The three subtly deferred to the female cultivator.
She wore a plain hemp robe and a simple skirt, with white cloth wrapped around her head, as if she were in mourning. Her features were exquisite, like a painting, but a closer look revealed not a trace of life about her. She seemed no more than a moving corpse.
She was smaller than most women, yet carried an exceptionally fine coffin on her back.
The coffin was made of some unknown material. It was pitch-black from end to end and large enough to hold at least three people. Talisman papers covered its surface, and several chains bound it tightly shut.
Even so, as the female cultivator approached, Pei Ling could hear muffled thumps coming from inside the Black Coffin. One after another, they were accompanied by the sharp scrape of fingernails against the coffin. His chest tightened with unease, and he nearly sprang up to flee.
The two male cultivators wore a green robe and a blue robe, respectively.
The green-robed cultivator was somewhat younger, with fair skin. The blue-robed one looked older and rather plain and honest.
Zheng Jingshan raised a hand to wave away the formalities. After telling them to rise, he introduced Pei Ling: "These three are disciples of my Jiansang lineage."
The female cultivator was Ouyang Xianxing, a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator and one of the strongest in the Jiansang lineage. She was also Zheng Jingshan's trusted aide. The green-robed cultivator was Fang Ji, a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator who studied both medicine and poison. The blue-robed cultivator was Xue Ying, also a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator, who excelled at formations.
"I've already explained the mission to Xianxing." Zheng Jingshan glanced at the three and said solemnly, "The Inner Sect has been unsettled lately.