The vast hall was filled with silence, as dozens of people sat without making a sound.
About half an hour later, the middle-aged man sitting cross-legged stirred slightly and slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze was cold and piercing. At the very moment he opened his eyes, at least half of the many pairs of eyes staring at him immediately averted their gaze, choosing to look down or elsewhere.
Only seven or eight people continued to look at him without turning away.
Those who were still looking at him were seated in the first row, each with a composed expression, draped in black or white robes, their eyes occasionally moving to the "Book of Change" on the podium.
The middle-aged man in the black robe unfolded his legs and slowly stood up.
He did not move the book in front of him, but instead stepped over it and walked down from the platform.
At this moment, two elderly men from the first row stood up, one bald and the other with silver hair, and walked towards him.
