Green Duckweed Mountain, in a secluded valley.
A somewhat chilly mountain breeze drifted in from outside, letting out a mournful whine.
A veiled woman paced back and forth inside the valley, as if waiting for something.
Suddenly, the sound of someone escaping through the air came from beyond the mountain.
Joy stirred in the woman's heart, and she hurried out to greet him.
The instant she saw who had arrived, she bowed with practiced grace. "Tao Wan greets Sect Leader Li!"
Li Yingzhang waved his hand and smiled. "Sect Master Tao, there's no need to be so polite. Our two sects have shared a deep connection in the past. There's no need for such distance between us."
Beneath her veil, Tao Wan smiled bitterly.
The former Azure Pill Valley had once been a Golden Core Great Sect, with tremendous strength. Back then, the Luo Tian Sect had still been the Luo Tian Association, nothing more than a Second-Rate Force.
Now, Azure Pill Valley had only three Golden Core Cultivators left, barely maintaining its position among the great sects.
But the Luo Tian Association, which had once needed to rely on Azure Pill Valley's favor, had already become the lofty Luo Tian Upper Sect.
A thick, tragic barrier had long since risen between the two!
The only connection that could still allow them to speak as equals was probably the slight relationship between her and the Supreme Elder of the Luo Tian Sect.
Suppressing a sigh, Tao Wan braced herself and asked, "Is True Person Luo willing to meet me?"
Li Yingzhang said apologetically, "Unfortunately, the Supreme Elder has been very busy lately and cannot spare the time to meet you."
Tao Wan parted her lips, her disappointment plain beneath the veil.
But Li Yingzhang's next words swept that disappointment away.