As an independent cultivator, the elder had fought through years of hardship to break through to the Golden Core mid-stage. During this time, he had likely carried out many dirty tasks for Qingwu, tasks he now despised himself for.
So when he saw these younger disciples with higher cultivation than him, a deep resentment began to stir within him. He thought to himself, If only I had joined a sect earlier, I'd at least be at the Deity Forming stage by now.
"Shandu Master, you don't need to rush. Once we deal with her, you'll have your turn," the middle-aged cultivator said.
"Don't delay any further, strike quickly," he urged. Time was of the essence; they didn't want any unexpected complications later.