Yaochi Immortal Realm.
Misty immortal Qi coiled through the air. The pavilions and towers were as magnificent as ever, yet they could not dispel the haze hanging over the two of them.
Yaochi looked at Haotian's lost, dispirited appearance, and pain stabbed through her heart.
She poured a cup of immortal tea and gently pushed it in front of Haotian.
"Senior Brother."
Yaochi's voice broke the dead silence.
"Since Dao Ancestor is unwilling to see us, then let it be."
"Let's go seek guidance from Hongyun or Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."
Haotian was silent for a long time, then slowly breathed out a mouthful of turbid air.
"All right." Haotian finally made his decision.
"Go to the treasury and pick out a few presentable Innate Spiritual Treasures."
"Prepare a generous gift. We... will make a trip to Huoyun Cave and pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Hongyun."
"All right. I'll go to the storeroom right away and choose some presentable treasures."
Yaochi answered, feeling slightly relieved.
What she feared most was that this failure would crush her senior brother completely, leaving him unable to rise again.
As long as he was still willing to try, there was still hope.
Yaochi was just about to turn and leave, to go to the treasury and choose some gifts worthy of presentation.
Just then, a sudden change erupted!
An extremely faint streak of flowing light emerged from Haotian's body without the slightest warning.
At first, that light was no brighter than a firefly, but in an instant it expanded, condensing at the center of the great hall into a blurred and illusory figure.
The figure was ancient and simple, its Dao Rhythm distant and profound. Though its face could not be seen clearly, that aura—transcending all things and standing above the peak of