Thud.
Thud.
Old Seventh Bai and Fifth Young Master Cui also dropped stiffly to their knees.
At least kneeling would preserve True Person Hua's dignity.
If they actually accepted such a grand salute, let alone walking out of here intact, even their two families would likely suffer calamity alongside them. This was a cultivator of a great sect, a Golden Core True Person who held great authority over one region.
The maidservants in gauzy robes on both sides turned pale with fright and hurried forward to help.
Yet the cultivator on the lotus dais had no intention of rising. Instead, he bent even lower, prostrating himself as he cried, "Taiyi Sect disciple Hua Fei pays respects to Ancestor!"
"Ancestor?"
"Who?"
The maidservants froze in astonishment.
Old Seventh Bai and Fifth Young Master Cui, who were likewise kneeling on the ground, exchanged bewildered looks.
"You know me?"
A hollow yet hoarse voice rang out.
Everyone followed the sound and saw that it was the red-haired cultivator who had come with them.
"Ancestor?"
Fifth Young Master Cui was completely stunned.
This young man was an Ancestor?
"Two hundred years ago, at the sect's grand ceremony, I was fortunate enough to behold Ancestor's immortal visage. Since then, I have never dared forget it."
True Person Hua Fei spoke with utter sincerity. Still not daring to raise his head, he continued, "Many disciples within the sect keep portraits of Ancestor. As for Ancestor's deeds, Hua Fei has long been able to recite them backward and forward."
Tu Shan Jun stood silently where he was, dazed for a long while.
Then he softly said, "Rise."
His voice, once as still as an ancient well without ripples, now carried a little more weathered sorrow and reflection.
He had not expected that, after being gone for so