Within the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
The Old Emperor's flesh was as transparent as glazed crystal. A fissure opened at the Baihui acupoint atop his head, and a wisp of purple qi shot into the heavens.
East Sea Thundercloud Island.
The Old Emperor's nascent soul left his body and swiftly passed through this region blanketed in thunderclouds.
The Old Emperor avoided the lightning zone. The storms here were natural, and with his nascent soul out of his body, they made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
At last, he descended into a certain area.
Within that area, a youth sat cross-legged.
It seemed he had been waiting for him.
The Old Emperor said with dissatisfaction, "Happy Old Man, if we were going to meet, you could have chosen a better place. Yet you insisted on choosing here."
Happy Old Man—no!
Happy Youth spoke. "I now possess only one-third of that old fellow's soul. Though our hearts and minds are connected, I am not him.
"We can only use this to blind the heavens' calculations. Otherwise, if I set foot in Central Continent, Shu Mountain will surely learn of it.
"The natural lightning storms here make it a fine place to hide. We must still be cautious when meeting."
The Old Emperor nodded and stopped complaining, getting straight to the point.
"What did you summon me here for this time?"
Happy Youth said, "I am prepared to enter Central Continent. The situation is developing too quickly—I have no choice but to do so."
"With this incarnation of yours?" The Old Emperor gave Happy Youth an appraising look.
"This is me, merely another me."
Happy Youth seemed rather displeased by the scrutiny in the Old Emperor's gaze.
"What can you accomplish with this incarnation? Stir the winds and clouds?"
Happy Youth smiled. "To scheme