Gulped.
The three brothers at the side watched every twitched of the old man's brow and they swallowed in his every sigh. They were waiting for his 'verdict.'
But the old man ignored their presence and continued to think of his granddaughter.
It was because his granddaughter, who was currently out of sight, managed to convince him and to trust her. Old Xiong knew that none of the three brothers bore sincere intentions towards the first branch.
Naturally, he did not trust any of them. He did not truly trust others to begin with. It was only until recently after personally cultivating and witnessing his granddaughter's ability and growth that he could trust others, and that was his only granddaughter.
Speaking of his granddaughter, where was she? He has something important to announce and for sure, Zhi'er would not let this chance pass by without witnessing it.