Wang Yue had returned to the sect for less than three days when good news came from Transmission Peak: his True Disciple residence had been completed.
The moment he stepped into the mountainside courtyard, abundant essence rushed at his face, pouring in through his nose and mouth and making the Blood Qi throughout his body feel lighter. The essence-gathering array inside the rooms was slowly operating, pale white spiritual energy lingering like thin mist. Its concentration truly exceeded that of the temporary stone house several times over.
Yet this joy was soon diluted by the strange atmosphere pervading the sect.
From dawn onward, a solemn sense of pressure had spread from top to bottom. The mountain, once bustling, had lost its usual shouts and calls. Disciples hurried to and fro with grave faces, even lowering their voices when they spoke, as though something momentous was about to happen.
Just as Wang Yue was pondering what felt wrong, he saw Ji Wuling appear at the foot of the peak.
His master, usually ruddy-faced and full of vigor, now looked gray and worn. Even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed several degrees deeper, and there was a trace of weariness in his steps. "Master."
Wang Yue hurried forward and bowed in greeting.
When Ji Wuling saw him, he forced out a smile and patted his shoulder, but did not say a single word. He turned and headed toward the main peak, his back carrying an indescribable heaviness.
Wang Yue opened his mouth, then swallowed the question that had reached his lips. Judging by his master's expression, he had clearly encountered a thorny matter. Pressing him would only add to his troubles.
After pondering for a moment, Wang Yue still could not suppress the doubts in his heart. He turned