Suddenly, the air shifted.
A faint Spirit ripple spread across the environment, and Aksai felt the unmistakable presence of an isolation barrier forming around them.
The barrier cut off any external interference and trapped everyone inside. It was clear this had been planned in advance, executed meticulously. The location might have been random, but the bald elder had come prepared. This wasn't something thought up on the spot.
Aksai's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, observing. The fight hadn't yet reached him, and though the two sect elders loyal to Haitin were likely in danger, Aksai didn't move to their aid. There was no benefit in doing so.
In the distance, faint sounds of battle echoed through the trees. At first, Aksai expected the loyal sect elders to put up a fight, but within moments, it became clear that something was wrong. The battle was over too quickly. He extended his Spirit Sense further, trying to understand what had happened.