The moon rose over the eastern mountains, casting a sheen of moisture across the stones of Crimson Flame Peak.
Outside the cave abode, two Crimson Cloud Pines shone with dazzling light, illuminating the scene with festive colors.
Lin Lan led the two Nascent Soul True Lords down. Ji An stepped forward and warmly cupped his hands.
"Fellow Daoist Canglong, I trust you have been well!"
As his gentle words fell, the Crimson Cloud Pines swayed without wind, their spiritual radiance shining even more brilliantly.
"Thanks to your good wishes, all is well."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, True Monarch Canglong pointed to the cultivator beside him and solemnly said,
"Allow me to make an introduction. This is my senior brother, True Monarch Zhuyin, and also the most experienced Spirit Farmer in our sect."
True Monarch Zhuyin had white hair and beard, a slightly dark complexion, and a face deeply carved by the marks of time.
Even if cultivators did not care for their appearance, wrinkles rarely remained on their faces. Only when one's lifespan began to wither away would the signs of old age emerge.
Ji An could clearly sense a trace of decaying wood emanating from the other man's body. He sighed softly within. He had never before met a Nascent Soul cultivator who had reached the end of his life.
His expression remained unchanged as he cupped his hands and spoke modestly.
"My Daoist name is Xuanqing. A pleasure to meet you."
The other party was merely at Nascent Soul Layer 8, but he was clearly on good terms with True Monarch Canglong, so Ji An gave him full respect.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanqing, a pleasure. I have long heard of your great name. Meeting you today, I can better sense your strength. I understand very well how difficult