Shen Rou nodded. She picked up her cup again and held it with both hands, her eyes meeting his, and in that moment, and her posture settled into when the agenda portion of a conversation had ended and what remained was something less structured. She looked at the window.
"The sect has changed the academy's dynamic significantly," she said. "I've been observing the response from other sects over the past month."
"What have you observed?"
"Crimson Vanguard has accelerated their activity schedule. Heavenly Sword Sect changed their expedition groupings. Three smaller sects dissolved and reformed with different membership, which I think is a response to seeing what a small high-performing sect can accomplish." She paused. "And there's been a consistent pattern of people watching you specifically."
"I know," Lin Yi said.
She looked at him. "Does it bother you?"
He thought about the question. "No," he said.
