After looking at the entire recorder bead's video, the atmosphere in the hall was slightly strange, yet more than that, it was suffocating. Those who recognized that symbol looked at Vincent, who was expressionless.
Everyone knew what was going on except the two grand elders. They never paid much attention to the sect's matters, and Vincent made sure to keep them in the dark. But as old foxes, they knew something was wrong, and it had to do with Vincent somehow.
Bert didn't seem to care. He sneered, stowed away the recorder bead, and said coldly, looking at Vincent, "I would like to request to promptly detain the suspect, George! Please give your permission, Grand Elders!"
Vincent's expression went dark when Bert bluntly undermined his authority and asked the Grand Elders for permission.
Grand Elder Edwin's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Who is George, and why is he a suspect?"
Although Grand Elder Edwin didn't like Vincent and wouldn't miss any chance to suppress him, this matter was simply too huge. If it had anything to do with the sect, they would pay a terrible price.
After all, the sect was their foundation, and offending the prime heavenly bank would be like provoking a wasp nest!
Bert glanced at Vincent, who was coldly looking at him. Since two grand elders were here, he knew he wouldn't have to be afraid, so he quickly said, "So, Sect Master didn't tell you about his protégé? Actually, George Edward is a newly anointed Chief Forger Disciple, a genius who had earned himself a Nominal Legacy Token of the Forger Abyss!"
"Apparently, respected Sect Master took him as his disciple, and everyone here knows that he's a forger genius who is only slightly inferior to my son, Nathaniel."
Bert seemed to be parsing George, but everyone knew that he was just putting gold around the fish to make it more valuable in others' eyes before killing it!
Bert's lips curled up slightly as he could see Grand Elder Edwin and Inez's astounded expression, and he knew the moment had arrived as he drew the butter knife.
"But there is something unusual about George because he liked to steal from his fellow disciples and didn't respect his elders! Still, we can take it as a junior playing around with his peers.
"However, there is something similar about this thief, Sky Stealer, and George, and that thing is this owl symbol they leave behind whenever they steal from someone! I'm not making baseless accusations here. There are some disciples who have this owl symbol on their hands, and they can't be removed no matter what, and this Sky Stealer symbol has the same attributes.
"I've personally received reports from our branch clan in the Northern Guardian Sect City. Not only that, but the elders here had personally seen it themselves, and they can be my witness!
"That's why I want to detain him and hand him over to the bank before they find out about this, because once they know about George's similarities with the Sky Stealer, it'll be a calamity for our sect, and this thief is clearly trying to destroy our set!"
Everyone was silent, and no one refuted Bert's statement. Even the Forger Masters, who had a good opinion of George, were silent and frowning. Lastly, Vincent was also silent since he knew there was no escaping this at all. He didn't believe for a second that the bank wouldn't be able to get this information even if the sect was locked down.
In fact, Vincent knew that the Norberg clan had mostly likely already informed the bank, and they wouldn't miss this chance to get rid of George, who was like a thorn in their way. Moreover, it was also the perfect chance to get rid of Vincent since they could easily tie Sky Stealer and Vincent together.
"Detain him, and bring him here!" Grand Elder Inez coldly ordered. She never expected someone in their sect.
Furthermore, it wasn't just the question about snatching the sect mater's position from Vincent; it was about the survival of their sect!
Bert was instantly in high spirits, and he was about to rush toward George's cultivation dwelling to capture him and even cripple him. At the same time, he got the chance when suddenly a suffocating spiritual pressure locked him in his place, and he became pale.
Grand Elder Edwin and Inez's eyes widened slightly since they knew who this spiritual pressure belonged to, and even Vincent was startled.
At this moment, an impassive yet imposing voice rang in the hall, "George never left the sect during all this time. He has always been in his cultivation chamber, and he still is! This old spirit can be the witness!
"If you dare to continue to libel George instead of hiding your incompetence and going after the real culprit, this old spirit will have no choice but to punish you by capturing and refining you for a year!"
Everyone was shocked, and Bert's expression was deadly pale. They knew it was the Guardian Spirit of the AIG Sect, and even the Grand Elders didn't dare go against it.
Furthermore, when the Guardian Spirit personally vouched for George, there was nothing these people could say after all. They all knew the Guardian Spirit was the core of the AIG Sect's formations, and it could easily spy on people with a single thought. It would never lie about something this serious, especially when the survival of the sect was on the line. Moreover, they can easily confirm this on their own. If George really hasn't left the sect all this time, then how in the world did he rob the bank branch?
"And you lot! Have your heads also been hit by a donkey mutt-head? George cultivation is only a 1-Star Ascension Soldier! Do you really believe that he can rob a bank under so many Ascension Guardians' eyes? We all know how much the bank emphasized their security, so open your minds and stop bringing calamity upon yourselves!
"Who would be going to believe your words if you yourself insist they are true? Are you sure you are not trying to sabotage the entire sect for your personal vendetta!?" Guardian Spirit's voice was icy cold, and it was clearly angry, "Grand Elder Edwin, I put you in charge of investing this personally, and since you all are insisting on blaming George, you can start with him. Oh, and the entire Norberg clan's assets and authorities are voided and will be temporarily given to the Sect Master Vincent until they can clear their names of this mess! "The Norberg branch clan in the Northern Sect Guardian City will also be held responsible for their incompetence, and the Sect Master Vincent has the right to anoint new authority in the city. Norberg clan will no longer have any part in the Northern Sect Guardian City; that'll take effect immediately!"
Bert's and the faces of all the Norberg clan members in the hall were filled with shock, disbelief, and despair. They never expected that the Guardian Spirit would be so ruthless to
Furthermore, they had bought this upon themselves while trying to outsmart others, and the one who had the biggest hand in this was Bert himself!
Vincent was astounded. He never expected Guardian Spirit to reverse this situation , and it even snatched all the authority of the Norberg clan just like that. Right now, they can't do anything to fight back since the odds are against them!
The two Grand Elders looked at each other with shock and couldn't help but sigh helplessly. They knew the Guardian Spirit was truly infuriated this time, and if they didn't behave, they might end up on a mission like the other two Grand Elders!
Just thinking about how Chester and Bernard were sent to the boundary to investigate made him shudder.
Grand Elder Edwin looked at Bert with a hint of pity before he coughed lightly, "Since Senior Guardian Spirit has given its words, I'll be in charge of investigating this incident. Let's start with the Sect Master's disciple, George, since we can't overlook the similarity between his methods and the Sky Stealer. I also want to see what kind of genius he is. What do you think, Sect Master?"
Vincent wanted to sneer with disdain, but he held himself back. His lips rose up slightly as he nodded, "Please don't mind me, Grand Elder. That brat has been in seclusion all this time. I also wanted to see his progress. You are free to criticize that little troublemaker. Having you personally visit him is his honor!"
Grand Elder Edwin laughed dryly before he nodded. Everyone looked at each other, as they were also quite interested in what George was up to and how he had a similar owl symbol as