The questioning continued from there. Each elder took their turn, asking him various questions about the mission and the finer details of his report.
One elder leaned forward and asked about the timing of his arrival at the ruins. Another asked how he'd first noticed the formation markers.
Xian Tiandi answered each one in turn, never faltering, never once contradicting himself.
His voice stayed level the whole time. He kept his hands folded in front of him, his posture straight.
The younger woman leaned forward at one point, listening closely to his words.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him as he spoke, tracking every detail. She said nothing, but her attention was sharp enough that Tiandi noticed it without looking directly at her.
One by one, the elders nodded, satisfied with what they heard. The old man in the center nodded first, followed by the dignified woman beside him.
The honest faced man nodded last, a small approving grunt escaping him as he did.
