a second phase of the program and they knew that it would involve all five sects, but the array spirit still went ahead to tell them how it will proceed.
It said, "Every sect will send a representative and a group of disciples to the Purple Flower sect. They will interact with each other, learn from each other, and learn to cooperate with each other. This way, the five sects will be able to work well together when we band together to resist the invasion of the Red and Blue Fire sect."
"That is the general plan for the exchange program. More details, such as when it will be held, are yet to be finalized. We will finalize this and many other details by making the junior elders of the five sects meet and decide for us."
"Once we have finalized all of the details and particulars, you will be informed. I'm guessing that should be in the next three months. In the meantime, have a nice time."
Just before they could leave, Lady Evergreen raised her hand and called them to order.
She said to Arthur, "Nice job defeating that green snake or whatever he calls himself. You have perfectly displayed the fighting capabilities and prowess of our sect. You should be rewarded for this."
"I heard that you're learning formations and are in need of materials for practice. So I will have some sent to you soon."
Arthur rose up from his seat and bowed to her as he said, "Thank you for your generosity, patriarch."
She nodded in response. Then she turned to one of the projections in the room and said, "For the next part of the exchange program, each sect will be sending their strongest fourth mortal coil cultivators to lead their groups. This means that you have to lead the next group, Void Claw."
As she spoke, she stared at him intently. "So you will have to set aside your current mission and return to the sect to take charge of the exchange program."
Arthur found the way that she was staring at Void Claw to be peculiar. She was looking at him as if she was hoping for him to refute her. It looked to him like she was baiting him to do something wrong, which he found odd.
Void Claw, on the other hand, was highly composed. He just bowed and said, "You're right, patriarch Evergreen. I should prioritize the exchange program. Patriarch Sword Flash told me as much before he left."
He agreed with her, but Lady Evergreen didn't appear to be satisfied. She huffed in dissatisfaction and looked away.
This made Arthur ask himself in confusion, "What is going on here? Why is Lady Evergreen so dissatisfied, and since when can a golden core cultivator piss off a patriarch and still be able to maintain a smile?"
Most odd about the situation was that Lady Evergreen was clearly dissatisfied with something, and she didn't bother to hide it or do anything to rectify the situation.
Her dissatisfaction was clear in her face, but everyone was ignoring it or acting as if it was normal. It made him very confused.
He had a lot of questions on his mind. Fortunately, Storm Hawk said to him, "You have a lot to know. I'll tell you later."
The meeting ended on that peculiar note. The projections disappeared from the council hall, leaving only Arthur, Storm Hawk, the array spirit, and the two avatars.
Arthur and Storm Hawk left while the other three remained in the council hall. Those three would remain there until the next meeting.
After they left the council hall, Storm Hawk said with a teasing smile, "Look at our hero. He defeated an old golden core elder of the Purple Flower sect on his second day on the exchange program and made us proud."
Arthur raised an eyebrow in surprise and said, "Stop the jesting. It doesn't look good on you."
This made her snort and say, "Fine. I'm jealous of you. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Arthur saw the look of irritation on her face and nodded in satisfaction as he said, "Yes. That look of jealousy looks good on you. Too bad that your face can't turn green, or it would be better."
The two of them flew towards his floating island. As they did so, they discussed with each other. But as their chatting progressed, Storm Hawk became more irritated and frustrated.
She was frustrated because the strength that Arthur had displayed to defeat a golden core elder, who should have been at the sixth transformation, had left her in the dust.
She couldn't help but remember how she boasted before he left for the exchange program about how she would teach him a lesson. Now that she knows what Arthur is capable of, she couldn't help but feel like a clown.
This made her ask, "How did you do it? Did that Green Viper guy let you win? I doubt it would be of his own initiative since you killed his son. But it is possible that the patriarch of the Purple Flower sect asked him to lose to you so that you would look good, which will in turn make us look good and be more willing to help them."
She rambled on about her conspiracy theory of why Arthur, a first transformation junior, was able to defeat a sixth transformation senior without using the vessel sigil techniques.
To this, Arthur shrugged and said, "You know me, I'm just that good. I was already able to match golden core seniors when I was at the third mortal coil. So it is not far-fetched that I managed to defeat a golden core senior after I advanced to the fourth mortal coil."
She shook her head and said, "You're a freak. That's what you are."