The ruckus continued for a full minute, voices rising and clashing as people pushed and shouted over one another, each desperate to be noticed.
Some waved their hands wildly, others called out loudly, while a few even tried to force their way closer.
The scene grew increasingly chaotic until Master Xie Yan slowly raised a single hand.
It was a simple gesture, yet it carried an inexplicable weight.
"Quiet, everyone! Master Xie Yan is about to speak!" a booming voice rang out across the area.
The effect was immediate.
The restless crowd froze, their voices dying down one after another until a heavy silence blanketed the surroundings.
Countless eyes turned toward the man at the center, filled with anticipation, excitement, and hope.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Master Xie Yan began calmly, his voice neither loud nor forceful, yet it reached every corner with ease. "I am glad to see so many of you gathered here today."
He paused briefly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
